The character of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, has been a popular superhero since his introduction in Marvel Comics. He has since been played in live-action movies by 3 different actors in the 21st century. Tobey Maguire was the first to portray the character, then Andrew Garfield, and now Tom Holland plays the character of Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing next in the highly anticipated Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Whether he is swinging around New York City stopping a member of the Sinister Six or helping the Avengers take on a galactic threat, Spider-Man has no shortage of responsibilities. Although some Spider-Man movies are less enjoyable than others, every version of the character has something intriguing to offer to fans.
7 Spider-Man 3 Ended The Original Trilogy – 6.2
Serving as the final installment in the Sam Raimi trilogy, Spider-Man 3 is viewed by most fans and critics as the weakest of the three. Featuring the villains of Sandman, Venom, and Harry Osborn’s New Goblin, Spider-Man had his hands full while also having to deal with the negative effects of a symbiote. Harry eventually joins Peter as a hero and dies saving him.
While the film received mixed reviews, Spider-Man 3 made just shy of $900 million at the box office, which was the largest financial total of any Spider-Man film until the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home.
6 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Featured Multiple Villains – 6.6
After their high school graduation, Peter decides to end his relationship with Gwen due to his vow to her father, a dying Captain George Stacy at the end of the first film. However, Peter and Gwen get back together near the end of the movie.
Spider-Man went up against the likes of Electro, Rhino, and his old friend Harry Osborn, aka Green Goblin, who is ultimately responsible for the death of Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy. After taking some time off from being Spider-Man, Peter returns to defend the city from the Rhino.
5 The Amazing Spider-Man Introduced Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker – 6.9
When Tobey Maguire ended his time as the Web-Slinger, Andrew Garfield took over in 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man. While the story shares some similarities with Tobey Maguire’s original Spider-Man film, The Amazing Spider-Man differentiates itself in several ways. After a spider bites him while at Oscorp, Peter develops special abilities which allow him to become Spider-Man.
Peter befriends a scientist who knew his father, Dr. Curt Connors, who turns into a villain known as the Lizard. The final minutes of the film see Peter and Gwen stopping Connors from turning everyone in New York into lizards.
4 Spider-Man Was A Strong Start To The Franchise – 7.3
The first live-action movie headlined by the character of Spider-Man was released in 2002, with Peter Parker portrayed by Tobey Maguire. Motivated by the death of his Uncle Ben, Peter decides to become a hero. The film has Peter as Spider-Man going up against his best friend’s father, Norman Osborn, aka Green Goblin.
During their last battle, Osborn attempts to kill Peter using his glider, but this action backfires, with Osborn on the receiving end. Harry Osborn blames Spider-Man for the death of his father, while also seeing Peter as his only friend.
3 Spider-Man 2 Proved To Be Just As Good As The Original – 7.3
With the massive success of the original, Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man returned in 2004 for a sequel. The film explores how the amount of time Peter spends as Spider-Man negatively impacts the other areas of his life, which ultimately leads to his temporary retirement from being a superhero.
However, after realizing that he has a responsibility to protect the people of New York and to stop Doc Ock from using his dangerous fusion reactor, Peter once again puts on the mask. Mary Jane finds out about Peter’s secret and the end of the film sees the two getting romantically involved.
2 Spider-Man: Homecoming Helped Establish Spider-Man In The MCU – 7.4
After his introduction into the MCU in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man received his first solo outing the following year. Spider-Man: Homecoming sees Peter Parker hoping to join the Avengers while looking out for the citizens of New York.
After taking down Michael Keaton’s villainous Vulture, the main villain of the film, Tony Stark offers Spider-Man a spot as a full-time member of the Avengers. While Parker turns the offer down, he does end up joining the Avengers during 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War.
1 Spider-Man: Far From Home Ended With A Cliffhanger – 7.5
The top spot on this list belongs to the newest film about the Wall-Crawler. Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home deals with how Peter copes with Tony Stark’s death while on a class trip in Europe. Peter is manipulated by the film’s villain, Mysterio, into giving him Tony’s old glasses, codenamed E.D.I.T.H. Mysterio attempts to use the high-tech glasses to orchestrate an attack.
Peter is able to put an end to Mysterio’s plans, however, Spider-Man’s secret identity is revealed to the world in a mid-credits scene. Spider-Man: Far From Home is also the only Spider-Man movie to reach $1 billion at the global box office.
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