Spider-Manis arguably the funniest and most relatable superhero out there, and his movies usually start with great opening scenes that set the tone of the whole film. Due to the hero’s popularity and success among the public,Spider-Manreceived 10 movies over 21 years, without mentioning the multiple appearances in the MCU.
Spider-Manwent through many phases, from Sam Raimi’s beloved trilogy to the ambitious animated movies about the Spider-Verse, this one following the charismatic Miles Morales instead of Peter Parker. While each version of theSpider-Manhas its own style, they all share plenty of elements that are vital to the canon, from the hero’s love interests to a range of iconic villains. However, each different opening scene has something unique to offer. Here’s every opening scenes from aSpider-Manmovie, ranked.
10The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
The Andrew Garfield era ofSpider-Manis the most divisive of all, going through many ups and downs and even athird movie that nearly happened. The firstAmazing Spider-Manopens with a scene that only makes sense later on, which doesn’t seem the best way to introduce a whole new Spider-Man mythology. Additionally, the slow pace and somber tone of the scene are the exact opposite of what Spider-Man represents; an energetic and amusing hero.
The opening scene follows a young Peter Parker discovering that his father’s study has been burgled. From afar, Peter watches his parents trying to deal with the event after bringing him to stay with Aunt May and Uncle Ben, then mysteriously leaving. While the scene offers a glimpse at Peter’s tragic childhood, hinting at how this memory might have influenced his introverted personality in the present, it doesn’t stick the landing as an effective first impression.
Related:Everything Marvel and DC Can (And Should) Learn From Spider-Verse’s Success
9Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
The opening scene ofSpider-Man: Far From Homeis so brief that one might accidentally miss it. Set in Mexico, the movie opens with Nick Fury and Maria Hill inspecting a city in ruins, only to be surprised by a massive creature and Mysterio. It keeps the first film’s idea of opening the story by hinting at what’s to come, introducing the villain and its powers. While seeing familiar faces from the MCU and witnessing Mysterious' triumphal entrance is exciting, the opening scene feels more like a small teaser than a moment that sets up the tone of the film.
8The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
The intro ofThe Amazing Spider-Man 2benefits from some of the most ambitious Spider-Man POV scenes, putting the viewer in the hero’s shows as he swings across NYC in fast motion and with dangerous flips. On the other hand, the sequence can quickly feel overwhelming when it tries to be too many things at once, precisely what makes the whole movie one of the weakest Spider-Man live-actions.
In under 10 minutes,The Amazing Spider-Man 2follows the hero saving the world, introduces some of the film’s villains, generates tension by alternating between gripping action sequences and Gwen’s graduation speech, and delivers a series of witty jests — a good portion of them failing to amuse. It’s a lot to digest, and a good chunk of the scene disappears from the viewer’s mind as soon as it finishes, but it’s undeniably well-made and even counts on an exciting Stan Lee cameo.
7Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-Man’s opening scene is Peter Parker’s origin story in its most traditional form, setting the path for Raimi’s highly acclaimed trilogy. The film starts with a seemingly ordinary day in the life of Peter, a typical high-school loser. After nearly missing the bus, Peter is bullied by his classmates and ignored by the girl he loves. This series of unfortunate events lead to the pivotal moment in his life: while visiting a genetics laboratory with his class, Peter is bitten by a mutant spider that will turn him into Spider-Man.
The scene is a spectacular set-up, introducing all the major characters and their most important attributes: Mary Jane, Peter’s charming and empathetic love interest, Harry, Peter’s free-spirited best friend, Norman, Harry’s father and a ruthless business person hiding behind the mask of a charismatic man, and Peter, the insecure nerd whose life is about to drastically change.
6Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecomingintroduces a new Peter Parker. SinceTom Holland’s Petermade his first MCU appearance inCaptain America: Civil Warand his own film takes place after he joined Tony Stark’s team,Spider-Man: Homecomingdoesn’t really feel like an origin story, already jumping to Peter and Tony’s friendship and the boy’s struggles to balance school life with his Spider-Man persona.
