Spider-Man: No Way Home is not on Disney Plus because Sony Pictures owns the film and licenses it separately from Disney's streaming service
Even though Disney owns Marvel Studios, which produced Spider-Man: No Way Home, Sony Pictures Entertainment retains the film and television rights to Spider-Man. This means Sony decides where the movie streams and when. Disney Plus carries some Marvel content, but Spider-Man films follow a different licensing path controlled entirely by Sony.
The confusion happens because Marvel Studios made the film and it features characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the contract between Sony and Marvel Studios gives Sony the power to monetize Spider-Man movies on their own terms. Disney does not have the authority to add Spider-Man: No Way Home to Disney Plus without Sony's permission and a separate licensing deal.
Key Takeaways
- Sony Pictures owns the film rights to Spider-Man and all Spider-Man movies, regardless of which studio produced them.
- Disney Plus can only stream content that Disney owns outright or has licensed from other studios through paid agreements.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home streams on Sony's own service, Sony Pictures Core (formerly called Crackle Premium), and is available for rental or purchase on other platforms.
- The same ownership split applies to other Spider-Man films—they will not appear on Disney Plus unless Sony negotiates a licensing deal with Disney.
How Sony and Disney split Spider-Man rights
Sony has owned the film rights to Spider-Man since 1999, before Marvel Studios was even part of Disney. When Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009, it gained control of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but not Spider-Man. Sony kept that character separate.
In 2015, Sony and Marvel Studios signed a deal allowing Marvel to use Spider-Man in MCU films like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. This partnership let Spider-Man appear alongside Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and other MCU heroes. However, the deal did not transfer streaming rights to Disney. Sony retained the power to decide where Spider-Man movies stream after their theatrical run ends.
Where Spider-Man: No Way Home streams right now
Spider-Man: No Way Home is available on Sony Pictures Core, which is Sony's free ad-supported streaming service. You can watch it there without paying, though you will see advertisements during the film. The service is available on most devices including phones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers.
The film is also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Rental typically costs $3.99 to $5.99 and lasts 48 hours. Purchasing the film costs $14.99 to $19.99 depending on the video quality and platform.
Some cable and satellite providers include the film in their on-demand libraries if you have an active subscription. Check your provider's app or on-demand menu to see if it is included with your package.
Why Disney Plus does not have other Sony-owned Spider-Man films
The same ownership issue affects all Spider-Man movies. The earlier films starring Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, plus the Venom films and Morbius, are all Sony properties. None of them appear on Disney Plus for the same reason—Sony controls where they stream.
Disney Plus does carry some Marvel content that Disney owns outright, such as the MCU films featuring Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor, plus the Marvel television series made for Disney Plus like WandaVision and Loki. But any film or show where Sony holds the rights will not be on Disney Plus unless the two companies negotiate a specific deal.
Could Spider-Man: No Way Home come to Disney Plus in the future?
It is possible, but it would require Sony and Disney to reach a new licensing agreement. Such deals are expensive and complex. Sony has its own streaming service and makes money by keeping Spider-Man films exclusive to platforms it controls or partners with directly.
Disney and Sony have worked together on Spider-Man films for years, but streaming rights are negotiated separately from film production. Even if they continue making Spider-Man movies together, that does not automatically mean Disney Plus gets streaming access. Each platform deal is a separate business decision.
If a deal did happen, it would likely be announced by both companies. There is no current public announcement of Spider-Man: No Way Home coming to Disney Plus, and Sony has shown no indication of changing its current distribution strategy.
What this means for other Marvel films on Disney Plus
Disney Plus has most MCU films because Disney owns Marvel Studios and the characters outright. Films like Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, and Doctor Strange are all Disney property and stream on Disney Plus as part of your subscription.
The Spider-Man films are the main exception because of the pre-existing Sony contract. A few other films fall into similar situations—for example, some older Marvel films made before Disney acquired Marvel may have licensing restrictions. But the vast majority of MCU content is available on Disney Plus because Disney owns it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spider-Man: No Way Home ever coming to Disney Plus?
There is no announced plan for it to come to Disney Plus. Sony controls the streaming rights and currently distributes the film through its own service and rental platforms. A deal could happen in the future, but it would require Sony and Disney to negotiate new terms, and Sony has not indicated this is happening.
Can I watch Spider-Man: No Way Home for free anywhere?
Yes, on Sony Pictures Core, which is free and ad-supported. You can also watch it through some cable or satellite on-demand services if you have an active subscription. Otherwise, you will need to rent or purchase it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.
Why does Disney own some Marvel films but not Spider-Man?
Sony bought the Spider-Man film rights in 1999, before Disney acquired Marvel. When Disney purchased Marvel in 2009, it got most Marvel characters but not Spider-Man because Sony's contract predated the Disney acquisition. Sony has kept those rights separate ever since.
Will other Spider-Man movies like Venom also never be on Disney Plus?
Venom, Morbius, and other Sony Spider-Man Universe films are Sony properties and follow the same rules as Spider-Man: No Way Home. They stream on Sony Pictures Core or are available for rent and purchase, but they are not on Disney Plus unless Sony negotiates a deal with Disney.
Does Disney Plus have any Spider-Man content at all?
Disney Plus carries some Spider-Man animated series and older television content that Disney owns, but not the live-action Spider-Man films. The MCU films featuring Spider-Man as a character (like Captain America: Civil War) are on Disney Plus, but the standalone Spider-Man movies remain Sony's property.