There was another Spider-Man movie that came out this month and it was amazing! Because of that, let’s celebrate the release of another awesome Spidey flick by ranking all ten we have gotten thus far from worst to best.
Spider-Man has always been a very important character to me. While I might need to do a brain check on it, he might possibly be my favorite character in all of fiction. Spider-Man is everything we inspire to be. It’s a character that is flawed, relatable, passionate, and absolutely heroic in ways that I wish I can be as a person. When the movies get this character right, it means something special to me. When the movies get this character wrong, then it’s certainly not special.
A friendly reminder that this is all opinions and I know for a fact that Spider-Man has an actively passionate fanbase where each movie incarnation of the character has their own fans and haters. If you have been on the internet at least since the release of The Amazing Spider-Man back in 2012, you know exactly what I’m talking about. I’ll respect all of your opinions just as long as you respect mine.
Anyways, let’s not waste anymore and get straight into the list.
10.) The Amazing Spider-Man
Whenever people complain about unnecessary reboots and the feeling of superhero movie fatigue, The Amazing Spider-Man is exactly the kind of movie they are referring to. This is the kind of movie where it’s difficult to separate the business side and artistic side of things because it’s bluntly obvious on the screen that this movie’s existence was more important to fit the criteria of the former than the latter. Being pitched as a darker reboot with more focus on high school drama and romance, The Amazing Spider-Man lacks the energy and excitement that made Sam Raimi’s trilogy (Yes, including the third one!) a success along with just being a dull slog in it’s own right.
Too many plot beats are stolen straight from the 2002 film, plot points are constantly brought up, drop completely, and never mentioned again, Peter Parker is much more unbearable than ever here, the Lizard is a complete waste of a villain, and there is so many coincidences that is pushing the story forward that it’s downright insulting to the human brain. And that’s not even going to the trailers spoiling everything, the piss-poor editing, Spidey’s suit looking like a basketball, Uncle Ben’s hilariously awful death, or painting Peter Parker as Mr. Perfect who can do wrong!
Yes, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are cute together and the score by James Horner is good stuff, but The Amazing Spider-Man is a movie that falls apart when you so much as breathe on it. Despite the film claiming to be about identity, it never finds an identity for it’s own main character. It’s a movie so bad that even the good things aren’t worth mentioning because nothing meaningful is done with any of that. Just an absolute waste of time!
9.) The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Hot take alert but I actually found The Amazing Spider-Man 2 to be an improvement over the first one. Despite being the most critically panned Spider-Man movie to date, there are a handful of elements that make the sequel to the ill-fated reboot slightly more bearable. At least the web swinging scenes are at their best here, Spidey looks awesome in action, and arguably has some of the best little Spider-Man moments in any of the movies (the scene where Peter walks the kid home always puts a smile on my face). Heck, even the awful parts of the movie at least lean on “so bad it’s funny” (the scene with Electro and the cartoonish doctor gets me every time) that it’s hard to not be unintentionally entertained by them when they happened. That being said, this movie is still a big, hot mess.
This is where you can tell that Marc Webb and Sony had literally no idea where they were going with these movies. It’s a movie that lacks a straight-forwarded plot, consistent direction, or a compelling reason has to why you should care about anything happening. The movies tries hard to lean in on fan service, most notably the one iconic scene from the comics, but none of it is put to good use or service the characters and their stories in any meaningful way. That’s not even going into everything that was cut out of the movie such as a subplot with Mary Jane played by Shailene Woodley, a post credit scene with Norman Osborn’s frozen head coming alive, and even Peter’s dad coming back from the dead and talking to him about great power coming with great responsibility because of course. And when you get to the end which changes the status quo for Peter only to pull a switch-a-roo and have things go back to where they were before, it makes you wonder what the point to either one of these Amazing movies were other than for Sony to keep the rights for Spider-Man away from Marvel.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 might be more entertaining than the first one and feels more like an actual Spider-Man movie this time around but as it’s own thing, it’s quite simply a mess. A mess so big that it led to Sony pleading with Marvel to get the character into the MCU to keep him relevant. I guess that’s something.
8.) Spider-Man: Homecoming
At long last, Spidey made it home to Marvel in his first stand alone feature in 2017 with Spider-Man: Homecoming. After making a stellar first impression with his extended cameo in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland would get a chance to shine on his own. Looking at it as it’s own thing, Homecoming is serviceable and enjoyable in it’s own right. As a Spider-Man flick, however, I can’t help but find it underwhelming.
Tom Holland continues to be great casting as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Michael Keaton’s Vulture is one of the best baddies in the entire MCU, and the high school elements were relatable to anyone that remember the awkward stages of that in their lives as an angsty teenager. That being said, too much of the movie feels restrained, like the filmmakers were too afraid of this movie being compared to the other Spider-Man movies that they played it as safe as possible. There are changes that feel unnecessary (Why does Betty Brant feel like Gwen Stacy, Ned feel like Ganke, and Mary Jane is now Michelle Jones?), elements that are removed (Uncle Ben’s importance), and elements that are added (Spider-Man being Iron Man Jr.) which makes it quite a middling Spider-Man experience.
