Tom Hardy’s Sci-Fi Franchise Thrives on Streaming Platforms

Tom Hardy’s latest installment in the Venom franchise, titled Venom: The Last Dance, has achieved significant success on streaming platforms, proving its popularity among audiences despite mixed critical reception. The film, which had a budget of $120 million, has grossed approximately $478 million globally. This achievement highlights Hardy’s enduring appeal as an action star and the commercial viability of the franchise.

Released on October 25, 2024, Venom: The Last Dance continues the story of Eddie Brock, a character Hardy first portrayed in 2018. While the film has been less favorably reviewed by critics, it has resonated with viewers, allowing it to remain in the top 10 on Video on Demand platforms such as Apple TV and Google across more than ten countries.

Streaming availability has played a crucial role in maintaining audience interest in the franchise. The first Venom film is currently available on Disney+, while its sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, can be streamed on Starz. This distribution means that fans must navigate multiple platforms to watch all three films in the series, reflecting the fragmented nature of streaming content today.

Despite being the lowest-grossing entry in the Venom series, the latest film’s performance illustrates the profitability of the franchise for Sony. Alongside Hardy, the cast includes Juno Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Rhys Ifans, contributing to the film’s appeal.

In addition to his role in the Venom series, Hardy’s fans are keenly interested in his potential return to the Peaky Blinders universe. A film titled The Immortal Man is currently in development at Netflix, featuring Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Thomas Shelby. While Hardy’s character, Alfie Solomons, has yet to be confirmed for this project, speculation continues regarding his involvement.

As the streaming landscape evolves and more audiences shift towards digital platforms, Hardy’s latest venture exemplifies the intersection of star power and viewer engagement. With the ongoing success of Venom: The Last Dance, it remains clear that Hardy’s contributions to the sci-fi genre resonate well beyond the cinema, capturing the attention of global audiences across various streaming services.

For those interested in catching up with the Venom franchise, Venom: The Last Dance is currently available for streaming on Netflix in the United States. As streaming continues to shape the entertainment industry, Hardy’s films are likely to remain a focal point for fans and critics alike.