The 8 Best Spider-Man Movies, Ranked From Tom Holland's Homecoming To Tobey Maguire's Original
There is no doubt comic book fans are aware that Spider-Man's cinematic history is about as tangled as the hero's webs.
Creative differences, studio disputes, and Sony's ownership of one of Marvel's most popular characters has led to plenty of drama, but also eight Spider-Man films in less than two decades.
Considering that number is about to jump to nine upon the release of Marvel's Spider-Man: No Way Home later this year, and since the film is rumored to star former Spideys Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, despite their (best?) attempts to convince fans otherwise, The Direct's 20+ staff writers accepted the challenge of ranking all the Spider-Man movies from best to worse.
Now, will this list be contentious? Absolutely. But hey, with great power comes great responsibility, and our staff is eager to share our rankings.
So, here are The Direct's official rankings of the Spider-Man movies thus far:
8. SPIDER-MAN 3
*Sigh* Where did it all go wrong?
Sam Raimi's Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 starring Tobey Maguire were huge successes, paving the way for future comic book movies.
But Spider-Man 3? It was something else altogether.
Blamed for its one too many villains, creative differences between Raimi and the studio, and just plain bizarre moments, Spider-Man 3 is the reason why Raimi and Maguire's trilogy remained just that.
It's no wonder The Direct ranked this film as the worst on the list, and it may be one of the few things we agreed upon.
7. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2
The second installment of Sony's reboot, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ended Andrew Garfield's run as the web-slinger.
The relationship between Garfield's Peter Parker and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy was the core of this film and its predecessor, and the story of her death that stayed true to the comics was a well-handled blow.
However, audiences were less impressed with Jamie Foxx's Electro and his CGI-heavy climactic battle, as well as the rushed, underbaked descent of Harry Osborne. Oh, and there was Rhino too, for reasons unknown.
But if hindsight is anything like Spider-sense, fans have come to respect certain aspects of the film, particularly Garfield's moments as Spidey. And even Marvel is bringing back Foxx as Electro for No Way Home.
The question, however, is whether The Amazing Spider-Man 2 should've ranked higher than its predecessor? Or does it sit right where it belongs?
6. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man introduced fans to Andrew Garfield's skateboarding, emo-esque version of Peter Parker who was also proved to be a more humorous, quick-witted Spider-Man.
Even though the hero's origin story struck familiar chords, this Spider-Man story included Gwen Stacy instead of Mary Jane Watson, the Lizard instead of the Green Goblin, and laid the groundwork for a slow-burn mystery about Peter's missing parents.
Reviews of the film and its choices were mixed, and not all fans were on board with Garfield's version of Peter and the film's teen vibes. However, the TASM's box office success was enough to greenlight a sequel.
5. SPIDER-MAN
The OG, 2002's Spider-Man brought wall-crawler to the big screen and showed audiences what comic book movies could be.
Even though Tobey Maguire's take on the character wasn't quite as wisecracking as comic book fans hoped for, he was a believable, relatable underdog who audiences couldn't help but cheer for and who literally embodied the message of responsibility.
His relationship with the cast was just as gripping as the action; and, after all, it introduced the world to J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson. That accomplishment alone earns it a top-five spot on the list.
4. SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME
The most recent Spider-Man film to date, 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home, had the distinction of following Avengers: Endgame and closing out the MCU's Phase 3.
While the film was well-received and ambitious in bringing the villain Mysterio to the big screen, it's position as the final chapter of Phase 3 and somewhat light treatment of the Blip was puzzling.
But even more so was the fact that Holland's Spidey spent most of the film everywhere but New York.
Still. It's Tom Holland. It's Jake Gyllenhaal. It's Zendaya. And Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury and Jon Favreau's Happy show up too. Plus, this film may only improve with time as it's one of the first MCU films to actually tease the multiverse.
3. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
In all honesty, this film shouldn't work.
Sony's 2018 animated film stunned audiences with its vibrant, comic book-esque visuals and its ambitious slate of Spider heroes, including that of Spider-Ham.
But despite that, the ambitious film manages to keep Miles Morales' origin story and classic Spider-Man themes front and center.
And arguably none of the Spider-Man movies to date have been this original, this creative, and this successful in showcasing Spider-Man's swinging flights and acrobatics through NYC.
2. SPIDER-MAN 2
Considering the sheer number of comic book movies that exist today, it's remarkable that Spider-Man 2 still ranks as one of the best superhero films in existence. And The Direct staff clearly agrees.
Spider-Man 2 reunited Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco while also introducing Alfred Molina as Doc Ock.
Following Molina's incredible performance, live-action Spider-Man films have steered clear of utilizing the iconic villain; but the actor is set to reprise his role in No Way Home this December.
In addition to Molina's Doc Ock, Spider-Man 2 stands apart because, unlike most action flicks, every element of this film works.
And instead of going too big in an attempt to top the original, Spider-Man 2 allows Peter's own conflict to drive the story in a relatable way.
1. SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
The MCU's first stand-alone Spider-Man film, and Sony's second Spidey reboot, focuses on Tom Holland's Peter Parker after the events of Captain America: Civil War.
Unlike Spider-Man films that have come before, the MCU skipped the origin story or that of Uncle Ben's death. Instead, it focused on a younger Peter in the middle of his high school years whose humor stems from his eagerness.
And since this is an MCU film, after all, Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark makes an appearance or two along with a few other familiar faces.
Fans overwhelmingly loved Tom Holland's version of the lovable Parker.
But one thing the base can't seem to agree upon is whether Homecoming tops Far From Home; and of all the Spider-Men movies, is the MCU's first stand-alone Spider-Man flick truly the best of the best?
According to the majority of The Direct staff, the answer is yes.
No comments: