As of 2025[update], Marvel has film licensing agreements with Sony Pictures via Columbia Pictures (for Spider-Man films) and theme park licensing agreements with IMG Worlds of Adventure and Universal Destinations & Experiences (for specific Marvel character rights at Islands of Adventure).

[10] On January 6, 1989, Ronald Perelman's MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings bought Marvel Entertainment Group from New World for $82.5 million.

[11] The Andrews Group named Avi Arad of ToyBiz as the president and CEO of the Marvel Films division.

[20][21] On July 5, 1994, Marvel acquired Panini Group, an Italian sticker-maker,[22] followed by Malibu Comics on November 3[23][24] and Heroes World Distribution, a regional distributor to comic-book shops, in December.

[11][25][26][27][28][29] Marvel's attempt to distribute its products directly led to a decrease in sales and aggravated the losses which Marvel suffered when the comic book bubble popped,[citation needed] the 1994 Major League Baseball strike massacred the profits of the Fleer unit,[30] and Panini, whose revenue depended largely on Disney licensing, was hobbled by poor Disney showings at the box office.

[32] In late 1995, Marvel reported its first annual loss under Perelman, which was attributed mainly to the company's large size and a shrinking market.

[7][11][36][37][38][39][40] At this time, Carl Icahn, an American businessman and investor, began buying Marvel's bonds at 20% of their value and moved to block Perelman's plan.

[49] A new unit, Marvel International, was set up in London under a president, Bruno Maglione, to extend the company's operation and presence in major overseas markets in November 2003.

[50] In December 2003, Marvel Entertainment acquired Cover Concepts from Hearst Communications, Inc.[51] In November 2004, Marvel consolidated its children's sleepwear-apparel licensing business with American Marketing Enterprises, Inc.[52] In November 2004, the corporation sued South Korea-based NCSoft Corp. and San Jose, California-based Cryptic Studios Inc. over possible trademark infringement in their City of Heroes massive multiplayer online game.

[53] Marvel settled a film-royalties lawsuit in April 2005 with its former editor-in-chief, publisher and creator, Stan Lee, paying him $10 million and negotiating an end to his royalties.

[63] Three months later, Smith & Tinker licensed from Marvel the character rights for a superhero digital collectible game for Facebook and Apple's mobile platform.

[68] In April 2014, Hong Kong Disneyland announced the construction of Iron Man Experience, the first Marvel ride at any Disney theme park.

[81] In October 2017, Ron Richards began working at Marvel Entertainment as vice president and Managing Editor of New Media.

[82] Marvel New Media expanded into a new field with the development of a scripted podcast series, Wolverine: The Long Night, announced on December 5, 2017.

[83] Marvel and SiriusXM announced on October 22, 2019, a multi-year deal for scripted and unscripted podcast series and themed live events.

[94] Marvel New Media expanded into a new field with the development of a scripted podcast series, Wolverine: The Long Night, announced on December 5, 2017.

[97] After Rahmani left for Google, podcast host Ryan Penagos became vice president and creative executive for the organization.

[98] Marvel and SiriusXM announced on October 22, 2019, a multi-year deal for multiple scripted and unscripted podcast series for 2020 debuts.

[99] In early 2023, as part of cost-cutting moves by its parent company Disney, the in-house audio production unit responsible for Marvel podcasts was cut from six to three people.

The move also marked the end of the co-production agreement with SiriusXM, making Wastelanders the final series produced under the partnership.