Every ‘Spider-Man’ Live-Action Movie Ranked from Worst to Best

From wall-crawling origin tales to globe-trotting multiverse showdowns, every live-action ‘Spider-Man’ film brings a different slice of Peter Parker’s life, his supporting cast, and the villains who test him. Below is a complete countdown of the theatrical, live-action features centered on the character—spanning three eras and three lead actors—so you can quickly see who directed each entry, who starred, the key antagonists, franchise context, and notable box-office milestones without any fluff.

‘Spider-Man 3’ (2007)

Directed by Sam Raimi, this finale stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker with Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, and Thomas Haden Church. The story pits Spider-Man against Sandman, the New Goblin, and Venom while exploring the black-suit symbiote’s impact on Peter. It marked the conclusion of the Raimi trilogy for Columbia Pictures and Marvel’s pre-Disney era of big-screen superheroes. Despite mixed reception, it became one of the highest-grossing films in the series worldwide.

‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ (2014)

Marc Webb returns to direct Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone as the story introduces Electro and a reimagined Green Goblin. The film continues Oscorp-centric world-building, setting up threads for villains like the Rhino and broader franchise plans. It was distributed by Sony Pictures as part of a reboot era separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie earned a substantial global gross while prompting Sony to rethink strategy for future installments.

‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ (2012)

Directed by Marc Webb, this reboot stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone with Rhys Ifans as the Lizard. It reestablishes Peter’s origin through a new continuity, shifting tone toward grounded romance and mystery around Peter’s parents. Sony positioned it as a fresh start distinct from the earlier trilogy, with updated suit design and web-slinging visuals. The film performed strongly at the global box office and launched a short-lived new series.

‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ (2019)

Jon Watts directs Tom Holland alongside Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio. Set after major Marvel crossover events, it sends Peter on a European school trip that becomes a battle against deception and drone-driven illusions. The film expands MCU ties through S.H.I.E.L.D.-linked characters and pivotal mid-credits revelations about Peter’s identity. It crossed the billion-dollar mark globally and capped a major phase of the MCU’s storytelling.

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)

Directed by Jon Watts, this collaboration between Sony and Marvel Studios stars Tom Holland with Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Robert Downey Jr., and Michael Keaton as the Vulture. It integrates Peter into the MCU while keeping the story grounded in Queens, complete with Stark-tech suit features and high-school stakes. The production emphasizes street-level crime tied to salvaged alien tech and the Department of Damage Control. It delivered a major worldwide gross and kicked off a new trilogy under the shared Sony–Marvel arrangement.

‘Spider-Man’ (2002)

Sam Raimi’s franchise launcher stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin. It established many cinematic hallmarks for the character—web-swinging across New York, Daily Bugle antics, and the responsibility theme—within a standalone Columbia Pictures/Marvel framework. The movie set domestic box-office records upon release and proved modern superhero tentpoles could dominate multiplexes. Its success directly paved the way for a rapidly expanding slate of comic-book adaptations.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)

Jon Watts directs Tom Holland with Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, and returning villains portrayed by Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, and Jamie Foxx. Built around a multiverse premise, it connects multiple cinematic timelines and resolves ongoing identity fallout for Peter. The release set event-movie records for the character and delivered one of the top worldwide grosses for a superhero film. It also reoriented Peter’s status quo within the MCU, closing a trilogy while setting a clear path for future stories.

‘Spider-Man 2’ (2004)

Sam Raimi’s sequel reunites Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst while introducing Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus. The plot balances Peter’s strained personal life with a scientist-turned-adversary whose fusion experiment goes catastrophically wrong. Praised for character focus and set-piece craft, it became a benchmark for superhero sequels. The film achieved robust global earnings and further solidified the franchise’s cultural footprint.

Have a favorite wall-crawler adventure—or a hot take on this order? Share your thoughts in the comments!