Tag: Spider-Man Day

The Top 10 Best Spider-Man Games

AdamLeave a comment

Today is Spider-Man Day! Because of that, let’s go over my top 10 list of the best Spider-Man games that have been made so far!

Video games that are based off of a successful IP or franchise license tends to get a bad rep! They tend to always feels like they are just a cheap cash grab and something that a gaming studio can rushed out in a hurry without much effort or work put into it. 2023 in general has had a handful of stinkers in that department. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was a trainwreck beyond measures, Avatar: Quest for Balance felt like a game that got locked away in a steel vault for the past 15 years and somehow found it’s way onto modern consoles, and I defy ANYONE to explain to me how in the living hell did Skull Island: Rise of Kong become an actual thing that exists in the year of 2023 (I literally get sick whenever I look at King Kong in that game!) However, when it comes to Spider-Man, I believe this is one of the few exceptions of a beloved IP having a handful of really solid games.

Whether it’s self-contain, movie tie-in, or part of it’s own successful medium, there are plenty of likeable games with Spidey to well…..actually like. Yes, there are plenty of stinkers out there as well but there’s plenty of winners that deserve it’s own respect. What are those winners you may ask? Well, stick around and I will tell you all! Here’s my list of the top 10 best Spider-Man games to date!

10.) Spider-Man: Edge of Time

Edge of Time tends to get a bad rep and I would be lying if I didn’t see why. The gameplay itself can get quite repetitive, it has it’s fair share of bugs and glitches, and it certainly pails in comparison to it’s predecessor that is Shattered Dimensions. However, if you are someone that plays a Spider-Man game for it’s story and cutscenes, Edge of Time is certainly one of the better Spider-Man games to pick up.

The storyline was written by no other than acclaimed Spider-Man comics writer, Peter David, and creates a really compelling story involving multiple Spider-Men that try to go back through time to save Peter Parker’s life. It focuses strictly on Peter’s original Spider-Man and his 2099 counterpart, Miguel O’Hara. It a race against time to save the future from destruction. That’s also without mention the stellar voice cast with fan favorites Christopher Daniel Barnes and Josh Keaton returning again to reprise their roles along with other notable talents such as Val Kilmer and Katee Sackhoff.

While the gameplay itself is just serviceable at best and features some incredibly frustrating boss fights, it’s the strong writing and voice work that helps push the whole game through and makes Edge of Time stand out greatly on it’s own. But at the same time, the gameplay is what matters first and foremost to a video game. Because of that, I can’t justify putting this game any higher on the list.

9.) Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Web of Shadows was a massive hit when it came out in 2008 and is considered to be a fan favorite among the Spider-Man games. It delivers a grand story about Venom infecting New York City with the symbiote along with gameplay and direction that’s unlike any Spidey game that’s ever been released.

This is basically like a much better version of Spider-Man 3, both movie and game! It looks nicer, provides more solid web-swinging, the combat is improved, and it’s able to showcase a darker experience that explores the morality of donning the Symbiote suit. It’s also cool to have the player make their own narrative choices to advance in the story that includes multiple different endings, which includes awesome guest appearances from other Marvel characters such as Moon Knight, Luke Cage, and Wolverine. Just shame that it’s not as polished as other Spider-Man games with plenty of bugs and glitches throughout along with a really crappy camera.

If this game ever received a remaster that’s able to fix the glaring flaws I just mentioned, this could have been even higher on the list. Even so, Web of Shadows is definitely a game worth crediting for it’s ambition and offering plenty of different elements to the story and gameplay. It’s far from perfect but it’s also far from being a dud either.

8.) Spider-Man (2002)

The first movie tie-in of the web swinger managed to debunk the narrative that all movie games have to suck. It acted as a faithful adaption of the hit 2002 film while also being able to expand upon it by throwing in more villains from Spidey’s rose gallery into the picture…or game. Even though this was basically the very first try at doing a Spidey movie game, you wouldn’t notice that when playing through Spider-Man (2002).

This acts as a very mission based game, going from one main bad guy to another, showcasing the importance of Peter Parker’s very first step into becoming Spider-Man. The combat and controls work very well, with plenty of combos to achieve and bonus moves to unlock to make the experience all the more fun. It’s also pretty cool that they were able to get Tobey Maguire to reprise his role doing these games. And we also can’t forget the special added bonus that is Bruce Campbell as the narrator, A.K.A. the greatest narrator in video game history! It’s only a shame that the game lacks a proper open world for Spidey to explore in, especially doing the missions were you are able to swing through the skies of the cities but never the roads.

