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My esteemed colleague Christy Lemire opened her review of “ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse ” with a quote from her nine-year-old asking if he could see it again, so I think there’s some synergy in quoting my nine-year-old to open this one: “That might be the best movie I’ve ever seen.”

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” explodes onto screens this week, building on the foundation of the masterful “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” with stunning animation, unforgettable characters, and complex themes. The first note I took after seeing it was “so much movie.” Like the work of a young artist who refuses to be restrained by the borders of the frame, “Across the Spider-Verse” is loaded with incredible imagery and fascinating ideas. It is a smart, thrilling piece of work that reminded me of other great part twos like “ The Dark Knight ” and “ The Empire Strikes Back .” Like those films, it leaves viewers anxiously anticipating the next chapter (which will come in March 2024), and it earns its cliffhangers by grounding them in a story of young people refusing to submit to a concept of what a hero’s arc needs to be.

“Across the Spider-Verse” opens just over a year after the action of the first movie. Gwen Stacy ( Hailee Steinfeld ) is back in her universe, trying to keep her identity secret from her father, George ( Shea Whigham ). When an alternate version of the villainous Vulture ( Jorma Taccone ) drops into her reality, the bad guy ends up trailed by the intense Spider-Man 2099 ( Oscar Isaac ) and confident Spider-Woman ( Issa Rae ). They reveal to Gwen that they’re part of a secret Spider-Society that has been cleaning up inter-universe messes, capturing villains who end up in the wrong one and sending them home again. When Gwen’s identity is blown with her dad, she joins the Spider-Crew, correcting the errors of multi-verse.

Of course, fans will remember that Miles Morales ( Shameik Moore ) is essentially one of those errors. The Peter Parker of his universe died trying to save him, and the spider that bit Miles was never supposed to be there. But it was. So now what? This story's backbone is about pushing back against determinism and moving forward with what's in front of you. Superhero culture has used multiverse stories to expand on the concept of potential, but this film (and I hope these themes really land in its sequel) suggests that it’s way more important to hold onto the reality in your hands than imagine all of the other ones that might have been. It’s about controlling your own fate more than giving into a scripted narrative of heroism. More than most superhero movies, it’s about empowerment instead of destiny. And that’s powerful stuff.

Back to Miles. He’s in his version of Brooklyn, trying to balance being a good student with being a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. He’s considering telling his mother, Rio (Luna Lauren Vélez ), and father, Jefferson ( Brian Tyree Henry ), the truth, but worries what it could do to their relationship if he does. One day, an odd duck that Miles thinks is just a “villain of the week” pops up in the form of The Spot ( Jason Schwartzman ). Formerly known as Dr. Jonathan Ohnn, the once-Alchemax-employee was forever altered by the first movie's action, able to control time and space through a series of portals. At first, it’s kind of cute how he tries to steal an ATM with a portal, but The Spot ends up being significantly more dangerous as his powers grow, opening passages that can destroy worlds.

Naturally, the emergence of The Spot gets the attention of the Spider-Society, which sends Gwen and company back into the life of Miles Morales. The first sequence of their reunion is an absolute marvel as the two characters swoop and swing through the city, flirting their way through the sky. It culminates with a series of shots high above the city as the pair sits upside down, the skyline inverted behind them. It’s a quiet sequence in a movie that’s often very loud and a reminder of the film’s stunning visual confidence, just as striking in its calm as its noise.

If the first film interrogated who gets to be a hero, the second film takes that further to ask how heroism is defined. Why does every hero’s arc have to be the same? Why does so much superhero mythology lean into the idea that it is only through tragedy that heroism can be born? In an era when superhero movies have taken over the culture, writers Phil Lord , Christopher Miller , & David Callahan use animation's freedom to unpack the structure of a world they know and love. It's a script that earns every one of its 140 minutes, almost overwhelming in its abundance of ideas. (To be fair, my youngest also turned to me at one point and said, “I have no idea what’s going on.” He said it with a smile.)

Of course, most will remember its imagery more than its ideas. Directors Joaquim Dos Santos , Kemp Powers , and Justin K. Thompson build on the first movie's aesthetics with one of the most strikingly conceived and executed animated films ever made. From the very beginning, the animators are using their form to do things that would never be possible in the MCU, and the art of “Across the Spider-Verse” feels even more self-assured than the first film. It’s not just that every action sequence would cost half a billion dollars in a live-action film. It’s that this freedom has been employed artistically and cohesively instead of just extravagantly. Even in a film where characters defy time and space with every leap and dive, the choreography of the action is easier to follow than some of the Hollywood blockbusters released already this season. There’s a true craftsmanship to the action that’s breathtaking, especially in a late sequence when Miles breaks free from what the canon says he has to be.

It helps greatly that the entire cast here brings their vocal A-game. There are so many celebrity voices here—including a number of cameos only villains would spoil—but I want to give some praise to Shameik Moore, who finds the perfect register for the odd intersection of youth, manhood, and heroism in which Miles finds himself. It’s a vocal performance with just the right blend of curiosity, vulnerability, and growing confidence. Steinfeld, Henry, Rae, Jake Johnson , Schwartzman, Velez, Daniel Kaluuya , Isaac—there’s no weak link. Everyone was clearly inspired by the creative potential of this script. 

Mediocre sequels repeat what came before, knowing that fans will return for more of the same. Great sequels build on what came before, enriching themes and setting the table for what’s to come. I wish that we weren’t seemingly in a blockbuster era of non-endings, but I feel like “Across the Spider-Verse” earns its open conclusion. It’s not just a way to guarantee that ticket buyers return. It’s not a threat to finish an incomplete story. It’s a promise to continue one that’s already so rewarding.

In theaters tomorrow, June 1st.

Brian Tallerico

Brian Tallerico is the Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com, and also covers television, film, Blu-ray, and video games. He is also a writer for Vulture, The Playlist, The New York Times, and GQ, and the President of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

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Film Credits

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Rated PG for sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements.

140 minutes

Shameik Moore as Miles Morales / Spider-Man (voice)

Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman (voice)

Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man (voice)

Oscar Isaac as Miguel O'Hara / Spider-Man 2099 (voice)

Issa Rae as Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman (voice)

Daniel Kaluuya as Hobart 'Hobie' Brown / Spider-Punk (voice)

Jason Schwartzman as Jonathan Ohnn / The Spot (voice)

Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis (voice)

Luna Lauren Velez as Rio Morales (voice)

Greta Lee as Lyla (voice)

Rachel Dratch as Principal (voice)

Jorma Taccone as Adrian Toomes / The Vulture (voice)

Shea Whigham as George Stacy (voice)

Andy Samberg as Ben Reilly / Scarlet Spider (voice)

• Joaquim Dos Santos
• Justin K. Thompson
• Kemp Powers

Writer (characters)

• Christopher Miller
• Dave Callaham
• Mike Andrews
• Daniel Pemberton

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‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Review: Worlds Wide Web

This charming sequel to the 2018 animated movie expands the multiverse concept, without shamelessly capitalizing on fan service.

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By Maya Phillips

Question: How many Spider-Men does it take to make a successful multiverse sequel?

