Marvel’s highly-anticipated Spider-Man spin-off, “Madame Web,” fell flat during its debut weekend, marking a significant setback for the studio. The collaboration between Sony and Marvel, introducing a new female superhero, failed to meet box office expectations, grossing a mere $15.3 million against an $80 million budget.

Critics and audiences alike voiced disappointment, reflected in the film’s abysmal 13% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, trailing even behind Sony’s previous release, Morbius. The tepid response extended to moviegoers, evident in the film’s C+ CinemaScore rating, indicating little hope for improvement in the weeks ahead. In contrast, the weekend’s other major release, “Bob Marley: One Love,” enjoyed success.

The narrative of “going woke, going broke” seemed to ring true with “Madame Web,” prompting a reevaluation of Marvel and Sony’s cinematic strategies.

The film’s lackluster debut places it among an exclusive group of Marvel movies, underscoring early warnings from its trailer and subsequent reviews. With a paltry 13% critic score and a 56% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s prospects appeared bleak.

Headlined by Dakota Johnson, “Madame Web” suffered a dismal opening, earning a mere $17.6 million in its first weekend and $25.8 million over six days, marking a new low for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Despite its potential, the film failed to secure the top spot at the box office, trailing behind “Bob Marley: One Love.”

Sony’s hopes of salvaging “Madame Web” now seem remote, as the film risks joining the ranks of superhero flops. With negative word-of-mouth and waning audience trust in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, its future remains uncertain. Despite its modest budget, the film faces an uphill battle to turn a profit, with dwindling interest post-opening weekend.