Every single 'Spider-Man' movie, ranked from worst to best
Bryn Gelbart
- There have been multiple "Spider-Man" movies released since 2002, including the spin-off "Venom" (2018).
- "Venom" (2018) and "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (2014) are two of the worst "Spider-Man" movies, per critics.
- However, critics gave high scores to "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018) and "Spider-Man 2" (2004).
Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland have all starred in live-action "Spider-Man" series over the past 18 years, in addition to the animated film and spin-off inspired by the web-slinging comic-book character.
Although trade deals and negotiations between major film companies, like Sony and Marvel, are behind the abundance of "Spider-Man" films, critics and audiences alike don't seem to mind watching all the different iterations.
Here are all of the "Spider-Man" movies and spin-offs, ranked from worst to best according to critic scores from Rotten Tomatoes.
Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change.
Read the original article on Insider"Venom" (2018) was loathed by most critics even though moviegoers seemed to love it.
Critic score: 29%
"Venom" is a unique film in the "Spider-Man" cannon that centers on a popular villain from the "Spider-man" comics. However, the villain spin-off did not go over well with most critics.
They called it a "tone-deaf, uneven, and maddeningly dumb clunker," but audiences were more forgiving and generally seemed to enjoy the villainous romp.
Rafer Guzman wrote for Newsday, "'Venom' could become Marvel's version of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' or 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians' — a camp classic worth mocking again and again."
"The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (2014) was a bit of a bust.
Critic score: 51%
Starring Andrew Garfield as the web-slinger, the sequel never truly matched up to the other "Spider-Man" movies.
Critics wrote that the movie was "over-stuffed with plot" and a "bloated and blunted" drama. Reviewers were especially vocal about Jamie Foxx's strange, misguided performance as Electro.
That said, some reviewers still praised the quality of the action scenes in the film.
"The trouble with director Marc Webb's disappointing sequel is it wants to have it both ways: to take seriously human connection and loss and also spin the spectacular and pulpy... 'Spider-Man 2' never locates that sweet spot," wrote Lisa Kennedy for The Denver Post.
"Spider-Man 3" (2007) was the lowest-rated film in the Tobey Maguire series.
Critic score: 63%
"Spider-Man 3" wasn't a huge success for the third installment in the Tobey Maguire trilogy.
Critics admired director Sam Raimi's ambition and the character relationships in the film, but even the positive reviews acknowledged the movie was a bit "uneven."
Roger Ebert wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times, "Too many villains, too many pale plot strands, too many romantic misunderstandings, too many conversations, too many street crowds looking high into the air and shouting 'oooh!' this way, then swiveling and shouting 'aaah!' that way."
"The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012) rebooted the series with Garfield as the hero.
Critic score: 73%
The 2012 reboot of the "Spider-Man" franchise featured major stars, including Garfield and Emma Stone.
With the exception of some critics who gave the movie a hard pass, reviewers enjoyed this film and responded well to Garfield and Stone's chemistry.
Chris Vognar wrote for The Dallas Morning News, "This is a grittier webslinger saga, led by a Peter Parker with swagger and angst and a tone defined more by emotional resonance than wide-eyed wonder. It still has plenty of fizz."
"Spider-Man" (2002) was a hit that helped to really kick off the franchise.
Critic score: 90%
This Spidey-centric film starring Maguire came out swinging and received glowing reviews for horror director Raimi's take on the iconic Marvel hero.
Critics fell in love with this film, praising it for balancing action and comedy so well. From its comedic sensibilities to Maguire's "earnest, unpretentious delivery," this movie helped prepare audiences for nearly two decades of "Spider-Man" in film.
Jack Matthews wrote for New York Daily News, "'Spider-Man' is an almost-perfect extension of the experience of reading comic-book adventures."
"Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019) was met with praise from critics and audiences.
Critic score: 90%
"Spider-Man: Far From Home" took Peter Parker's fun European romp and turned it into a Spidey-filled action film that reviewers loved.
Most critics were impressed by the chemistry of the cast and the film's entertaining plot, although some reviewers called the film a somewhat forgettable entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU).
"Of course, he has baddies to fight and innocent bystanders to save, but this is the lightest and silliest of Marvel's films, which is what makes it so enjoyable, but also, ultimately, what makes it so forgettable," wrote Nicholas Barber for BBC.com.
"Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017) was Spider-Man's first stand-alone entry in the MCU.
Critic score: 92%
"Spider-Man: Homecoming" had the benefit of being a new and exciting stand-alone "Spider-Man" adventure that didn't just delve into the hero's origin story.
Some critics called it "the best 'Spider-Man' movie of the bunch" and Holland was widely praised for being a near-perfect Peter Parker.
Michael O'Sullivan wrote for The Washington Post, "An authentic, refreshingly nerdy and high-spirited reboot of the well-worn Marvel franchise ... "
"Spider-Man 2" (2004) is a highly praised classic.
Critic score: 93%
The second film in the Maguire series is still a gold standard for superhero sequels. "Spider-Man 2" impressively featured suspenseful stakes and gave Alfred Molina room to shine in his now-iconic portrayal of Doc Ock.
Critics loved the film, calling it "uncommonly smart for the genre" and "incredibly enjoyable."
"A sequel that not only outstrips its predecessor but has a perversity and quick-wittedness that hardly seem to belong in a comic-book movie," wrote Anthony Quinn for the Independent.
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018) has a nearly perfect score from critics.
Critic score: 97%
Released in 2018, the animated flick "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" was praised for being visually striking and for developing its characters with a wonderful blend of comedy and empathy.
The story of Miles Morales discovering the Spider-folk of the multiverse while discovering himself was adored by critics. It has been called "a triumphant work of art" and "a bright and bold loving critique of the superhero genre and a much needed hard reset."
It has also been dubbed one of the best movies of 2018, proving that any friendly neighborhood Spider-Man can stand on his own.
Ben Sachs wrote for the Chicago Reader, "Actually captures the sensation of getting absorbed in a comic book."
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