<\/p>\n There\u2019s something about that teenage kid with spidey senses that audiences love. I\u2019m one of those fans, having seen every single live-action \u201cSpider-Man\u201d movie of the 21st century. With \u201cBrand New Day\u201d in theaters, which Spider-Man adventure is the best? Let\u2019s swing into the rankings.<\/p>\n Latest Videos FromTom’s Guide<\/p>\n 9. \u2018The Amazing Spider-Man 2\u2019<\/p>\n I am on the record that Andrew Garfield is the best Peter Parker<\/a>. Garfield\u2019s portrayal of Peter made it cool to be a nerd. One moment, Peter can explain genetic mutations; the next, he\u2019s wooing Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). But \u201cThe Amazing Spider-Man 2\u201d isn\u2019t solely a Peter Parker movie; it\u2019s a Spider-Man movie, and \u201cThe Amazing Spider-Man 2\u201d fails to deliver.<\/p>\n This sequel has a too-many-villains problem. Max Dillon, aka Electro (Jamie Foxx), is an electrokinetic being out for revenge on those who wrong him. Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) becomes the Green Goblin and wants to kill Spider-Man. Yet the true villain might be Oscorp, the corporation behind Dillon and Osborn. Will the real bad guy please stand up? We do owe this film a debt of gratitude because if it hadn’t failed critically, would Tom Holland have ever put on the Spidey suit?<\/p>\n Watch on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n 8. \u2018The Amazing Spider-Man’<\/p>\n This list is a tough blow for Garfield, who deserved better movies. You could make the case that \u201cThe Amazing Spider-Man\u201d is better than \u201cSpider-Man 3,\u201d but I won\u2019t. I\u2019d rather watch the messy third movie in Tobey Maguire\u2019s trilogy than Garfield\u2019s first crack at Spidey.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Amazing Spider-Man\u201d played the hits for the character’s origin story. A spider bites Peter, Uncle Ben dies, and Spider-Man starts protecting the city. Making Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), who became the villainous Lizard, and adding the George Stacy (Denis Leary) subplot, especially the promise involving Peter, were effective story decisions. The biggest knocks against “The Amazing Spider-Man” are its timing and overall quality. Sam Raimi\u2019s \u201cSpider-Man\u201d told the better origin story first.<\/p>\n Watch on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n 7. \u2018Spider-Man 3′<\/p>\n If you thought \u201cThe Amazing Spider-Man 2\u201d had a too-many-villain problem, wait until you watch \u201cSpider-Man 3,\u201d the third and final film in Raimi\u2019s superhero trilogy. The first villain (if you even consider him one) is Flint Marko\/Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), an escaped convict and sand shapeshifter. Next up is Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), Peter\u2019s rival who embraces the symbiote to become Venom. Finally, Peter\u2019s best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco), becomes the new Goblin out for revenge against Spider-Man.<\/p>\n Did I also mention that Peter (Maguire) is possessed by the symbiote, leading to a new hairstyle, black clothes, and awful dance moves<\/a>? It turns out, Peter\u2019s biggest conflict is his relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). Overstuffed doesn\u2019t even begin to do this movie justice. I would love to watch the version where Raimi picks one villain and one villain only.<\/p>\n Watch on Disney+<\/a> and Hulu<\/a><\/p>\n 6. \u2018Spider-Man: Far From Home\u2019<\/p>\n It\u2019s an overused phrase, and one that I keep using, but \u201cSpider-Man: Far From Home\u201d is \u201cSpider-Man\u2019s European Vacation.\u201d It\u2019s the one where Peter (Holland) wants to enjoy his summer vacation and take a break from being Spider-Man. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not how having superpowers works. While in Europe, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) recruit Spider-Man to help fight the Elementals.<\/p>\n \u201cFar From Home\u201d had the unfortunate task of being the first MCU movie after \u201cAvengers: Endgame.\u201d Therefore, the movie had to address some of \u201cEndgame\u2019s\u201d plot points, including Tony Stark\u2019s death and the return of those who disintegrated via Thanos\u2019 snap. Without those elements, \u201cFar From Home\u201d works much better as a teen romance and a superhero romp. In my best Christopher Walken-Bruce Dickinson voice<\/a>, “I gotta have more Gyllenhaal.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n 5. \u2018Spider-Man: Homecoming\u2019<\/p>\n For many fans of the Holland trilogy, this movie might be their favorite. \u201cSpider-Man: Homecoming\u201d chronicles the most innocent version of Spider-Man. After experiencing what it\u2019s like to fight alongside the Avengers, Peter wants to step up his efforts as a crimefighter in New York City. Adrian Toomes, better known as Vulture (Michael Keaton), and his criminal exploits provide Peter with a chance to prove to himself that he can protect the city.