However, the first scene perfectly establishes a connection between the MCU, Peter, and Adrian Toomes, the film’s villain.Homecomingopens with a flashback set in 2012, in the aftermath of the Battle of New York. After a department of damage control orchestrated by Tony and the U.S. government reject Toomes and his salvage team’s services, they take hold of valuable alien technology to develop advanced weapons such as the Vulture’s flying suit. The scene not only introduces the Vulture’s motivations, but also offers a handful of references and an interesting time jump.
5Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
There’s no better way to introduce aSpider-Manmultiverse than opening a movie with the Peter Parker’s full backstory — going through all his abilities, the villains he beat, and his passions, just to unexpectedly shift to another character, Miles Morales, an ordinary Brooklyn teenager, who turns out to be the film’s true protagonist.
The opening sequence effectively presentsSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseasa one-of-a-kind animated movie, laying out the impressive techniques and the sharp editing that keeps the film is fast motion. The irony of Peter Parker not being the protagonist of aSpider-Manmovie is just as funny as it is exciting, especially when the fates of Peter and Miles Morales collide. The icing on the cake is the clever references to past Spider-Man movies and comic issues, which effectively play a part in establishing a whole multiverse for the hero.
4Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Spider-Man 3is a divisive entry in Raimi’s trilogy, but it reached good box office numbers and even led the way toa possible fourth Raimi movie. It also happens to be the darkest of all three: just when Peter is at the happiest moment of his life, thriving at college and about to marry MJ, an extraterrestrial threat descends into Earth, a convict on the run accidentally turns himself into a dangerous Sandman, and Harry resorts to dangerous methods to take revenge on Peter.
All this chaos seems like a distant future with such a heartwarming opening scene, which turns out to be the calm before the storm. Viewers follow a day in the life of this new joyful version of Peter as he watches New York’s admiration for Spider-Man, now that the hero is seen with different eyes, and prepares for a romantic night with MJ, now a talented actress. The opening scene hits the hardest after a rewatch, as viewers watch Peter’s beautiful world gradually fall apart.
3Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
There’s an argument to be made thatSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Versewas reallyGwen Stacy’s movie, which makes the film’s opening scene all the more impactful. The movie brings fans inside Gwen’s head, offering details on a tragedy that deeply affected her and delving deep into the dilemma that puts Gwen’s relationship with her father at risk. At the center of everything, there’s her longing for Miles, the only person in the world (but not her world) that can really understand her.
Feelings aside, the opening sequence also delivers a thrilling combat between Gwen, other Spider-Man variations, and a villain from another universe. And of course, just like the first movie,Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Versemakes use of different animation techniques that are beautiful to look at, giving a unique aspect to Gwen’s colorful universe.
Related:5 Ways Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse Connects to the MCU
2Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Spider-Man 2starts with the best scene to ever highlight Peter Parker’s struggle to balance his life as an ordinary man in a busy city with his Spider-Man persona. In this context, a simple pizza delivery turns into a nearly impossible task as Peter swings across New York trying to simultaneously saving little children and delivering an order in time. When he ends up fired, the film’s biggest conflict begins: Peter realizes he must choose between one or the other, or turn Spider-Man and Peter Parker into one. The scene alone is iconic, but it offers effective character development, highly influencing Peter’s choice to abandon the suit for a while when the city needs him the most.
1Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
The good thing about cliffhangers is that one can know for sure that the next movie or episode will pick up right at the climax.Spider-Man: Far From Homeends with Mysterio framing Spider-Man for his crimes and revealing Peter’s identity to the world.Spider-Man: No Way Homestarts immediately after the shocking revelation is broadcasted all over New York, following Peter and MJ desperately trying to evade civilians that turned against the hero, hungry journalists, and the police.
The whole opening sequence is tense, but it also includes plenty of hilarious segments such as Peter and Ned freaking out in a video call and Happy and May entering Peter’s room in a terribly awkward moment.
