🚨 Tom Hardy’s wildest action role just got a MASSIVE second life… 5 years after raking in over HALF A BILLION dollars at the box office! 💥

This chaotic, symbiote-fueled blockbuster hit theaters in 2021, divided critics, but audiences went absolutely feral — and now it’s landing on one of the biggest streaming platforms ever, starting January 22, 2026. 🔥

Expect non-stop carnage, insane body horror, Woody Harrelson going full psycho, and Tom Hardy doing that signature unhinged dual-performance thing that makes you question reality. People who hated the first one? They secretly loved this sequel. Fans? They’re already planning rewatch parties.

Why now? Disney+ is finally claiming it — meaning millions more are about to discover (or rediscover) why this anti-hero flick became such a guilty-pleasure monster hit.

Five years after dominating the box office during a pandemic-challenged theatrical window, Tom Hardy’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage is set to make a major streaming splash. The 2021 superhero sequel, which grossed over $506 million worldwide, will begin streaming on Disney+ starting January 22, 2026, joining its predecessor in the platform’s growing library of Sony Pictures titles.

Directed by Andy Serkis in his feature directorial debut, Venom: Let There Be Carnage picks up where the 2018 original left off. Hardy reprises his dual role as journalist Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote Venom, delivering the kind of over-the-top, committed performance that’s become his trademark. This time, the stakes escalate with the introduction of serial killer Cletus Kasady, played by Woody Harrelson, whose merger with the red symbiote Carnage unleashes bloody chaos on San Francisco.

Released in October 2021 amid ongoing COVID restrictions, the film defied expectations by becoming one of the year’s biggest hits. It earned $506.9 million globally on a reported $110 million budget, proving that audiences were hungry for big-screen spectacle even as many theaters remained limited. The sequel outperformed its predecessor in several international markets and held strong legs at the domestic box office, where it pulled in $213.5 million.

Critics were divided. The film sits at a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from reviewers, with some praising its gonzo energy and Hardy’s chemistry with the CGI symbiote, while others called it uneven and overly reliant on chaotic action. Audiences, however, embraced it wholeheartedly, awarding an 84% Popcornmeter score. Fans highlighted the buddy-comedy dynamic between Eddie and Venom, the heightened body horror elements, and Harrelson’s scenery-chewing turn as the unhinged antagonist.

Serkis, best known for his motion-capture work in franchises like Planet of the Apes and Lord of the Rings, brought a visceral edge to the material. He leaned into the horror roots of the symbiote concept, delivering sequences that blend grotesque practical effects with high-octane chases and fights. One standout scene—a prison breakout turned bloodbath—remains a talking point among fans for its sheer intensity.

Hardy’s involvement went beyond acting. He received a story credit and was vocal about shaping the character’s voice and personality, drawing from his earlier work with the symbiote in the first film. In interviews around the time of release, Hardy described the role as liberating, allowing him to explore comedy, drama, and physicality in one package. Director Ruben Fleischer, who helmed the original Venom, recently reflected on Hardy’s dedication, noting in a 2025 podcast appearance that the actor’s commitment was key to the franchise’s success.

The streaming move to Disney+ comes as Sony continues its partnership with the Mouse House for select Spider-Man Universe titles. The first Venom has been available on Disney+ for some time, and adding the sequel creates a natural binge opportunity for viewers. With the third film, Venom: The Last Dance, having wrapped the trilogy in 2024, the timing feels right to reintroduce the anti-hero to a new generation of subscribers.

The Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters (SSU) has had a mixed track record. While Venom and its sequel found commercial footing, later entries like Morbius and Madame Web faced criticism and underperformed. Kraven the Hunter, released in late 2024, struggled at the box office. Yet the Venom films remain the SSU’s strongest performers, buoyed by Hardy’s star power and the character’s cult appeal.

Hardy’s Venom has become a pop-culture staple. Memes of the symbiote’s “chocolate” obsession and Eddie’s awkward banter with his alien partner continue to circulate online. The franchise even teased a larger MCU crossover when a post-credits scene in Let There Be Carnage showed Eddie transported to the MCU via multiverse shenanigans, only for Venom: The Last Dance to address the fallout years later.

Disney+’s addition arrives at a moment when superhero fatigue is a frequent topic in industry discussions. Yet Venom stands apart as a grounded, R-rated adjacent romp—chaotic, funny, and violent in ways that contrast with the more family-friendly MCU fare. Its success without relying on heavy MCU crossovers (beyond teases) demonstrates there’s still appetite for standalone superhero stories when executed with personality.

For Hardy, the role marked a high point in a career filled with intense characters. From Bane in The Dark Knight Rises to the Revenant’s Fitzgerald, Hardy has built a reputation for transformative performances. Venom allowed him to flex comedic timing alongside the physicality, earning praise even from detractors of the films themselves.

As January 22 approaches, expect a surge in viewership. Disney+ has marketed the arrival with trailers emphasizing the carnage and Hardy’s dual delivery. Social media is already buzzing with fans planning rewatches and newcomers curious about the hype.

Whether Venom: Let There Be Carnage becomes a streaming juggernaut remains to be seen, but its track record suggests it has staying power. In a landscape where older hits often find renewed life on streaming, this $506 million earner is poised for another round of discovery.

For those who missed it in theaters or want to relive the madness, the wait is nearly over. Just don’t blame us if you find yourself quoting “We are Venom” for the rest of the week.