Best Spider-Man films for beginners

Are you new to the Spider-Man movie series? Not quite sure where to start or what film is best for you? No sweat – in this post I am discussing the best Spider-Man movies for beginners.

The films listed below – both live-action and animated – are ideal for those who have little to no knowledge of who Spider-Man. So, if you are looking for a way into the Spidey mythology, the information contained in this post should help you out.

Throughout the course of the Spider-Man film series, there are a number of movies which are ideal for beginners. These films either provide an origin tale for the wall-crawler (or his associates) or they act as gateways into a wider narrative.

With each entry on this list I will provide a short description of these film, to give you an idea of why these movies are ideal for you. In addition, I am presenting a further recommendation that allows you to delve deeper into the series.

Always remember, not everyone is an expert in Spidey, so everyone has to start somewhere. Now let’s get started!

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Spider-Man (2002)

A great place to begin your journey into the Spider-Man film series is with 2002’s Spider-Man. Directed by Sam Raimi, this film is a Spider-Man origin tale, with Tobey Maguire suiting up in the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man.

Raimi is a big fan of the classic era of Spider-Man (aka the 1960s) and it sure shows on film. The director nails the look and feel of the character and presents a homage to the original comics in the best way possible.

And if you like Spider-Man, then make sure to check out: Spider-Man 2 (2004)

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The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

While Spider-Man is a love-letter to the original run of Spider-Man comics, Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man is a reflection of the Ultimate Spider-Man series – a run of comics which began in the 2000s and updated the mythology for a new generation.

As with Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man is another origin tale, only this time Andrew Garfield takes on the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. The actor gives it his all and leads a revised backstory that provides an entry point for those unfamiliar with the character.

And if you enjoy The Amazing Spider-Man, then you should follow this up with: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

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Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

If you have a basic understanding of who Spider-Man is, and you simply want a story that can thrust you into the Spider-world without the need for too much backstory then begin with Spider-Man: Homecoming. The film takes place shortly after Peter Parker becomes Spider-Man, with Tom Holland playing the title character.

Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Homecoming is an action adventure film that includes a healthy dose of comedy. The movie takes a great deal of inspiration from ‘80s high school films, particularly the work of writer/director, John Hughes (The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off etc).

If you enjoy Spider-Man: Homecoming (and you will) then you should watch: Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

If you know only a small amount of information about Spider-Man then you may be unaware that there are multiple iterations of the character, with some existing in entirely different universes. One of these alternate Spider-Men is Miles Morales, a teenager who unexpectedly finds himself taking on the mantle of the Spider.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated tale which is perfect for beginners. Not only does the film introduce Miles Morales, it also introduces a number of Spider-related characters, offering multiple backstories in one film.

If you enjoy Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and like films with multiple heroes, then you should watch: Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

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Additional suggestions

If you want to go a little further with Spider-Man stories, then you should check out the following films:

• Captain America: Civil War (2016) – This is a live-action movie which features Spider-Man in an extended guest spot. Civil War marks Spidey’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so it is great for beginners who want to see how the character interacts with other Marvel heroes.
• Venom (2018) – Spider-Man sits this one out, but if you want to learn about some of his villains then you may wish to drop in on this origin tale. The film tells the story of Eddie Brock as he becomes a new anti-hero – whether he wants to or not.
• Spider-Man (1977) – If you like old school superhero origin stories (akin to the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno Incredible Hulk show & movies), then you may wish to try out the 1977 film, Spider-Man. This was originally produced as the pilot for a live-action television series, but was released theatrically outside of the US.

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The movies listed above should provide plenty of backstory for anyone who wants to learn about Spider-Man. Should you want further information about the Spider-Man movies, then I suggest you take a look around this blog or check out some of my posts, including: ‘Can the Spider-Man movies be watched in any order?’

Read more:

• Average Spider-Man movie rating on Rotten Tomatoes
• Seven essential tips for watching the Spider-Man movies
• What is Spider-Man’s mantra?