Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film continues Tom Holland’s journey as Peter Parker after the world forgot his identity at the end of No Way Home. The cast includes Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo, and Tramell Tillman. With a new chapter about to open, it is a natural moment to look back at every major Spider-Man film released so far and rank them from strongest to weakest.
The ranking below focuses on critical reception, storytelling strength, emotional impact, visual and technical achievement, and lasting cultural influence. It covers the three main live-action eras (Sam Raimi, Marc Webb, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe) plus the two acclaimed animated Spider-Verse films. Only theatrical feature films centered on Spider-Man are included.
1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- Directed by: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman
- Release date: December 14, 2018
- Main cast: Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Mahershala Ali, Lily Tomlin, Nicolas Cage
Into the Spider-Verse remains the clear peak of the franchise. The film follows Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales as he gains spider powers and meets a mismatched group of Spider-People from across the multiverse. What sets it apart is its complete reinvention of the visual language of superhero animation. Every frame feels hand-crafted, mixing comic-book dots, watercolor textures, and kinetic energy in a way no previous superhero movie had attempted.
The story balances heart, humor, and genuine emotion without relying on franchise obligations. Miles’ relationship with his parents, his struggle to step into the role of a hero, and the bittersweet presence of an older, burned-out Peter Parker give the film unusual depth. Critics and audiences immediately recognized it as something special. It continues to influence both animated and live-action projects years later and still holds the highest critical score among all Spider-Man films according to major aggregation sites.
2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
- Directed by: Sam Raimi
- Release date: June 30, 2004
- Main cast: Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, Alfred Molina as Doctor Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons
Sam Raimi’s sequel is frequently cited as one of the greatest superhero films ever made, and for good reason. The story focuses on the crushing weight of dual identity. Peter’s life is falling apart under the pressure of being Spider-Man, while Otto Octavius becomes a tragic figure destroyed by his own ambition and technology.
The film’s centerpiece train sequence remains a high-water mark for practical-and-digital hybrid action. Alfred Molina’s performance gives the villain real pathos, and Tobey Maguire’s quiet desperation feels more lived-in than in the first film. Raimi balances spectacle, romance, and character work with rare confidence. Many still consider this the purest cinematic expression of the classic Spider-Man mythos.
3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
- Directed by: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson form the directing team.
- Release date: June 2, 2023
- Main cast: Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara / Spider-Man 2099, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Jason Schwartzman
The second Spider-Verse film expands the multiverse on a massive scale while deepening Miles and Gwen’s personal stories. The animation is even more ambitious than the first film, with distinct visual styles for different dimensions. Themes of destiny, free will, and the cost of being a hero are explored with surprising maturity.
Its only significant drawback is the deliberate cliffhanger ending, which leaves several major threads unresolved. Still, the film’s ambition, emotional intelligence, and technical achievement place it firmly among the top tier of the franchise. It proved that the Spider-Verse approach could grow without losing its soul.
4. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Directed by: Jon Watts
- Release date: December 17, 2021
- Main cast: Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Zendaya as MJ, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Jamie Foxx, Jacob Batalon
No Way Home delivered the multiverse crossover that fans had speculated about for years. By bringing together three different Spider-Men and several classic villains, the film created both spectacle and genuine emotional weight. The scenes in which the three Peters discuss their losses and responsibilities remain some of the most affecting moments in the entire franchise.
The movie successfully balanced fan service with character growth for Holland’s Peter. It became a massive cultural event and the highest-grossing Spider-Man film. While some criticism focused on its reliance on nostalgia, the execution was strong enough to earn its high placement.
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Directed by: Jon Watts
- Release date: July 7, 2017
- Main cast: Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes / Vulture, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., Laura Harrier
The first MCU Spider-Man movie effectively brought the hero back as a grounded teenager still finding his place among the Avengers. Michael Keaton’s Vulture stands as one of the strongest street-level villains in the MCU, grounded by clear motivation and a personal connection to Peter’s world.
