In 1962, comic book super hero, Spider-Man, made his debut in the pages of Amazing Fantasy issue #15. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and published by Marvel Comics, the story followed high school teenager Peter Parker, who is bitten by a radioactive spider and granted super-human abilities.
After initially using these abilities for his own personal gain, Peter soon learns his unique powers should be used more responsibly, to help others in need. From this point on, Peter fights crime and battles villains under the guise of a masked hero.
From the moment Spider-Man first appeared in comics, the character was a big hit with readers. The mix of Spider-Man’s dynamic action stories, and Peter Parker’s real-world problems, made for compelling reading, and the character quickly became a best-seller.
Moving forward, Spider-Man soon made the leap from comics to newspaper strips, television shows, toys, games, and theme park rides. He also appeared in a collection of big budget movies, most of which have been a critical and commercial hit.
In this post I am going to take a look at the Spider-Man movies, with a run-through of all the films. The post will include all of the main Spider-Man movies, as well as some of the spin-offs which are connected to the franchise.
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The Spider-Man TV ‘movies’
Before discussing the Spider-Man films, it’s important to highlight a collection of feature-length adventure ‘movies’ which existed in the 1970s. These movies aren’t really relevant today, and are only classed as movies on a technicality, but they are worth noting.
The Amazing Spider-Man – US TV series
Way back during the 1970s, when budgets were low and superheroes were largely laughed off the screen, Spider-Man was given his own, short-lived live-action television show titled The Amazing Spider-Man. The series starred Nicholas Hammond as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and was a loose interpretation of the Spider-Man comics, which ran for two seasons.
The Amazing Spider-Man aired on CBS in the US between 1977 and 1979, and began with a feature-length pilot episode. This episode was then followed by 13 regular instalments of the show.
Outside of the US, Columbia Pictures released the pilot episode as a ‘movie’, under the title ‘Spider-Man‘. Due to the popularity of this release in international territories, the studio then edited together two additional two-part stories.
The first was Spider-Man Strikes Back, which was an edited version of the two-part story, The Deadly Dust: Part 1 & 2. The second was Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge, which was an edited version of The Chinese Web: Part 1 & 2.
Are any of these releases actual movies? Not really, they are more a product of their time.
Back in the day, studios would edit together two-part episodes or release feature-length pilot episodes and call them ‘movies’ in order to sell these stories on home video. The ‘films’ were available on VHS during the 1980s and 1990s, but have not been re-issued on home video since.
The 1970s Spider-Man TV ‘movies’
- Spider-Man (1977)
- Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978)
- Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge (1981)
Supaidāman – The Japanese Spider-Man series
In addition to The Amazing Spider-Man series in the US, during the 1970s Spider-Man was also the star of a live-action television show in Japan. The series – Supaidāman – was a very, very loose interpretation of the character, who deviated from the comics almost entirely.
Supaidāman starred Kōsuke Kayama and aired in Japan from 1978 until 1979, for a total of 41 episodes. During the course of the series, the show incorporated a movie (which appeared between episodes ten and eleven).
Running the same length as a standard episode (approximately 25 minutes) the film was simply titled Supaidāman. The film premiered in Japan at the Toei Manga Matsuri film festival, but was not released theatrically outside of Japan.
The Japanese Spider-Man TV movie
- Supaidāman (aka Spider-Man) (1978) – The Japanese ‘movie’
While the above US and Japanese TV ‘movies’ do have a place in the Spider-Man mythology, the films are largely overlooked these days and are considered for Spider-Man completists only. Essentially they are television episodes which were given ‘movie’ status in name alone.
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The Spider-Man movies
Spider-Man (2002)
In 2002, after years of development hell, the first big-budget theatrically released Spider-Man movie made its debut. Distributed by Columbia Pictures/Sony, the movie – simply titled Spider-Man – was directed by Sam Raimi and starred Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, opposite Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, and Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin.
Spider-Man was positioned as an origin story, detailing Peter Parker’s transformation from high school nerd to spectacular super hero. Along the way, Peter learns a valuable life lesson about power and responsibility, when his Uncle Ben is killed. (121 mins)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Upon release, Spider-Man was both a critical and commercial hit. Critics loved it, audiences agreed, and Columbia Pictures/Sony quickly put a sequel into production.
The sequel – titled Spider-Man 2 – arrived in 2004, and reunited all of the key players from the first movie, with Tobey Maguire back in the red and blue Spandex as Spidey. In this film, Peter suffers from an identity crisis which in turn causes his powers to falter, while a new villain called Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) begins to threaten the safety of New York, and even the world! (127 mins)
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
With Spider-Man 2 proving equally as popular as its predecessor, it wasn’t long before Spider-Man 3 hit cinema screens. The film – which reunited the core cast for a third time – saw Peter suffer yet another identity crisis, this time due to the arrival of an alien symbiote which influences his personality.