Despite it’s faults, Spider-Man (2002) was able to get what it needed to get right on it’s first try. By acting as a faithful adaption of the feature film it’s based on along with providing an neat little expansion of it, it was able to set up the ground work quite well for future Spidey games.

7.) Spider-Man (2000)

Right before the movie game of Spider-Man (2002), there was Spider-Man (2000) developed by Neversoft. If you want a game that is able to embrace the light-hearted and “Saturday Morning cartoon” level of nature of Spider-Man, you get all of that and more with Spider-Man (2000).

It’s bright, colorful, full of energy, and feels like a great tribute to not only Spider-Man but the whole Marvel universe as a whole. From the Baxter Building appearing to a cameo from the Punisher himself to even narration from the late great Stan Lee, this is a true Spider-Man game made by fans for fans. Gameplay incorporates all of Spidey’s powers in a nice, organic way, it’s filled with comic book Easter eggs and cool nods to other Spider-Man medium, and it even features voice actors from Spider-Man cartoons of the era (Spider-Man: The Animated Series and Spider-Man Unlimited).

This Spider-Man game does have its fair share of flaws regarding the physics and some wonky elements thrown in but there’s so much fun and charm to be had with Spider-Man (2000) that makes it all the more forgivable. This just goes to show you how far we come with superhero and licensed games.

6.) Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Here’s the game that basically did Into the Spider-Verse and No Way Home before anyone of those movies did. This is a game that see multiple different Spider-Man from multiple different universe. This includes Ultimate Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Man 2099. If Shattered Dimensions proves anything, it’s that the more Spider-Men, the merrier.

The different styles of gameplay with the multiple different Spider-Men makes the game all the more enjoyable with plenty of variety to be found here. A great example of this is with Noir being strictly stealth while 2099 has high-tech gadgets. You also got a handful of awesome boss fights, the excellent voice cast filled with familiar old actors returning and welcome new additions, and all versions of Spider-Man that is presented throughout the game getting their time to shine.

Even if the story itself pales in comparison to Edge of Time, it’s the gameplay, variety, and multiple different versions of Spider-Man to play that makes Shattered Dimensions really shine among the best of the Spider-Man games. If you are a fan of the recent Spider-Man films involving the multiverse or Spider-Verse, you should definitely check this one out.

5.) Ultimate Spider-Man

After delivering what was, at the time, the king of Spider-Man games with Spider-Man 2, Treyarch was able to follow that up with yet another great Spider-Man game just one year later with 2005’s Ultimate Spider-Man. Based off the rebooted comic series of the same name, this sees the relationship of Peter Parker and Eddie Brock at it’s most personal as the two were once great best friends.

Swinging around the city as Spider-Man is as great as ever, the combat is able to pull off the right amount of challenge and difficulty without being completely unfair, and the way the story is told through the panels of a comic books is incredibly unique. And of course, there’s the addition of Venom as an actual playable character that helps makes the game stand out as one of the very best Spidey games. We’re forced to “feed” on enemies and innocent citizens alike to keep Venom alive as he launches himself from building to building using his tentacles. To top it all off, there’s a surprise cameo and boss battle with Wolverine.

Even with it’s admittedly dated graphics and voice work, there’s still a lot to love about Ultimate Spider-Man. The gameplay and story is some of the very best in all of the games and the addition of Venom is just the perfect icing on the cake. This game truly feels like well. the Ultimate Spider-Man game (Pun entirely intended!).

4.) Spider-Man 2 (2004)

If you wanna talk about a movie game that’s able to meet the quality of the feature film it’s based on, look no further than Spider-Man 2. While the first movie game was pretty good, this one was able to blow that game, along with just about every major superhero or licensed game up until 2004, out of the water.

You have controls that feel smoother, combat that is more inventive, inclusion of other main villains not from the movies that is more organic, web swinging that is more satisfying, and even an actual open world for Spider-Man to play around in this time. And even more amusing quips from Bruce Campbell and Tobey Maguire than ever before. There’s a not a single moment from this game that doesn’t feel thrilling or engaging, hitting all the right notes it needs to for a proper video game.

