Tom Hardy’s “Venom: The Last Dance” Shocks Everyone—From Box Office Flop to Netflix’s #1 Movie!

Despite its underwhelming performance in theaters, Venom: The Last Dance, the third installment in Sony’s Venom franchise, has found a surprising second life on Netflix. The film, which struggled to capture the critical and commercial success of its predecessors, has soared to the #1 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Movies list, with 12.8 million views and 23.3 million hours watched within its first week of March 2025. The movie’s success on the streaming platform, especially following the release of Sony’s Kraven the Hunter, suggests that while the Venom franchise may have reached a temporary pause, there’s still considerable interest in the character and its world.

While Venom: The Last Dance did not receive the same level of acclaim as Venom or Venom: Let There Be Carnage, its unexpected popularity on Netflix is a testament to its lasting appeal with general audiences. The movie’s plot, which left some fans disappointed with its brief appearance of the infamous villain Knull and unfocused action sequences, seemed to leave critics cold. However, these criticisms have not dampened the film’s ability to draw in viewers who may have skipped the movie in theaters.

The success of Venom: The Last Dance on Netflix is noteworthy, especially when compared to other major films in the current streaming lineup. As of March 4th, 2025, the movie has been viewed in at least ten countries, surpassing other big hitters like Despicable Me 4, Uncharted, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Notably, it dethroned four installments of the Despicable Me franchise, highlighting the reach and impact the Venom brand still holds with audiences.

This unexpected success could be partly attributed to viewers who may have been underwhelmed by Venom: The Last Dance in theaters but decided to give it a shot on streaming. With Venom: The Last Dance grossing significantly less than its predecessors—barely half of Venom‘s worldwide box office—it seemed like the franchise might be nearing its end. However, the film’s rise on Netflix points to a strong fan base that is willing to engage with the movie when given the flexibility of streaming, perhaps making it more accessible for those who didn’t consider it worth a theater visit.

The film’s streaming victory also serves as a small redemption for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), which had been struggling after Kraven the Hunter‘s poor box office showing. Despite the lackluster theatrical run, Venom: The Last Dance‘s Netflix triumph reinforces the idea that while the franchise may have faltered, the world it created is still appealing to many fans. With Knull’s absence from the movie and a post-credits scene teasing Venom’s return, there’s hope among fans that the symbiote’s story might continue, whether through future Venom films or potentially within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The success of Venom: The Last Dance on Netflix may not guarantee a revival for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, but it does suggest that there’s still demand for the character. With the film’s streaming success, the possibility remains that Venom could make a future appearance in the MCU, merging two of the most popular superhero universes. For now, Venom: The Last Dance has proven that while its box office run may have been rocky, its place in the hearts of audiences—especially on streaming platforms—is far from over.

As we await further developments, Venom: The Last Dance’s newfound success on Netflix serves as a reminder that the journey of a franchise can take unexpected turns, and sometimes the best victories come when least expected.