Madame Web. What can we possibly say that hasn’t already been said? Sony’s latest poorly conceived attempt at aSpider-Manspin-off (if you can even call it that)has become the internet’s latest punching bag in the ongoing dissent and criticism of modern superhero films. It’s arguably getting even more heat than Sony’s other ill-fated spin-off,Morbius, did when it first released, getting review aggregate scores that are just slightly below that of theJared Leto-starring vampire flick.
It’s not difficult to see why because, as blunt as this may sound, it’s hard to think of any element ofMadame Webthat works. The acting, the writing, the directing, the action, the cinematography, the editing, the special effects.All of these components and more left something to be desired, which is a great shame given that everyone involved with the film has produced quality work in the past. Overall, the story of Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson) feels drenched in the woes of superhero fatigue (not to mention gallons of Pepsi, thanks to the film’s egregious product placement.
Since its announcement, Madame Web and Sony have been fighting an uphill battle, and its current battlefront at the box office has been difficult, to put it mildly. Please read below for our budget breakdown forMadame Webto find out how Sony’s not-so-spectacular Spidey spin-off is fairing at the box office and how much it is likely to cost to make.Keep in mind that the full budgetary details for projects of this caliber are not always fully disclosed and much of the information below is based on reported data, box office earnings, etc.
Madame Web
Cassandra Webb is a New York City paramedic who starts to show signs of clairvoyance. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she must protect three young women from a mysterious adversary who wants them dead.
Budget for ‘Madame Web’ By Department
Leading the cast as the titular Madame Web isDakota Johnson, who again, and given quality performances in the past,such as the 2018 remake ofSuspiria. While her performance in the Sony superhero film isn’t quite as strong, her deadpan delivery as Cassandra Webb does work to the benefit ofMadame Webon several occasions, such as during the film’s baby shower scene (don’t worry, it’s not a literal baby shower like inThe Flash). As the film’s lead, Johnson was likely paid handedly for her work in a Marvel-associated superhero film.
Also likely in the higher pay bracket of the film were the three teens that Cassandra protects, includingEuphoria’sSydney Sweeneyas Julia Cornwall,Ghostbusters: Afterlife’sCeleste O’Connoras Mattie Franklin, andRosaline’sIsabela Mercedas Anya Corazon. While Sweeney, in particular, has become a prevalent figure in the entertainment industry, it’s likely the three were all paid around the same amount for their roles in Madame Web. Also likely paid a similar amount for his significant supporting role isNapoleonstarTahar Rahimas the villainous Ezekial Sims. Other significant actors to consider areParks & RecreationalumAdam ScottandAmerican Horror StorystarEmma Roberts.Both of them play substantial figures in the life of another famous wall-crawler, but they’re also comparable to more minor cameo appearances.
Unfortunately,Madame Webis yet another theatrical feature film that struggles in the special effects department. This seems to be an epidemic amongst prospective big-budget blockbusters, with films likeThe Flash,Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,Argylle, and more featuring CGI quality that looks like it regressed to the early 2000s. Still,Madame Web’s effects certainly aren’t the most dubious in the world (Morbiushas the film beat in that regard with its hideous vampire faces), and they only really become apparent at the film’s very start and very end.The average VFX budget for a superhero production like this is around $65 million. Still, it could be a bit lower given it’s final reported budget is lower than the average Marvel feature.
Filming Locations
Unsurprisingly,Madame Webconducted filming in New York, Massachusetts, and Mexico. Of course, New York is where most, if not all, of the Spider-Man films in the past have been filmed, so it seems like an appropriate setting.A permit to film in New York City typically costs $2,000 for a two-week period, not including any insurance or reservation costs.
The Costs of Promoting ‘Madame Web’
Madame Webalso continues an industry trend where studios just don’t seem to want to market their films nearly as much, potentially assuming that the name recognition of a character alone is enough to sell tickets.The film only received one main trailer where most superhero films get two. The film did go on the industry-standard press junket, butDakota Johnson went viral online for her seemingly ambivalent feelings toward the film and franchise she was starring in. That’s not a knock against Johnson, as that level of candidness is honestly refreshing to see in the industry today, but it’s probably not the kind of press Sony was likely looking for. The film’s incredibly late review embargo also served as a negative sign of Sony’s confidence in the project.