I’m not certain, but it might be the countless number of Spideys that appear in the delightful “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”

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A follow-up to the appropriately lauded “ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse ,” this animated movie takes place a year after the Brooklyn teen and newly minted Spider-Man, Miles Morales (voiced again by Shameik Moore), was bitten by a radioactive spider. In “Into the Spider-Verse,” from 2018, Miles learned how to be his city’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man with the help of five other Spider-heroes — all different Spidey incarnations transported from their original universes after a super collider explosion tore through the multiverse. Now Miles is 15, and though he has a handle on his powers, he’s struggling to balance academics with his extracurricular hero work, on top of the usual adolescent woes.

As Miles’s parents get increasingly suspicious about their son’s double life, he has to fend off the pesky villain Spot (Jason Schwartzman, as the perfect goober), who powers up into a “transdimensional super-being” who poses a real threat to the multiverse.

In her separate universe Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), a.k.a. Spider-Woman, Miles’s pal and quasi-romantic interest from the first film, joins a task force of multiverse-jumping heroes called the Spider Society. They chase anomalies stuck in the wrong world in missions led by the brooding Spider-Man 2099, Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac). But once Gwen and Miles reunite, and Miles discovers the Spider Society, he finds out he might actually be the real threat to the Spider-Verse.

“Spider-Verse” achieves the challenging task of building a sequel that not only replicates the charms of the first film but also expands the multiverse concept, the main characters and the stakes, without overinflating the premise or shamelessly capitalizing on fan service. In other words, “Across the Spider-Verse” pulls off a “ Spider-Man: No Way Home ,” the Tom Holland vehicle that also played with alternate versions of Spider-Man, better than “No Way Home” did. That includes its inclusion of clips and cameos from former animated and live-action Spider-Man media, which nicely cohere with the rest of the film.

The Spider Society, with its delightfully bizarre potpourri of spider-entities (i.e., a Spider-Cowboy, Spider-Cat, Spider-Baby and Spider-Dinosaur), offers many opportunities for the movie to show off a compelling blend of visual gags, palettes and animation styles. The eye-catching action sequences among the Spider-folk serve the delectable chaos of a meme ( yes, that pointing meme ) exploded in a big-screen format.

Each Spidey we encounter, even briefly, is fully realized, and a welcome addition to the story, even for those who might not pick up on the deep-cut references to the ’80s and ’90s comics. Pavitr Prabhakar (Karan Soni), a.k.a. Spider-Man India, is designed with nods to contemporary Indian fashion. Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya), a contrarian cool-guy rocker with combat boots, piercings and a devil-may-care attitude, is drawn in the wild 2-D-collage style of album covers, concert fliers and zines from the ’80s London punk scene. And the way they move — Pavitr’s fluid web-slinging, Spider-Punk’s stomps and thrashing and Gwen’s graceful acrobatics and en pointe landings — express as much about the characters as the buoyant dialogue and highly stylized character designs.

That’s not even counting the work of the impressive voice cast. Issa Rae brings an affable tough-love vibe to her pregnant, kinky-haired, motorcycle-riding Spider-Woman Jessica Drew. And Isaac, who brings as an exacting a performance as he did in the Disney+ series “Moon Knight,” is well-cast as the slightly unhinged and self-serious Spider-Man, à la the Dark Knight.

Steinfeld’s Gwen, a fan fave, thankfully gets more spotlight in this film, which delves deeper into her tragic back story and her feelings of displacement in her world, particularly in her own home. She gets a driving pop-punk theme — part of a killer soundtrack raging with rock, hip-hop and reggaeton — and a stunning color-streaked aesthetic, with soft pinks and lavenders and heavy brushstrokes, creating an almost immersive comic book experience.

The directing team, Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson, builds a beautifully realistic, multicultural New York through details: a wheelchair basketball game in full swing on a nearby court, or a shelf of beef patties displayed in a Jamaican bodega.

Both “Spider-Verse” films, in what will be a trilogy, create dimension in these kinds of details, and I don’t just mean the animation. (Though, to be fair, the infinite reach of the city skyline, as viewed upside down from Gwen and Miles’s purview , is a satisfying visual callback to the first film and its own illustrative feat.) The dimension is in the thrust of the story itself.

This isn’t just another multiverse slogfest but a bildungsroman. Because what else is adolescence but a confrontation with the various possibilities in life, the infinite selves you can be? It’s about figuring out one’s identity — superhero or otherwise — and finding a place to belong. The fact that Miles and Gwen also shoot webs and swing around skyscrapers is incidental to their emotional arcs in the film.

“Spider-Verse” also asks intriguing questions about the limitations of the canon, and whether tragedy is a prerequisite for a Spider-Man origin story — the death of an Uncle Ben or Aunt May or Uncle Aaron. And whether trauma completely defines these heroes — and, if so, if they can find kinship in that.

The most disappointing part of “Spider-Verse” is the merciless cliffhanger of an ending, ushering the film into a tradition of two-parters with too much story and too little time to tell it. But “Across the Spider-Verse” is never dull, nor precious with its characters and comedy. Which I suppose just proves that when it comes to a Spidey census, two’s a team, three’s a party and hundreds is a multiverse crawling with opportunities.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Rated PG. Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes. In theaters.

Audio produced by Tally Abecassis .

Maya Phillips is a critic at large. She is the author of “NERD: Adventures in Fandom From This Universe to the Multiverse” and the poetry collection “Erou.” More about Maya Phillips

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse review – crazily frantic sequel with full-spin energy

The brilliance of the kaleidoscopic, animated Spider-Verse erupts again in this multidimensional film about a teen superhero with exasperated parents

I n 2018, writers Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman gave us a delirious and utterly unexpected new web-spin on the infinite self-replication of Marvel Comics IP and its most reliable hero, Spider-Man. Instead of yet another MCU live action version, directed and produced in that hard, depthless CGI light, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a brilliantly inventive animated fantasia about the Spidey mythology, riffing on movies and comic books. The Spider-Verse was a cosmos in which different Spider-folk existed in parallel: a multiverse at least as interesting as that of Dr Strange, and more interesting than the solemn awards-prestige of Everything Everywhere All at Once. Everyone who saw it wondered how this kaleidoscopic new take could be applied elsewhere: James Bond: Across the James-Bond-Verse, or Bilbo Baggins: Beyond the Bilbo-Baggins-Verse.

Now we have a sequel subtitled Across the Spider-Verse – could it be that they wanted a certain Beatles track and Apple wouldn’t let them? – with a threequel (Beyond the Spider-Verse) in the pipeline. This second instalment features a plethora of Spideys and the result is as crazily frantic and eyeball-frazzling as ever, but with something exhausting about it now. Its funny jokes – including a gag about the “Spider-Men pointing at each other” meme – and poignant touches get obscured in the endless maelstrom. But there’s no doubting the full-tilt energy, the pure blizzard of narrative data and the twists and turns that it would be unsporting to reveal.

Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) is a Spider-Man whose parents are naturally exasperated by his unreliability; Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) is a super arachnid in her own universe and, like Miles, has a parent in law enforcement. (This is her dad, although it isn’t immediately clear why her gender-flipped status doesn’t entitle her to a cop mom.) There’s also a Spider-Man India (Karan Soni) and a grown-up Peter Parker (Jake Johnson). Miles is threatened by an enemy connected to his original calamitous spider bite and an existential crisis looms.