I don’t know if it had to do with Sony and Marvel needing to rush out a movie completely in order to ride on the revival bandwagon for Spider-Man after Civil War but Homecoming as a whole feels way too wrapped up in that aftermath along with feeling too restrained as it’s own thing to stand out as being a truly great Spider-Man adventure. However, considering we now know the direction these movies would end up going after the third movie, maybe it all felt like a necessary evil in hindsight.
7.) Spider-Man: Far From Home
Another possible hot take but I actually like this one more than Homecoming. At the very least, this feels more like a Peter Parker-center story this time around where he has to deal with his own personal dilemmas and having to figures things out on his own without Iron Man around. The actions sequences are also much better this time out (That Mysterio illusion scene is masterfully done!) and this is when Zendaya was able to fully coming into her own as MJ.
Yes, there is still too much Iron Man tech here. Yes, there are times where the logic is questionable such as Tony Stark giving a kid literal killer glasses and Peter being able to survive getting run over by a bus. And yes, it’s ridiculous how we have ANOTHER Spider-Man villain that’s trying to get revenge on Tony Stark (despite the fact he’s actually dead now) instead of Spider-Man himself. However, Far From Home still offer the kind of Spidey goods that previous movie didn’t have along with leaving plenty of room for intrigue for the future after that banger of a post credit scene.
It was at this point where the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man still didn’t stand out with the likes of the Raimiverse, Insomniac’s Spider-Man, and Into the Spider-Verse but this was still a step in the right direction and did leave for an interesting route for the next movie to go in. Far From Home was far from the best but also far from the worst either. Now, please stop talking about it, Twitter!
6.) Spider-Man 3
You could definitely make a strong argument that the previous two movies I’ve mentioned are objectively better movies or at least have less flaws attached to it but I still argue that this one has more entertaining value and the goods of it stand out better than the goods in either one of the first two MCU movies. Spider-Man 3 has more flaws than it does characters and subplots but it has more heart to it than most are willing to believe.
As everyone and their mother has pointed out about this movie, there’s just too much going on it. Not necessarily because there are multiple villains and side stories attached to it but because none of them really connected with one another. It feels the need to cram in every single idea it can think off that it has to defy logic, have previous events being retcon, and letting it’s characters do uncharacteristic things to make it all happen. However, most of the thing that worked well with the first two movies such as the wonderful action, breakneck pacing, great music, resonate themes, and heard hitting emotional beats work very well. Even when acknowledging all the faults at play here, you would be lying if you said that this was a boring movie with no entertainment value.
Even so, Spider-Man 3 still remains one of the biggest tragedies in all of superhero movies. It was a result of too many cooks in the kitchen and trying to please everyone at once. If it all worked out, this could have been just as good if not better than the first movies. That being said, when watching Spider-Man 3 back-to-back with the first two movies, it does make for a rather satisfying experience. It’s no where near the abomination that people claimed it was back in 2007 but it was still no where near as good as it could have been.
5.) Spider-Man (2002)
The one movie that kick started the modern era of comic book movies and was also the one movie that got me along with plenty of kids of my generation into Spider-Man. This was the first ever superhero movie I’ve ever watch and one of the first movies that I remember having incredibly fond memories of as a child. Even if I’m unable to take off the bluntly obvious nostalgia goggles (I never can!), it’s still a damn good movie in it’s own right.
The origin of Peter Parker turning into Spider-Man is very well told, Tobey Maguire is as every bit as likable and iconic as the title character as you can imagine, and Sam Raimi’s unique version of this world is felt perfectly through every single frame. And that’s not even talking about the insanely memorable supporting cast, quotable lines, amazing score, fist bumping action, and the light hearted tone that makes this movie super enjoyable to watch all of these years later.
While I’m sure there are those that like to poke fun at the outdated elements of the movie such as the special effects, cheeseball dialogue, and the Power Ranger-looking Green Goblin, they all still feel right at home with what Raimi brings into his style of Spider-Man, which is the corn and cheese nature of it. Regardless if you feel like this movie has stood the test of time or not, you can’t deny that if it weren’t the success of this movie, there’s a good chance that this subgenre of movies as we know it today would be no where near big as it has been for the past two decades.
4.) Spider-Man: No Way Home
Now, that’s more like it! This was basically the Spider-Man movie that I have been waiting for since he made his way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe! It offers Tom Holland in his absolute best turn as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, giving the character more depth and intrigue than he did in his previous two solo movies, finally utilizing the potential of this version of Spider-Man that had previously shown glimpses of it in his extended cameo in Captain America: Civil War and his side roles in the last two Avengers movies. Unlike Homecoming and Far From Home before it, No Way Home finally gave you an indication as to what this Spider-Man actually IS rather than what he is NOT!
