Despite the apparent dominance of The Avengersmovies in the MCU, one character has beaten the sub-franchise at the box office, though this could change by 2027. Over the past two decades, Marvel’s characters have broken records, reshaped the industry, and redefined what audiences expect from blockbuster entertainment. At the center of this financial juggernaut are the Avengers, the MCU’s flagship team that has amassed staggering box office numbers. Yet, even Earth’s Mightiest Heroes cannot claim the top spot in Marvel’s pantheon of cinematic successes. That honor belongs to a single character: Spider-Man.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the dominant force in modern blockbuster filmmaking. The Avengers, the MCU timeline’s premiere team, has been central to this success, culminating in some of the highest-grossing movies of all time. Yet, Spider-Man, who exists both within and outside the MCU, has carved out a unique niche in cinematic history. From Tobey Maguire’s iconic turn as the web-slinger in the early 2000s to Tom Holland’s modern-day portrayal, Spider-Man’s legacy as a cultural and financial force remains unparalleled. However, the MCU’s future could change this.
Spider-Man Is The Only Marvel Character Who Has Earned More Money Than The Avengers Movies
The Avengers may represent Marvel’s most successful cinematic team, but Spider-Man, as an individual character, holds the crown for total box office earnings. Across his many iterations, Spider-Man's solo movies have earned an astonishing $8.9 billion worldwide, surpassing the Avengers franchise, which has brought in $7.7 billion across its four films. The Avengers franchise boasts some of the most successful films of all time, including Avengers: Endgame, which earned $2.79 billion globally and currently stands as the second-highest-grossing film ever.
Marvel Franchise
Worldwide Box Office
Spider-Man
$8,974,837,979
The Avengers
$7,707,019,725
X-Men
$7,414,049,051
Spider-Man’s box office strength lies in his consistent presence on the big screen. Since 2002, there have been 10 Spider-Man films, including Sam Raimi’s trilogy, Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider-Man films, the MCU’s Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy, and the critically acclaimed Spider-Verse animated series. Though individual successes have been vital contributors. Spider-Man: No Way Home grossed a whopping $1.9 billion on its own.
Even when compared to the X-Men franchise, Spider-Man emerges victorious. The X-Men films, including spin-offs like Deadpool and Logan, have collectively grossed $7.4 billion – an impressive feat but still shy of the Avengers’ total and far behind Spider-Man’s cumulative earnings. This remarkable achievement cements Spider-Man as the most bankable Marvel character to date.
Why Spider-Man Has Earned So Much More Than The Avengers And X-Men
Spider-Man’s dominance at the box office can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost is the sheer volume of Spider-Man movies. With 10 films released over 21 years – compared to the Avengers’ four – Spider-Man’s consistent presence has kept him at the forefront of popular culture. This doesn't even include Sony's doomed Spider-Man Universe, depicting ancillary Spidey characters.
That said, the X-Men franchise also had a high volume of films, with 13 entries between 2000 and 2020, yet it failed to reach Spider-Man’s level of box office success. The difference lies in Spider-Man’s ability to transcend generations. Each reboot – whether led by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland, or Shameik Moore – has successfully captured the imaginations of new audiences while maintaining the character’s core appeal.
Additionally, Spider-Man’s relatability and accessibility contribute to his enduring popularity. As a young, often struggling hero, Peter Parker resonates with audiences in ways that teams like the Avengers or the X-Men may not. His story of balancing personal challenges with superhero responsibilities makes him universally appealing, making as the face of Marvel for decades.
Spider-Man’s appeal has also been boosted by strategic partnerships. Sony’s collaboration with Marvel Studios brought the character into the MCU, resulting in billion-dollar hits like Spider-Man: No Way Home. Meanwhile, Sony’s animated Spider-Verse films have introduced the character to younger audiences while earning critical acclaim and box office success.
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe introduced a total of 14 classic Marvel villains, but their power levels are distinctly different from the comics.
In contrast, the Avengers movies rely on the MCU’s interconnected storytelling to establish an ensemble. While this worked spectacularly for massive crossover events like Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, it also limited the team’s total number of films. Spider-Man’s standalone franchise has allowed him to remain a constant presence on the big screen, securing his place as Marvel’s most successful character.
How Spider-Man 4, Avengers: Doomsday, And Avengers: Secret Wars Could Change Things
While Spider-Man currently holds the top spot, upcoming projects could potentially shift the balance. Both Spider-Man and the Avengers have major films in development, and their success will likely shape the box office landscape for years to come. The MCU’s Spider-Man 4, starring Tom Holland, is one of Marvel’s most anticipated projects.
The MCU may have made some controversial decisions to the comic book lore, but some have proven themselves to be an improvement in hindsight.
Following the massive success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, expectations for the next installment are sky-high. If Spider-Man 4 performs similarly, it will further solidify Spider-Man’s lead over the Avengers franchise. On the Avengers side, two massive films are in the pipeline: the MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars. Both movies are set to build on and conclude the franchise’s multiverse saga
These films are expected to be massive crossover events, potentially rivaling the box office success of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. If Doomsday and Secret Wars generate enough revenue, the Avengers franchise could overtake Spider-Man’s total earnings. However, this is far from guaranteed. The MCU’s recent films have faced criticism for their uneven quality, and box office results have been less consistent than in the franchise’s earlier years. To reclaim the top spot, the Avengers films will need to deliver the kind of cultural and financial impact that Endgame achieved.
The Avengers Might Outpace Spider-Man At The Box Office By 2027
While Spider-Man’s lead is significant, the Avengers have the potential to overtake him at the box office by 2027, when Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled for release. With two major Avengers films on the horizon, the franchise has a chance to close the gap and potentially surpass Spider-Man’s cumulative earnings. If Doomsday and Secret Wars perform at the level of Infinity War and Endgame, which earned $2 billion and $2.79 billion respectively, the Avengers franchise could add as much as $4-5 billion to its total.
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This would push its cumulative box office earnings past Spider-Man’s current $8.9 billion lead. However, this timeline assumes several factors. First, the MCU must address the criticisms of its recent films and ensure that Doomsday and Secret Wars are both critical and commercial successes. Second, Spider-Man’s own box office trajectory could continue to rise, particularly if Spider-Man 4 becomes another billion-dollar hit.
Finally, external factors such as market conditions, competition, and superhero fatigue slowly pushing the genre back towards niche audiences, will impact this. While the Avengers may have a path to surpassing Spider-Man, it is by no means guaranteed. Even if the Avengers do overtake Spider-Man by 2027, the gap between the two franchises will likely remain narrow, reflecting their shared status as Marvel’s most iconic and successful cinematic properties.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount's Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
Custom image by Richard Craig
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