All 3 Venom Movies Ranked

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Venom: The Last Dance wrapped up the Venom trilogy, and although the series has had its ups and downs, it ultimately carved a unique path in Sony's Spider-Man Universe. Each installment offered something different, from introducing the wild, monstrous anti-hero of Venom to finally finding a satisfying balance in character and story in its third movie. Though the quality of each film has varied, the trilogy has left its mark, with Venom now an iconic Marvel anti-hero in superhero cinema.

The three Venom movies (Venom (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), and Venom: The Last Dance (2024)) are a part of Sony's Spider-Man Universe, a franchise connected to Spider-Man’s extensive world of allies and foes. Venom (2018) introduced Venom as an anti-hero dealing with villainous threats while navigating the odd dynamic with his human host, Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock. Now that the trilogy has officially concluded with Venom: The Last Dance, the success of the whole trilogy can now be considered.

3 Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

The First Sequel Is The Weakest Venom Movie

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the weakest entry in the Venom trilogy. Directed by Andy Serkis, it promised an epic showdown between Venom and one of the most iconic villains in Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery, Carnage. Yet, despite the high expectations, the film failed to deliver a satisfying villain arc. Carnage, also known as Cletus Kasady, was portrayed by Woody Harrelson, a casting choice that seemed immensely promising.

However, Venom: Let There Be Carnage gave Harrelson little room to shine, providing a surprisingly restrained portrayal of the famously psychotic villain. Harrelson’s performance felt surprisingly docile, missing the violent, unpredictable edge that made Carnage a fan favorite in the comics. Where Venom 2 did succeed was in exploring the odd-couple relationship between Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote.

Venom and Eddie’s bickering and attempts to navigate their shared existence brought humor and some depth, but the storyline lacked cohesion. Let There Be Carnage struggled to balance its horror elements with its comedic beats, resulting in an uneven experience that felt as though the potential for a truly terrifying Carnage arc had been squandered. Although it had entertaining moments, Venom: Let There Be Carnage ultimately felt like a missed opportunity and, therefore, ranks lowest among the trilogy.

2 Venom (2018)

The Middling First Installment

The original Venom (2018) sits in the middle, providing a promising but imperfect foundation for the character's on-screen debut. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the film took its time setting up Eddie Brock’s origin story and introducing audiences to the alien symbiote concept. Though a bit slow-paced, the movie established the relationship between Eddie and Venom, exploring their initial, reluctant partnership that eventually develops into the quirky bond depicted in later films.

Venom may feel slightly underdeveloped, especially when compared to superhero origin stories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Still, it had entertaining action sequences and a few memorable moments that depicted Venom's unique powers. While the symbiote’s personality was not fully fleshed out, Tom Hardy’s dual performance as Eddie and the voice of Venom kept the movie engaging. With a solid but unspectacular story, Venom provided enough intrigue to pave the way for sequels.

Overall, Venom proved Sony’s gamble on a standalone Venom movie was worthwhile. While not perfect, the film provided a refreshing change from typical superhero stories and set up the Eddie-Venom dynamic that would become central to the trilogy. Venom may have lacked the polish and depth of other superhero films, but it was a fun ride that succeeded in making Venom a relatable yet chaotic figure in superhero cinema.

1 Venom: The Last Dance (2024)

The Last Hurrah

The final installment, Venom: The Last Dance (2024), delivered on the promise of a great Venom movie, effectively tying up the trilogy with humor, heart, and high-stakes action. With the foundation laid by the first two films, The Last Dance was able to dive into its story immediately, depicting a fully developed bond between Eddie and Venom. Their partnership finally felt complete, with both characters embracing their respective roles as an anti-hero team. This installment gave Venom a more defined personality, striking the perfect balance between chaotic menace and reluctant hero.

Venom Easter Eggs Agony and Knull Custom Venom 3 Image

24 Venom: The Last Dance Easter Eggs & Marvel References Explained

Venom: The Last Dance features all kinds of Easter eggs and Marvel references amid all the crazy symbiote mayhem and Knull the Symbiote God.

What set The Last Dance apart was its emotionally charged narrative. Eddie and Venom face a formidable enemy in Knull and the Xenophages. The climactic moments in Venom: The Last Dance were powerful, especially when Venom made a surprising sacrifice to save Eddie, exhibiting a rare and poignant side to the character. This selflessness added depth to Venom’s character, showing just how far he’d come since the first film.

Venom Last Dance With Agony and Phage Custom Marvel Image

Every Symbiote In Venom: The Last Dance Explained

Venom: The Last Dance features a sizable roster of new symbiotes and their hosts, going beyond Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock and Venom alone.

The Last Dance also had a strong comedic edge, with Eddie and Venom’s interactions being funnier and more polished than in previous movies. By the time the credits rolled, Venom 3 left a bittersweet sense of closure, marking a triumphant end to the trilogy. With refined storytelling, well-executed character dynamics, and a touching finale, Venom: The Last Dance stands as the best entry in the Venom trilogy. It’s only a shame that Sony didn’t crack this formula sooner.

Venom is an action sci-fi movie that stars Tom Hardy as the titular Marvel anti-hero. When the Life Foundation begins experimenting on alien lifeforms they find on a comet that landed nearby, Investigative Journalist Eddie Brock begins to investigate them. When an infiltration goes wrong, Eddie finds that one of the aliens has bonded to him, forcing him to learn to live with his new uninvited host. Giving him superhuman powers, the two begin to work together to stop the rest of the symbiote's invasive species.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage, directed by Andy Serkis, follows Eddie Brock, portrayed by Tom Hardy, as he struggles to coexist with the alien symbiote Venom. The film introduces the antagonist Cletus Kasady, a serial killer transformed into the menacing Carnage after becoming host to an alien symbiote.
Venom 3 is the third and final installment in Sony's symbiote trilogy starring Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock. It follows the events of Let There Be Carnage, where the anti-hero fought serial killer Cletus Kasady, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Brock was briefly transported to the MCU through the multiverse.