<\/p>\n However, Peter\u2019s bigger challenge is convincing Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) to trust him to make the right decision. \u201cHomecoming\u201d is a coming-of-age story disguised as a superhero movie. It\u2019s about a nervous teenager trying to do right and not mess things up. Thanks to a memorable twist with Vulture and the Holland-Downey dynamic, \u201cSpider-Man: Homecoming\u201d is an ideal first solo outing for Holland.<\/p>\n Watch on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n 4. ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’<\/p>\n It’s a new day not only for Spider-Man but also for the MCU. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” feels like the start of a new trilogy, as it chronicles Peter’s transition into adulthood. After Doctor Strange’s spell, Peter has focused solely on his work as Spider-Man. While the city might be safer, Peter faces battles of loneliness and depression. To make matters worse, Peter’s body experiences a new mutation that makes it difficult to control his powers. Whatever is going on, Peter must fix it quickly if he wants to defeat a mysterious new enemy wreaking havoc over the city.<\/p>\n After a decade in the MCU, Holland finally gets to play more of a grown-up. He continues to be an excellent Spider-Man, and you can totally see him playing this character in at least two more solo outings. “Brand New Day” definitely benefited from being more of a street-level story. However, the movie introduces too many characters and lacks a true villain. When that villain finally shows their face, “Brand New Day” focuses too much on their backstory as Spider-Man takes a backseat in his movie.<\/p>\n Spider-Man: Brand New Day is now in theaters<\/p>\n 3. \u2018Spider-Man: No Way Home\u2019<\/p>\n There is nostalgia, and then there is \u201cSpider-Man: No Way Home.\u201d When Maguire and Garfield walked through those portals, I felt alive again. My crowded theater erupted in applause as the \u201cSpider-Men\u201d formed a superhero trio. After \u201cFar From Home,\u201d the world knows Peter is Spider-Man. When Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) attempts to cast a spell to reestablish Peter\u2019s secret identity, it causes a ripple effect in the multiverse, inviting a handful of Spider-Man\u2019s rivals from other dimensions.<\/p>\n I\u2019m typically against the overuse of CGI, and this movie was clearly shot on so many soundstages due to the pandemic. That said, \u201cNo Way Home\u201d really did a number on me emotionally. Peter\u2019s goodbyes to Aunt May (Marissa Tomei), Ned (Jacob Batalon), and MJ (Zendaya) are some of the most heartfelt moments in the trilogy. \u201cNo Way Home\u201d is a shining example of how to feature multiple villains and heroes in one storyline.<\/p>\n Watch on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n 2. \u2018Spider-Man\u2019<\/p>\n Many fans will point to 2008 as the year that changed superhero movies thanks to the success of \u201cIron Man\u201d and \u201cThe Dark Knight.\u201d That year certainly ignited superhero culture. However, I view 2002 as the year that changed everything, and Raimi\u2019s \u201cSpider-Man\u201d (with apologies to 2000\u2019s \u201cX-Men\u201d) is the movie that revolutionized the modern superhero movie.<\/p>\n Raimi\u2019s Spider-Man is the hero for the working class. He\u2019s a poor teenager from Queens who transforms into Spider-Man after being bitten by a genetically engineered spider. It eventually leads to a thrilling showdown with Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), who happens to be Harry\u2019s father, Norman Osborn. Raimi fundamentally understands the essence of Spider-Man with one line of dialogue: \u201cWith great power comes great responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n 1. \u2018Spider-Man 2\u2019<\/p>\n When I made this list, I didn\u2019t even think twice about the top spot. \u201cSpider-Man 2\u201d is on the shortlist for the greatest superhero movie of all time<\/a>. After the events of \u201cSpider-Man,\u201d Peter struggles to balance his duties as Spider-Man with his desire to have a personal life. This stress leads Peter to give up being Spider-Man. This crisis of faith could not have come at a worse time, as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) terrorizes the city.<\/p>\n My favorite superhero movies all have excellent villains, and Molina\u2019s performance \u2014 which shows how hubris can corrupt even the best of us \u2014 is exquisite. It\u2019s a technical masterclass with Raimi behind the camera. It\u2019s a superhero movie with action and heart. Most importantly, \u201cSpider-Man 2\u201d is a human story, one about sacrifice and responsibility. That\u2019s always going to be a winning formula.<\/p>\n Watch on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future)<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News<\/a> and add us as a preferred source<\/a> to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom’s Guide on YouTube<\/a> and follow Tom’s Guide Entertainment on TikTok<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Google\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ZCwuUFRE3YeboHR4zyEWmb.jpg\")
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