Spider-Man is, without a doubt, one of the most popular characters ever created across any medium. Most people have related to him at one point or another ever since his comic book debut back in 1962. His sense of responsibility and willingness to do the right thing without caring about the cost have set an example for many generations. A lot of us aspire to be like him, and it is thanks to this level of popularity that he has been able to make his way into multiple adventures on the big screen.
Since Sam Raimi created one of the best superhero movies ever made in the form of Spider-Man (2002), there has been no shortage of big-screen adaptations of the character. Some of them have been so good that they paved the way for the entirety of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be created. However, others have failed to live up to expectations so badly that they ended entire franchises along the way. We've seen the great, the okay, and the underwhelming. So now it's time to shine the spotlight on those movies that still live rent-free on our minds for both good and bad reasons.
Here are four Spider-Man movies every fan needs to watch and two that maybe are worth skipping.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Verdict: WATCH!
Spider-Man: No Way Home is a celebration of nearly two decades of Spider-Man movies. It brings back characters long thought to be gone and makes them work in a brand new era. Whether it is by understanding why they were beloved the first time and giving us more of that, or by acknowledging why they didn't stick the landing in their previous movies and giving them a redemption arc. If you grew up on either the Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield iterations of Spider-Man, then it's impossible not to watch No Way Home without a smile on your face.
Granted, the film is far from perfect. Perhaps its biggest weakness is its plot and how many things don't make sense when you think about them. How did a memory-erasing spell break the multiverse? Did Tom Holland's Peter Parker really save the Green Goblin by curing him and sending him home if the glider was bound to stab him either way? And how was Ned able to open a magic portal out of nowhere when it took Doctor Strange many attempts to do the same for the first time? Fortunately, all of these problems are quick to fade when three iterations of Spider-Man unite on the big screen to defeat the Sinister Si... Five.
What's better is that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's Peter Parkers were more than simple cameos. They had proper supporting roles that elevated the movie and helped Tom's arc. Say what you will about the MCU's Multiverse Saga, but when it works, it makes for truly fantastic movies.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Verdict: SKIP!
It pains me to say this, but The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is perhaps the worst Spidey movie ever made. That's not to say everything in it is an absolute disaster. Andrew Garfield was simply born to portray Peter Parker, and he proves it by delivering an electrifying performance that only gets better when sharing the screen with Emma Stone. The two have a perfect chemistry that quite literally carries the film from start to finish. The VFX shots are a standout in the superhero genre, the swinging sequences are fun to see, and the final moments when Gwen dies are heartbreakingly amazing.
Unfortunately, everything else is a bit of a mess.
You'd imagine that Sony learned their lesson after releasing Spider-Man 3 and vowed never to over-crowd a Spidey movie ever again (because those kinds of projects with low critical reception are franchise killers). However, they did the exact opposite and doubled down on the number of characters and storylines that fought for audiences' attention. Felicia Hardy, Harry Osborn's Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, Electro, Rhino, Peter's father, Gwen Stacy, Aunt May, and Peter Parker were all there — sometimes with radically different arcs.
One moment, you'd see Spidey attempt to uncover the truth behind the death of his parents only to skip to a scene of Electro being tortured by a caricaturesque doctor in Ravencroft, and then watch how Harry attempted to uncover Oscorp's secrets. It was all over the place. To make matters worse, the movie ends with the iconic hero fighting yet another caricaturesque villain in the form of Rhino after experiencing a big, traumatic loss. The tone of the movie was very uneven all the way through, and the back and forth between Peter and Gwen didn't help, either.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Verdict: WATCH!
Both X-Men (2000) and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002) were responsible for redefining the superhero movie genre. Without them, there's a chance the MCU as we know it would've never existed. So, it's all the more surprising that both movies had a sequel that reached even greater heights, and that's especially true for Spider-Man 2 (2004).
