By Luca Newton
After having seen all Spider-Man movies recently through rewatches as well as first time watches, I decided to rank them, and give my explanation..
I took it upon to watch Sam Raimi's trilogy over the last week, due to my recent rewatches of Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home. To be honest, I had resented the Raimi trilogy, as it is the movies that elitists of the Spider-Man Twitter community really push, and it gets really obnoxious - However, I decided to sit down a give them a fair shake. That gave me an idea to do a ranking of the films. I believe my ranking ended up different enough to justify an explanation.
So, without further ado..
My Ranking Of The Spider-Man Films..
#8 - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
No surprises here - at the bottom of my rank, The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Easily the weakest of these films, and honestly the only bad one in my opinion. Let's get what I like about it out of the way, though. Firstly, the web-slinging is potentially the best here, Spider-Man's suit is pretty nice, and I do like Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, he's very quippy. I honestly really thought Gwen's death was well done, and overall the action was fun.
Other than that, this movie really fell apart. Firstly, this film has a huge villain problem. Electro is the main villain - not only is his design terrible, but his motivation is really poorly executed. The concept is of him being a huge Spidey fan because he was saved by him, believing he was important to Spidey specifically, then turning on him because he realises that he isn't actually important to Spidey, and blames him for him falling into the electric eels and becoming a villain. I just don't think it's well done. I mean, I love Jamie Foxx but when he was Dillon before Electro, it's ridiculous how stereotypically nerdy he is. I just don't think Electro's motivations are strong enough to want to kill Spider-Man. But, even so, that's not all. There's also Rhino, who is in the film for all of 2 scenes, is way too cartoonish and does absolutely nothing. There is also Harry Osborne, as the new Goblin. Which is stupid, the Harry in this film is so uncompelling as they rushed his Green Goblin story arc, by having Norman die at the start from an illness. It's just not believable, and he looks hideous. Other than villains, TASM2 also tackles some weird plot-points. Stuff like Peter Parker's parents being killed due to Oscorp, and being responsible for the same spider that also happened to randomly bite his son. TASM2 also was trying too hard to connect to a Spidey cinematic universe, which meant a lot of the movie felt like an advert, which is almost sad to look at because of how it never actually happened.
Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is by far the weakest Spider-Man film, and it isn't close.
#7 - Spider-Man (2002)
Alright, I am gonna have to explain this one. I don't dislike this movie at all - in fact, I only disliked TASM2, Spider-Man is a really good movie. It's charming, and completely accurate to the comics. I really liked how this film just gets right into the plot, it doesn't feel like it's wasting my time. I liked Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborne and Green Goblin is really good, I thought he was a great villain. The reason the film is this low is because of all the good Spider-Man films, I had the least enjoyment out of this one. It's not even the fault of the film, but I think the film being the origins just wasn't as interesting, I guess because I know his origins, that is probably why, but it still knocked it down a peg for me. Also some of the writing was so weirdly cheesy, I feel they may have adapted the comics a bit too faithfully in the case of how cheesy the film is, but that is part of the charm to be fair.
I honestly respect this movie a lot because it is partly responsible for the uprising in superhero films, and it is a good film, but I don't think it's as good as others above it.
#6 - Spider-Man 3 (2007)
I'm gonna be completely honest, I can think of way more flaws with this film than the first film, yet I still have it over it. Why? Because, in my opinion, Spider-Man 3 is the most charming of the trilogy. Nothing else in the trilogy matches the ironic masterpiece that is the edgy Parker scenes. Additionally, I thought the film focusing on Peter Parker's flaws, and how Mary Jane Watson deals with having Spider-Man as her boyfriend, made for a really interesting character arc for both of them. Additionally, unlike in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Harry being the new Goblin in this film is a culmination of the trilogy setting it up, and I think that it was actually an incredibly interesting arc for his character - even though his memory loss is stupid, I thought that he was great in the final act, helping Spider-Man. It was genuinely sad to see him die because of that build-up over the whole trilogy. Additionally, I thought that the third act was so much fun. The combination of Venom and Sandman teaming up to beat Spider-Man, and having Harry help too, it was a spectacle, and I honestly had the most fun watching the final act here more than the others.
Spider-Man 3 isn't without its flaws. It some really stupid plot-lines, like Peter Parker being an oblivious asshole even before he gets the symbiote, Gwen Stacy felt very forced in, and Harry having memory loss was stupid. I thought that Eddie Brock was an awful villain. He was so uncompelling, and the fact he even becomes Venom is so ridiculously coincidental. It was kind of out of place for him to randomly be religious, and for Peter to go to a church to take off the symbiote. Sandman was mixed for me. I liked his arc, but as a villain he seemed irrelevant, they had to force in the Uncle Ben part to make him of any importance. He was only there to be the big threat to help that great act 3. But on his own, he's definitely very weak.
