Disney Plus and Spider-Man: Why Other Sony Properties Aren't Coming to Disney Plus

With the recent addition of Spider-Man movies to Disney Plus, many fans have been eagerly awaiting news on other Sony properties. In this article, we'll explore why other Sony-owned properties like Hotel Transylvania, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Men in Black are not currently on Disney Plus.

The Spider-Man Deal

The decision to include Spider-Man movies on Disney Plus came after a strategic deal between Disney and Sony Pictures Entertainment. This deal resulted from the fact that Spider-Man is a character owned by Marvel, a subsidiary of Disney, and Sony retains the live-action movie rights for the character. This unique ownership structure has led to an initial roll-out that only includes Spider-Man films, specifically those linked to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Exclusion of Men in Black, Ghostbusters, and Angry Birds

Currently, there are no plans to add other Sony properties such as Men in Black, Ghostbusters, Angry Birds, Uncharted, Resident Evil, and Jumanji to Disney Plus. These films are currently available on other streaming services. For instance, Men in Black and Ghostbusters are available on Amazon Prime Video, while UNCHARTED and Resident Evil are currently on PlayStation Plus.

Current Status of Sony Spider-Man Films

While the Spider-Man films are exclusive to Disney Plus currently, it's worth noting that the Sony Spider-Man movies are still available on other streaming services. Fans of the Sony Spider-Man franchise can still enjoy All Your Fears (2012), Homecoming (2017), Far From Home (2019), No Way Home (2021), and the upcoming Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).

Why Other Sony Properties Aren't Part of the Deal

The reason for the limited inclusion of Sony properties on Disney Plus is straightforward. Apart from Spider-Man, which is a share property, other Sony films belong to Sony, and the terms of the deal did not include expanding the distribution to other films. This means that while Sony has the live-action film rights, Disney does not have the rights to these franchises, be it Hotel Transylvania, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, or other franchises. Any inclusion would require additional licensing and negotiations between Disney and Sony, which have not been finalized yet.

Future Possibilities

Fans and consumers should stay tuned for future announcements. While the immediate future looks limited for Sony properties on Disney Plus, it is possible that in the future, there could be more collaboration between the two companies. As their relationship continues to evolve, so too may the terms of their deals, leading to potential expansions in the future.

In conclusion, the addition of Spider-Man movies to Disney Plus is a unique situation brought on by the dual ownership of the character by both Disney and Sony. Other Sony properties remain off-limits due to ownership and licensing agreements. However, the potential for future collaboration is open, and fans can look forward to more announcements as the partnerships continue to unfold.