These Spider-Man movies supercharge and hyperamplify the existing potent teen metaphor of identity in Stan Lee ’s great creation. Peter Parker was unable to “come out” as Spider-Man to his parents or his friends; his Spidey-ness was a core part of his bodily being, a superpower and yet a burden, introduced into his bloodstream from that spider bite. Now this secret is upgraded to a cosmic range of possibilities; to be Spider-Man is no longer to be alone, rather, it is to be part of a global range of Spider-people who are different. Viewers have been invited to identify with Spider-Man since the first adaptations of the comic book in the 60s, and are now given a choice of how to identify. It’s dynamic and intriguing, though the detail and the emotion can get lost in the splurge.

• Animation in film
• Superhero movies
• Hailee Steinfeld

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‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Review: A Bedazzling Sequel, and the Rare Comic-Book Movie That Earns Its Convolutions

Miles Morales is back for a head-spinning adventure that ups the trippy imagery, and the stakes too.

By Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman

Chief Film Critic

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Or maybe the second, since “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” was like that too. Released in 2018, it was a comic-book movie so spry and urgent, with such hypnotic imagery, that it left most comic-book movies in the dust. A reason for that relates to one of the least-remarked-upon insanities of our comic-book-movie culture, which is that comic-book films, or 98 percent of them anyway, couldn’t be further removed — in tone, look, attitude, and effect — from comic books. They’re really two entirely different forms.

Comic books, as I recall them from my youth, are fleet, terse, and puckishly deadpan, and you never know what the next panel will bring. But big-studio comic-book films tend to be top-heavy, rib-nudging, and visually bombastic, with rigidly overdetermined arcs. Within that, a lot of them are fun enough, but there’s no mystery to them. That’s what Martin Scorsese meant when he declared, in 2019, that Marvel movies aren’t cinema .

One of the many pleasures of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” was that, as the first “Spider-Man” movie (and one of the only films of the Marvel/DC movie era) that was animated, it channeled the look and spirit and knowingly flat wonder of comic books. It drew on the elegant film-noir expressionism of the graphic novels of the ’90s, and it tapped their terse wit. (Grungy veteran Spider-Man: “Most people I meet in the workplace try to kill me.”)

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” set the bar high, and one reason I wondered if “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” could live up to it is that the original film’s co-directors (Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman) have returned only as executive producers, replaced by three other directors (Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson). Could the new trio reproduce that heady combustible mutating pop-art magic, that sly storytelling finesse, that understanding of the inside-out logic of comic books that seems to elude almost every live-action comic-book film?

They’ve done it. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” doesn’t just extend the tale of Miles Morales. The film advances that story into newly jacked-up realms of wow-ness that make it a genuine spiritual companion piece to the first film. That one spun our heads and then some; this one spins our heads even more (and would fans, including me, have it any other way?).

The movie opens with a prelude designed to throw us, because it fills in the story of Gwen Stacy ( Hailee Steinfeld ), the rock drummer and Spider-Woman in white, in images of broad-brush expressionism that make the first film look like a vérité documentary. We think: Is this where they’re going? No, they’re just playing. But Gwen’s story sets the stakes, as her father, a police captain, blames her (wrongly) for the death of Peter Parker. This will be a movie about the gravity of responsibility.

Miles, voiced with a growing cockiness by Shameik Moore , is now a 15-year-old crime-fighting master of his New York Spider-Man domain, but as we learn that’s more or less tiddlywinks. The film enmeshes us in a bit of soap-opera conflict between Miles and his parents, Jefferson ( Brian Tyree Henry ) and Rio (Luna Lauren Vélez), who still have no idea that he’s Spider-Man and therefore find a lot of his behavior erratic and disturbing. He comes off as a liar, a teenager with hidden problems (which is why his folks keep grounding him). But that’s the least of his problems.

A supervillain shows up: The Spot, a.k.a. Jonathan Ohnn (Jason Schwartzman), a former science geek who worked for Alchemax and was genetically maimed by the spectacular collider implosion caused by Miles in the first film. Ohnn is now an all-white figure with splotchy black-hole ink blots on his body that turn out to be portals to the multiverse. He’s got more power than he knows, and he’s out for revenge. Between the family drama and this livid shape-shifter nemesis, we think we’re being set up for a conventional comic-book showdown: the version of this movie it would be if it were another live-action Marvel spectacular.

The film has great fun with this, trotting out versions of Spider-Man who are cars, video games, cats, and dinosaurs. Jake Johnson’s Peter Parker returns, now with his act together and a Spider-tot in tow. But if this were all just a lark, the whole thing might collapse. Instead, the stakes are raised, with the Spider-Man brother/sisterhood taking on a more complex and even sinister dimension. The place is run by Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), the “ninja vampire” Spider-Man and the only Spider-Man who apparently lacks a sense of humor; he’s a glowering scarred figure who maintains the hallowed order of the place. To preserve that order, there are stories in the Spider-Man canon that cannot be violated, such as the death of Uncle Ben. They’re like mythologies. And as Miles’ testy but loving father gets promoted to the position of PDNY captain, he becomes one of those characters. Miles is going to have to do something very dark to preserve the integrity of the Spider-Verse.

It’s a thorny situation, and a dramatically compelling one, all spinning off the line that someone says to Miles: “There’s no playbook for being someone like you.” That hits home in the dizzying chase sequence where Miles, pursued by hundreds of dementedly diverse Spider-Men, attempts to escape the Spider-Man HQ and get back home. In the first film, he was still learning to swing from his web like vines. In this one, drawing on his powers of invisibility and electrification, it’s as if he’s got to become an existential gymnast operating according to the laws of three-dimensional chess. The movie plugs us into an altogether higher echelon of video game.

Without giving away more, I’ll say this: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” ends with that old-fashioned thing, a cliffhanger. (The decision was made several years ago to slice the sequel in two.) At the preview showing I attended, I heard a surge of playful testiness in the audience : We have to wait? To find out what happens? For how long? The original cliffhanger serials, the ones that inspired “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” kept you waiting one week. In this case, we have to wait closer to a year. But the impatience I heard was really about the investment the audience felt. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” has made a pact with us, one that’s increasingly rare in the pop movie universe. It’s promising that the series is going to keep us hooked, in every frame, on surprise.

Reviewed at Regal Union Square, May 30, 2023. MPA Rating: PG. Running time: 140 MIN.

• Production: A Sony Pictures Releasing release of a Sony Pictures Animation, Marvel Entertainment, Arad Productions, Lord Miller Productions, Pascal Pictures production. Producers: Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Avi Arad, Christina Steinberg. Executive producers: Brian Michael Bendis, Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Aditya Sood, Rebecca Karch Tomlinson.
• Crew: Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson. Screenplay: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham. Editor: Mike Andrews. Music: Daniel Pemberton.
• With: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Jake Johnson, Oscar Isaac, Jason Schwartzman, Daniel Kaluuya, Issa Rae, Shea Whigham, Amandla Stenberg, Karan Soni, Rachel Dratch, Andy Samberg.