In the movie, the symbiote attaches itself to Peter and begins to darken his mood, thoughts and feelings, before leaving Peter’s body and bonding with a new host to become the super villain, Venom. Meanwhile, Peter has to contend with new threats in the shape of the Sandman (Thomas Haden Church) and a new Green Goblin (James Franco). (139 mins)
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Although Spider-Man 3 was a huge financial success, and plans were put in place for a fourth Spider-Man film (aka Spider-Man 4), the project never materialised. Backstage issues stopped the movie in its tracks, and Columbia Pictures/Sony pivoted to an alternative.
That alternative was to reboot the Spider-Man movie series with a new director, a new cast, and a new look. Marc Webb was brought in to oversee the film, which would arrive in cinemas in 2012 under the title, The Amazing Spider-Man.
Andrew Garfield took on the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man for this next film, with Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, and Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors. Going back to basics, The Amazing Spider-Man was another origin story, which demonstrated how Peter got his powers, and saw him battle the villainous Lizard! (136 mins)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
With The Amazing Spider-Man proving successful at the box-office, a sequel went straight into production. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 picked up the story after the events of its predecessor, with Spider-Man squaring off against new villains Electro (Jamie Foxx), the Green Goblin (Dane DeHaan), and the Rhino (Paul Giamatti). (142 mins)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Although Columbia Pictures/Sony had grand plans to expand The Amazing Spider-Man movies into various sequels and spin-offs, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was met with an underwhelming response. Critics didn’t care for it, fans were indifferent, and the movie didn’t perform as well as expected.
Due to the perceived failings of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the studio cancelled all plans to continue the series. Instead, Columbia Pictures/Sony made a deal with Marvel Studios – the company which produced the Marvel Cinematic Universe – to incorporate Spidey into the MCU.
As part of this deal, Marvel Studios would agree to co-produce a new series of Spider-Man movies with Columbia Pictures/Sony. The deal would also allow Marvel Studios to feature this new version of Spider-Man in some of its Avengers movies.
Tom Holland was cast as Peter Parker/Spider-Man for this new era of Spider-Man stories, making his debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. The film introduced Spider-Man as a new hero in New York, before he was teamed up with Iron Man and various members of the Avengers. (147 mins)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Following his scenes in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland returned to the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man for a solo Spidey adventure. The movie – Spider-Man: Homecoming – opened in 2017, and focused on Peter’s relationship with Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and his encounter with the villainous Vulture (Michael Keaton).
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
After starring in his own movie, Tom Holland’s next appearance as Peter Parker/Spider-Man came via 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War. Spider-Man appeared in the movie alongside most of the key heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in a two-part battle against Thanos (Josh Brolin). (133 mins)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
With Tom Holland proving to be a big hit with audiences in the MCU, and Peter Parker essentially tied up in stories with the Avengers, Sony was keen to begin developing further Spidey stories which didn’t just revolve around Peter. The first of these stories came in the shape of the animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
In this movie, a new hero called Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) becomes the titular Spider-Man. Miles is bitten by a spider, develops abilities, and finds himself fighting for his life against an array of villains, including the Kingpin (Liev Schreiber).
One of the key aspects of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was the concept that Miles was one of many ‘Spider’ heroes that existed in the multiverse. This idea suggested that all Spider-Man stories were in someway connected, they simply took place in different realities.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Picking up after the climactic events of Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame continued the two-part story, before bringing it to a close with a monumental finale. Tom Holland returned once again as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, alongside all the major characters in the MCU.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Taking place shortly after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home was conceived as the second solo Spidey movie for actor Tom Holland. In this movie, Peter Parker goes on vacation to Europe and crosses paths with the duplicitous Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal).
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tom Holland returned for a third solo Spidey adventure, but this time he wasn’t quite alone. In this film, after Peter creates chaos with the multiverse, various villains and heroes from different universes are pulled into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprised their roles as the Spider-Men from previous Spidey movies, while Willem Dafoe (Green Goblin), Alfred Molina (Doctor Octopus), Thomas Haden Church (Sandman), Jamie Foxx (Electro), and Rhys Ifans (The Lizard) returned for villain duties. The movie was positioned as an epic Spider-Man story, which would link up most of the Spider-Man films from the past. (148 mins)
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
For this next movie, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the focus moved away from Tom Holland and the MCU, and instead switched back to Miles Morales for the second instalment in the animated Spider-Verse series. Picking up after the events of Into the Spider-Verse, Miles finds himself drawn into another multiverse adventure, which sees him at odds with The Spot (Jason Schwartzman), as well as many of his alternate universe counterparts. (140 mins)
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
Back to live-action for this next adventure, which brings Tom Holland back for more MCU action. Holland is joined on screen by Sadie Sink.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027)
It’s back to animation for this next film, and with 2023’s Across the Spider-Verse ending on a cliff-hanger, the next animated instalment, Beyond the Spider-Verse continues the story with Miles Morales having to contend with numerous threats, including a very powerful version of The Spot.
