Spider-Man remains a timeless character, and fans can always expect new films or series on the horizon. Recently, CinemaCon revealed the title for Spider-Man 4 featuring Tom Holland, alongside a confirmed release date for Beyond the Spider-Verse. If you’re eager to dive into the Spider-Man franchise, binge-watching all existing films could be a great option.
With numerous Spider-Man films available, it can get confusing to watch them in the correct sequence. As multiple versions of Spider-Man grace the silver screen, plus films like Venom and Morbius in the Sony universe, the connections are intricate and complex.
If you’re unsure how to begin your Spider-Man viewing journey, we’re here to help. Below, we outline the order in which to enjoy the Spider-Man movies, starting with Sam Raimi’s trilogy that features Tobey Maguire. For those interested in a comprehensive exploration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how often Tom Holland’s character has appeared in Avengers films, we also have a dedicated guide on that topic.
Hardy’s films as Venom, along with Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, and Madame Web, exist outside the MCU but still include them in our guide since they feature Spider-Man’s rogues. Additionally, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is pertinent as it connects to the MCU, even though it resides in a different universe.
Viewing the Spider-Man Movies in Release Sequence
When discussing Spider-Man films, several franchises and timelines must be navigated. A streamlined approach is to view the films in the order they were released. This is a straightforward method to understand Spidey’s cinematic legacy, with little overlap in story arcs until more recent films starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker.
- Spider-Man (2002)
- Spider-Man 2 (2004)
- Spider-Man 3 (2007)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Venom (2018)
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Morbius (2022)
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
- Madame Web (2024)
- Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
Viewing the Spider-Man Movies in Order: Tobey Maguire’s Trilogy
Tobey Maguire features in a trilogy of Spider-Man films released between 2002 and 2007, directed by Sam Raimi, marking the character’s significant cinematic debut. Collectively, these films set box-office records and are considered classics among superhero films, establishing key elements of the Spider-Man lore.
It’s important to note that while the initial two films are standout entries, particularly due to their iconic villains like Green Goblin and Doc Ock, Spider-Man 3 has earned a reputation for its numerous antagonists—Sandman, a reimagined Green Goblin, and Topher Grace as Venom—leading to a convoluted narrative.
Nonetheless, it’s worth a watch for its meme-worthy moments that fans continue to relish.
- Spider-Man
- Spider-Man 2
- Spider-Man 3
Viewing the Spider-Man Movies in Order: Andrew Garfield’s Series
Andrew Garfield’s interpretation of Spider-Man faced challenges as his films struggled with convoluted plots. While the first film has memorable moments, the sequel often feels drawn out. Despite the struggles, notably the emotional climax towards the end of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, these films are essential viewing—though the attempt to develop The Sinister Six never materialized.
- The Amazing Spider-Man
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Viewing the Spider-Man Movies in Order: Tom Holland’s Series
Considering skipping other Spider-Man iterations? Don’t! Tom Holland’s take does not retell the origin story as prior versions do since Marvel and Sony assume viewers are familiar with Peter Parker’s backstory. Instead, Holland portrays a younger, more inexperienced Spider-Man navigating high school life, which offers its own enjoyment.
However, viewers must be well-versed in the earlier films because Spider-Man: No Way Home necessitates a grounding in previous installments to fully grasp its significance. This film serves as a monumental crossover, introducing characters from Maguire and Garfield’s movies into the MCU, along with connections to the Venom films. The culmination of director Jon Watts’ trilogy sees the multiverse unraveling, making the earlier films key in understanding the storyline.
- Captain America: Civil War
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame
- Spider-Man: Far From Home
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
Viewing the Spider-Man Movies in Order: Tom Hardy’s Venom Series
The Venom films belong to Sony’s expanding Spider-Verse and begin to intertwine with the broader Spider-Man cinematic experience. Watching these movies is essential for understanding Spider-Man: No Way Home and Morbius; ensure not to miss the post-credits scene from Venom 2 for crucial context.
The most recent release, Venom: The Last Dance, hints at potential MCU crossover opportunities evidenced in its post-credits scene. Given the wealth of gripping narratives existing within the Venom comics, fans should remain optimistic about more films to add to their watchlist in the future.
- Venom
- Venom: Let There Be Carnage
- Venom: The Last Dance
Viewing the Spider-Man Movies in Order: Sony’s Spider-Verse
When referring to Sony’s Spider-Verse, we discuss films that co-exist alongside Venom and Spider-Man. For instance, Morbius incorporates Michael Keaton’s Vulture character from Spider-Man: Homecoming while also operating within a universe separate from Holland’s adaptation. Thus, Morbius is not classified as an MCU film despite including an MCU character.
Primarily, Morbius functions as an independent film compared to the other titles listed here, except for Venom, which is mentioned. That is until the shocking post-credits scene that connects it to Holland’s storyline, including Spider-Man: No Way Home. While it stands on its own, viewing it in conjunction with the overall Spider-Man narrative enhances the experience.
- Morbius
- Madame Web
Exploring the Spider-Verse in Order: Into the Spider-Verse
Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel stand out from other Spider-Man films and are recommended as top-tier entries into the franchise, even if they don’t fit neatly into the viewing schedule. As animated films, they do not share plotlines with other movies highlighted here. The first film, released at the end of 2018, can be conveniently watched between Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, although it can be enjoyed at any stage of your Spider-Man journey. This film also introduces multiverse concepts simply yet insightfully, laying a foundation that could aid viewers before watching No Way Home.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Now you have a guide on how to watch the Spider-Man films in order; that’s a daunting web of stories! For more detailed planning, check out our articles on how to watch the X-Men films in order and how to watch the DC films in order.