I could nitpick certain aspects of the side missions and story (Like why does Doc Ock blame Spider-Man for his wife’s death? There’s like no reason for him to do so!) but Spider-Man 2 just gets it all right. Much like the movie it’s based on, it takes everything that didn’t work about the original and not only improves it but expands upon it in very satisfying ways. Even if it’s no longer the best Spider-Man game anymore, it might just be the most important one made.

3.) Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

While I don’t think Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is quite as good as the other Insomniac Spider-Man games, it still is able to succeed on it’s own merits by being an fun and compelling adventure for it’s own title character, proving he is more than worthy of being his own Spider-Man.

Everything that worked tremendously well in the first game still works very well here. The combat is still fun and fluid, the web swinging is at it’s absolute best here, the narrative remains engaging, it looks gorgeous, the soundtrack is unique, and Miles is just an awesome character that is very easy to get behind. I do hope that the Insomniac Spider-Man‘s series continues to add multiple playable characters to an expanding roster, perhaps having Spider-Gwen join in on the fun in the future. If they can keep finding ways to make the gameplay fun and unique while containing to tell engaging tales of not just Peter Parker but other Spider-men, women, and maybe even animals, then I can see this series of games having plenty of staying power.

Nevertheless, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a great game and another worthy addition to what is perhaps the best Spider-Man medium out there. Similar to Batman: Arkham Origins, this is a game that I often visit upon Christmas time because it just puts you in that holiday spirit!

2.) Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)

Marvel’s Spider-Man is more than deserving of being as loved and celebrated as it was back in 2018. It still stands strongly as the best Spider-Man game to date and arguably the best licensed superhero game out there that doesn’t involve Batman. It’s able to take the kind of Spider-Man gameplay that has been a template from past Spider-Man games while modifying and perfecting it in every way, giving you the most perfect feeling Spidey experience you can possibly imagine. While I definitely could have done without the MJ/Miles sections, almost everything else is done so well that it doesn’t even come close to bringing down the rest of the game.

The web swinging is fun, the combat is a blast, the story is engaging, the characters are well-defined and characterized, the sound is stellar, and it’s able to feel like a complete Spider-Man package in a way that no other Spider-Man game has yet. It’s very rare for a game to come out that feels like it gives you your complete money’s worth, one that you can just pick up and play almost instantly and overall, just puts you in a good mood every time you play it. Marvel’s Spider-Man is able to do all of that and even more.

I will never forget the fond memories and enjoyment I was able to gain from Marvel’s Spider-Man. Insomniac Games crafted a really special game that is not just one of my favorite Spider-Man games but one of the most satisfying games I’ve ever played. Go Spidey go!

1.) Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is as every bit as good as you were expecting and hoping for it to be. This is Insomniac Games reaching a new level of peak! The story is more engaging and worth following, the gameplay is as polished and perfect as ever, the combat and web swinging has never been more satisfying, the graphics have never been more of a treat to the eyes, the soundtrack is a new definition of peak, and the voice work is some of the best performed in any video game.

What makes things even more exciting is that there are still plenty of doors left to open for this series. By the time the game concludes and the loose ends are established, you still get a sense of interest to see where this all goes from here. There’s still plenty of different storylines to tell and new characters to play as that can help expand the Insomniac-verse of Spider-Man even further.

Whether it’s the very best superhero game of all time is still up for debate (My heart still leans towards Batman: Arkham City!) but no doubt, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will satisfy fans that have been waiting five years with eagerness to see the follow-up to the 2018 hit. If anything, this game basically confirms that Insomniac Games is my favorite gaming company working to date. With them finally reaching their Magnum Opus status, they have gain my complete trust for what they do in the future! I’m eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this franchise!

Ranking The Spider-Man Shows

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Today is National Spider-Man Day! Because of that, we now officially have 11 Spider-Man shows to date. Considering the excessive amount of films starting the beloved web swinger, it makes all the sense in the world to have a near equal amount of shows to go along with that. Even though history with each show can be seen as quite complicated, they are nevertheless all fascinating to talk about.

Because of all this and more, it’s time to rank each series involving Spider-Man at the forefront from worst to best! Time to stop wasting anymore time and web swing right in!