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The Spider-Man movies in order
From 2002 onward, the Spider-Man movie series has built up a strong collection of titles, including live-action and animated offerings. Should you wish to watch all the Spider-Man movies in order, the films are as follows:
- Spider-Man (2002)
- Spider-Man 2 (2004)
- Spider-Man 3 (2007)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
- Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027)
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Are all of the Spider-Man movies part of the same series?
While Spider-Man supposedly exists in one giant ‘Spider-Verse’, where various Spidey variants co-exist, the films essentially belong to different collections. If you wish to watch the movies in their various sub-groups, the stories break down as follows:
The original Spider-Man trilogy
- Spider-Man (2002)
- Spider-Man 2 (2004)
- Spider-Man 3 (2007)
The Amazing Spider-Man movies
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
The Spider-Verse movies
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
- Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027)
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Who are the cast of the Spider-Man movies and who are the directors of each film?
The Spider-Man movie cast is fairly exhaustive with the lead actors including Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland and Shameik Moore. Other notable actors in the series include Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J. K. Simmons, Alfred Molina, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr., Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hailee Steinfeld, Liev Schreiber, Jason Schwartzman, Oscar Isaac, Sadie Sink.
In terms of the directors, the Spider-Man movies are the work of the following directors:
- Sam Raimi directed Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man 3
- Marc Webb directed The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2
- Jon Watts directed Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Destin Daniel Cretton directed Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Anthony Russo and Joe Russo directed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame
- Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman directed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson directed Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson directed Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
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Sony’s Spider-Man Universe movies
In addition to the main Spider-Man movies, Sony Pictures developed a ‘side’ collection of Spider-Man-related films. These movies – which fell under the banner heading of ‘Sony’s Spider-Man Universe’ – were conceived as Spider-Man-adjacent stories, which didn’t focus on Spider-Man, but instead centred on villains and heroes that originated in Spider-Man comics (Venom, Kraven the Hunter, etc).
The initial plan for these films was to weave them in and out of the main Tom Holland Spider-Man movies, and loosely connect them to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as the wider Spider-Verse. However, various delays to the production and release of the films due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Hollywood strikes, as well as a generally poor reception to the movies, caused Sony Pictures to change its plans to expand this series and effectively the studio abandon the movies after six entries.
Venom (2018)
In Venom, down on his luck ex-reporter, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), comes into contact with an alien symbiote which quickly bonds with him and takes over his life. The symbiote – known as Venom – gives Brock super powers, turns his world upside down, and transforms him into an anti-hero. (112 mins)
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
Picking up shortly after the events of Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Eddie Brock/Venom crosses paths with another symbiote in the shape of Carnage. In the film, Carnage bonds with convicted serial killer, Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), prompting Eddie/Venom to battle this new foe. (97 mins)
Morbius (2022)
In Morbius, celebrated doctor and blood specialist Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) undergoes an experimental treatment in an attempt to cure himself of a debilitating disease. But when the cure goes wrong, he finds himself transformed into a vampire. (114 mins)
Madame Web (2024)
Up next is Madame Web, which follows the story of Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Webb (Dakota Johnson), a Manhattan paramedic and clairvoyant with psychic abilities. The film features multiple Spider-Women, including Julia Carpenter (Sydney Sweeney), Mattie Franklin (Celeste O’Connor), and Anya Corazon (Isabela Merced). (116 mins)
Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
Tom Hardy returns to the role of Eddie Brock/Venom for the third movie: Venom: The Last Dance. In this film, Eddie/Venom are on the run for the suspected murder of police detective Patrick Mulligan, while the symbiote god, Knull is interested in tracking down the Venom symbiote. (110 mins)
Kraven the Hunter (2024)
And finally, following a similar pattern to Venom, Morbius, and Madame Web, Kraven the Hunter is another origin tale, this time focusing on the titular Kraven – a hunter-warrior with animalistic abilities. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven aka Sergei Kravinoff, while other Spider-Man villains such as the Rhino and Chameleon also appear in the film. (127 mins)
The Sony Spider-Man Universe movies in order
Should you wish to watch the Sony Spider-Man Universe movies in release order, the films are as follows:
- Venom (2018)
- Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
- Morbius (2022)
- Madame Web (2024)
- Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
- Kraven the Hunter (2024)
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Who are the cast of Sony’s adjacent Spider-Man Universe movies and who are the directors of each film?
The cast of the Sony Spider-Man Universe features a wealth of actors including Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Reid Scott, Jenny Slate, Chris O’Hara, Peggy Lu, Woody Harrelson, Naomie Harris, Stephen Graham, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Andy Serkis, Cristo Fernández, Jareo Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Tyrese Gibson, Michael Keaton, Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O’Connor, Tahar Rahim, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott, and Russell Crowe.
In terms of the directors, the Sony Spider-Man Universe movies are the work of the following directors:
- Ruben Fleischer directed Venom
- Andy Serkis directed Venom: Let There Be Carnage
- Daniel Espinosa directed Morbius
- S. J. Clarkson directed Madame Web
- Kelly Marcel directed Venom: The Last Dance
- J. C. Chandor directed Kraven the Hunter
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about the Spider-Man movie series. For more movie posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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