Overall, I think I enjoyed Spider-Man 3 more than I maybe should have, which is why it's above the original, but this low down..
#5 - The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
This one gets way too much hate in my opinion. The original The Amazing Spider-Man film is much better than the sequel. It still gets a bad wrap because it's a "dark" and "edgy" reboot of the Spider-Man films. But honestly, I liked a new tone for these Spider-Man films, and I think it worked with what they were going for in this film. They wanted a more grounded and less campy Spider-Man film, with more science and grit. I appreciate this film for doing what it was aiming to do. It made for a solid retelling of the origin story of Spider-Man, that I feel gets way too much hate.
The reason it's this high is because I personally really like Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, as I said in the sequel, but he's definitely also great in this. He captures a more grounded take on Peter Parker, and ignoring the weirdness of actors playing younger characters when they look double the age they're playing. Him and Emma Stone have good chemistry, thanks to them actually dating in real life. I liked that they used a different villain than usual with Lizard, but he is pretty forgettable to be honest, and honestly due to the gritty take, some of this film can end up forgettable.
But overall, I thought The Amazing Spider-Man was a genuinely interesting reboot by Marc Webb that showed a more grounded Peter Parker, that I feel people are too harsh about.
#4 - Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The first of the MCU Spider-Man movies, and I honestly love this movie. I know that Spidey twitter seems to really dislike these films, but to me I just love them. We got a new take on Spider-Man to the last 2, which had, at the time, both released films within the same 10 year time frame. Spider-Man was due for a different take, while still staying true to his character. Spider-Man: Homecoming is all about balancing school, with responsibilities. Peter Parker, as played by Tom Holland, is younger than the previous actors. He also embodies the character best in my opinion. Not only is he a great Peter Parker, but I also think he's a great Spider-Man too. A lot of people think he relied on Tony Stark too much, and wasn't able to get out of that shadow, and that Peter was ridiculously incompetent, but honestly, I think that this portrayal is most realistic. Given that the other films weren't connected to other heroes, I feel like Peter would latch onto a role model, and wouldn't instantly be the best at being a hero. His eagerness to get out and be bigger than just local crimes is an ambition to try and be the hero he wants to be, but since this is the MCU, and there are cosmic threats larger than Spider-Man can handle, it's important we see that he really should stick to lower scale crime, and be that friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.
I thought that the way school was incorporated within Homecoming was great, and especially how it tied to the Vulture. Speaking of, Micheal Keaton's Vulture was an incredible villain, and I loved how he doesn't even intend of hurting Spider-Man at first, he just wants to make a living, but he is forced to take precautions for his own vision - it shows Peter Parker's morality, and how he impulsively feels the need to stop crime, even if it's not aimed at him. And sometimes, that can cause trouble, and can be irresponsible, but he's just got to find that balance of responsibility and morality. Additionally, the way that the MCU fits within Homecoming is really cool, and adds to the charm.
I've praised Homecoming to the moon, so why is it not higher? Well, there is a very clear lack of a midpoint, that gives Peter a new redefining moment, changing the end goal of the film - it would've been better if there was one. I felt like the action wasn't quite as good as the other films. Michelle Jones, or MJ, is underused in Homecoming - I think she should've been used more. I don't even agree she should've been the main love interest, because of how Peter screws things up with Liz and her connection to the Vulture, I'd rather MJ be long-term, so Liz served her purpose. The third act is also not the greatest, while I like how it ended, it was pretty unexciting, and how it could've easily happened completely differently, causing way less damage - the only time I'd say Peter Parker's incompetence gets in the way, and is never addressed as a mistake because it's the end.
The fresh take on the typical Spider-Man first film formula was refreshing, and I like how the film ended up turning out.
#3 - Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Beloved by fans, Spider-Man 2 is by far the strongest of the Raimi trilogy, in my opinion. Unlike any other Spider-Man film, this film really shows the struggle of juggling responsibility. It asks, what is the reason for helping others? Is it one's own responsibility to take on crime, or is it down to others, and thus you don't need to worry. Peter Parker has this ethical debate in his head, while also thinking about whether him taking that burden off his shoulders, would mean he could get what he actually wants, rather than having to push away what he cares for, in place of the greater good. Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus is incredible - the strongest villain of the trilogy by a lot. He is incredibly iconic for a reason. The complexity his character has, being a moral person controlled by his own creation, he has a heroic end, which really serves his character arc beautifully. Peter Parker eventually realises he cares too much about the safety of others, and feels immense guilt for not saving a person from a fire, that he takes the responsibilities he burdened before back, to defeat Dock Ock. I think Spider-Man 2 has incredible stakes, a truly iconic and thrilling final act, and a great talking point with Peter's own ethical debate throughout the entire movie. It is the most inciteful and meaningful movie of the trilogy.