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse First Reviews: A Stunning Sequel and One of the Best Comic Book Movies Ever

Critics say this is the rare follow-up that nearly surpasses the original, filled with jaw-dropping visuals, stunning action, great performances, and thoughtful character development..

TAGGED AS: First Reviews , movies , spider-verse

Here’s what critics are saying about Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse :

Does it live up to expectations?

“Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor… We never would’ve thought this one would surpass Into the Spider-Verse , and yet it does by leaps and bounds.” – Travis Hopson, Punch Drunk Critics

“They’ve done it. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse doesn’t just extend the tale of Miles Morales. The film advances that story into newly jacked-up realms of wow-ness that make it a genuine spiritual companion piece to the first film.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety

“It is everything we could ask for [with] a sequel of a movie so groundbreaking, and then some.” – Jesus Agudo, eCartelera

“Simply put, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse delivers.” – Matt Rodriguez, Shakefire

(Photo by ©Sony Pictures Releasing/©Marvel Entertainment)

How does it compare to Into the Spider-Verse ?

“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of those rare superhero sequels that surpasses the already-great original.” – Casey Chong, Casey’s Movie Mania

“ Across the Spider-Verse takes everything that made the first one so special and multiplies it, expands it with ambition and depth.” – Jesus Agudo, eCartelera

“It goes bigger and accomplishes more than its awesome predecessor.” – Travis Hopson, Punch Drunk Critics

“The art of Across the Spider-Verse feels even more self-assured than the first film.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“That one spun our heads and then some; this one spins our heads even more.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety

“ Across the Spider-Verse vibrates with the same energy as its predecessor even when it feels more leaden with backstory.” – Lovia Gyarkye, Hollywood Reporter

“This is marginally more interesting and watchable than the first Spider-Verse , [but] it’s still more of a ‘feeling’ than a film.” – Roger Moore, Movie Nation

Is it one of the all-time best movie sequels?

“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has most of the things that a great sequel should: a mix of solid character-driven storytelling with enough heart, action, humor and dramatic tension.” – Casey Chong, Casey’s Movie Mania

“The mark of any great sequel is how the filmmakers raise the game, compounding their characters’ universe, gifting them with compelling adversarial obstacles and expanding upon the craft itself. Blessedly, the clever minds behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse deliver the goods in spades.” – Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

“It is a smart, thrilling piece of work that reminded me of other great part twos like The Dark Knight and The Empire Strikes Back .” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“This sequel is very much the webslinger’s Empire Strikes Back .” – Travis Hopson, Punch Drunk Critics

“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of the best films of the year, period. This is how a sequel should be.” – Matt Rodriguez, Shakefire

How are the visuals this time?

“The watercolor animation is a lustrous blend that swirls together to create something bold, enchanting, and innovative. It is a true step up from its predecessor, using a colorful palette that brings every frame to life as each scene appears as though it’s hand-painted.” – Valerie Complex, Deadline Hollywood Daily

“The images in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse have an intoxicating unpredictability. The film makes you feel like you’re dropping through the floors of a modern art museum on acid.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety

“The animations are not just striking, but incredibly absorbing in each new dimension.” – Lovia Gyarkye, Hollywood Reporter

“It builds on the first movie’s aesthetics with one of the most strikingly conceived and executed animated films ever made.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“This is the most stunning animated movie I’ve ever seen… There’s never been anything like it before.” – Travis Hopson, Punch Drunk Critics

“The animation is just as important to the story as anything else. It adds an extra layer of depth and allows creativity in scenes that would otherwise be impossible.” – Matt Rodriguez, Shakefire

“A veritable history of 20th century art and comic booking is painted over sequences, shots, and scenes, creating pretty pictures but confusing images that don’t advance the plot.” – Roger Moore, Movie Nation

What about the action?

“If you thought the action sequences in Into the Spider-Verse were spectacular, wait until you witness what the sequel has in store… There’s some truly groundbreaking, mind-blowing stuff on display.” – Mark Cassidy, ComicBookMovie.com

“There’s a true craftsmanship to the action that’s breathtaking.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“Action has been pumped up to another level.” – Travis Hopson, Punch Drunk Critics

“Action sequences unfold with their own kinetic logic yet remain fully coherent (something the vast majority of our current crop of live-action blockbusters can’t claim) and engaging to the point that audiences might forget to breathe during them.” – Kate Erbland, IndieWire

“The sequel boasts plenty of thrilling action choreography… but some action sequences tend to move too fast to the point they feel weightless.” – Casey Chong, Casey’s Movie Mania

Does it have another great script?

“It’s a script that earns every one of its 140 minutes, almost overwhelming in its abundance of ideas.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“Its funny jokes and poignant touches get obscured in the endless maelstrom.” – Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

“ Across the Spider-Verse still contains plenty of humor, but if it falls short of the original in any way, it’s that it’s just not quite as funny.” – Mark Cassidy, ComicBookMovie.com

Does it honor the source material?

“ Across the Spider-Verse gets even more serious about recreating the experience of reading a comic book.” – Lovia Gyarkye, Hollywood Reporter

“From the comic panel-like transitions to the dynamic action sequences, the movie exudes an organic love for its source material. It isn’t just a film but an experience and a nod to every Spider-Man fan who has ever flipped through the pages of a Marvel publication.” – Valerie Complex, Deadline Hollywood Daily

Are we looking at one of the best comic book movies ever?

“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has the right mix of character development, emotional stakes, and action to make it a comic book movie masterpiece.” – Danielle Solzman, Solzy at the Movies

“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is comic book perfection.” – Matt Rodriguez, Shakefire

“If the first film showed what superhero movies could be, Across the Spider-Verse goes even further: It shows what they should be.” – Kate Erbland, IndieWire

“What sets this film apart from other superhero fare is its sheer commitment to authenticity.” – Valerie Complex, Deadline Hollywood Daily

“More than most superhero movies, it’s about empowerment instead of destiny. And that’s powerful stuff.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“It’s perhaps the single best Spider-Man story ever brought to the big screen, and I say that with all the love in my heart to Spider-Man 2 .” – Travis Hopson, Punch Drunk Critics

“With both Marvel Studios and DC Studios expanding to other universes, it’s all grown a little tiresome over the years. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the best of them all.” – Matt Rodriguez, Shakefire

How are the performances?

“The voice cast again is excellent, with this installment giving them even more emotional ranges to play. Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld are given tough assignments and ace them thoroughly.” – Joey Magidson, Awards Radar

“I want to give some praise to Shameik Moore, who finds the perfect register for the odd intersection of youth, manhood, and heroism in which Miles finds himself.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“Oscar Isaac delivers an engaging supporting turn as the no-nonsense Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099… Karan Soni provides hilarious comic relief as Pavitr Prabhakar/Spider-Man India.” – Casey Chong, Casey’s Movie Mania

Are there any problems, then?

“There’s a greater effort now to connect Miles’ origin story to broader lessons about superhero canons. That doesn’t always land as gracefully, and parts of Across the Spider-Verse feel weighed down by this need to belabor a well-established point.” – Lovia Gyarkye, Hollywood Reporter

“For all its artistic triumphs, the plot sometimes feels overly complex… There are so many people, and details can be hard to follow.” – Valerie Complex, Deadline Hollywood Daily

“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse really only has one flaw, and that’s that it’s only half of the story.” – Joey Magidson, Awards Radar

Will we want to watch it more than once?