Taking a page from Into the Spider–Verse, No Way Home brings different versions of Spider-Man and his villains together while showcasing just why being Spider-Man is so hard yet is someone that Peter Parker still has to be. And just like with Spider-Verse, it never loses focus on the main Spider-Man that the movie is centered upon. Unlike certain other movies that go overboard with it’s fan service and nostalgia, this does a good job of making it sincere and not too pandering as well as examine some interesting themes of not just about being Spider-Man but also about how being Spider-Man in this universe is quite different from being Spider-Man in another universe.
It’s in no way perfect but No Way Home is certainly a satisfying Spidey experience without a doubt. The big thing though about it all is not just how far Tom Holland has come and matured as this version of Peter Parker but how far director Jon Watts himself has come and matured as a filmmaker! Bring on the next one! It better have Black Cat or Miles Morales in it!
3.) Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
While it may not match the level of surprise that Into the Spider-Verse provided and may leave plenty feeling frustrated albeit amused as it’s notable cliffhanger ending, Across the Spider-Verse makes for another marvelous cinematic experience, an impressive achievement in animation and filmmaking, and will instantly go down as of the most definite middle film chapters in recent memory, perhaps all time.
Everything you loved about the original is still present here, the themes and messages that the original got across is expanded to even greater affect here, there’s plenty of callbacks, references, Easter eggs, and fan service galore that will put plenty of smiles on faces, Gwen Stacy is giving more screen time and gets an incredibly compelling arc in her own right, each one of the new side characters will have their own favorites from fans, and even if you are left underwhelmed with the way things wrap up, you will no doubt be anxious to see the next one come spring time next year.
Across the Spider-Verse not only helps showcases the bright future of animation that awaits us but perhaps the bright future of cinema in general. While we might have to wait to see how they stick the landing with Beyond the Spider-Verse next year, this is no doubt another important milestone for animation. Just like how these Spider-Verse movies prove that Spider-Man belongs to everyone, so does animation. And there should be no one out there that should say otherwise.
2.) Spider-Man 2
If you want an example of how to do the perfect superhero sequel, look no further than Spider-Man 2! This is the sequel that was able to take everything we love about the original, expand upon it, and trim any sort of fat that could possibly ruin the experience. Even nearly two decades later and after so many superhero movies that have come out, this still stands out as one of the very best!
This is a movie that perfectly dives into the inner turmoil of being a superhero and the life superheroes have outside of that. Just like with the best Spider-Man movies, it’s all about struggles to balance two different life styles at the exact same time. And how even though being Spider-Man can suck sometimes, it’s something that Peter has to do because it’s just who he is and what his responsibility consists of. Throw in some truly fantastic action, with the main stand out being the spectacular train sequence, arguably the best fight in any superhero movie, a tremendous villain in Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock, character arcs that come full circle, and one of the most satisfying endings in any movie, you get an absolute cinematic masterpiece that is Spider-Man 2!
If you are someone that loves Spider-Man and superhero movies, I have no idea how you couldn’t at least like this movie. It deliver everything that a superhero movie can give you and even more. It has heart, humor, emotion, character development, action, and genuine themes that anyone can get behind. When it comes to live-action, there has yet to be a movie that comes even remotely close to topping Spider-Man 2!
1.) Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
However, when it comes to Spider-Man in terms of all the movies, Into the Spider-Verse is the ones that tops them all. I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that this was an absolute gamechanger for animation. Not just because it was a near masterpiece of visual storytelling that was able to deliver everything that any hardcore comic book or casual fan could possibly want in an animated Spider-Man flick and then some, but was once again proved that animation should be allowed to stand as it’s own medium and NOT as a genre.
It doesn’t just use animation to make the picture look beautiful but it uses it to tell a very earnest and heartful story of what it’s like to be a superhero in a way you just couldn’t do in live-action. Despite their being several different Spider-men, women, and animals that are present, none of it takes away the fact that this is a Miles Morales movie from beginning to end. The animation is jaw dropping, the set pieces are incredible, every single notable Spider-person gets their moment to shine, every member of the voice cast is perfect in their roles, and it perfectly delivers a message that anyone, regardless of what their gender, race, and skin color is, can be a hero.
I don’t think there has been a film out there that perfectly illustrates not just how great Spider-Man as a character is but how great superheroes are in general and why they are important. Not only is Into the Spider-Verse the best Spider-Man movie to date, there’s a strong argument to be made that it’s the best superhero movie to date with no exceptions. Even so, Into the Spider-Verse is my favorite Spider-Man movie to date and one my personal favorite movies period. It’s one that I never get tired of watching no matter how many times I go back to it. It simply is perfection!
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