Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter: A Critical and Commercial Examination

Introduction

The claim that "Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter have all been critically and commercially panned" suggests a consensus regarding the negative reception of these films within the superhero genre. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding the critical and commercial performance of these three films, assessing the reliability of the sources and the context of their claims.

What We Know

1. Morbius: Released in April 2022, "Morbius" grossed approximately $162 million worldwide against a production budget of around $75 million. While this figure is not catastrophic, it is considered low for a superhero film from a major studio, especially given the marketing costs involved 1. The film received a 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics 1.

2. Madame Web: Released in early 2024, "Madame Web" reportedly grossed around $43 million globally, with only $18 million from the domestic box office 4. Sony Pictures' CEO acknowledged the film's poor performance, attributing its failure to a lack of audience interest 4. Critical reception was similarly bleak, with reports indicating that it received disastrous reviews, although specific ratings were not detailed in the sources reviewed 7.

3. Kraven the Hunter: Released in December 2024, "Kraven the Hunter" opened to an estimated $11 million domestically, marking it as one of the worst openings for a superhero film produced by Sony 29. Its global box office total was reported to be around $45 million, significantly below its production budget of $110 million 5. The film's critical reception was also poor, with a 16% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews 10.

Analysis

The evidence suggests that all three films have indeed faced significant challenges both critically and commercially. However, the interpretation of these figures and reviews requires careful scrutiny:

• Source Reliability: The sources cited range from entertainment news outlets like Variety and Forbes, which are generally reputable but can have biases based on their target audience and editorial slant. For example, Variety is known for its industry insights but may emphasize negative aspects to attract readership. Screen Rant and Looper, while also credible, often cater to a fanbase that may have preconceived notions about superhero films, potentially influencing their reporting 410.

• Conflict of Interest: Some sources may have a vested interest in portraying these films negatively, particularly if they are competing against other franchises or if they are part of a broader narrative about the decline of superhero films. For instance, articles discussing box office performance often highlight failures to draw attention to trends in the industry, which can skew perceptions 39.

• Methodology: The box office figures are straightforward, but the critical ratings rely on aggregated scores from platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, which can be influenced by the number of reviews and the timing of their publication. Early reviews can disproportionately affect a film's overall score, especially if they are predominantly negative 10.

• Context: The superhero genre has seen fluctuating success, with some films performing well despite poor critical reception (e.g., "Venom"). Therefore, while the box office numbers for these three films are low, they must be contextualized within the broader landscape of superhero cinema, where audience expectations and marketing strategies play crucial roles in a film's success.

Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly True

The claim that "Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter have all been critically and commercially panned" is mostly true, as evidenced by the significant negative critical reception and poor box office performance of these films. "Morbius" holds a low approval rating of 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, while "Madame Web" and "Kraven the Hunter" also faced disastrous reviews and disappointing financial returns, with the latter film marking one of the worst openings for a superhero film produced by Sony.

However, it is important to note that the interpretation of these films' performances can vary based on the sources and the context in which they are discussed. The superhero genre is known for its volatility, and while these films have underperformed, there are instances where films with poor critical reception have still found commercial success. Additionally, the sources used may have biases that could influence the portrayal of these films.

There are limitations in the available evidence, particularly regarding the lack of specific critical ratings for "Madame Web" and the potential for early reviews to skew perceptions of "Kraven the Hunter." Therefore, while the overall assessment leans towards a negative reception, it is essential for readers to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the broader context of the superhero film landscape.

Readers are encouraged to approach such claims with a critical mindset and to seek out diverse sources of information to form a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter.

Sources

1. Screen Rant. "I Can't Believe How Much Worse Than Morbius Kraven ..." Link
2. Looper. "Why Kraven The Hunter Bombed At The Box Office" Link
3. Forbes. "'Kraven The Hunter' Is Now One Of The Worst Grossing ..." Link
4. Variety. "Sony Pictures CEO Says 'Madame Web' Flopped ..." Link
5. TexAgs. "Kraven the Hunter v. Madam Web vs. Morbius - The Ultimate ..." Link
6. Superhero Hype. "Kraven the Hunter Dominates on Netflix After Box Office ..." Link
7. Screen Rant. "Madame Web's Disastrous Reviews Are Setting Up ..." Link
8. Looper. "How Kraven The Hunter Ended The Sony Spider-Man Universe" Link
9. Variety. "Box Office: 'Kraven the Hunter' Bombs With Worst Start for ..." Link
10. Forbes. "Spider-Man Universe's Latest Flop? 'Kraven' Reviews Start ..." Link