STREAMING UPDATE: 2026 DEAL
- The Deal: Sony & Netflix confirmed a massive global expansion on Jan 15, 2026.
- The Change: Netflix becomes the worldwide “Pay-1” home for Spider-Man by 2029.
- Next Up: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 2026) hits Netflix first.
- Disney+ Status: Spidey only appears on Disney+ in crossover films like Avengers: Doomsday.
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Why do Spider-Man movies not stream on Disney+ first?
Although Spider-Man appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sony Pictures still owns the film rights to the character. This means Sony controls theatrical distribution and streaming deals for Spider-Man movies, not Marvel Studios or Disney.
Because of this arrangement, Spider-Man films typically do not debut on Disney+ like other MCU releases (e.g., The Marvels or Captain America: Brave New World). Instead, Sony negotiates separate streaming agreements, which has led to Spider-Man films landing on platforms like Netflix and Starz first.
What change did Sony and Netflix officially confirm?
On January 15, 2026, Sony and Netflix officially confirmed the renewal and massive expansion of their “Pay-1” licensing agreement.
Under this deal, new Sony films will stream on Netflix after completing their theatrical and premium video-on-demand (PVOD) windows. The major change is that this agreement is now becoming global. Previously, the Sony/Netflix deal applied mainly to the United States and a limited number of territories. The new version will gradually expand worldwide and is expected to be fully implemented by 2029.
Which upcoming Spider-Man movies are affected by this deal?
Two major Spider-Man releases are directly impacted by this streaming window:
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day: Starring Tom Holland, scheduled to release in theaters on July 31, 2026.
- Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse: The final chapter in the animated trilogy, set for release on June 18, 2027.
Both films will stream on Netflix first in regions already covered by the deal, including the United States, Germany, and parts of Southeast Asia.
When will new Spider-Man movies arrive on Netflix?
Sony and Netflix have not confirmed an exact “day-and-date” streaming window, but previous releases provide a strong guideline.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse arrived on Netflix approximately 150 days (5 months) after its theatrical release. By comparison, Spider-Man: No Way Home reached streaming platforms about eight months after its cinema debut. Based on this pattern, fans can expect Brand New Day to hit Netflix around December 2026.
Will Spider-Man still appear in Disney+ Marvel projects?
Yes. While Spider-Man solo films stream on Netflix due to Sony’s ownership, MCU crossover films such as Avengers: Doomsday (May 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars will continue to stream on Disney+.
Spider-Man’s presence in the MCU remains unchanged. Only his standalone theatrical adventures are affected by Sony’s Netflix strategy.