11.) Ultimate Spider-Man

The timing of Ultimate Spider-Man could not have been much worse. It was made right after the most beloved Spider-Man show to date in The Spectacular Spider-Man saw an abrupt end due to Disney buying Marvel and wanting to have a Spider-Man show of their own, aiming for a more lighthearted and kid-friendly tone attached to it. Despite the show lasting for four seasons and gaining over 100 episodes, this is seen as an absolute stinker to this very day. Ultimate Spider-Man abandons the traditional core themes that Spider-Man is always known for in favor of nonstop slapstick comedy, obnoxious four wall breaking, obvious merchandise placement, and having a Peter Parker that feels more in line with Deadpool than Spider-Man. Oh, and did I mention it has little to nothing to do with the Ultimate Spider-Man comics despite the title. The fact that Spectacular Spider-Man was cancelled in favor of this is the real salt on the wound. When taking all of those elements into affect, it easy to see just why this ranks as my least favorite Spider-Man show to date.

10.) Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends (2021)

Despite what the title may suggest, this has little in common with the Spider-Man series of the same name that released back in the 1980s. Instead of Ice-Man and Firestar, we see Peter Parker teaming up with Gwen Stacy (known as Ghost-Spider here) and Miles Morales (known as……Spin (?!) here) in their grade school kid incarnations. On one hand, this show does it’s job at offering Spidey tales for a clearly VERY young demographic. On the other hand, there is almost NOTHING to recommend her to any Spider-Man that is NOT part of the obvious pre-school targeted audience. It’s about as filler, substance free and “put something in the background to distract the kids” as they come. It may not be quite my least favorite Spidey show or the one I have the most gripes with but I can think of a Spidey show I would want to rewatch less than Spidey and His Amazing Friends (2021).

9.) Spider-Man (2017)

Disney’s 2nd attempt at making a Spider-Man cartoon is a mild improvement over Ultimate but still no where near good enough to do it’s title character justice. This does have the ingredients of a back-to-basics approach for Peter Parker, with a more emphasis on his personal life and connections to his friends/allies and having significant less pointless dumb down humor for the most brainless children. However, it tries to do justice to so many different storylines throughout Peter’s history that it’s unable to do almost any of them justice. It’s like the writers couldn’t make up their mind on what specific stories they wanted to tackle that they just threw whatever stories at the wall to see what sticks. Also, it’s quite bizarre to have Miles Morales in this version be of similar age to Peter Parker. And don’t get me started on it’s cheap as hell animation. It has solid voice acting and definitely has more ambition than the Spider-Man shows listed before but Marvel’s Spider-Man (2017) still showed Disney failing to crack the code on making a solid Spidey tale that works.

8.) Spider-Man (1967)/7.) Spider-Man (1981)

The two very first attempts at creating a stand-alone Spider-Man show more or less feel like perfect counterparts for one another. Both shows has the exact same titles, both shows are really hard to tell apart from the other, and both shows are remember more for their memes and iconic theme songs than they are of the actual quality and content in either show. These two shows do deserve a free pass for coming out during a time where Spider-Man was less known to the general public and it was harder than ever to make a successful cartoon due to it’s low budget. However, I can never feel the desire to ever go back and rewatch these shows in any way due to aging as well as a multiple decades supply of Spider-Milk. I still put these two shows this far on the list due to it’s undeniable impact on classic Spider-Man themes songs and meme culture.

6.) Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends (1981)

When it comes to classic Spider-Man cartoons of the late 1960s to early 1980s, this is the one that has aged the best and most consistent in quality. Here, we see Spider-Man informing his own superhero team for the first time ever, pairing him with heroes like Iceman and Firestar from the X-Men (for……some reason). It also has that traditional monster-of-the-week that became a stable for cartoons such as this, while fully utilizing Marvel villains normally not associated with Spider-Man but still finding ways to make it work. Stan Lee’s fingerprints is all over this show and it certainly did make for the better. It may not be a show that will appeal to the last few generations of Spider-Man fans, but Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends does at least offer a unique Saturday morning cartoon vibe that kids who grew up in that era can look very fondly upon, while being a nice blast for the past for those who miss their Saturday morning cartoons feeling very episodic with not much homework attached to it.

5.) Spider-Man: Unlimited

Spider-Man: Unlimited has to have the most bizarre concept of any Spider-Man show thus far. We see a Spider-Man that is fighting not for NYC but to free an alternate Earth from an evil ruler known as the High Evolutionary. This is clear an attempt to ape the success of Batman Beyond, with a much darker tone and a focus on a different iteration of Spider-Man. However, it never could keep the consistency that it’s 1994 predecessor have nor does it fully utilize Spider-Man 2099 very well. Thankfully, this version of Spider-Man did get his cameo in Across the Spider-Verse, opening up the doors for potential future stories with Miguel O’hara now that other Spider-folks that don’t have Peter Parker’s name attached to it can draw an audience. Unlimited may not be the winner it needed to be at the time it came out but it’s certainly one of the most unique Spider-Man shows released, which makes it worth giving at least one watch.

