Why Nicolas Cage's Spider-noir Was Canceled At Prime Video

Prime Video

It was recently announced that Sony and Prime Video are partnering to turn the infamous "Spider-Man" comic story "The Clone Saga" into a TV series. That news might have you wondering why, then, Prime Video canceled the Nicolas Cage-led "Spider-Noir." Set in 1930s New York, "Spider-Noir" starred Cage as Ben Reilly, a private investigator who moonlights as a webslinging vigilante called the Spider. The series was inspired by the original "Spider-Man: Noir" comics — as well as Cage's beloved appearance as the egg cream-loving, Nazi-punching Peter Parker of "Spider-Man: Noir" in the 2018 film "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse."

All eight episodes of "Spider-Noir" debuted on May 25 on MGM+ followed by a Prime Video premiere on May 27. The show received some strong reviews; /Film graded "Spider-Noir" a 9/10. Even the Emmys took notice, with "Spider-Noir" garnering 11 nominations at the Primetime Emmys, mostly in technical categories. But in September 2026, "Spider-Noir" was canceled.

Reporting by Deadline suggests that "Spider-Noir" performed well, just not well enough. While the show peaked at second place on Nielsen's ranking of top 10 most watched original series (with 851 million minutes viewed globally), it dropped from that place rather quickly. Other Prime Video series, such as "Reacher," took its place. 

As both a superhero series and a period piece, "Spider-Noir" came with a hefty price tag. It was also rendered in both color and black and white (for maximum noir mood). Deadline speculates that Prime Video likely decided the solid but not phenomenal ratings didn't justify the high costs. Perhaps another streamer or network would take a risk on a promising young show, but the sad fact is that in the streaming era, selling subscriptions for the whole package is what matters, and that makes investment in individual shows less important.

Prime Video

Now, I'd argue that the limited success of "Spider-Noir" was self-inflicted by Prime Video's decision to drop the entire season at once. Anecdotally, the show totally disappeared from the conversation within a week. Compare the success that HBO's "Lanterns" has had at getting people talking with its weekly release schedule. Regardless, the people who made "Spider-Noir" don't seem bitter that it ended. For both Nicolas Cage and showrunner Oren Uziel, more would've just been gravy.

"One season is perfect, having said what I wanted to say with this dangerous, innovative, pop-art Spider-Man. Onwards, upwards, inwards," said Cage in a statement to Deadline. While Uziel had some unused ideas he'd hoped "Spider-Noir" Season 2 could've explored, he made similar comments to Variety.

"We made a very closed-ended show. There's a reason we were honoring these old noirs. The story begins when the client comes into the private detective's office, and it ends when they solve the case. So, it was nicely buttoned up. We told a story. It felt a little bit like a long movie. So, it's bittersweet to not get right back to work with this cast and crew. But also, I have no regrets."

Uziel continued that the show could've moved locations, or explored further build-up to World War 2. (In "Spider-Noir," Ben Reilly got his powers while a German POW in the first World War, possibly hinting at Nazi super-science to come.) I personally would've liked some more characters from the "Spider-Man: Noir" comics. The show ends with mob boss Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson) dead, so perhaps into that vacuum could step Norman Osborn/the Goblin, whom "Spider-Man: Noir" reimagined as a circus-freak-turned-gangster with mutant green skin. But sadly, "Spider-Noir" is one-and-done.

"Spider-Noir" is streaming on Prime Video.