From Web-Head and Wall-Crawler to Menace,Spider-Manhas about as many nicknames as he doesfeature films over the past two decades. He is easily one of the most recognized superheroes from Marvel Comics and the comic book collective as a whole. Through the years, multiple actors have taken on the mantle in propelling this beloved character onto the silver screen.
Spider-Man and his web-slinging adventures may have kept audiences thrilled for the past twenty-odd years, but not all of these films have fared well over time. Since the emergence of Spider-Man in cinematic form, discussion of the quality of each iteration has quickly set discussion boards ablaze. While some of these heroes might be described as amazing, the same cannot be said for all films.
Updated July 15, 2025: In honor of the release ofSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the new trailer forKraven the Hunter, and the fact that manySpider-Manfilms have come out near July, this article has been updated with even more entries.
Debates about which actor played the role better had been going around for decades, but although the results for that vary wildly, the adventures of the masked web-slinger have remained popular all this time. In fact, the animated release that brought the genre not only a fresh perspective but also the Academy Award has shown dimensions of the hero before unseen.
The franchise certainly isn’t slowing down at all, asSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Versehas been a box office hit, and the sequel,Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, is now one of the most anticipated movies of 2024. In addition, Sony will continue to expand their villain-centric corner of the franchise withKraven the Hunterset for release in October 2023,Madame Webset for release in 2024, andVenom 3has begun filming. Here is every film in theSpider-Manfranchise, either where he appears or one of his villains does, ranked.
15Morbius (2022)
IsMorbiusconnected to the Spider-Verse? Apparently, yes, in more ways than one. Not only do characters inMorbiusactively talk about Venom’s reign of terror in San Francisco, but the main character himself is seen readingThe Daily Bugle, a tabloid staple in the Spider-Man franchise. Even more, telling is the reports on the page about characters Black Cat and Rhino next to Morbius' headline. Theappearance of Michael Keaton’s Vulturein the trailer has since also reassured fans that Morbius is indeed in the Spider-Man Universe.
Much in the vein of many aSpider-Mancharacter, Biochemist Michael Morbius’ inception is more scientific than supernatural in origin. His transition stems from an ill-fated attempt to cure himself of a rare blood disease that ends with a nasty case of vampirism instead. Attempts to bring him to the screen in theBladefranchise or as a stand-alone film had all previously failed. Originally set for release in July 2020, the date was delayed several times due to the pandemic.
Morbius was both a box office and critical disaster and was made worse by Sony’s attempts to try and cash in on the “It’s Morbin Time” memes to only have the film bomb at the box office twice. Morbius is a low bar for superhero films, and it is clear there are not many fans who are excited to see Morbius return anytime soon.
14Venom (2018)
Sony kicked off the release of its Villains of the Spider-Verse withVenomin 2018, and with good reason. Not only had the IP been previously introduced to the Spider-Man cinematic universe in the ill-fatedSpider-Man 3, but the character of Venom was dynamic, edgy, and suitable for a more modern audience. In 2007, the role of Venom had been played by Topher Grace, hot off the last season ofThat ’70s Show. Despite his performance, the film suffered from one too many plot dynamics (including a laughably Goth Peter Parker). Fans and the studio alike hoped that a stand-alone movie for the character would help to solve this problem, and in that, they were partially right.
This new, more gritty version of the character wasplayed by Tom Hardy, who brought a sort of odd-couple chemistry to the role as the titular antihero of Eddie Brock, a failing journalist who becomes one with an alien symbiote. While reviews for the movie were low, audiences connected with the film as it grossed an impressive $850 million at the worldwide box office. While the producers might have set out to make a gritty anti-hero film, what connected with audiences were the more quirky comedy elements that played Eddie Brock and Venom as bickering romantic partners, which the series would embrace in its sequel.
13The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2is a polarizing title amongSpider-Manfans, and not just because of the pre-leaked death of one of its main characters. Sony’s heavy interference created a rift between the studio and the story attempting to be told by director Marc Webb. As melancholic as Dane DeHaan’s Green Goblin may have been, he was an odd choice for such a prominent villain. Jaime Foxx’s Electro feels like he was written in for the sake of including yet another looming threat.
Related:Everything We Know About Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man 3 (& Why It Didn’t Happen)
Shailene Woodley was cast as Mary Jane Watson but was cut from the finished movie in hopes of setting up spin-off projects like the Sinister Six (which never wound up happening). The final cut ofThe Amazing Spider-Man 2attempted to marry too much together, making it an overcrowded and busy mess.
12Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
Tom Hardy reprised the role of Venom inVenom: Let There Be Carnage. The sequel placed Eddie Brock at the center of a potential career revival gone awry. Now, he must stop his once-in-a-lifetime interview subject before he becomes even more of a terror to society.
This take on the titular anti-hero/villain was, at times, more serious and silly than the previous iterations. The introduction of the arguably better-known character of Carnage was a welcome reprieve for fans. The end-credits scene in this movie once and for all solves the problem of just where in the Spider-Verse Venom takes place.
While this film grossed far less than its predecessor, it is arguably themore well-rounded of the two. While not insignificant, the gap between critics and audience members alike was greatly diminished from the previous adaptation. One thing to note is this film’s joke of a PG-13 rating. While other Spider-Man adaptations are usually made well within these parameters, Venom’s storyline is just not as well-suited for the same category. Allowing an R-ratedVenomfilm might actually do wonders for the fledgling franchise in the future. Maybe Sony will allow Venom 3 to be R-rated.
11Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Unlike the other two films inSam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy, it’s hard to dig intoSpider-Man 3. There’s just too much going on in the final leg of a series, which was supposed to be a distinguished finale to Tobey Maguire’s inaugural run.
ASpider-Manmovie is only as strong as its villain, andSpider-Man 3has one heck of a villain problem. There was a clear-cut opportunity for the plot of the film to strictly focus on Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), Harry Osborn (James Franco), and the generational transfer of the Green Goblin mantle from father to son. Keeping it simple would have allowed the franchise to conclude with Parker being forced to face off against his closest friend, a fitting bookend indeed.
Unfortunately, the studio had other plans. Instead of following a singular plot line, two more villains are brought into the picture. Raimi had always wanted to adapt Sandman as he was a fan of what the character’s powers could look like on screen. At the same time, Sony and Spider-Man producer Avi Arad forced the filmmaker to also include the popular villain Venom as well (even though Raimi was not a fan of the character).
From there,Spider-Man 3begins to crumble under the weight of its intermeshed plots, causing the attempt to show Peter Parker’s life as even more complicated to fall flat. While the reaction toSpider-Man 3has softened over time, it certainly feels like a step down from Raimi’s two previous entries.
10The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
The Amazing Spider-Manproves that Garfield is better suited for Spider-Man than he is a young Peter Parker, though his short-lived two-parter legacy still remains a controversial divide for fans. His first film, however, rings true to Parker’s transition into Spider-Man, though Garfield takes a more mature approach to the role. He feels like he’s shed the boyish spirit that Holland brings. His effortless coolness takes the position of a character that’s loosely based on the idea of Parker.
This film chose to play it fairly safe; an age-old origin story with a familiar cast of characters and a plot that doesn’t overstimulate.The Amazing Spider-Manis easy enough for newcomers to the superhero genre to digest but might be too simple compared to its potential.
9Avengers: Infinity War/Avengers: Endgame (2018 & 2019)
For this pick, it has been decided to put the two entries together. The movies were originally conceived as being part of a two-part film, and since Spider-Man has a bigger role inAvengers: Infinity Waronly appeared in the last half ofAvengers: Endgame, it makes sense to pair the two films together.
Avengers: Infinity Warwas the movie that really established Peter Parker as a prominent part of the MCU and Avengers on screen. His death scene at the end of the film was a heartbreaking moment that likely scarred an entire generation of young fans and sold Holand’s Peter Parker as the new heart of the MCU. Then in Avengers: Endgame, he gets some incredibly fun heroic moments in the final battle against Thanos and some touching scenes with Tony Stark. What makes these aspects of the movie even more touching is the fact that one of the major drives for Tony Stark to join the Avengers and wage war against Thanos all over again, even by going back in the past, was to bring back all those people wiped away without a trace was to bring Peter Parker back. Something he did successfully and died a true hero.
8Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Captain America: Civil Warwas the movie that first introduced Tom Holland’s Spider-Man to the MCU. From an awkward teenage superhero trying to still figure things out for himself to that boy surprisingly stealing Captain America’s shield and then becoming a part of the exclusive group of Earth’s strongest protectors and being taken under the wing of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. With that, this movie established the base for one of the most endearing bonds in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe as well.
Holland’s Spider-Man feature really garnered some amazing reviews from fans who have waited for the iconic character to get formally introduced to the MCU for so long. Rightfully so, as trying to chase down and fight against people who have decades of experience on you for a rookie is nothing short of an epic feat. The movie also featured a Spider-Man suit that had eyes that could emote, just like the comics always could but prior films could not.
7Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
InSpider-Man: Homecoming, new recruit Tom Holland needed to establish himself as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man past his first canonical appearance inCaptain America: Civil War(2016). Holland may be Marvel’s most accurate version of Parker yet: A wide-eyed, baby-faced, and over-eager high schooler whose double-life disguises him as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
Holland’s version of Peter Parkersatisfies those who can either relate to the character’s personality through their own life experience or have been torn over how Maguire and Garfield didn’t quite lock down the “socially awkward high-schooler” personality. Aside from the targeted niche, those who may have been hoping for an elaboration on Parker’s personality may struggle to take a liking to him.
The actor may have the boyish look and the bubbly personality down, butSpider-Man: Homecomingstill tells the same story that has been told for decades, just with a father figure and a new villain at play.Spider-Man: Homecomingis flashy and contemporary enough for the modern-day audience, but it isn’t original enough to be considered a step forward for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
6Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
A direct pipeline intoSpider-Man: No Way Home,Spider-Man:Far From Homebreathed a little life into Holland’sHomecomingtrilogy as the series became more comfortable with itself. It feels less stiff than its predecessor and gives way for Holland to elaborate more on Parker’s character, aside from being the anxious teen with superhero-level responsibilities.Spider-Man:Far From Homechallenges Holland to push past the self-doubt that he previously shrouded himself in as Parker and embrace the spirit of Spider-Man with more vigor.
Spider-Man: Far From Homeoffers an exciting new villain with the debut of Mysterio, who is reimagined in a fresh way that also serves as a semi-meta take on thenature of superhero films. Taking the classic sequel set-up laid out with films likeThe Great Muppet CaperandNational Lampoon’s European Vacation,Spider-Man: Far From Homeuses a classic international trip trope to also stay true to the classic teen-centric storylines of the early Stan Lee/Steve Ditko Spider-Man comics. Instead of stifling itself, the sequel toSpider-Man: Homecominggives Holland’s secondary solo venture the jolt it needed to push the franchise, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, forward.