The high-school setting, awkward humor, and focus on Peter’s desire to prove himself gave the film a distinct identity from both the Raimi and Webb eras. It established the tone that the subsequent Holland films would build upon.
6. Spider-Man (2002)
- Directed by: Sam Raimi
- Release date: May 3, 2002
- Main cast: Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn / Green Goblin, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris
Raimi’s original film launched the modern superhero movie boom. Its earnest tone, practical stunt work, and memorable set pieces (the upside-down kiss, the Thanksgiving dinner confrontation) still resonate. Tobey Maguire’s sincere performance and Willem Dafoe’s unhinged Green Goblin created an iconic hero-villain pairing.
While some elements feel dated by today’s standards, the film’s heart and pioneering spirit keep it highly regarded. It remains the foundational text for everything that followed.
7. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Directed by: Jon Watts
- Release date: July 2, 2019
- Main cast: Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal as Quentin Beck / Mysterio, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Favreau
Set in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, the film takes Peter on a European class trip that quickly turns into a battle against illusions and deception. Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio is a charismatic and clever antagonist, and the movie plays effectively with the idea of manufactured heroism.
It is the lightest and most purely entertaining of the Holland trilogy, but it lacks the emotional weight or innovation of the higher-ranked entries. Still, it functions well as a colorful adventure and a bridge between larger MCU events.
8. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
- Directed by: Marc Webb
- Release date: July 3, 2012
- Main cast: Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors / The Lizard, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field
Andrew Garfield’s first film offered a more grounded and emotionally intimate take on the origin story. The relationship between Peter and Gwen feels authentic, and Martin Sheen’s Uncle Ben carries real weight. The web-slinging sequences and practical stunt work are often excellent.
The film sometimes struggles with pacing and an underdeveloped villain, which keeps it from the top half of the ranking. Nevertheless, it has aged more gracefully than its sequel and contains some of the strongest character work in the live-action series.
9. Spider-Man 3 (2007)
- Directed by: Sam Raimi
- Release date: May 4, 2007
- Main cast: Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church as Flint Marko / Sandman, Topher Grace as Eddie Brock / Venom, Bryce Dallas Howard
The final Raimi film is the most divisive. An overcrowded plot involving Sandman, Venom, and the New Goblin, combined with tonal shifts and the infamous “emo Peter” sequence, weakened the overall experience. Individual strengths remain—Thomas Haden Church’s tragic Sandman and several strong action scenes—but the film never fully coheres.
It is still watchable and contains moments of genuine pathos, yet it stands as the weakest of the original trilogy.
10. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
- Directed by: Marc Webb
- Release date: May 2, 2014
- Main cast: Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Jamie Foxx as Max Dillon / Electro, Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn / Green Goblin, Paul Giamatti, Sally Field
The second Amazing film suffers from too many competing storylines, underdeveloped villains, and an uneven tone. While the chemistry between Garfield and Stone remains a highlight and certain action sequences impress, the narrative feels overstuffed and unfocused. It is generally regarded as the least successful major Spider-Man theatrical release.
Looking Ahead: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
- Release date: July 31, 2026
- Main cast: Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Zendaya as Michelle “MJ” Jones, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle / The Punisher, Michael Mando as Mac Gargan / Scorpion, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk, Tramell Tillman
According to official information from Marvel and reporting from Variety and Rotten Tomatoes, the film follows a Peter Parker who has been erased from public memory. He now lives entirely as Spider-Man while confronting new street-level threats in New York. Early materials suggest a more grounded, character-driven approach under Cretton’s direction.
This ranking draws on long-term critical consensus reflected in lists from Rotten Tomatoes, Collider, ScreenRant, and Collider’s IMDb-based ranking.
Whether Brand New Day will climb into the upper half of this list will depend on how effectively it balances the franchise’s history with a fresh direction for Holland’s Peter Parker. For now, these ten films represent the complete major theatrical legacy of Spider-Man on the big screen.
