The Marvel Cinematic Universe, or the MCU, finally introduced the ultra-popular Spider-Man in Phase 3 with Captain America: Civil War. Since then, the young hero Spider-Man has been a beloved staple of the MCU, featuring in his own solo movies and two Avengers movies, among others. This gave Spidey ample time to shine from 2016 to now.
No matter his youth and inexperience, Spider-Man has risen as one of the MCU’s greatest heroes and proven himself a quick and adept learner. He has wowed MCU fans time and again with his clever combat moves as a web-slinging hero, and he’s just as impressive as Peter Parker the brilliant high schooler. Looking back, Spider-Man has stolen the show plenty of times with his amazing feats and big heart, giving MCU fans hope that he’ll keep it up well into the future, too.
10When Spider-Man Got Ant-Man Tangled Up in Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Captain America: Civil War
PG-13
Action
Science Fiction
Superhero
9
10
Political involvement in the Avengers’ affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.
Release DateMay 6, 2016
DirectorAnthony Russo , Joe Russo
CastChris Evans , Robert Downey Jr. , Scarlett Johansson , Anthony Mackie , Sebastian Stan
Runtime147 minutes
IMDb Rating
7.8
At first, Falcon/Sam Wilson (who had a tragic backstory) thought it was funny that the Avengers had both a Spider-Man and an Ant-Man, but it wasn’t just a gag. When Spider-Man and Ant-Man fought on opposing sides in Captain America: Civil War, they each brought out their best moves. Eventually, Spider-Man used The Empire Strikes Back as a reference to take down the giant Ant-Man.
Iron Man and War Machine caught on, and they helped Spidey swing in circles around Ant-Man, binding his legs with webbing. When Ant-Man took a heavy combo punch, he fell right over, unable to stand on his tangled legs, and Spider-Man whooped in triumph.
9When Spider-Man Stole Captain America’s Shield in Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Spider-Man’s flashy debut in Captain America: Civil War was such a big deal, his shield-stealing scene made it into the movie’s trailer, even though the movie really wasn’t about Spider-Man himself. When the two halves of the Avengers met up at the Leipzig airport, Spider-Man’s first move was to swipe Cap’s iconic shield and leave the First Avenger vulnerable.
Spider-Man started with a bang, robbing Cap of his best tool via his webbing. Even if Spidey was too chatty about it and annoyed Iron Man, there’s no doubt Tony Stark was impressed by Spidey’s moves. Spider-Man kept it up as the civil war unfolded.
8When Spider-Man Tried to Fix a Damaged Ferry In Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming
PG-13
Superhero
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Comedy
Drama
9
10
Release DateJuly 7, 2017
DirectorJon Watts
CastTom Holland , Zendaya , Robert Downey Jr. , Marisa Tomei , Jon Favreau , Jacob Batalon , Michael Keaton , Laura Harrier
Runtime133 minutes
Main GenreSuperhero
In his first solo movie, Spider-Man had ample opportunities to shine, starting with his attempt to fix a damaged ferry in New York City. Spider-Man could do more than beat up villains or think up science experiments in Spider-Man: Homecoming. He could also save people from natural disasters, such as a ferry boat splitting apart down the middle.
Spider-Man pushed himself to bind that ship with a huge amount of webbing, and for a moment, it worked. Even if Spidey needed Iron Man to finish the job, it was still impressive to see him take on such a challenge, and it helped mix things up in such a combat-oriented movie.
7When Spider-Man Saved Everyone at the Washington Monument In Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Peter Parker joined his classmates on a trip to Washington, D.C. for a decathlon competition in Spider-Man: Homecoming, hoping that he wouldn’t need any Spider-Man antics for once. Unfortunately, disaster struck, with an explosion threatening the lives of several innocents inside the Washington Monument’s elevator.
It was a tense and hair-raising scene, watching Spider-Man climb the towering monument and figure out a way to save the day without Iron Man to bail him out. It was a great example of the MCU not needing CGI alien armies or supervillains to create serious suspense and excitement in a superhero story.
6When Spider-Man Defeated Vulture In Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Adrian Toomes became the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and he sternly warned Spidey to stay out of his way or face the consequences. At first, Spidey was afraid to tangle with him again, but when the Vulture schemed to steal a shipment from Stark Industries, Spider-Man knew he had to act.
In a thrilling, climactic movie showdown, the superhero bravely confronted Vulture once again in an aerial fight. It was a brutal affair, but Spider-Man won in the end, proving that he really could save the day on his own and had truly become an Avenger.
5When Spider-Man Defeated Mysterio In London In Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Spider-Man: Far from Home
Following the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.
