The essentials in 30 seconds: Venom, Morbius, Kraven the Hunter… Sony has attempted to build an entire universe around Spider-Man's villains, usually without the Avengers or even Peter Parker. The result: a highly uneven lineup, ranging from commercial triumph (Venom) to critical fiasco (Morbius) and risky gamble (Kraven). In this article, we rank these "solo villains," explain why some work and others do not, and connect them with the MCU's major villains such as Loki, Thanos, and Doctor Doom, available as action figures and posters in our Villains Figures collection.
Since 2018, Sony Pictures has been exploring an approach that runs counter to the Marvel Studios model: building entire films around its villains, with few or no superheroes to confront them. Venom, Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, and soon other figures from Spider-Man's rogues' gallery have thus been propelled into leading roles in their own franchises. This approach, unique in the superhero-film landscape, deserves a closer look: which are the best "solo villains" in Marvel movies, which ones have missed the mark, and what does this teach us about what makes a good antagonist? That is the purpose of this ranking, designed for fans who love both the heroes and villains of the Marvel universe.
What is a "solo villain" in film?
A "solo villain" is a comics antagonist who gets their own film as the main character, rather than remaining confined to the role of an opponent facing an established hero. It is a way to recycle supporting or lesser-known characters to create new profitable franchises without relying on the rights to Spider-Man himself (which Sony shares with Marvel Studios under complex arrangements). The concept is not entirely new: one could argue that Loki, with his solo series on Disney+, follows a similar approach, as do certain projects being considered around Doctor Doom. But the genre's true testing ground remains Sony's "Spider-Man Universe," with three emblematic films: Venom (2018), Morbius (2022), and Kraven the Hunter (2024).
Our Ranking Methodology
To establish this ranking, we weighed several objective and subjective criteria: box-office performance, critical and audience reception, the quality of the character's writing, consistency with the source material from the comics, and finally, cultural impact (memes, iconic lines, and place in pop culture). None of these films officially belong to the "canon" MCU of the Avengers, but their connections to the multiverse—particularly through Spider-Man: No Way Home—make them essential subjects of study for any fan of Marvel villains.
| Rank | Film | Year | Worldwide Box Office | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Venom | 2018 | ~856 M$ | Popular Success |
| 2 | Venom: Let There Be Carnage | 2021 | ~506 M$ | Very Solid |
| 3 | Kraven the Hunter | 2024 | ~62 M$ | Risky Gamble, Commercial Failure |
| 4 | Venom: The Last Dance | 2024 | ~476 M$ | Honorable Conclusion |
| 5 | Morbius | 2022 | ~167 M$ | Critical Flop and Viral Meme |
1. Venom: The Villain Who Became a Cult Antihero
It would be impossible to start this ranking without mentioning Venom, the big winner of this Sony experiment. Tom Hardy plays Eddie Brock, a failed journalist who merges with an extraterrestrial symbiote to become a creature that is both monstrous and strangely endearing. The trilogy's premise relies on a unique chemistry: Venom is not really a villain in the classic sense, but rather a chaotic antihero, with unapologetic dark humor and an unlikely "bromance" between Eddie and his symbiote. This offbeat, almost comedic tone appealed to a broad audience, well beyond comic-book fans alone. The third installment, Venom: The Last Dance, delivered a conclusion worthy of expectations, with a cameo that delighted fans paying close attention to the multiverse.
This success can also be attributed to Tom Hardy's performance, carrying the film on his shoulders and providing the symbiote's voice himself in many scenes. If you like this type of morally ambiguous character, somewhere between heroism and darkness, the comparison with Loki, fans' favorite antihero, is particularly relevant.
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View the product2. Kraven the Hunter: Ambition Before Commercial Failure
Released in late 2024, Kraven the Hunter (starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the title role) offered a radically different approach: a much more violent tone, an R rating (prohibiting admission to anyone under 17 in the United States), and an origin story centered on Sergei Kravinoff, a Russian hunter obsessed with tracking down the most dangerous creatures on the planet. On paper, the idea was appealing: finally give a Spider-Man villain the darkness and brutality demanded by his source material in the comics.
In fact, the film received a catastrophic commercial reception, one of the worst in the recent history of superhero movies, with a budget that far exceeded its worldwide box-office gross. Critics praised certain choices (Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s performance, the cinematography) while pointing to a conventional screenplay and uneven pacing. This near-failure prompted Sony to rethink its strategy for the future of the “Spider-Man Universe.” The film nevertheless remains interesting for its ambition: to make Kraven a fully realized character with motivations of his own.
3. Morbius: the flop that became a cult meme
It is difficult to discuss Morbius without mentioning its peculiar fate on the internet: released in 2022 with Jared Leto playing the “living vampire,” the film was savaged by critics upon release before enjoying an unexpected second life as a meme (“It’s Morbin Time”), ironically becoming more popular than the film itself. This viral notoriety even prompted Sony to attempt a theatrical re-release in 2022, a gamble that quickly fizzled commercially.