Budgets for a major feature film like this typically range from 50-100% of a film’s reported budget. Given that the reported budget forMadame Webis ranging from $80-100 million, that meansthe marketing budget for Sony’s filmcouldbe anywhere from $40-100 million.
How Much Does ‘Madame Web’ Need to Make to Break Even?
So, there’s good news and bad news regardingMadame Web’s budget and box office prospects. The good news is that,even with it’s slightly higher-than-expected reported budget of $100 million, a budget that size is marginally lower than your average superhero flick. The bad news is that at that production and potential marketing budgets,Madame Webwill likely need to make $150-200 million just to break even. To be considered a success for Sony, the film must make about double that, at $350-400 million. Suffice it to say, that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
How is ‘Madame Web’ Doing at the Box Office So Far?
Insert joke about Madame Web not being able to see this coming with her fortune-telling powers here. As you’ve probably heard,Madame Webis off to a rough start at the box office. On its opening weekend,Madame Webmade an abysmal $26.2 million in the U.S. and Canada and only $51.9 million worldwide. That number gets even worse when you realize thatMadame Webopened earlier in the week to release in time for Valentine’s Day, only to make still barely more than half its reported production budget.In it’s second weekend,Madame Webtook a 60% dropand currently sits at 57 million worldwide.
It also doesn’t help thatMadame Webdirectly competed with the music biopicBob Marley: One Love, which made more domestically in its opening weekend thanMadame Webdid internationally. The film does at least have a chance to make more in its following weekend as the only considerable new arrival is theEthan Coensolo-outingDrive-Away Dolls(thoughMadame Webwill still be competing withBob Marley: One Love).Madame Webis also set to release in other international territories, specifically in China on March 1st and South Korea on March 13th. As for March 1st in the U.S., however, it’s practically game over for Sony, asDune: Part Twois being forecasted to be the first big box office smash hit of 2024.
How Do the Budget and Box Office Projections of ‘Madame Web’ Compare to Other ‘Spider-Man’ Films?
As of now, there is a slim chance that Madame Web could, at the very least, break even at the box office. Maybe the film will have the meme-resurgence that Sony thoughtMorbiushad, but even then, it looks like Sony is already bracing for impact.Insiders already suggest thatMadame Web’s rough start at the box officesignals that their plans for a connected Spider-Man-themed multiverse have been upended. It’s clear thatMadame Webis just another example that Sony is misunderstanding theSpider-ManIPby making movies about their more obscure characters. With the exception of Venom (Tom Hardy), the average movie-goer likely isn’t familiar with the Morbius and Madame Web characters, which also doesn’t bode well for the slightly more popular than Morbius and Madame Web but still more obscure than Venom,Kraven the Hunter(Aaron Taylor-Johnson).
Perhaps it is time for Sony to re-evaluate its slate and plan for upcoming Marvel movies, as the chart of theSpider-Manfranchise and its spin-offs below clearly indicates that some iterations and films are more popular than others:
Reported Budget
Worldwide Box Office
Spider-Man(2002)
$139 million
$825 million
Spider-Man 2(2004)
$200 million
$789 million
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
$258 million
$895 million
The Amazing Spider-Man(2012)
$230 million
$757.9 million
The Amazing Spider-Man 2(2014)
$709 million
Captain America: Civil War(2016)
$250 million
$1.2 billion
Spider-Man: Homecoming(2017)
$175 million
$880.2 million
Venom(2018)
$100 million
$856.1 million
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse(2018)
$90 million
$384.3 million
Avengers: Infinity War(2018)
$321 million
$2.1 billion
Avengers: Endgame(2018)
$356 million
$2.8 billion
Spider-Man: Far from Home(2019)
$160 million
$1.1 billion
Venom: Let There Be Carnage(2021)
$110 million
$506.9 million
Spider-Man: No Way Home(2021)
$1.9 billion
Morbius(2022)
$75 million
$167.5 million
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(2023)
$150 million
$690.9 million
Madame Web(2024)
$80-100 million
$51.9 million (Final Box Office TBD)