Widely considered the best live-action Spider-Man movie ever made, Spider-Man 2 (2004) is everything you could ask from a superhero epic. It has a jaw-dropping visual spectacle that aged like fine wine due to Sam Raimi's decision to film many scenes practically. Furthermore, it doubles down on the idea that whenever Spidey wins, Peter has to lose. However, it also does a flawless job of displaying why New York needs the wall-crawler and just how many lives he's able to save on a day-to-day basis. The fight choreographies are the best out of any Spider-Man movie, performances like that of J. K. Simmons completely steal the show, Alfred Molina's Doc Ock is one of the best superhero villains we've seen on the big screen, and Danny Elfman's score is simply perfection.
If you somehow managed to take the phrase "With great power comes great responsibility" and turn it into a theatrical movie, the result would be Spider-Man 2 (2004). No matter what way you see it, this project is a classic that every fan of the character should watch at least once in their lives.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
Verdict: WATCH!
If Spider-Man 2 (2004) is considered the best live-action Spidey movie ever made, then Into The Spider-Verse is the very best, regardless of the visual method used to bring a story to life. Yes, it is that good.
Spider-Man is a character known, beloved, and admired worldwide. So when a movie comes up and lets you know that anyone can be under the mask, you know it's bound to be remembered in history books. To take things a step further, Miles' journey is filled with countless characters from the Spider-Man mythos, has many action-packed moments that could never be replicated in a live-action movie, and it's charming every step of the way. Subtle details like the way Miles' frame rate changes as he slowly grows into the suit let us know the movie was made with a lot of love and care. Besides, it can't be overstated how beautiful the visual identity of each wall-crawler is.
The voice acting, direction, soundtrack, and animation are all superb in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The cherry on top? If you're a fan of the character, there are many easter eggs and nods to the origin material that are sure to keep you smiling every five minutes. But if you're someone who's just getting into the superhero world, then there is no better movie to watch as an entry point. It's a win-win scenario, no matter which way you see it.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Verdict: SKIP!
Okay, I know what you're probably thinking: Why isn't Spider-Man 3 (2007) in this spot instead? Well, the trilogy-capper in Sam Raimi's franchise was, by all means, far from being perfect. That being said, the movie has a personality even amidst all the messy storylines and multitude of characters. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Peter's arc throughout the movie is really bare-bones and bland. We've already seen him attempt to give up on the superhero mantle before, except it was executed much better on those previous occasions. In Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2, the wall-crawler hanged the suit because every single aspect of his personal life was basically destroyed when he spent time saving others. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter lost the love of his life and decided to retire for a bit as a result. But in Far From Home, he wants a vacation because Tony Stark sacrificed himself for the greater good — a selfless act that should inspire him instead.
Speaking of which, the movie spends so much time trying to make Spidey his own hero and not "Iron Man's successor". However, by the third act, he crafts his second-ever suit on his own (after the homemade costume) with Iron Man technology and an AC/DC song — which means even the movie's message fails to stick the landing. On the bright side, Mysterio completely stole the spotlight thanks to Jake Gyllenhaal's performance, and that one sequence of the web-slinger using his Spider-Sense to navigate a wave of killing drones was absolutely flawless.
But beyond that? Yeah, there's not too much rewatch value in Far From Home.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
Verdict: WATCH!
For some time, it seemed impossible that Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse would be able to live up to expectations given its amazing predecessor. However, once the movie premiered, it was evident Sony managed to capture lightning in a bottle yet again.
Every single sequel aspires to be bigger and flashier while retaining all the elements that made the first entry in the saga so successful. Well, Across The Spider-Verse swiftly accomplishes this task by introducing even more Spider-Man variants, being more creative with the animation style and color palette, introducing more explosive set pieces, and keeping the heart that made Into The Spider-Verse so special. Furthermore, it left things on a big cliffhanger that only left us wanting more.
It's enough to take a look at all the easter eggs and Spider-Man variants hidden throughout the film to know it was made with love by fans, for fans. Just when it seemed like we wouldn't see any more of The Spectacular Spider-Man, he made his way onto the big screen along with the likes of Insomniac's Spidey and Spider-Man Unlimited. The whole movie is just a love letter to one of the greatest superheroes ever created, and the result is a spectacular adventure that won't leave our minds any time soon.