Who doesn’t love Spider-Man? One ofStan Lee’s most enduring and beloved creations,Spider-Manis a comic book hero with a proud legacy that has inspired generations. From Peter Parker to Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy, the mantle of the beloved neighborhood hero gets passed down without losing that resilience and do-good moral imperative that makes the character so special. And boy, Spider-Man sure has a lot of movies.
In terms of numbers, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catching up to Batman as one of the most prolific and influential characters in superhero cinema, and it’s not hard to see why. In contrast to the Bruce Waynes and Tony Starks of the comic world, the brooding fantasy characters defined by their darkness, Spider-Man’s spunky innocence and decency speaks to the spark of innate goodness and decency we hope is in all of us. Sure, there are lots of heroes who join the fray out of a sense of duty or regret, but nobodylovesbeing a hero like Spider-Man.
With an already storied history of films, we’re looking back on everySpider-Manmovie to date to see how they stack up. A few housekeeping things first; we’re not including movies likeCaptain America: Civil WarorAvengers: Infinity Warthat feature Spider-Man as a supporting character, nor are we looking at non-theatrical animated films, or the pre-Sam Raimiprojects.
On a personal note, I’ll just add that I love all Spider-Man movies, no matter how bad they are. Yes, even that one. He’s been my favorite hero since childhood, and anytime I see those webs slinging into action, I’m gonna have at least a little fun. On that note, there are a lot of phenomenal Spidey films and there’s a good chance you’re not going to agree with my rankings. That’s great! Diversity of opinion is what makes these kinds of conversations so fun, let’s just keep the spirit of our favorite web-crawler alive in the conversation and attempt to keep it positive! Now, to the main event. Here’s every Spider-Man movie ranked.
10. The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Sprawling, clunky and overstuffed,The Amazing Spider-Man 2feels like a relic from another era of superhero cinema, and it’s frankly brain-breaking to realize it crash-landed into theaters less than five years ago.Marc Webb’sSpider-Mansequel is a bit tough to place last because, yes, it is a mess, but ultimately it improves on a lot of the faults inThe Amazing Spider-Man. Peter is less off-putting this time around andJamie Foxx’s Electro is a true-blue heartbreaking villain for about half of the movie. Unfortunately, any decent work from by the actors (and there’s a lot of it – the cast is ten times better than this movie deserved), gets cut off at the legs becauseTASM2tries to be three different movies at once.
It wants to be a Spider-Man sequel, sure, and there’s lots of genuinely well-staged action to hit those beats, but it also wants to set up a Sinister Six movie (hence the overabundance of villains here), and worst of all, it wants to be a melodrama trafficking in the iconic death of Gwen Stacy. Brought to life by the impossibly likableEmma Stone, Gwen is as much a part of the lifeblood of theAmazing Spider-Manfilms as Garfield’s Peter Parker; a character and performance that proved worthy of more than faithful adherence to what was written for a near half-century ago. Her death is an especially cruel way to end a film that never decides between its pulp and straight drama instincts.TASM2could have been an interesting superhero drama about the cost of power, or a wild and colorful villain showcase, but in trying to become both, it ended up being neither.
9. The Amazing Spider-Man
He’s not a regular Spider-Man, he’s acoolSpider-Man. This Peter Parker has shoulders like a man, a way with the ladies, and snark to spare. He’s kind of awkward, but not really… the manifestation of the early-aughts emo pretty boy, and the kind of guy who would be wildly popular if he just wasn’t so hung up on his own insecurities. That take on Peter Parker has divided fans sinceThe Amazing Spider-Manfirst hit theaters and, years later, especially in the light of Tom Holland’s tenure as the teenage hero, it feels a bit too close to a Justin Bieber video for comfort.
Essentially,The Amazing Spider-Manis the Young Adult romance version of the story (what ifSpider-Man, butTwilight?), and even ifAndrew Garfieldand EmmaStone make for the most idealized teen idol versions of Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy imaginable, they’re still charming to boot, and their chemistry is the best part of what is otherwise a serviceable but uninspired retelling of the Spider-Man origin. In truth, it’s almost a beat-for-beat copy of Raimi’s original. Nobody needed to see the origin story again, and the film offers little in the way of villainy, reducingRhys Ifans' The Lizard to a one-note dude who just really wants his arm back (an oof-level outdated trope of “disability as evil” on its own.) There’s some fun to be had in the scenes where Webb glimpses the promise of Kajiu-flavored destruction, but the film never leans in and, man, the effects just aren’t there. Taken as a romantic sexySpider-Manfor teens, it works pretty well, but as aSpider-Manstory, it’s nothing we haven’t seen before. And better done, at that.