“You’re going to miss things on the first viewing, but don’t worry, you’re going to want to see it again immediately after the credits start rolling.” – Matt Rodriguez, Shakefire

“It’s the kind of movie that demands more than one viewing, especially given its barrage of Easter eggs and references that you might miss the first time around.” – Casey Chong, Casey’s Movie Mania

“You could watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse a dozen times and not catch all of the surprises and Easter Eggs.” – Travis Hopson, Punch Drunk Critics

Will it leave us excited for Beyond the Spider-Verse ?

“It leaves viewers anxiously anticipating the next chapter, and it earns its cliffhangers by grounding them in a story of young people refusing to submit to a concept of what a hero’s arc needs to be.” – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

“ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has made a pact with us, one that’s increasingly rare in the pop movie universe. It’s promising that the series is going to keep us hooked, in every frame, on surprise.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety

“Assuming the next installment sticks the landing, we’re going to have not just one of the best animated franchises of all-time, or even superhero properties, but just a classic trilogy.” – Joey Magidson, Awards Radar

“This conclusion will surely be worth the wait.” – Kate Erbland, IndieWire

“I want the sequel RIGHT NOW. I literally can’t wait for it to get here.” – Travis Hopson, Punch Drunk Critics

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse opens in theaters everywhere on June 2, 2023.

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'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' review: Most Spidey movie ever doesn't disappoint

The old Spider-Man adage “With great power comes great responsibility” has been taken to heart by “Spider-Verse” producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who are now officially two-for-two in creating brilliant superhero flicks.

The 2018 first film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” broke out as an Oscar-winning pop-culture marvel, and the sequel “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ” (★★★½ out of four; rated PG; in theaters now) seems poised for similar success with a massive cast, bigger stakes, a more stunning visual palette and a compelling cliffhanger . And like central teenager Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), it’s grown up a bit: The heart and humor are still there, but a serious side also permeates the impressive follow-up.

The half-Black, half-Puerto Rican Spider-Man of Brooklyn, Miles struggles with having a secret identity while also dealing with schoolwork and family life. He’s actually been grounded by his parents when he’s paid a welcome visit by his Spider-bestie from another world, Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld). 

'Spider-Verse' spoilers! How a twisty cliffhanger sets up the next 'Spider-Man' movie

Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson, this “Spider-Verse” shifts the focus toward Gwen, revealing her emotional backstory amid an epic amount of world building. Swinging through Miles’ New York City, she tells him about her new gig working with an elite task force called the Spider Society that keeps the multiverse safe. And courtesy of a random attack by a Renaissance version of the villainous Vulture, Miles gets a crash course in their whole mission.

Led by stoic and imperious Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), aka the futuristic Spider-Man 2099, the Spider Society seeks out “anomalies” found outside of their own Earths and puts them back where they belong. Miguel is surly from the start with Miles, and that beef turns into real conflict when Miles refuses to confront a tragic aspect of every Spider-Man. The kid winds up being chased by Miguel and his fellow heroes, although another greater threat is on the loose: A mysterious baddie called The Spot (Jason Schwartzman) has the ability to navigate the multiverse and he's gaining power the more he goes unchecked.

'It wasn't cool': 'Across the Spider-Verse' star Issa Rae regrets hiding her Barbies

If the dazzling first “Spider-Verse” tale was the closest anyone had come to putting its viewer in an actual comic book, the follow-up pretty much says, “Hold my web fluid”: Each of the debuting Spider-people pops with a fresh design – for example, Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya) looks peeled from the cover of a 1970s London music zine – and different Earths bring a dizzying number of art styles, often in the same scene. “Across the Spider-Verse” even weaves in some live-action elements as it ties intriguingly to other popular Marvel films and franchises.

But this is the most Spidey-esque "Spider-Man" film ever, if just for the amount of pure Spider-ness: Newcomers like Spider-Man India (Karan Soni) and pregnant Jessica Drew (Issa Rae) swing in as part of a huge supporting cast that also includes dino-rific Spider-Rex and vehicular Spider-Buggy. Trying to see everything happening on screen is honestly overwhelming, though “Across the Spider-Verse” always rights itself focusing on core relationships.

Ranked: Every Marvel superhero movie, from worst to best

The buddy dynamic between Miles and Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) was one of the highlights of the 2018 movie, though it’s sidelined here as Peter returns in a backup role (and with a new Spider-baby in tow). This time around, heartfelt moments between Miles and Gwen as well as Miles and his mom show the youngster maturing at the same time he learns truths about the multiverse and faces an existential crisis, as “Across the Spider-Verse” builds toward a whopper of a climax.

The sequel both honors and reimagines the Spider-Man mythos for a new generation of movie fans with an artistic bent, a love for its characters and a willingness to break the rules to create something special.

Everything Marvel has in the works: From 'Loki' Season 2 to two future 'Avengers' movies

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Spider-man: across the spider-verse, common sense media reviewers.

Spidey sequel is an action-packed delight; peril, violence.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Strong messages about courage, empathy, friendship

Miles is brave and committed to doing the right th

Main character Miles Morales, who's Puerto Rican a

Intense large-scale action violence/destruction/ex

Captain and Mrs. Morales embrace more than once. M

Several uses of "shoot," as well as "what the..."

On camera: Marvel comics, Sony headphones/electron

Adults drink red wine and an unspecified beverage

Parents need to know that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the highly anticipated sequel to 2018's excellent Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse . More than a year after the events of the first film, both Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) -- who are co-main…

Positive Messages

Strong messages about courage, empathy, friendship, mentoring, perseverance, the importance of power and responsibility, and working with others for the greater good. Also a lesson about not allowing "imposter syndrome" to make you feel like you don't belong. Trust yourself and your instincts instead of just following the rules. Parents teach the importance of unconditional love. Another prominent message is about gatekeeping and who gets to decide what "has" to happen in a story or fandom.

Positive Role Models

Miles is brave and committed to doing the right thing, even when it puts him at risk or causes his family and friends to wonder why he's frequently late, absent, or even hiding something from them. Miles' parents are supportive, encouraging, and make it clear that they have high expectations, but they also love him unconditionally. Gwen is brave and protective. She doesn't want to lose any more friends. Various other Spider-people each have talents and strengths, but they also have to balance the rules with their beliefs. Peter continues to mentor Miles, learning about patience and parenthood in the process.

