After watching Spider-Man: Brand New Day for the second time a few weeks ago, I got to thinking. 🤔 I got to thinking that it’s time for another one of my lists.
Now that we have four, live action Spider-Man movies produced by Marvel Studios, the time is right to rank them (in ascending order).
4. No Way Home
Before you lose your spider senses, you should know that I really like this film. It’s a Spider-Man movie fan’s web dream—all three Spider-Men in one film, with Doctor Octopus, Electro, Green Goblin and Sandman in tow.
But that’s the rub. The film is sprawling and exciting, but it feels overstuffed and a bit hollow at times—especially when it comes to the top three on my list.
3. Far From Home
You’re probably wondering how/why I have Far From Home rated above No Way Home. It’s a good question. The former shattered many box office records, is praised by fans and film critics alike, and is loved by yours truly.
However, my main criticism is that the main plot point—a spell gone awry, feels very frivolous. And it relies heavily on cameos by other Spider-Men (and their rogue gallery of villains).
Far From Home is a better-paced, self-contained Spider-Man story, where Peter Parker digs deep within, without the help of “super-friends” to fell his formidable foe here—Mysterio.
2. Brand New Day
Some of the same qualities that slide No Way Home down on my list are the same reasons why “New Day” is not number one.
But unlike No Way Home, I find it to have 1) a much tighter script, 2) a story REALLY focused on Peter Parker’s struggles dealing with social isolation caused by his hero sacrifice, and 3) it does a better job of weaving it’s additional characters (Hulk, Punisher and Jean Gray) into Peter’s overall journey.
#1 Homecoming
Coming in at number one is Spider-Man: Homecoming. For my money, it’s still the best live action Spider-Man movie.
Call me nostalgic because it reminds me of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). Or call me sentimental, because it reminds me of high school coning-of-age movies from the 1980’s.
No matter what you call me, I love this version of Spider-Man.
• The villain is deftly portrayed by Michael Keaton (Vulture).
• It is the most authentic New York City depicted in Spider-Man to-date, especially the inclusion of NYC staples like a frequently-visited local bodega.
• And lastly, and most importantly, it is a fantastic portrayal by Tom Holland in his first major American movie—he kills it!!
The MCU Spider-Man franchise is the best the studio has produced thus far. I’m splitting web 🕸️ hairs in my rankings but this is my list, and I stand by it!
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