However, I do think that it isn't without flaws of its own. Spider-Man loses his powers, which leads him to stop being Spider-Man since he no longer wants to carry that burden, and they magically come back for the third act. But I honestly feel like that is really stupid as a plot-point. He can stop being Spider-Man without weirdly losing his powers for unknown reasons. Also, I personally felt like Mary Jane and Peter's relationship was weird in the sequel. I liked it in the end, but I thought it was ridiculous how she had moved on from Peter so quickly she was willing to get married, and how Peter went from declining Mary Jane after having the biggest crush, to back to having a crush was a distracting part to me. I understand it was so that Peter would have a reason to stop being Spider-Man, but I just never bought the Peter and MJ relationship in the Raimi trilogy, and I felt it took up too much of an otherwise brilliant film.
Overall, Spider-Man 2 is definitely worth the hype, and despite a few things I wasn't big on, the positives far outweigh the negatives, hence why it's within my top 3.
#2 - Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
This might be the hottest take here, but just hear me out here. I love Far From Home. It's a great sequel, and a huge breath of fresh air for the Spider-Man films yet again. I've seen people say that because Peter is going on a vacation around Europe, it's not "Spider-Man enough" - I say, why limit Spidey ONLY to New York? Others are annoyed that Peter Parker doesn't want to help originally when he's told about the Elementals, but I feel like context is needed. Peter had just come back from saving the world and seeing his mentor and father-figure die - I think he's due a vacation. Besides, he is just a kid in a world filled with other heroes who are stronger than him in many instances. Personally, FFH is so charming it's hard to hate it. I love how visually interesting it is, with going to different countries. I love how Peter Parker's goal is just for one girl. I love how his insecurities and self-doubt lead to his failures, and his faith in himself is what actually helps him succeed. Mysterio is an incredible villain - I loved how he got Peter close, just to screw him over. I think that the Mysterio illusion scene is genuinely my favourite scene in any of these movies. Far From Home is fun, the action is great, I loved Peter Parker's arc, I loved Mysterio, and it is undoubtedly my favourite live action Spider-Man movie. Sorry Spider-Man Twitter.
No movie is flawless though. Just like Spider-Man 2, Peter loses some powers this time too, and it is pretty dumb. However, it is less prominent, as it is only his Spidey Sense. While I did enjoy the jokes, I did feel like sometimes they were a bit too much. EDITH being such an integral part of the story was a little bit underwhelming, and it does come into question why Peter trusted Beck so much.
But overall, I thought FFH did a great job at being a Spider-Man film about getting out of your idol's shadow, and finally having confidence in yourself.
#1 - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
As expected, Spider-Verse is definitely my favourite, and the best Spider-Man movie - and I think most people will agree, or at least respect that. I went into Spider-Verse expecting something great, I got something better. I think Spider-Verse is not only favourite Spider-Man movie, but I believe it is the best, on an objective level. Since this is ranked first, and I believe there are no notable flaws with the film, beyond some "what could have been" nitpicks.. allow me to gush.
Spider-Verse starts strong. We see an intro to Peter Parker, with tons of intertextuality, and incredible little gags that just go that extra mile to show that passion for the Spider-Man brand. We are then introduced to Miles Morales. Here we can see the best art-style and animation in any animated film or show I have ever seen. It takes comic book adaptation to another level. Every frame is art; completely filled with colour and charm and it's clear that a lot of time and effort was put into it feeling like you are watching a comic book. Miles as a main character is incredibly written, and very compelling, relatable and likeable. His journey of believing in himself, taking a leap of faith, is so satisfying when there is a literal scene where Miles finally swings freely, as he knows he is ready to embrace himself. Mixed with the rap soundtrack, it makes for an inspiring scene. The villains are all great - I love what they did with Kingpin, and the side villains all had great moments. I loved Kathryn Hahn's female Dock Ock. Additionally, the Prowler, Uncle Aaron, who is so intimidating, but when Miles finds out about his identity and vice versa, it makes the Prowler so much more compelling.
The father and son relationship between Miles and his father being distant was also a great arc throughout the movie. I didn't even get into the alternative Spider-Men. Each are so well done, and I loved them all. Peter B Parker is a great take on a worn out and broken Peter Parker, Spider-Gwen was a standout character for me, as a close friend for Miles. You also have less prominent Spider-Men, with vastly different art styles - like the anime Penny Parker, or the black and white Spider-Noir, voiced by Nicholas Cage. I could go on, but what makes these even better is how well they fit in the film, without overshadowing Miles' arc - which prevails. It's like how all the villains never get in the way of Kingpin. The final act is so beautiful, and especially the final fight between Miles and Kingpin, and then Miles saving his father.
Into the Spider-Verse is beautiful visually and in its themes and its narrative. I have nothing but praise for it. There is absolutely no doubt it is the best Spider-Man movie.
How does my ranking match up to your own personal one? I cannot wait for both Spider-Man: No Way Home and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2, and to see where they end up fitting in this list.
Thanks for reading.
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