Diverse Representations

Main character Miles Morales, who's Puerto Rican and Black (and is voiced by Jamaican American actor Shameik Moore) is the first Afro-Latino superhero to headline a Marvel movie. Other Black characters include Miles' father and uncle, Jess Drew (Issa Rae), Hobie Brown (Daniel Kaluuya), and Margo Kess (Amandla Stenberg). The head Spider-Man in charge, Miguel O'Hara (Oscar Isaac), is cued as Latino (he speaks Spanish with Miles), and Miles' mom, Rio (Luna Lauren Velez), is Puerto Rican. In smaller roles, Spider-Man India is voiced by Karan Soni, who's Indian American; Peni Parker is voiced by Kimiko Glenn, who's biracial White and Japanese; and Sun-Spider is voiced by comic Danielle Perez, who's disabled and queer. Unlike in the first movie, Gwen Stacy is basically a second main character here, and Rio and Jess Drew have pivotal roles, improving the gender balance. A poster in a background frame briefly depicts the transgender flag and reads "Protect Trans Lives." There's also a brief glimpse of pickup wheelchair basketball.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Intense large-scale action violence/destruction/explosions and close-up confrontation. Property is destroyed, people are put in danger, and characters are held prisoner. Several fights, which range from humorous to destructive. Frequent suspense/peril and potential for danger or capture. For the most part, superhero powers/black-hole-like weapons are used for fights/combat. A montage of flashbacks shows how various Spideys lost characters they loved and also what happens when a canonical event is missed or interrupted. A character is held, bound and captive, more than once.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Captain and Mrs. Morales embrace more than once. Miles and Gwen have obvious romantic tension but don't do much more than stare at each other and hug. Others, including Miles' parents, assume that they're in a relationship. A character references the fact that Gwen falls for "Peter" in nearly every universe. A character says that he feels the chemistry between Gwen and Miles. The villain is shown basically naked, but he's a white humanoid being with various black spots/holes on his body and doesn't have any genitalia. He makes repeated comments about his (literal) "holes," which some may take suggestively.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Several uses of "shoot," as well as "what the..." (unfinished), "crap," "butt," "hell," "dang," "freakin'"; insults like "mistake," "anomaly," "stupid," "dumb," "dear God, no," and a use of "ass."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

On camera: Marvel comics, Sony headphones/electronics, a Spider-Man video game, and Nike sneakers (specifically Air Jordans), Spalding balls. Off-camera: lots of Spider-Man and Marvel-based comics, apparel, toys, games, collectibles, house goods, much more.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Adults drink red wine and an unspecified beverage out of red cups at a party.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the highly anticipated sequel to 2018's excellent Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse . More than a year after the events of the first film, both Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore ) and Gwen Stacy ( Hailee Steinfeld ) -- who are co-main characters this time around -- are dealing with threats in their parts of the Spider-Verse. When a "villain of the week" decides to strengthen his power, Gwen and an elite team of Spideys try to step in, and Miles unintentionally causes a multi-verse catastrophe. Expect fairly intense peril and violence -- fights, large-scale destruction, explosions, weapons, and more. But there's also a lot of humor, plus references to various other Spider-Man iterations. Language includes "crap," "shoot," and "ass," and Miles and Gwen's slow-burn romance is more about longing and lingering looks than action. The diverse cast includes prominent Afro-Latino, Black, and White characters, and the movie's messages focus on empathy, courage, perseverance, teamwork, and (of course!) the nature of power and responsibility. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (33)
• Kids say (87)

Based on 33 parent reviews

FANTASTIC movie, but could be overstimulating for younger kids

What's the story.

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE starts off with narration from Gwen Stacy (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld ). After her Peter Parker dies, she joins Miguel O'Hara's ( Oscar Isaac ) elite squad of Spider-People who help protect the multiverse from dangerous threats and anomalies. One of Gwen's assignments leads her to the Earth where Miles ( Shameik Moore ) is now a year older, dealing with how to balance his responsibilities as a student and a son with his duties as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. He keeps having to lie to his parents about why he's late to or absent from important events. For example -- he nearly misses a family meeting with his school counselor because a villain dubbed the Spot ( Jason Schwartzman ) wants to defeat Peter. Gwen's visit (her first since the events of the first film) confuses Miles, who uses his invisibility powers to follow her to another Earth, where Spider-Man India ( Karan Soni ) needs protection from the multiverse-hopping Spot. After Miles unintentionally triggers a catastrophic event, he's summoned to the Spider-Person HQ, where he reunites with Peter B. Parker ( Jake Johnson ) and meets a new crew of cool Spideys but discovers he's not as welcome as he'd hoped.

Is It Any Good?

This imaginative, intense sequel impresses with its layered, touching storyline that highlights the difficulties of being a lonely Spider-Person without anyone who knows the truth. Like the first film , this installment will be a joy to watch and rewatch, with repeat viewings practically required so viewers can (try to) capture all of the movie's various Easter eggs, in-jokes, and references to bits and pieces of Spider-Man lore. While the ambitious nemesis, Spot, isn't as initially frightening as other supervillains (he's funnily bumbling at first), his single-minded focus on destroying Miles and everything he loves is downright eerie. Then there's Miguel, a Spider-Man leader who's a compelling stand-in for everyone who demands canonical conformity in their fandoms. He seems like a good guy, but his rigid adherence to "the canon" transforms his protectiveness into an insidious gate-keeping that threatens Peter just as much as the Spot does.

Steinfeld stands out as Gwen, who has an even bigger role here than in the first movie. She and Miles share a deep connection, but, due to the circumstances, it's not yet defined as romantic, considering how the Gwens in most multiverses fall for their Peter Parkers with disastrous consequences. The effects here are stellar, combining live-action characters, video footage, and more with different forms of animation. Some of fans' favorite Spider-People from the first movie aren't in this film, but the new ones are fascinating, particularly Jess Drew ( Issa Rae ), who's somewhat of a mentor to Gwen, and Hobie Brown, aka Spider-Punk, a Black, Cockney-accented anarchist voiced brilliantly by Daniel Kaluuya . He's got a Basquiat-meets-Jimi Hendrix vibe and is so cool that Miles is part in awe, part jealous. The movie's ending is sure to spark debate, but directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson have given writer-producer Phil Lord's vision enough Spidey Sense to lock in audiences for another must-see movie.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the violence in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse . Do you think comic book-style violence impacts viewers differently than live-action violence? Why, or why not?

Which of the new Spideys is your favorite, and why? What do you think of the references to the live-action Spider-Man franchises as well?

Discuss the concept of "canon" when it comes to comics and pop-culture fandoms. Do you consider yourself a canon purist like Miguel, or are you open to new storylines like Miles?

What do you think of Gwen Stacy's larger role in this installment? Where do you think Gwen and Miles are headed? Do you prefer them as friends, or do you hope for a romantic relationship?

How is Miles' cultural background explored in the sequel? Why do representation and diversity matter?

Movie Details

• In theaters : June 2, 2023
• On DVD or streaming : August 8, 2023
• Cast : Shameik Moore , Hailee Steinfeld , Jason Schwartzman , Jake Johnson
• Directors : Joaquim Dos Santos , Kemp Powers , Justin K. Thompson
• Inclusion Information : Black directors, Black actors, Female actors, Asian actors, Multiracial actors, Latino writers, Asian writers
• Studio : Sony Pictures Releasing
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Superheroes , Adventures
• Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
• Run time : 140 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements
• Award : Common Sense Selection
• Last updated : November 4, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

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Review: No sophomore slump for spectacular ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’

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It’s an overused and hyperbolic phrase online, but in retrospect, it seems that 2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” was a true cultural reset, especially when it comes to comic book movies. The dazzling Oscar-winning animated feature evolved what a comic book movie could be, both visually and narratively, using the animation medium to create an immersive cinematic experience that felt like jumping into the rapidly flipping pages of a comic book, with an addictively propulsive rhythm that only digital technology could create.

