Picture this: A young Peter Parker, bitten by a radioactive spider, dons a mask and takes a leap of faith off a New York skyscraper. That single leap has multiplied into a sprawling web of cinematic adventures spanning multiple universes, actors, and even animation styles.
From the early 2000s, when director Sam Raimi and actor Tobey Maguire first brought the iconic character to life (my favorite, btw), to the more recent exploits of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, that was a spectacular journey. Each iteration has added new layers to the character and explored the Spider-Verse from different corners.
But here’s the thing: There are so many films, including crossovers, spin-offs, and multiverse crossovers, that people can find themselves lost in this intricate web. That’s where this guide swings in to save the day. Here’s what to know.
Do the Spiderman movies need to be watched in order?
So you’re pondering whether to watch the Spider-Man flicks in order? Look, if you’re the type who enjoys seeing a story build-up from the ground floor, then yeah, go chronological. Watching Tobey Maguire’s, Andrew Garfield’s, or Tom Holland’s Spidey in order will give you the full picture.
But here’s the thing: Spider-Man’s world isn’t just a straight line; it’s a web. Different actors, styles, and even dimensions mean you can hop in wherever you want. You won’t be lost; each movie does a decent job of filling you in.
Say you’re curious about this whole multiverse buzz. Start with “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” It’s like a primer for “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which also dives into the multiverse but with real people, not drawings. Or maybe you’re a Marvel junkie? Then Tom Holland’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is your jam.
So, what’s the verdict? If you’re a detail freak, watch them in order. But if you’re just looking to have a good time, pick any. You won’t regret it.
How to watch every Spider-Man movie in release order
So you want the full Spider-Man experience, cameos and all? You got it. Here’s how to catch every appearance of Spider-Man in the movies, in order of their release.
- Spider-Man (2002): Tobey Maguire, directed by Sam Raimi
- Spider-Man 2 (2004): Tobey Maguire, directed by Sam Raimi
- Spider-Man 3 (2007): Tobey Maguire, directed by Sam Raimi
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012): Andrew Garfield, directed by Marc Webb
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014): Andrew Garfield, directed by Marc Webb
- Captain America: Civil War (2016): Tom Holland, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (Cameo)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): Tom Holland, directed by Jon Watts
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018): Tom Holland, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (Cameo)
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018): Animated, directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman
- Avengers: Endgame (2019): Tom Holland, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (Cameo)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019): Tom Holland, directed by Jon Watts
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021): Tom Holland, directed by Jon Watts
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023): Animated, directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson
Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man movies in order
Tobey Maguire was the first actor to bring Spider-Man to the big screen in the 21st century, and for many, he’s still the definitive Peter Parker. This trilogy, directed by Sam Raimi, started with “Spider-Man” in 2002, introducing us to Maguire’s Peter Parker.
The sequel, “Spider-Man 2” (2004), is often named as one of the best superhero movies ever, featuring a compelling story and Doctor Octopus as the villain.
The trilogy wrapped up with “Spider-Man 3” in 2007, a film that tried to juggle multiple villains and storylines with mixed results. Despite its ups and downs, this series set the standard for what a Spider-Man movie should be.
Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man movies in order
Andrew Garfield stepped into the Spidey suit with “The Amazing Spider-Man,” a series that promised to dig into Peter Parker’s backstory like never before. The 2012 film shook things up by focusing on Gwen Stacy instead of the usual Mary Jane Watson.
Then came “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” in 2014, a movie that threw in a bunch of villains like Electro and Green Goblin. While it got some flak for feeling overstuffed, Garfield’s Spider-Man still has a solid fan base, thanks in part to his on-screen sparks with Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies in order
Tom Holland first donned the Spidey suit in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” and it was clear from the get-go that he was a different kind of Peter Parker. Fast-forward to 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” and we see him grappling with algebra tests and supervillains, often in the same afternoon. Then “Spider-Man: Far From Home” hit the screen in 2019, and suddenly, Peter’s juggling geopolitics with geometry. But it doesn’t stop there. Holland’s Spider-Man pops up in the epic MCU battles of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” playing crucial roles. And just when you think you’ve got a handle on this Spider-Man, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” comes along in 2021 and flips the script, bringing in Spider-Men from other dimensions. It’s a wild ride, and it’s far from over.
Animated Spider-Man movies in order
In 2018, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” shook up the superhero game, giving us our first animated Spidey in the form of Miles Morales. And get this, it wasn’t just Miles; the film pulled in Spider-Folks from all sorts of alternate realities. Critics and audiences couldn’t get enough, and the movie even snagged an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Now, everyone’s got their eyes peeled for the sequel, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” set to drop in 2023. Word on the street is it’s going to blow the Spider-Verse wide open.
Do you need to watch previous Spider-Man movies before No Way Home?
So you’re itching to see “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” huh? Look, you can totally go in cold and still have a blast. The movie does a decent job of filling you in on the essentials. But here’s the deal: If you’ve got the time, catching up on the earlier films, especially Tom Holland’s, will make “No Way Home” a richer experience. Why? Because this movie’s like a love letter to the entire Spider-Man film legacy. It’s got nods, winks, and full-on embraces of past movies. So if you’re familiar with them, you’ll catch all the Easter eggs and understand the emotional weight behind certain scenes. But if you’re short on time or just can’t be bothered, diving straight into “No Way Home” won’t ruin the fun.
Can you skip Spider-Man Homecoming?
Want to skip “Spider-Man: Homecoming”? You can, but you’ll be missing out on some key character development for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. That film sets up his relationship with Tony Stark and gives you a feel for his high school life, which is a big part of his character. But if you’ve seen him in “Captain America: Civil War,” you’ve got the basics down. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and its predecessor “Far From Home” do recap the essentials so that you won’t be totally lost. Still, “Homecoming” has its own charm and sets the stage for what’s to come. So, can you skip it? Sure. Should you? That’s up to how deep you want to dive into the Spider-Verse.
