Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked

Marc Webb's second outing with Andrew Garfield attempted to expand Sony's Spidey mythos into a shared cinematic universe, but critics felt it collapsed under its own weight. Balancing Peter's relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) alongside three separate villains, Jamie Foxx's Electro, Dane DeHaan's Green Goblin, and Paul Giamatti's Rhino, the overstuffed sequel struggled to maintain narrative focus.

While reviewers widely praised Garfield and Stone's electric on-screen chemistry, the film's cluttered storylines and excessive franchise setups left a lukewarm impression, effectively ending this incarnation of the character prematurely. Spoiler alert: Garfield's Peter Parker will return!

"The Occasionally Amazing Spider-Man 2 might be a better way to think of the not-always-spectacular but sometimes satisfying Spider-Man sequel." —Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times

Sam Raimi's ambitious trilogy capper was plagued by studio-mandated character additions that crowded an already busy narrative. Attempting to weave together Harry Osborn's New Goblin (James Franco), Flint Marko aka The Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), an alien symbiote, and Topher Grace's Venom, the film bounced between disparate tones, ranging from dark vengeance to infamous musical setpieces that are still meme'd till this day.

While critics admired Raimi's signature eye for kinetic action sequences and praised Sandman's visual effects, the consensus held that the emotional clarity of the previous two entries was lost in the spectacle. Spoiler alert: Tobey Magurie's Peter Parker will return!

"A sense of strain envelops the proceedings this time around. One can feel the effort required to suit up one more time, come up with fresh variations on a winning formula and inject urgency into a format that basically needs to be repeated and, due to audience expectations, can't be toyed with or deepened very much." —Todd McCarthy, Variety

Arriving just five years after the conclusion of Sam Raimi's trilogy, Marc Webb's reboot aimed for a grittier, more contemporary spin on Marvel's iconic hero. Andrew Garfield stepped into the suit as a sleeker, remarkably quick-witted Peter Parker, balancing teenage angst and romance with Emma Stone's sharp Gwen Stacy. Together, they navigate Peter's secret identity while clashing with Rhys Ifans's Dr. Curt Connors aka The Lizard.

Critics felt the plot retrod familiar beats too soon after Raimi's origin film, but they commended Webb's grounded directorial touch, the natural banter between the leads, and the fresh, kinetic feel of the web-swinging action sequences.

"The good news is that Garfield and Stone whip up a warm, convincing froth as two teenagers caught up in a beguiling case of puppy love. The not-so-great news is that by "reboot," the studio means taking audiences once again through every step of Peter's transformation into Spider-Man." —Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Tom Holland returns for a record-setting fourth solo outing in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, stepping into a bolder, more grounded chapter under the direction of Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). Picking up years after the memory-erasing climax of No Way Home, the story finds an isolated, mid-20s Peter Parker navigating New York City completely alone, balancing street-level heroics with a mysterious physical evolution and a sinister unseen threat.

Featuring practical, martial arts-inspired combat choreographed with Jackie Chan's stunt team, alongside crossover appearances from Jon Bernthal's Punisher and Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, the film serves as a grittier, deeply emotional reset for the franchise. As a group, critics like it slightly less than its preceding trilogy, and have voiced some complaints about the film trodding overfamiliar territory.

"It's an entertaining spectacle, but really without the novelty of movie-iterations like the more experimental Spider-Verse animations. A more radical reboot is needed." —Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Serving as both a globe-trotting high school comedy and a poignant epilogue to Avengers: Endgame, Jon Watts's 2019 sequel whisked Tom Holland's Peter Parker out of Queens for a European class trip. Still grieving the loss of his mentor, Tony Stark, Peter aims for a normal vacation, only to have it hijacked by Nick Fury and the arrival of Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal), a charismatic newcomer claiming to fight elemental monsters.

Critics praised the film's breezy, lighthearted tone, highlighting the charm of Peter's awkward romance with MJ (Zendaya) and Gyllenhaal's delightfully theatrical, scene-stealing turn. Reviewers also lauded the inventive, mind-bending illusion sequences, celebrating the entry as an action-packed crowd-pleaser that solidly expanded the web-slinger's cinematic world.

"Far From Home gets that all-important 'tone' just right, over-the-top silliness in which no one involved, from screenwriter and director to cast and crew, ever lets us forget that they're in on the joke." —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Serving as a grand culmination of two decades of cinematic history, Jon Watts's 2021 blockbuster kicks off when Peter Parker asks Doctor Strange to erase the public revelation of his secret identity. The spell backfires dramatically, fracturing the multiverse and drawing in iconic villains and legendary heroes from the Magurie and Garfield eras. What easily could have devolved into empty fan service was widely hailed by critics as a thrilling, deeply emotional tribute to the character's legacy. And Tom Holland delivers his most mature and grounded performance yet, deftly anchoring the story as Peter faces profound loss and great responsibility.

