Summary
Spider-Manis not just Marvel’s most famous superhero; he’s one of the most well-known comic book characters ever. While the web-slinger has appeared in many outstanding video games and TV shows, his excellent catalog of films and their phenomenal casts helped cement him as a worldwide icon.
Spidey has appeared on the big screen twice in animation and11 times in live-action, including MCU crossovers. Peter Parker and the rest of the main characters have evolved a lot since they first debuted in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, largely thanks to each actor delivering a unique take. While everyone has their favorite version of the wall-crawler, each cast has breathed new life into these beloved characters with every iteration.
2007
2012-2014
Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse
2018-Present
Not only has Gwen Stacy become more vital to the plot with each iteration, but her character has been interpreted differently by each actor. Bryce Dallas Howard from Spider-Man 3 was the first to play the role, depicting Gwen as a bubbly college student and model, albeit with tragically little screen time.
Emma Stone fleshed out the character more in The Amazing Spider-Man movies, portraying her as an ambitious high school student and Oscorp intern with a complicated relationship with Peter Parker. Gwen finally donned her iconic Spider-Woman costume in Into the Spider-Verse, where Hailee Steinfeld played a more stoic alternate-universe variant.
2002-2007
2012
Spider-Man Homecoming, Spider-Man Far From Home, Spider-Man No Way Home
2017-2021
Midtown High’s bully has tormented the wall-crawler since Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man in 2002. Flash Thompson was first played by Joe Manganiello, who nailed the tough-guy jock attitude from Stan Lee’s comics. The role was then passed to Chris Zylka in The Amazing Spider-Man, who, despite being crueler overall, showed a glimmer of empathy when Peter’s Uncle Ben died.
The MCU’s Tony Revolori took the character in a whole new direction, depicting him as a petty, entitled honor student who humiliates people through mockery rather than violence. This version of Flash is more comedic than previous iterations and even explores his ironic admiration for Spider-Man despite his disdain for Peter Parker.
Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse
2023-Present
Miles Morales has only appeared twice on the big screen, but that hasn’t stopped him from leaving a lasting impact on Marvel fans and Hollywood. Shameik Moore brought the character to life in the Spider-Verse movies, blending Miles' emotional depth with charm, quirky high school comedy, and an eagerness to earn a spot on the Spider-People team.
Across the Spider-Verse took full advantage of the multiverse premise witha shocking endthat revealed an alternate-universe version of Miles Morales, played by Jharrel Jerome. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say it made for one heck of a cliffhanger.
2002-2004, 2021
2014
Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse
2018
The web-slinger’s most diabolical villain famously flew onto the silver screen in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. Willem Dafoe masterfully captured the duality of Norman Osborn’s tortured side with his sinister and theatrical Green Goblin alter ego. After almost two decades, he returned to the role in the MCU’s Spider-Man No Way Home.
Norman Osborn briefly appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Into the Spider-Verse, both offering vastly different takes on the character. Chris Cooper played an older, dying Osborn while maintaining the spite and cynicism of Dafoe’s version. Jorma Taccone voiced the most menacing and physically imposing Green Goblin ever to grace the screen.
Of all the wall-crawler’s main characters, MJ Watson has undergone the biggest transformation over the years. She made her Hollywood debut in the first Spider-Man film, where Kirsten Dunst portrayed her as an outgoing aspiring actor who strives to create a life outside of her toxic family.
Zendaya’s MJ from the MCU reinvented the character, even changing her name from Mary Jane to Michelle Jones. This version of Peter’s love interest is more introverted and never misses the chance to mock others playfully. Shortly after, Into the Spider-Verse featured a variation of the traditional MJ, with Zoë Kravitz playing a slightly older, divorced Mary Jane.
Marisa Tomei
Captain America Civil War, Spider-Man Homecoming, Avengers Endgame, Spider-Man Far From Home, Spider-Man No Way Home
2016-2021
Aunt May has been part of the main cast since the very first Spider-Man film, where Rosemary Harris encapsulated the kindness, wisdom, and old-fashioned nature of May Parker from Stan Lee’s comics. When Sally Field took over the role in Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider-Man movies, she showed a more stern, worried, yet equally loving side to Spidey’s guardian.
The role was then passed to Marisa Tomei, who portrayed a younger and more humorous Aunt May with all the wisdom and responsibility of previous iterations. This version of May knows that Peter is Spider-Man, which would continue with Lily Tomlin’s depiction from Into the Spider-Verse, where she helps manage Peter’s secret spider lair.
2002-2007, 2021
Andrew Garfield
The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man No Way Home
2012-2014, 2021
Tom Holland
Captain America Civil War, Spider-Man Homecoming, Avengers Infinity War, Avengers Endgame, Spider-Man Far From Home, Spider-Man No Way Home
2023
Peter Parker’s live-action actors have each put a unique spin on the character. Tobey Maguire donned the iconic spider-suit first, capturing the web-slinger’s charming awkwardness and dramatic heroism. Andrew Garfield was next, depicting a grittier, skateboarding Peter determined to investigate his parents' mysterious deaths.
The MCU’s Tom Holland holds the record for most movie Spider-Man portrayals, delivering a younger, energetic Peter eager to prove himself worthy of Tony Stark’s apprenticeship. Lastly, the Spider-Verse movies provided plenty offun and interesting variations of Spidey, including Jake Johnson’s cynical and unkempt Peter and Nicolas Cage’s trenchcoat-wearing Spider-Man Noir.
