Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham (also simply known as Caught in a Ham) is a 2019 American animated superhero short film featuring the Marvel Comics character Spider-Ham and produced by Sony Pictures Animation. Directed and written by Miguel Jiron,[1] it is a prequel to the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and was released as a special feature on that film's digital release on February 26, 2019, and as part of the film's Blu-ray and DVD releases on March 19.[2] John Mulaney reprises his role as Spider-Ham from the film, moments before he entered a portal into the Spider-Verse.[3][4][5]
On September 20, 2019, Caught in a Ham was officially released on YouTube by Marvel HQ under license from Sony Pictures Animation.[5][6]
As Spider-Ham is about to enjoy a hot dog, he finds himself kidnapped by Doctor Crawdaddy. Through fast thinking and criticism of Doctor Crawdaddy's chosen moniker, Spider-Ham manages to defeat the villain and escape. While walking away, Spider-Ham is swallowed in by a portal taking him directly into an alternative dimension.[a] As the short ends, the hot dog pops out of the portal.
Following the successful release of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in December, producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller said they were planning to produce two additional Spider-Man-themed animated features to go along with the original film's Blu-ray and digital releases. The pair also expressed their interest in creating a Spider-Ham short film, with Phil stating that he wanted to "spin off the Spider-Ham cinematic television universe. One thing at a time."[3] Later that same month, producers Amy Pascal and Avi Arad also mentioned their interest in making a spin-off film based on the character.[7][8] Following talk about the potential spin-off and John Mulaney's pitch for a Spider-Ham movie,[9][10] the project was confirmed by Sony Pictures Animation on February 18, 2019.[2][11]
The short film was highly praised by critics. Mike Phalin, writing for ScienceFiction.com, said the short was "pretty good", expressing that "Sony's version of Spider-Ham [was] a bit of a cross between Chuck Jones's version Bugs Bunny [sic] and Daffy Duck under director Bob Clampett."[12] Ashley Robinson, writing for Major Spoilers, complimented the imagery presented in the short as well as John Mulaney's voice acting in the film.[13]