Praised for balancing massive spectacles, heavy nostalgia, and genuine tragedy , the film earned enthusiastic reviews for delivering a satisfying, multiverse-spanning triumph that reshaped Spider-Man's cinematic future.

"This time, his Peter's got gravitas, emotional oomph, brutality, believable love, an anguished scene in the rain! The movie is the actor's best performance yet, in anything, Spandex or no." —Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post

Fresh off his magnetic debut in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland took center stage in Jon Watts's 2017 reboot, which revitalized the franchise by leaning into a vibrant, John Hughes-inspired high school comedy framework. The story follows 15-year-old Peter Parker navigating homework, teenage crushes, and the urgent desire to prove himself to his mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). His double life collides with Michael Keaton's Adrian Toomes aka the Vulture, a sympathetic, blue-collar villain praised as one of the MCU's most compelling antagonists.

Critics celebrated the film's lighter, small-scale stakes and witty script, applauding Holland's charmingly authentic, youthful portrayal. By trading world-ending catastrophes for relatable adolescent awkwardness, Homecoming proved to be a refreshing, remarkably fun reset for the iconic web-slinger.

"Hilariously infectious and full of hope, Spider-Man's return to Marvel couldn't be more welcome." —Jamie Graham, Total Film

Sam Raimi's 2002 blockbuster didn't just launch a record-breaking trilogy; it also laid the foundation for the modern era of superhero cinema. Tobey Maguire brought an acclaimed mix of earnest vulnerability and everyday awkwardness to Peter Parker, balancing high school struggles with the weight of newfound powers as he clashed with Willem Dafoe's unhinged Green Goblin.

Critics cheered the film's unapologetically sincere tone, which embraced classic comic book melodrama alongside pulp-inspired action setpieces and iconic romantic beats with Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane Watson. Supported by Danny Elfman's soaring score and groundbreaking visual effects, Raimi captured the core emotional heart and tragic heroism of the character, setting the definitive standard for cinematic origin stories for years to come.

"A rousing, romantic, comic-book spectacle that feels remarkably personal." —Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Widely celebrated as one of the definitive masterpieces of the comic book genre, Sam Raimi's 2004 sequel brilliantly balanced breathtaking action with rich emotional depth. Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker faces a poignant existential crisis, struggling under the sheer weight of personal sacrifice as his grades drop, his romance falters, and his powers begin to glitch. The arrival of Alfred Molina's tragic, tentacled villain, Otto Octavius, forces Peter to confront what it truly costs to be a hero.

Critics lavished praise on Raimi's confident direction, highlighting the film's character-driven heart alongside its legendary, heart-pounding set pieces, most notably the iconic, kinetically-staged runaway train battle. Spider-Man 2 remains a gold-standard sequel, seamlessly blending spectacular comic book spectacle with genuine human tragedy.

"Crackerjack entertainment from start to finish, this rousing yarn about a reluctant superhero and his equally conflicted friends and enemies improves in every way on its predecessor." —Todd McCarthy, Variety

Building upon its predecessor's groundbreaking style, 2023's animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse catapults Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) into a breathtaking multiversal journey alongside Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and a sprawling, ideologically conflicted coalition of alternate Spider-Heroes. Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra), Kemp Powers (Soul), and Justin K. Thompson, this ambitious sequel pushes the boundaries of medium-defining animation, crafting a jaw-dropping visual tapestry where distinct art styles collide in fluid motion.

Critics overwhelmingly praised the film's narrative daring, rich emotional maturity, and complex exploration of destiny, agency, and sacrifice. Powered by phenomenal voice performances (Oscar Isaac, Jason Schwartzman, Greta Lee) and a driving soundtrack, the film earned widespread acclaim as a kinetic masterpiece that elevated comic book storytelling to stunning new artistic heights, even as its bold cliffhanger left audiences breathlessly awaiting the final chapter (now due in the summer of 2027).

"Visually astonishing, emotionally daring, this spectacular sequel has enough wit, imagination and thrills to fill several worlds." —Jordan Farley, Total Film

Topping the list as the highest-reviewed Spider-Man film of all time, 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced mainstream audiences to Afro-Latino Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales (Shameik Moore). When the multiverse cracks open, Miles must team up with a hilarious ensemble of alternate Spider-Heroes, including a washed-up Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), to stop Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) and find his own path as a hero. Directors Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey (Rise of the Guardians), and Rodney Rothman delivered a revolutionary kinetic aesthetic, seamlessly fusing 3D computer graphics with traditional hand-drawn line art to transform the screen look into a living comic book.

Critics universally praised the film's razor-sharp script, infectious hip-hop soundtrack, and profound message that "anyone can wear the mask," earning the film a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

"An extraordinary animated adventure that feels genuinely fresh, inventive, and emotionally resonant." —A.O. Scott, The New York Times