8. Spider-Man 3
Ah,Spider-Man 3, you goofy, much-derided slice of silliness. Yes, there is a lot to dunk on here. We all remember the dancing, the hair cut, and the still inexplicable casting ofTopher Graceas Venom. We all remember. Perhaps it’s just the sands of time smoothing down the sharp edges (or maybe it’s the contrast toThe Amazing Spider-Manfilms), but there’s still a lot of heart inSpider-Man 3that makes the film worth watching and enjoying. In fact, with the passage of time, some of its worst qualities have become rather endearing. Look atTobey Maguiretrying so hard to be emo-cool, just look at it. Now some of it still doesn’t work (see: giant Sandman groaning into the wind), but there’s a lot of joy buried among the silliness. Shed away the Venom and the Sandman of it all and there’s a pretty touching payoff to the long journey between Peter and Harry, and some lovely themes about forgiveness woven in; from Harry’s redemption to the Sandman’s farewell, and of course, Peter and M.J.’s reunion. It’s an overstuffed mess, but there’s the shadow of the Spider-Man we love in there somewhere, buried just beneath the guyliner and hair gel.
7. Spider-Man: Far from Home
As the first MCU film after the game-changing culmination ofAvengers: Endgamethat also had to be a sequel to the outstanding Spidey rebootSpider-Man: Homecoming,Spider-Man: Far From Homehad a lot on its plate. But Marvel, Sony, and returning directorJon Wattspulled it off with a peak summer blockbuster that manages to give a universe-building look at the after-effects of Thanos’ Snap through the intimate lens of another charming coming-of-age action-comedy.Tom Hollandcontinues to be the best Peter Parker yet, this time more withdrawn and unsure after the events ofInfinity WarandEndgame, especially the death of Tony Stark. Likewise, the ensemble around him shines once again, especiallyZendayaas the delightfully offbeat and self-assured M.J. andJacob Batalonas Peter’s Guy in the Chair, Ned. And then of course, there’s newcomerJake Gyllenhaalas the charming new hero in town; a breezy and delicious performance from one of the last actors you’d expect to see in an MCU film.
Best of all, it’s one of the most ambitious Spider-Man films we’ve seen, far removed from the near-identical beats we saw in the first five Spider-Man films — both geographically, taking Peter and his classmates through the spectacular sights of Europe, and narratively, embracing the implications of the larger cinematic universe and friendly but familiar neighborhood stories we know so well.Far from Homedoesn’t have quite the purity ofHomecomingor the innovative spark ofInto the Spider-Verse, but it’s still one hell of a Spider-Man spectacle; an MCU-level theatrical experience spun that taps into the nausea of grief and the butterflies of summer love.
6. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Of all the live-action Spider-Man movies,Spider-Man: No Way Homeis certainly the most ambitious, not only bringing a conclusion to this part of the story for Holland’s Peter Parker, and not just bringing back Maguire and Garfield, but managing to do both in a way that elevates both of these ideas. Having Maguire and Garfield help Holland become the Spider-Man he needs to become is a brilliant touch, and yet, their return is an excellent way to give a capper to each of these previous Spider-Man stories. There’s simply no more emotional moment in the MCU than when Garfield’s Spider-Man saves Zendaya’s MJ from a fall, righting the wrong that still haunts him afterThe Amazing Spider-Man 2. ButNo WayHomehides that after two previous Holland Spider-Man movies,thisis the origin story that we’ve been waiting for, and it comes thanks to some true multiversal madness. Spider-Man has to deal with the series' long cadre of villains, the death of Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), the loss of his friends, and the potential destruction of the world. And despite having an absurd amount of things to juggle,No Way Homedoes all of this with care and love for this character and its cinematic roots. —Ross Bonaime
5. Spider-Man 2
I know, I know. I can hear you screaming from here. I’ll just take this as an opportunity to remind y’all that any ranking is subjective andfor me,Spider-Man 2just does not hold up as the best in the long-running franchise. That said, from here everything is pretty much a gold star.Spider-Man 2is a spectacular comic book movie, which stands apart to this day for a story rooted in earnest faith in humanity, showcased through not only our web-slinging hero, but the faithful citizens of the city he protects. Even the villain, the iconic Spidey foil Doctor Octopus; played with exceptional integrity and charm byAlfred Molina. Doc Ock is a perfect foil for Peter at this point in his journey, another mentor-turned-monster who turns his tragedy into a source of rage, giving Peter the opportunity to showcase his true heroism by never giving up on him.
From the iconic train scene to his acceptance that hanging up the suit isn’t always an option — even for love — Spidey has never been more purely heroic, and in the hands ofSam Raimi, his heroic feats look more spectacular than ever. It’s downright incredible how good the effects look inSpider-Man 2, and Raimi’s flourish for action was firing at full capacity in this one (Doc Ock’s transformation scene is still terrifying, and so very Sam Raimi.)Spider-Man 2may not be my all-time favorite of the franchise, but it’s still an incredible piece of superhero cinema that puts a premium on earnest goodness and the power of redemption.
