Sony's Venom: The Last Dance, the third and final installment in the Tom Hardy-led series, had a mixed opening at the box office. Domestically, the film underperformed, generating just $51 million in its opening weekend—well below the $80 million and $90 million openings of its predecessors. Pre-release projections had estimated a $65 million domestic debut, making the actual results even more disappointing for the studio.
However, The Last Dance received a significant boost from international markets, bringing in an impressive $124 million from 64 countries. This strong overseas performance led to a global opening weekend total of $175 million, which is more promising given the film's budget of just over $100 million. The international success prevented the film from becoming a financial disaster, proving that there is still significant global interest in the Venom franchise.
The biggest surprise came from China, where The Last Dance amassed $46 million over five days, marking the largest Hollywood opening in the country this year and the biggest superhero film debut in China since 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home. This result positions the movie as one of the top international releases of 2024, trailing only Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine in terms of overseas openings.
Despite Tom Hardy's likely departure from the role, the movie's events suggest that Sony is not done exploring the Venom universe. With the introduction of Knull and hints at future Symbiote characters, the studio appears committed to continuing the storyline. If the international numbers had mirrored the weak domestic showing, Sony may have reconsidered these plans. Fortunately, the worldwide success keeps the door open for more Symbiote-filled adventures.
The box office performance of Venom: The Last Dance highlights the growing divide between domestic and international audiences for Hollywood films. While the U.S. market showed signs of franchise fatigue, the strong international turnout, particularly in China, suggests that the character still resonates globally. The film's global success is a testament to Tom Hardy's enduring appeal and the allure of the Venom character.
However, the disappointing domestic numbers could indicate a need for the franchise to reinvent itself if it wants to remain relevant. Introducing new characters like Knull could be a smart move to refresh the storyline and attract a broader audience. Ultimately, the film's international success proves that there is still potential for the Venom universe, even if future installments need to rely more on global markets.
Do you think Venom‘s international success will be enough to keep the franchise alive, or does it need a major overhaul to appeal to U.S. audiences?
