The cinematic history of Spider-Man: All Spider-Man movies in order and where to stream

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can. Except a spider can’t become a beloved American culture icon with multiple iterations and series to its name. Or, at least no spider has done so yet. And neither have most of us for that matter. For the time being, both spiders and men can only aspire to be like Spider-Man, and to help us do this, let us take a look at the cinematic history of arguably the greatest superhero ever. Here are the Spider-Man movies in order.

Spider-Man movies: From humble beginnings

Spider-Man wasn’t always the top draw to get Americans to the movie theaters. No superhero was back in the 1970s, with the exception of Superman. Back then, heroes had to make do with direct to TV films, which is how Spider-Man got his live-action start. Spider-Man (1977) premiered on CBS in September, and was the best performing production for the network that whole year. And how could it not be with those cutting edge effects?

As was the way of things back then, this television movie also served as a pilot for a television series, The Amazing Spider-Man, which while only running for 13 episodes, was a smash in the ratings. Certain two-parter episodes, “Deadly Dust” and “The Chinese Web,” were taped together and released internationally as sequel films, Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978) and Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge (1981).

Streaming platforms, as well as Disney and Marvel, have all but forgotten about these now campy origins of Spider-Man. However, on the internet, nothing is ever truly forgotten. If you wish to catch these television movies for yourself, all three are available in full on Youtube and/or Daily Motion.

Spider-Man movies: The Sam Raimi salad days

After the third Superman movie in 1983 displayed diminishing returns, Hollywood’s superhero interest fell into dormancy for the most part. The Tim Burton Batman films in 1989 and ’92 showed there was still some appetite for the genre, but it was not until the success of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies that the flood gates opened and superhero movie production rapidly increased. To me, the contemporary obsession with spandex fitted heroes all started with Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man (2002). I remember it well, being a tiny tot in the theaters, seeing Spider-Man hop on parade floats, fighting the Green Goblin played by the irreplaceable Willem Dafoe. Good times, simple times.

The years to follow would bring us Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3, which showed us the arachnoid crime-fighter battling Doc Ock (played by the equally wonderful Alfred Molin) and his high school emo phase, respectively. Who said superheroes are unrelatable?

For those looking to revisit these classics, FuboTV has you covered with every Raimi installment. Or, if you want to watch it on a streaming service people have actually heard of, each are available for purchase on Prime, Youtube, and Apple TV.

Spider-Man movies: The tangled Webb

While a forth Raimi Spider-Man was talked about, it was ill-fated and canceled, making room for the even more ill-fated Amazing Spider-Man films, directed by Marc Webb. The new series now featured Andrew Garfield as the titular hero, and the first film, released in 2012, saw him face off against The Lizard, as well as redoing Spider-Man’s origin story. The film enjoyed positive reactions from critics and casual viewers alike, and grossed well over $700 million world wide. With those numbers and reviews, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was an inevitability, and indeed it would be when the sequel released in 2014.

You’d have to figure it was only a matter of time before Spider-Man would get a generally agreed upon bad movie, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is it. Don’t take it too hard Spidey. Just look at Superman’s track record. Point is though, ASM 2 was, ironically, not amazing. Despite it being one of the most profitable films of that year, the overwhelmingly negative reaction compelled the studio to pull all the future proposed sequels and spin-offs.

Though widely considered the black sheep of the three popular Spider-Man series, Webb’s pair of films, especially the first one, are not without worth. If you’re looking to give them a watch, the first film can be purchased on Prime, Youtube, and Apple TV. As for the second, Hulu Premium and Sling TV Premium have you covered, and is also available on FXNOW with a cable subscription.

Spider-Man movies: The Marvelous Renaissance

After only two years of absence since The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the superhero would return in a surprise appearance in Captain America: Civil War, now played by Tom Holland. However, it would not be until 2017 when Spider-Man would receive his first stand alone film in the MCU, Spider-Man Homecoming. After that…you know, I actually can’t remember anything that happened between the two Spider-Man movies. I think I was asleep or…I don’t remember. Huh.

Anyway, after Homecoming came Far From Home in 2019, and then most recently we had No Way Home in 2021, which proved to be a celebration of how far Spider-Man has come over the years, bringing together old heroes and old villains. No 1970s Spider-Man, but that’s understandable. Nicholas Hammond is a very busy man. You think Tom Holland is tough to reach, try booking Hammond.

It bares mentioning though, despite the impressiveness of the Marvel movies, that not all of Spider-Man’s contemporary success comes from the renowned comic book studio. Indeed, Sony, in one of the greatest shocks on the last decade, actually released a great movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). It followed the origin of Miles Morales, who in the comics comes to take up the mantle of Spider-Man after the original, Peter Parker, dies. The film proved to be a smash hit with audiences and fans, with splendid 2D animation, brilliant color and style, and a terrific soundtrack. My personal opinion, it is by far the best Spider-Man film of the current era, and perhaps the best Spider-Man film in general.

With the exception of Morbius of course, which I suspect may win Best Picture next year.

To catch the most recent spider-focused Marvel flicks, there’s a quick guide. For Homecoming, premium subscriptions for Hulu, Prime, and Sling TV will have it available, as well as the standard Starz. Far From Home is unfortunately only available for direct purchase on Prime, Youtube, and Apple TV. Those prices will seem cheap though compared with No Way Home, which can be purchased on Prime and Apple TV for four times the price of Far From Home. Google Play has it for much cheaper though. Into the Spider-Verse is much the same right now, only available through direct purchase on your typical streaming platforms.

And that’s all there is to that. However, rest assured, we have not seen the last Spider-Man movie. Until they come out though, fans will have plenty of past material to watch.