4.) Spider-Man: The New Animated Series

Believe it or not, MTV once took their shot at making a Spider-Man show back in 2003. Set in an alternate timeline after Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: The New Animated Series offers a new, distinct, and downright mature take on the character, which led to many fans feel quite divided on the show. Similar to the newer released Spider-Man show, it has it’s own original animated art style, offers it’s own spin to the film franchise it’s based on, and makes bold choices to it’s cast of characters that may be off putting to certain people. Not to mention, that complete downer of an ending is still an all-timer! While there are certainly aspects that has aged poorly (particularly the 3D animation), Spider-Man: The New Animated Series deserves credits for being able to tell more adult-oriented stories of Peter Parker and his struggles to adapting to his college life as Spider-Man without sacrificing the gravitas of the character. Also, Neil Patrick Harris is pretty good here. Just a shame it didn’t get the ratings MTV wanted because I would have been curious to see how this version of Spider-Man went forward in the future.

3.) Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

It might’ve took three times (four if you count the PBS-friendly Spidey And His Amazing Friends) but Disney has finally been able to crack the code on how to make a solid Spider-Man cartoon. Blending the traditional comic book panel traits of the character’s well-known origin while incorporating new distinct traits of it’s own, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is able to find the right balance of exploring the thrills of being Spider-Man and the chills of being Peter Parker, something which The Ultimate Spider-Man and Spider-Man (2017) failed to do. The newer cast of characters the show chooses to explore are (mostly) intriguing, it’s callbacks and references all feel earned, the theme song is dope as hell, and it’s able to use it’s alternate timeline and multiverse concept to not just reuse plot assets of the MCU or recurring fan favorite characters but also show how Peter’s life would’ve been different in the MCU if things play out a different way and he made all new friends and allies in the process. There are some strange creative decisions I’m not a fan of and the animation style won’t be to everyone’s taste but for the most part, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a winner and is the best Spidey show for the past 15+ years. I’m definitely intrigued to see Season 2 and 3!

2.) Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994)

Here’s the one Spidey cartoon that was so important at introduction Spider-Man to the mainstream media and pop culture entertainment. Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994) stands proudly alongside the likes of Batman: The Animated Series and X-Men: The Animated Series as being classic 1990s superhero cartoons that help introduce iconic superheroes to new generations and beyond. Even though it’s targeted towards children, the core themes and characters that make Spider-Man so special is presented throughout the entire series. Whether it involves it’s solid storytelling, impactful character moments, or for hilarious memes, every Spider-Man fan of old and now should be well aware of this show’s existence. Let’s also not forget it’s killer theme song, faithful adaptions of the characters, and even go as far to have Madame Web at the end voiced by Stan Lee’s wife. You can definitely argue that it’s animation has aged to some degree and doesn’t have the most consistent pacing but that doesn’t change the fact that Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994) is a true must see for any kind of Spider-Man fan.

1.) The Spectacular Spider-Man

The Spectacular Spider-Man is widely regarded by fans as one of the best, if not the best Spider-Man show that has ever been made and for PLENTY of good reasons! It’s a series that has enormous respects towards the character of Peter Parker and understands perfectly why Spider-Man is one of the most iconic and relatable superheroes in history. It’s able to greatly showcased these relatable aspects of Peter in his adventures as Spider-Man along with not being afraid to explore mature themes such as stress, relationships, balancing school and work, and even dark/sensitive topics such as gambling and drug addiction. Despite being targeted towards children, it’s able to deliver a quality superhero show that anyone of any age can understand or relate to without needing to dumb everything down. When it comes to the televisions show and streaming series involving our beloved web swinger thus far, there is not one series that gets as much right and finds the right balance for everything than The Spectacular Spider-Man! Filled with fantastic storytelling and character development along with some dope as hell action sequences, The Spectacular Spider-Man is an near perfect adaption of Spider-Man and one that is a must watch for any fan of the character!

Ranking The Spider-Man Movies

AdamLeave a comment

Today is National Spider-Man Day! 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: 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!

4.) 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.

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!