Disney+ Expands MCU Library: The Mystery Of Missing Films

Disney+ has now added Eternals to its service, just over two months after the film first came to theaters. With this addition, Chloé Zhao's Marvel movie brings the total number of films available from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to 23. However, for dedicated Marvel fans, there's a notable absence of four films from this extensive collection.

As it stands, there are 27 total films in the MCU, which means that the 2008 Incredible Hulk, starring Edward Norton, along with three Spider-Man films featuring Tom Holland—Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home—are currently missing. One might assume that these omissions are due to their recent release dates, particularly No Way Home, but that's not the case.

The truth is that there are no current plans for any of these four films to be added to Disney+, leaving fans to wonder why. This article delves into the complex reasons behind these contractual agreements, which predate the launch of Disney+ itself, and sheds light on the intricate web of streaming rights that affects the availability of these popular titles.

The Missing Marvel Films on Disney+

The absence of these four key films can largely be attributed to pre-existing agreements with other studios. For instance, the early MCU films, including The Incredible Hulk, were distributed by studios like Universal and Paramount. This arrangement means that these studios have the power to decide where the films stream.

Disney managed to acquire the distribution rights to four of the initial films in July 2013, including Iron Man and Thor, but they did not secure the rights to The Incredible Hulk, which remains with Universal. This situation creates a unique challenge for Disney+, as there are no current plans for The Incredible Hulk to make its way to the platform.

The situation with the Spider-Man films is even more convoluted. Sony holds the distribution rights to Spider-Man, having purchased them from Marvel at a time when Marvel was facing financial difficulties. This deal allows Spider-Man to appear in MCU films, but the distribution rights for his standalone films are retained by Sony, meaning Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home will be available on whichever streaming service Sony has agreements with.

Current Streaming Landscape for Missing MCU Films

As it stands, the first two Spider-Man films are available on Starz, while No Way Home is set to debut on Netflix under a "pay one window" deal. This agreement gives Netflix exclusive streaming rights for a period, typically around 18 months, before it transitions to Disney+. As such, fans can expect No Way Home to arrive on Disney+ only in early 2024.

The timeline for the first two Spider-Man films, however, remains uncertain, as Sony has yet to announce any specific details regarding their streaming availability. Fans will need to remain patient while the complicated web of streaming rights continues to unfold.

In summary, the absence of The Incredible Hulk and the Spider-Man trilogy from Disney+ is a result of intricate distribution agreements that keep these iconic films tied to other platforms. Until these contracts are resolved, Marvel fans will have to explore other streaming services to enjoy these beloved characters in action.