Who Owns Spider-Man? Discover Why He’s Not Always on Disney+

Is Spider-Man Owned by Disney?

Spider-Man is one of the most iconic and beloved superheroes of all time. But when it comes to who actually owns the character, things can get confusing. Many fans wonder: is Spider-Man owned by Disney or Marvel? And if Marvel is part of Disney, why isn’t Spider-Man always available on Disney+? In this comprehensive blog, we’ll explain everything about the rights, collaborations, and streaming deals behind Spider-Man.

The Origin of Spider-Man

Spider-Man made his first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962. Created by Stan Lee and illustrated by Steve Ditko, the character quickly became Marvel Comics' biggest hit. His popularity in comic books paved the way for animated shows, merchandise, and blockbuster films in later decades.

Film Rights: Why Isn’t Spider-Man Just a Marvel Studios Character?

Even though Spider-Man is a Marvel character, the film rights belong to Sony Pictures. This dates back to the late 1990s, when Marvel was facing bankruptcy. To stay afloat, Marvel sold the film rights of several characters—Spider-Man included. In 1999, Sony secured the exclusive rights to make Spider-Man movies.

Marvel retained the publishing and merchandising rights, but Sony obtained full control over the movie adaptations of Spider-Man and related characters like Venom, Aunt May, Mary Jane, and villains such as Green Goblin and Doc Ock.

So Is Spider-Man Owned by Marvel or Sony?

It depends on how you look at it. Creatively, Spider-Man is a Marvel character. And since Marvel is owned by Disney, you could say Disney owns Spider-Man in that sense. But the movie rights still belong to Sony. That’s why solo films like No Way Home and Across the Spider-Verse are Sony productions—often with Marvel Studios involved in a supporting role.

Why Did Disney and Sony Start Collaborating?

The collaboration began in 2015. Sony and Disney struck a deal to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It was a win-win situation:

• Sony gained creative guidance from Marvel Studios after the Amazing Spider-Man films underperformed.
• Disney could finally integrate one of Marvel’s most popular heroes into the MCU, which fans had been asking for.

Under the deal, Marvel Studios would co-produce the movies, while Sony retained distribution and full ownership. This resulted in shared control over the Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland.

Why Isn’t Spider-Man Always on Disney+?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. The answer is simple: Disney doesn’t own the streaming rights to the solo Spider-Man films. Those are owned and licensed by Sony.

Sometimes, Spider-Man movies are available on Disney+ in certain countries (like the Netherlands or the UK), but that’s because of temporary licensing deals. When the contract ends, the movies are removed again.

Where Else Can You Watch Spider-Man Movies?

In many regions, Spider-Man movies are available on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV. These streaming rights vary per region and period. Animated titles like Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse may also appear on different platforms depending on Sony’s licensing strategy.

Which Spider-Man Films Are Made by Marvel Studios?

Only the Tom Holland Spider-Man films are made in collaboration with Marvel Studios:

• Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
• Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
• Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

These were co-produced by Sony and Marvel Studios. Earlier Spider-Man movies (with Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield) were fully Sony productions without Marvel Studios' involvement.

Is Marvel Owned by Disney?

Yes. The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion. Since then, Marvel Studios, Marvel Comics, and related divisions have been part of Disney. This gives Disney full control over most MCU heroes like Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Black Panther.

However, characters like the X-Men, Deadpool, and Spider-Man had movie rights held by other studios. Disney has regained the rights to X-Men and Deadpool through the acquisition of 20th Century Fox, but Spider-Man remains under Sony’s control.

What Does the Future Hold for Spider-Man?

There are strong indications that Sony and Disney will continue their partnership. Tom Holland has expressed interest in reprising his role, and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that Spider-Man 4 is in development.

At the same time, Sony is building its own cinematic universe known as the "Sony Spider-Man Universe" (SSU), featuring films like Venom, Morbius, and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter.

Quick Summary: Who Owns What?

The rights situation is unique and often misunderstood. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

• Spider-Man is a Marvel character – Marvel is owned by Disney.
• Sony owns the movie rights – since a deal from the 1990s.
• Solo Spider-Man films are Sony productions, often co-created with Marvel Studios.
• Spider-Man is part of the MCU thanks to licensing deals between Sony and Disney.
• Streaming availability on Disney+ varies by country and licensing terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Spider-Man not permanently on Disney+?

Because Sony owns the streaming rights and only grants them temporarily through contracts.

Is Tom Holland’s Spider-Man part of the MCU?

Yes. He appears in Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame, and his own solo films within the MCU, thanks to the Disney-Sony agreement.

Will Spider-Man return in future Marvel movies?

Very likely. Marvel and Sony have both confirmed they’re planning more joint projects, starting with Spider-Man 4.

Were other Marvel characters also licensed out?

Yes. X-Men and Fantastic Four were with 20th Century Fox (now owned by Disney). Hulk's solo film rights are still partially owned by Universal.

Conclusion

Spider-Man is a Marvel character, but Sony owns the film rights. Thanks to a special collaboration between Sony and Disney, the character appears in both solo films and MCU movies. While availability on Disney+ may change, Spider-Man remains a core figure in the superhero world—no matter where you watch him.