'Spider-Man 4' delayed to avoid clash with Nolan's 'The Odyssey'
What's the story
The release date for the upcoming untitled Spider-Man movie, starring Tom Holland and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, has been pushed a week ahead.
The film, which was initially slated for July 24, 2026, will now release on July 31.
The new date falls on the last Friday of July—a slot previously held by Marvel Studios's Deadpool & Wolverine which earned a whopping $211.4 million domestically and $444.7 million worldwide on its opening weekend.
Release strategy
Strategic move to avoid competition with Nolan's film
The decision to push the release of the new Spider-Man movie is viewed as a strategic move by Sony and Marvel Studios.
The original date would have put it in direct competition with Christopher Nolan's upcoming Matt Damon-starrer The Odyssey, scheduled for release on July 17.
Interestingly, Holland also stars in The Odyssey.
With the new schedule, Spider-Man will now release two weeks after Nolan's film and go up against Spin Master/Paramount's Paw Patrol 3 instead.
IMAX advantage
'Spider-Man 4' to benefit from IMAX screens availability
The rescheduling of the Spider-Man release also indicates that Nolan's The Odyssey will probably rule IMAX screens for two weeks.
This way, the new Spider-Man film will have its fair share of IMAX screenings.
Amy Pascal and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige are returning as producers for this project.
While Zendaya is expected to return, her deal is still being finalized and there's no word on other returning cast members yet.
Box office success
'Spider-Man' franchise's impressive box office performance
The three Holland Spider-Man films from Sony-Disney Marvel Studios have grossed nearly $4B combined, per Deadline.
With 10 films and two animated Spider-Verse films, Sony's entire Spider-Man franchise has grossed $9B worldwide.
Cretton's previous Disney/Marvel Studios project, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, grossed $432.2 million worldwide and set the record for the biggest opening on Labor Day weekend with $94.6 million domestically.