Release DateJuly 2, 2019
Runtime2 hour 9 minutes
StudioColumbia Pictures
In Spider-Man’s second solo movie, Peter Parker once again thought he could just enjoy his school life without any Avengers action, only to be proven wrong. The villain Mysterio, real name Quentin Beck, arrived and used advanced hologram machines to fool everyone into thinking that Elementals were attacking.
Mysterio was a formidable villain, staying one step ahead with his cunning deceptions and mental tricks. He fought Spider-Man on a level Spidey wasn’t ready for in Spider-Man: Far From Home. In London, Mysterio launched his endgame, only for Spider-Man to pull himself together and finally defeat Mysterio, albeit at a steep cost. Beck died, and with his dying words, he revealed Spidey’s real identity.
4When Spider-Man Defeated Doctor Octopus In Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home
PG-13
Superhero
Action
Adventure
With Spider-Man’s identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Release DateDecember 17, 2021
DirectorJon Watts
CastTom Holland , Zendaya , Benedict Cumberbatch , Jacob Batalon , Jon Favreau , Jamie Foxx , Willem Dafoe , Alfred Molina , Benedict Wong , Tony Revolori , Marisa Tomei , Andrew Garfield , Tobey Maguire
Runtime148 Minutes
Main GenreSuperhero
StudioSony Pictures
WritersChris McKenna , Erik Sommers
FranchiseMarvel Cinematic Universe
Box Office1.9 Billion
PrequelSpider-Man: Far From Home
CinematographerMauro Fiore
ProducerKevin Feige, Amy Pascal
Production CompanyColumbia Pictures, Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures
Budget$200 Million
Spider-Man fought several classic Spider-Man movie villains in Spider-Man: No Way Home, starting with the fan-favorite Doctor Octopus, or Doc Ock for short. A thrilling fight unfolded when Doc Ock suddenly appeared on that highway, and Spider-Man fought desperately to protect everyone and keep Doc at bay.
Doctor Octopus nearly won, but Spidey’s advanced tech won the day. Spider-Man remotely took control of Doc’s four mechanical arms, using them to rescue the MIT administrator and then capture Doc himself. Spider-Man heroically maintained control of those arms until he finally cured Doc from the rogue AI controlling him.
3When Spider-Man Stole the Cube From Doctor Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
MCU hero Doctor Stephen Strange was content to use his magic cube to teleport villains back to their own universes to meet their fates, but Spider-Man objected. He wanted to cure and save them, and to that end, he swiped Doctor Strange’s cube to buy everyone time. It spoke volumes about how compassionate and caring Spidey really was.
Spider-Man’s cube theft also led to a visually dazzling fight scene, with Doctor Strange using all kinds of reality-bending magic to try and capture Spider-Man. However, Spidey was too quick, and he used math, of all things, to trap Doctor Strange in webs so he could work on his plan in peace.
2When Spider-Man Said Good-Bye to the Other Spider-Man Heroes in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Spider-Man didn’t just meet the villains from previous, non-MCU Spider-Man movies. He also met the heroes from those movies, namely Tobey Maguire’s and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man heroes as well. The three Peter Parkers bonded over their common experiences, and then they faced the villains together.
The MCU Spider-Man nearly lost himself to rage and grief, but the other two Peters saved him from that fate. MCU Spider-Man knew he owed them a lot for healing his heart. This warmth and collective experience allowed the three Peters to bid each other a fond farewell, each of them being wiser and happier after their time together.
1When Spider-Man & Iron Man Hugged in The Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos’ actions and restore balance to the universe.
Release DateApril 18, 2019
DirectorJoe Russo , Anthony Russo
CastRobert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans , Scarlett Johansson , Chris Hemsworth , Jeremy Renner , Paul Rudd , Mark Ruffalo , Don Cheadle , Karen Gillan , Danai Gurira , Brie Larson , Benedict Wong , Josh Brolin
Runtime3 hours 1 minute
Franchise
IMDb Rating
8.4
In Endgame, Spider-Man returned from the Snap, along with Doctor Strange and many other Avengers. All the Avengers reunited on Earth to fight one final battle against the supervillain Thanos, and partway through, Spider-Man and Iron Man were reunited in an emotional moment.
A relieved Iron Man wrapped Spider-Man in a hug despite the battle raging around them, with Spider-Man commenting on how nice it was. That was their last chance to be happy together as father and son figures, which may have helped Spider-Man process his grief better when Iron Man di.ed performing the final Snap. It also proved that Tony Stark had transformed into a selfless hero who cared for others and not just himself.
