Ranking every Spider-Man movie is basically a blood sport for Marvel fans. Everyone has that one film they’ll defend to the death, and honestly, the conversation changes every single time a new trailer drops or a legacy actor makes a cameo.
We’ve had three different live-action Peters. We’ve had a sprawling, mind-bending animated multiverse. And now, as we sit in 2026 looking toward the July release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it's the perfect time to look back at the web-head’s cinematic history.
Some of these movies changed the world. Others were, well, Spider-Man 3.
But here’s the thing: most "best to worst" lists focus way too much on nostalgia or box office numbers. If you actually look at the storytelling, the character arcs, and the cultural impact, the real spider man movies ranked order might surprise you.
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The Absolute S-Tier: The Gold Standard
It’s hard to overstate how much Spider-Man 2 (2004) still holds up. Most people point to the train fight—which is still maybe the best action sequence in any superhero movie—but the reason it stays at the top is the "Spider-Man No More" arc. Seeing Peter Parker literally fail at life because he’s too busy being a hero is peak relatability. It’s messy, it’s heartbreaking, and Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock remains the blueprint for a tragic villain.
Then you have the animated heavyweights. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) didn’t just change Spider-Man; it changed animation forever. That 97% Rotten Tomatoes score isn't a fluke. It captures the "anyone can wear the mask" philosophy better than any live-action film ever could. Its sequel, Across the Spider-Verse, somehow upped the stakes by making the "canon" itself the villain. These films aren't just "cartoon versions"—they’re arguably the most sophisticated Spider-Man stories ever told.
The Cultural Phenomenons
You can’t talk about spider man movies ranked without Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). It was a miracle that Sony and Marvel even pulled this off. Bringing back Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield wasn't just cheap fan service; it gave Garfield’s Peter the closure he never got in his own franchise. Seeing him save MJ (Zendaya) in the finale still brings a tear to my eye. It’s a massive, $1.9 billion spectacle that managed to feel like a small, personal story about Peter's growth.
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Spider-Man (2002) is the one that started it all. Without Sam Raimi’s first outing, we don't get the MCU. Period. Sure, the Green Goblin’s Power Ranger suit looks a little dated now, but Willem Dafoe’s performance is still terrifying. It’s the quintessential origin story.
The Middle Ground: Great Movies with Big Asterisks
Tom Holland’s first two solo outings—Homecoming (2017) and Far From Home (2019)—are great, but they’ve always felt a little "Iron Man Jr." to some fans. Homecoming is basically a John Hughes high school movie with web-shooters, which is fantastic. Michael Keaton’s Vulture is a top-three villain. Far From Home is a fun European vacation, but it carries a lot of the weight from Endgame. They are polished, funny, and technically great, but they sometimes lack that "neighborhood" feel the Raimi films nailed.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) gets a bad rap. Andrew Garfield is actually a brilliant Peter Parker—he’s just a more modern, slightly "cool" version that some people didn't vibe with. The chemistry between him and Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy is the best romance in the entire franchise. No contest.
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The Ones That Missed the Mark
Look, we all know the deal with Spider-Man 3 (2007) and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014). They both suffered from the same disease: too many villains.
In Spider-Man 3, Sam Raimi didn't even want Venom in the movie, and it shows. Between Sandman, New Goblin, and Topher Grace’s Eddie Brock, the movie just collapses under its own weight. And The Amazing Spider-Man 2 felt more like a two-hour trailer for a "Sinister Six" movie that never happened. It’s a shame, because Paul Giamatti as Rhino could have been fun if it wasn't so rushed.
The Definitive Ranking for 2026
If you’re looking to marthon these before Brand New Day hits theaters this July, here is the objective hierarchy of the Spidey cinematic universe:
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – Perfection in a bottle.
- Spider-Man 2 – The definitive live-action superhero movie.
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Ambitious, gorgeous, and emotionally raw.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home – A love letter to twenty years of cinema.
- Spider-Man (2002) – The classic that paved the way.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming – The best "neighborhood" Spidey film.
- The Amazing Spider-Man – Underrated chemistry and great action.
- Spider-Man: Far From Home – A solid, high-stakes sequel.
- Spider-Man 3 – Flawed, but the Sandman birth scene is still a masterpiece.
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – Great suit, great actors, messy script.
What to Watch Next
If you’ve already seen these ten films and are waiting for the next chapter, keep an eye on Spider-Noir starring Nicolas Cage, which is currently in development. It’s expected to lean into the 1930s private investigator vibe. Also, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (the animated series) is set to explore an alternate MCU timeline where Norman Osborn is Peter’s mentor.
The best way to prepare for the July 31, 2026 release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day is to rewatch the Jon Watts "Home Trilogy" to see just how far Tom Holland's Peter has come from being Tony Stark's intern to a hero who is truly on his own.