Morbius
The claim: Morbius launches a compelling, must-see new anti-hero franchise.
✓ Evidence agrees · Well sourced (5 sources)
By PixPause Editorial · 2 min read · Verified September 13, 2026
Morbius grossed $167.6 million worldwide against a $75 million budget -- short of profitability once marketing costs are included -- scored 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, and its ironic meme-driven re-release earned just $300,000 for the entire weekend, confirming the 'new franchise' framing never matched reality.
Make your guess on the slip to reveal the answer- "Morbius launches a compelling, must-see new anti-hero franchise."✕ FALSE
BUYING THE HYPE
▸ HYPE VS REALITY
Sony marketed Morbius as the start of a new, must-see anti-hero franchise within its Spider-Man Universe, positioning Jared Leto's living-vampire scientist as a compelling launchpad for further spin-offs.
Morbius grossed $73.9 million domestic and $93.8 million international for a $167.6 million worldwide total against a reported $75 million production budget -- but industry analysts note a studio film typically needs roughly double its budget just to break even once marketing and distribution costs are included, meaning Morbius fell well short of profitability despite the seemingly large gross number. Critics were overwhelmingly negative, giving it a 17% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In an unusual move, Sony re-released the film to over 1,000 theaters in June 2022 riding a wave of ironic internet memes ('It's Morbin Time') that some read as genuine renewed interest -- the re-release earned just $300,000 for the entire weekend, confirming the meme momentum never translated to real box office demand.
A seemingly large $167.6 million worldwide gross sounds like a franchise-launching success, but it fell well short of the roughly $150 million needed just to cover a $75 million budget's marketing and distribution costs, and the 17% critical score reflects a film audiences and reviewers alike rejected. Sony's own decision to test the ironic meme buzz with a real theatrical re-release, only to earn $300,000 for the entire weekend, is the clearest real-world proof that the 'must-see new franchise' framing never matched reality.
This verdict would change if new, independently verifiable evidence emerged directly supporting the claim "Morbius launches a compelling, must-see new anti-hero franchise." — evidence stronger than what's currently on record contradicting it.
▸ CLAIM CHECK
- The Numbers — $167.6M worldwide against a $75M budget fell short of profitability once marketing/distribution costs are factored in, with a 17% Rotten Tomatoes score.
- Forbes — Sony's real theatrical re-release, betting on meme-driven interest, earned only $300,000 for the entire opening weekend.
Scorecard AI opinion ⓘ
▸ THE EVIDENCE ON YOUTUBE
MORBIUS - Official Trailer (HD)
Sony Pictures Entertainment · 8.2M subscribers
MORBIUS - First Reaction & Thoughts After Movie!
John Flickinger · 98.3K subscribers
The Hilarious Failure of Morbius
Isenhart Productions · 98.6K subscribers
How The Internet Turned Morbius Into a Meme
Alex Webb · 253K subscribers
Honest Trailers | Morbius
Screen Junkies · 6.8M subscribers
▸ FAQ
Did Morbius actually make money?
No, not once marketing and distribution costs are included. Its $167.6 million worldwide gross against a $75 million budget fell short of the roughly $150 million typically needed to break even.
Did the 'It's Morbin Time' meme actually help Morbius at the box office?
No. Sony tested it directly with a real June 2022 re-release in over 1,000 theaters, which earned only about $300,000 for the entire weekend.