Spider-Man and PlayStation effect. Sony posts record quarter, with profit jumps 44%

Sony closed the second quarter of fiscal 2026 with strong growth, supported by the performance of its Pictures and Game & Network Services divisions. For the three months ended September 30, the Japanese group reported revenue of ¥3.429 trillion, up 10% year over year.

Operating income rose 45% to ¥622.3 billion, while net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation shareholders increased 44% to ¥449.6 billion. Both revenue and operating income reached record levels for a second quarter, prompting the company to raise its full-year outlook.

Spider-Man drives Pictures division growth

The film business was the main driver behind Sony's improved performance. The Pictures division generated revenue of ¥513.7 billion, up 48% year over year, while operating income climbed to ¥92.6 billion from ¥13.9 billion a year earlier.

The results were largely driven by Spider-Man: Brand New Day, released in July and turned into a global box-office phenomenon. According to Sony, the movie has generated more than $2.5 billion in worldwide box-office revenue, making it the third highest-grossing film of all time globally.

The film's impact extended beyond cinemas. Sales of related video game titles nearly doubled, while Sony Music releases featured in the movie surpassed one billion cumulative streams.

PlayStation boosts profitability

Sony's Game & Network Services division also delivered solid growth. Revenue increased to ¥1.208 trillion, while operating income climbed to ¥220.1 billion, compared with ¥120.4 billion in the same quarter last year.

One of the key contributors was Marvel's Wolverine, which sold more than 2.4 million units following its September release. Sony nevertheless noted that PS5 hardware sales are gradually declining, as expected at this stage of the console's life cycle.

Sony raises full-year guidance

Following the strong quarterly performance, Sony revised its forecasts for the fiscal year ending March 2027. The group now expects revenue of ¥13 trillion, up from its previous estimate of ¥12.5 trillion, and operating income of ¥1.87 trillion, compared with the earlier forecast of ¥1.72 trillion.

Net income attributable to shareholders is now expected to reach ¥1.33 trillion, up from the previous estimate of ¥1.21 trillion. Sony also raised its Pictures division outlook, forecasting revenue of ¥1.76 trillion and operating income of ¥200 billion.

The results highlight the strength of Sony's business model, built around leveraging intellectual property across film, gaming and music. The success of Spider-Man demonstrates how a major entertainment franchise can generate commercial returns well beyond the box office.