4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseis truly a mind-blowing accomplishment, and I would never fault anyone for whom this animated piece of brilliance immediately shot to the top of their list. It’s certainly themostSpider-Man movie there ever was, and in a franchise that has often been derided for staleness and repetition, boy doesSpider-Verseswing for the fences and do something entirely new.
“This is one hardcore origin story;” a perfect introduction to Miles Morales (and Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, Peter Porker, and Peni Parker, for that matter) that boggles the mind with the sheer amount of nerdy narrative packed into one Spider-Man-loving ode. It’s also a vivid, dazzling film, a remarkable work of animation artistry that genuinely feels like a comic book brought to life, including hilarious and subtle animated gags (I’m a big fan of the use of ‘bagel’ as a sound effect) and rich, immersive details that pull you right into this parallel universe. Best of all,Spider-Verseis about embracing the fact that Spider-Man isn’t Peter Parker, Spider-Man is an idea, a mask, a mantle that can be picked up by anyone, anywhere, as long as you always get back up when you take a hit and never lose sight of what makes someone a hero.
3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Into the Spider-Versewas sort of a game-changer for Spider-Man movies, seemingly everything from the MCU’s recent interest in the multiverse (andNo Way Home, of course), as well as animated films likePuss in Boots: The Last WishandThe Bad Guys. Considering how beloved and greatInto the Spider-Versewas, it’s shocking thatSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseactually outdoes its predecessor, with more eye-popping animations, an even larger cast of characters, a truly unbelievable amount of Easter eggs, and an even stronger focus on family and what being a Spider-Person means. Every scene ofAcross the Spider-Verseis popping with surprises and beauty, from the watercolor-dripping world of Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) to the black-and-white destruction of The Spot (Jason Schwartzman), this is an absolutely gorgeous movie to behold. But it’s also one of the most touching, as Miles Morales starts to come into his own as Spider-Man and reckoning with what that means.Across the Spider-Versemight not be the best Spider-Man film (although it’s close), but it cements the Miles Morales series as the best Spider-Man movie series so far. —Ross Bonaime
2. Spider-Man: Homecoming
TomHolland is the perfect Peter Parker. If Maguire was too dopey and Garfield was too smarmy, Holland is Three Little Pigs-stylejust right. Funny, acrobatic, and believably innocent (see also: naive), Holland’s Parker makesSpider-Man: Homecomingsoar, even when the story occasionally fails to do the character justice. Part of the joy of this new Spider-Man is watching him fill out his role in the MCU afterCaptain America: Civil War, bringing the insanity of the Avengers-led epics back to the ground, where Peter is more or less put on house arrest by Tony Stark – he gets to keep the suit, but only for street-level crime. Of course, Peter’s not gonna have that, so the moment he sets his sights onMichael Keaton’s Vulture (a ruthlessly charismatic baddie and one of the best MCU villains to date), he goes all-in on trying to bring the villain down, no matter the cost.
Peter is still finding his Spidey legs inHomecomingand sometimes that makes him seem frustratingly incompetent, but if his arc seemed clunky and unfinished afterHomecoming, it makes a lot more sense in the aftermath ofEndgameandFar from Home. It doesn’t quite give Peter a full journey, but it’s a pivotal touchstone in both his and Tony’s journey, and a beautiful one at that. Ultimately, there’s a purity of charm and tone toHomecoming, a wholesomeness and warmth that keeps me coming back to it again and again. At this point going toe-to-toe with the firstSpider-Manas my most-watched of the whole franchise, and on that note…
1. Spider-Man
It seems this puts me on the wrong end of a rather unpopular opinion, but I’ll be honest, I don’t understand how this movie isn’t top of every single list. Though I will admit to some strong nostalgic bias. Sam Raimi’s originalSpider-Manwas a revelation for me when it dropped; a film I saw in theaters eight times, pasting the ticket stubs reverently on my bedroom wall under the movie poster I snagged at work. But more than 20 years later, watching the formative superhero blockbuster still has that magical effect on me.
Raimi staged his superhero opus like something from the Golden Age of Hollywood; a soft-focus melodrama that also happens to have radioactive spiders and a bad man in a robotic green suit. And man, The Green Goblin is abad man. It’s easy to forget how ruthlessWillem Dafoe’s baddie could be, whether turning his colleagues to ash or beating the hell out of Peter in the third act battle – even his own demise, impaled by his own glider, is surprisingly violent for a comic book blockbuster.Maguire’s Peter Parker is a doofy, wide-eyed hero, but itworksin the hands of Raimi, who treats his pulpy material with just the right blend of popcorn cinema beats, dramatic sequences, and a sprinkle of B-movie flourish. Stylized, funny, and surprisingly sexy at times (that iconic upside-down kiss stillworks, as does Willem Dafoe in a fancy suit, thank youverymuch,)Spider-Manis an old-fashioned origin story done to perfection.