At its core, Morbius suffers from a formulaic screenplay, uneven special effects, and chaotic editing that visibly betrays late rewrites. The character of Michael Morbius, a biochemist who became a vampiric creature after a failed experiment, nevertheless had strong dramatic potential in the comics. Sadly, the film only scratches the surface of this material, preferring to multiply winks to the rest of the “Spider-Man Universe” (including a controversial cameo) rather than develop a convincing standalone story. A textbook case of the limits of trying to launch a franchise at any cost.
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View the productSpecial mention: Madame Web, the genre’s anti-role model
Released in 2024, Madame Web is not strictly speaking a "villain" film (Cassandra Webb is more of a clairvoyant antiheroine), but its inclusion in the "Spider-Man Universe" and its disastrous reception make it an unavoidable reference for understanding the limits of this strategy. The film was universally criticized for its confusing plot, awkward dialogue, and almost total lack of connection to Spider-Man, who was nevertheless supposed to be at the heart of this universe. It is the perfect counterexample of what happens when you try to build an entire film around a supporting character without giving them a true identity.
Why Some Villains Work Better as Solo Characters Than Others
When comparing these different films, one conclusion emerges: the villains who work best as solo characters are those who shift, at least partially, toward antiheroism. Venom works because Eddie Brock and his symbiote become, over the course of the films, protagonists we want to follow, with humor and chemistry. Conversely, Morbius and Madame Web struggle because their central characters remain vague, neither truly villains nor truly heroes, without a strong identity. Kraven fully embraces his darkness, but suffers from a lack of originality in his story.
This logic also aligns with that of the major villains in Marvel Studios' MCU: Thanos works because he has a coherent worldview (even if it is terrifying), while Ultron sometimes struggles to convince despite having similar potential. As for Doctor Doom, his announced arrival in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., raises the question once again: will Marvel Studios manage to avoid the pitfalls of the "Spider-Man Universe" by finally giving an iconic villain the scale he deserves? To explore this subject further, our article on Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom examines the implications of this bold choice.
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View the productThe Future of Solo Villains in Film
Following the mixed reception of Kraven the Hunter and the failure of Madame Web, Sony seems to be slowing the pace of its villain-centered "Spider-Man Universe," while exploring possible closer ties with Marvel Studios (Venom has already made a brief foray into the MCU through a post-credits cameo). Marvel Studios, for its part, is taking a different approach: rather than making fully solo films for its villains, the company favors long-running arcs and strong connections with its heroes, as shown by the growing prominence of Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers films. It's also worth noting that characters such as Thanos and his historic Snap have left a lasting impression without ever needing a dedicated "solo" film, proving that a great villain can fully stand on his own while remaining an antagonist facing a team of heroes.
Sony's experience has nonetheless opened a fascinating debate among fans: does a villain really need his own film to make an impact? The ranking established here shows that the answer depends above all on the quality of the writing, far more than on the concept itself. To keep up with news about the next major gathering of heroes and villains on the big screen, read our full article on the complete cast of Avengers: Doomsday.
For collectors who want to go beyond these three favorites, our store also offers the Doctor Doom Figurine - Golden Armor, a piece with a premium finish, as well as the Avengers Infinity War Poster - Thanos Threat, ideal for displaying the Mad Titan in all his intimidating power.
Frequently asked questions
Is Venom part of the official MCU?
Not directly. Venom belongs to Sony's "Spider-Man Universe," a separate cinematic universe, although a connection to the MCU was established through a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home and a post-credits scene in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Why did Morbius generate so much discussion despite its failure?
The film became an internet meme phenomenon ("It's Morbin Time") months after its theatrical release, creating viral hype completely disconnected from the film's actual quality and even prompting a theatrical re-release.
Will Kraven the Hunter get a sequel?
Given its commercial failure, a direct sequel seems unlikely in the short term, although Sony has not officially closed the door on the character's future in its universe.
Can Doctor Doom become the MCU's next major solo villain?
With Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role, Marvel Studios is betting big on Doctor Doom for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Without a solo film in the strict sense, his importance in the saga could surpass that of every villain mentioned in this ranking.
What is the best solo villain movie to date?
According to our ranking, Venom (2018) and its sequel Let There Be Carnage remain the clearest successes, driven by Tom Hardy's performance and a confident tone blending action with dark comedy.
Going further into the Avengers universe
- Top 10 Greatest Marvel Villains of All Time — for a broader ranking that includes the MCU’s greatest antagonists.
- Ultron: the AI that wanted to destroy humanity
- The Marvel Multiverse Explained Simply — to understand how Venom and Spider-Man cross paths despite belonging to separate universes.
- Avengers Villains: Complete Guide — our reference page covering all the major antagonists.
Key takeaways
The “solo villain” concept has produced highly contrasting results: a triumph (Venom), a bold but commercially unsuccessful gamble (Kraven), and two notable failures (Morbius, Madame Web). This range of outcomes clearly illustrates how difficult it is to carry an entire film with an antagonist, no matter how charismatic they may be on paper. To continue enjoying the greatest Marvel villains at home, explore our full selection in the Villains Figurines collection, our Avengers Posters to decorate your walls with the colors of the Titans and gods of mischief, or our Avengers Tapestries section for immersive wall décor. Want to expand your search to all the characters in the saga? Head to our Avengers Figurines collection, our Avengers Toys section, or our Avengers Cosplay selection to embody your favorite hero or villain.