How are "Madame Web" and other Sony's Spider-Verse films performing on streaming?

Madame Web, a box office bomb, has found surprising success as the number one movie on Netflix the week it was released on the platform.

What are studios like Sony considering to make more money from streaming hits, even if they were box office failures?

Sony is exploring the possibility of including streaming viewership data in its future deals with platforms like Netflix, allowing the studio to earn more revenue from streaming hits, even if they were box office bombs.

How is the traditional movie industry model being disrupted by streaming?

The article notes that the movie industry landscape has changed significantly due to the rise of streaming, with box office bombs finding unexpected success on streaming platforms, a trend that is forcing studios to rethink their revenue models.

Home / Business and Economy / Studios Explore Monetizing Streaming Success of Box Office Bombs

Studios Explore Monetizing Streaming Success of Box Office Bombs

5 Nov

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Summary

Streaming disrupts traditional movie industry model
Box office bombs find unexpected success on streaming
Studios look to include streaming metrics in future deals

Studios Explore Monetizing Streaming Success of Box Office Bombs

As of November 2025, the movie industry is grappling with the continued disruption caused by the rise of streaming. While the shift to streaming is not new, studios and platforms are still navigating this evolving landscape and negotiating deals that will be mutually beneficial.

In the past, movies would primarily make their money through theatrical releases before moving to other platforms like home video and television. Successful films would thrive, while box office bombs would fade away. However, the article notes that this dynamic has changed, with some "bombs" finding surprising success on streaming services.

Specifically, Sony's Spider-Manless Spider-Verse films, including Madame Web, Morbius, and Kraven the Hunter, were all epic box office failures. Yet, Madame Web recently topped the Netflix charts the week it debuted on the platform. This trend of streaming providing a second life for poorly performing theatrical releases has caught the attention of studios, who are now looking for ways to monetize this phenomenon.