The film also pushed mainstream animation style into something more sophisticated and artful, drawing on the style of traditional comic book illustration and melding it with digital aesthetics and modern art to create a wholly unique piece of work that still managed to center the story of Spider-Man Miles Morales ( Shameik Moore ) while self-reflexively satirizing the long and rich lore of the many other Spider-People.

The sequel, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson, written by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Dave Callaham, contains every element of what made the first one so compelling — not just the characters but the eye-popping production design of Patrick O’Keefe and perfectly calibrated music by Daniel Pemberton — while evolving the aesthetic and story into a darker, edgier place. Drawing from inspirations beyond the comic book world as diverse as Abstract Expressionism, storybook illustrations, ballet and punk, “Across the Spider-Verse” is a stunning blend of artistic traditions with a gleefully disruptive attitude. It’s essentially a cyberpunk text, “The Matrix” of animated comic book movies, in which Miles has to decide if he will determine his fate or adhere to the stories that have already been written for him.

“Across the Spider-Verse” is also the story of Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), a.k.a. Ghost-Spider, the superhero with a dancer’s grace who befriended Miles in the previous film. Gwen gets a lot more screen time here as she leaves home to join the Spider-Society, an elite strike force led by the glowering Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), tasked with keeping the multiverse in order, booting anomalies and preventing “canon-disrupting events.” Miles, stretched thin from leading his secret double life as Brooklyn’s favorite superhero, misses his friend Gwen, and ends up following her into the multiverse. Canon disruption ensues.

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Even at two hours and 20 minutes, the run time evaporates in a blur of color, characters and comic book cameos, but the writers hammer home the pertinent themes and messages — growing up and finding yourself is hard, and so is parenting, especially letting go of your kids when they need to find their own way. There’s also an argument that a religious adherence to a text can quickly become not just violently ideological but even fascistic; just because a group of people has a shared experience doesn’t mean everyone must fall in line — resisting dictatorial ideology and daring to imagine another way is in fact, a radical act of self-determination.

A breathlessly beautiful achievement not just in animation but also comic book movie storytelling, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is willing to shred the lore from top to bottom and weave it back together again in new, surprising and wildly entertaining ways. It’s simply spectacular.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'

Running time: 2 hour, 20 minutes Rating: PG, for sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements Playing: Starts June 2 in general release

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Review: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' is the best movie of 2023

By john clyde for ksl.com | posted - june 1, 2023 at 8:49 p.m..

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Spider-Man (voiced by Shamiek Moore) in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." The film opened this week. (Sony Pictures)

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

"I loved 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.' I've seen it twice already, and I'm legitimately looking forward to seeing it again. It's a different kind of superhero movie, and if they were all like this, the genre would probably be my favorite. The tone, the aesthetic and the story all fit what I envision a superhero movie being, and I'm eagerly awaiting a sequel."

These are the words I wrote in December 2018 in my review of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." The movie caught me off guard, instantly becoming my favorite Spider-Man flick and one of my all-time favorite superhero movies. The sequel I was eagerly awaiting is finally here, and I was nervous it may be a letdown.

How do you match the near-perfectness of the first movie? The originality and humor were so singular that I didn't think that lightning could strike twice. I walked into the theater with my 10-year-old son on Tuesday with equal parts excitement and hesitation. I walked out with equal parts elation and relief.

Here are a few reasons "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" isn't just a worthy sequel of the original, but possibly superior.

The story is enthralling

Those who have read my reviews in the past — and do not want to burn my house down — know that I am a sucker for a great story with solid characters. The character building in the first film was first-rate. Still, we build on that in the sequel and meet new, exciting characters we immediately care about.

In addition to these tangible characters, we have a story that grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. The beginning is more character development than action, but it works. The relationships it sets up, the tone it's creating and the tension it builds keep you glued to the screen.

The creativity is off the charts

Like most critics, I have dreams that go far beyond writing about movies and, instead, writing movies. I have a million and one ideas floating around my head, and some have even made it to the page, but it is movies like "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" that put those dreams back in the depths of my own mind. I can remove my ego and admit I could not create something as brilliantly creative as this film.

The jokes are seamlessly blended into the drama and action. The world-building is precise and mesmerizing. The personalities are differentiated and personal. The story arc is complex yet accessible. It's a brilliantly crafted film that is in another stratosphere, creatively.

That said, some moments shouldn't work, including a brief journey to a Lego world, but they do and with significant effect. My mind is twisted into knots as I try to think about writing this script with all of the nuance, universes, characters and story threads, and then weaving them together masterfully. The construction and creativity of this movie have me in awe.

The animation is stunning

As I mentioned this same point in my review of the first film — the animation is uncommon. Like the first film, the comic-book vibe is strong, but it's taken in new directions — which may take a few minutes to get used to — but it's a strange and special visual to behold. The amount of hours that went into creating this world, or worlds, is hard to imagine as great detail was taken into each frame of the 2-hour, 20-minute film.

I am gushing about this movie, but I don't care. It was nothing short of brilliant. There have been some wildly entertaining movies this year that I really enjoyed — films like " Air, " " Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves " and " Tetris " are a few that stand out but, for my money, "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" is the best movie of the year and it's not close.

You may enjoy the movie less than I did, but this is certainly worth seeing in the theater. I already have tickets purchased to take my family this weekend. In fact, as we walked out of the theater, my son looked up at me and asked, "When can we buy that?" I told him it would be a while, but it will be one that we purchase.

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" is officially rated PG for sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements.

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Spider-Man: No Way Home

2021, Action/Adventure, 2h 28m

What to know

Critics Consensus

A bigger, bolder Spider-Man sequel, No Way Home expands the franchise's scope and stakes without losing sight of its humor and heart. Read critic reviews

Audience Says

Packed with action, emotion, and surprises, Spider-Man: No Way Home is franchise fan service at its finest. Read audience reviews

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Spider-man: no way home videos, spider-man: no way home   photos.

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero's identity is revealed, bringing his Super Hero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he enlists Doctor Strange's help to restore his secret, the spell tears a hole in their world, releasing the most powerful villains who've ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will not only forever alter his own future but the future of the Multiverse.

Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Action/Violence|Brief Suggestive Comments|Some Language)

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy

Original Language: English

Director: Jon Watts

Producer: Kevin Feige , Amy Pascal

Writer: Chris McKenna , Erik Sommers

Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2021  wide

Release Date (Streaming): Mar 15, 2022

Box Office (Gross USA): $814.1M

Runtime: 2h 28m

Distributor: Columbia Pictures

Production Co: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Studios, Pascal Pictures

Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos

Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

View the collection: Marvel Cinematic Universe

Cast & Crew

Tom Holland

Peter Parker, Spider-Man

Benedict Cumberbatch

Doctor Strange

Jacob Batalon

Jon Favreau

Happy Hogan

Max Dillon, Electro

Willem Dafoe

Norman Osborn, Green Goblin

Alfred Molina

Dr. Otto Octavius, Doc Ock

Benedict Wong

Tony Revolori

Flash Thompson

Marisa Tomei

Martin Starr

Mr. Harrington

Chris McKenna

Screenwriter

Erik Sommers

Kevin Feige

Louis D'Esposito

Executive Producer

Victoria Alonso

JoAnn Perritano

Rachel O'Connor

Matthew Tolmach

Mauro Fiore

Cinematographer

Jeffrey Ford

Film Editor

Leigh Folsom Boyd

Michael Giacchino

Original Music

Darren Gilford

Production Design

Samantha Avila

Art Director

Rosemary Brandenburg

Set Decoration

Sanja Milkovic Hays

Costume Designer

Sarah Halley Finn

News & Interviews for Spider-Man: No Way Home

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Critic Reviews for Spider-Man: No Way Home

Audience reviews for spider-man: no way home.

Quite a bit better than Far From Home, but the plot can get confusing and the running time is too padded and could of been shorter. The effects and the big twist are interesting and worth the price of admission. I like Tom Holland in this role and I hope he gets more movies. A above average Marvel Film. 02-06-2022

It is the most profitable movie in nearly three years and one of the best reviewed Marvel films of all-time, but does Spider-Man: No Way Home live up to the hype? In many ways it absolutely does, but in some other ways it does fall a bit short. The film starts where Far From Home leaves off, with Spider-Man thought to be a killer and his name exposed to the world. This creates a hell of a problem for Peter Parker (Tom Holland), so he goes to visit Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to see if he can help. Strange creates a spell to help, but accidentally opens a portal to the multiverse, allowing villains and fellow Spider-Men to make their way through into their universe. As a Science Fiction geek I love the whole idea of multiple universes, but as a film reviewer, I can't ignore the glaring plot hole here. Why did only Spider-Men and Spider-Man villains come through the portal? I also loved the fact that Andrew Garfield and Toby Macguire came back and played a part in the film, however it seemed like they were having a bit too much fun with their roles, and not taking it very seriously. Most of their dialogue was jokes and instead of fellow superheroes from another dimension, they really came across as more of a gay couple than anything else. Finally, where was Miles Morales? ...and don't give me any of this he was a cartoon shit! This was a perfect opportunity for Disney/Marvel to address the lack of cultural diversity among their superhero franchise and they didn't do it. That being said, this was every Spider-Man fans dream. This film not only appeals to fans of Marvel, but to Science Fiction fans as well. The whole multiverse angle was ingenious and will tie directly into the next Doctor Strange movie. It was also a blast from the past and brought back great childhood memories to see the other actors who portrayed Spider-Man in those roles one more time. As always Tom Holland was spectacular, the writing was clever and good for a few laughs, and uncharacteristic of most Marvel films, even the ending was unexpected. Despite the obvious plot holes, I really enjoyed this film and I think you will too.

It truly is a triumph . . . of scheduling. Look, I get that seeing the "Spider-verse" concept in live action is undeniably enticing but even while I was enjoying some of the scenes I found the more cynical parts of my brain bothered by the way the MCU is deliberately consuming all previous and, in the case of the Maguire trilogy, much better Marvel movies.

This movie did not surpass my expectations, but it did reach them. It reached my skyscraper high expectations, which is almost more impressive. A celebration of decades of Spider-Man love, it's a film for the fans. The film works not only as a third movie in the Tom Holland franchise, but as a beautiful conclusion to the Maguire and Garfield series that never got a proper sendoff. There's so much I love about this movie. How characters get their proper conclusion, how we finally get to see them in a MCU movie where we normally wouldn't, seeing the banter between characters we'd never see otherwise, the high-stakes emotions that feel damn well earned after three movies, it's absolutely spectacular.

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Movie Review – Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)

June 3, 2023 by Ricky Church

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , 2023.

Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson. Featuring the voice talents of Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Oscar Isaac, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Karan Soni, Jason Schwartzman, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Greta Lee, Rachel Dratch, Jorma Taccone, Shea Whigham, Peter Sohn, Andy Samberg, Metro Boomin, and Peggy Lu.

Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.

The common belief on the rarity of a sequel being better than the original is often discussed, especially when the original is such a blockbuster and groundbreaking film like  Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse , but Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson manage to expand on and surpass what made the first  Spider-Verse  film fantastic with the visually gorgeous, heartfelt and action-packed  Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse .

The sequel’s ambition is immediately clear with how varied and stylized  Across The Spider-Verse ‘s animation is as Miles Morales, Gwen Stacey and various versions of Peter Parker or Spider-Man hop across the multiverse. From the painting-like style of Gwen’s world to the vibrant Mumbattan to the more ‘traditional’ style of Miles’ world, every single location and character has their own unique look and feel rich with detail on the designs. It is quite an achievement, especially for something that eventually showcases hundreds of different Spider-Men and -Women in a single scene let alone a single shot. The film’s animation team really knocked it out of the park with the visual complexity. Whether the heroes are fighting a supervillain or simply standing around, audiences will be drawn in by how beautiful everything is.

At the centre of the film is Miles Morales once again as he tries balancing his life as the new Spider-Man with his responsibilities as a son and promising student. Shameik Moore delivers another great performance as Miles with his comedic timing and emotion as he further learns the responsibility and burden of what it means to be a web-slinger. Miles is made even more relatable than he was in the first film as his struggle to belong and make everyone happy is amplified, whether that is within his family or the multi-dimensional protection force of Spider-Men, Women and even animals. His journey is really something special that gets to the heart of what makes the Spider-Man character such a great concept and so well-regarded as one of the world’s most popular and beloved superheroes.

Complimenting him throughout the film is Hailee Steinfeld’s Gwen Stacey/Spider-Woman, more commonly known among fans as Spider-Gwen. This is just as much her story as it is Miles’ as she learns alongside him the personal cost it takes to be a Spider-hero. Steinfeld’s performance is at times heart-wrenching as she goes through quite an emotional arc and her chemistry with Moore and the other voice cast is undeniable. If nothing else, this film shows what a great addition Spider-Gwen has been to the Spider-Man mythology and how much there is to mine from her specific story rather than just being a simple gender-flipped ‘what if…?’ take on Marvel’s webhead. Her popularity already soared with the first Spider-Verse , but it is sure to go even higher with  Across The Spider-Verse  and Steinfeld is a huge part of the reason why.

The supporting cast is also great with Oscar Isaac standing out as Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099. He’s distinct from many of the other Spider-heroes as he has little to no sense of humour, even being annoyed by how much his multiversal counterparts wisecrack, and is much more serious and aggressive. Jake Johnson again does great work as Peter B. Parker, showing quite a contrast as he’s in a much happier place than the previous film and is carrying around a small baby daughter. Issa Rae’s Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman is also a very cool character, one who’s a bit more balanced as a traditional wisecracker and Miguel’s serious no-nonsense attitude. The rest of the cast, including Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Karan Soni, Daniel Kaluuya and Jason Schwartzman, ground the film with very strong emotional hooks.

The film’s pacing is one that is constantly moving, but never in a way that rushes through the character moments, comedy or emotional beats. It moves along at a brisk pace and is just a ton of fun from spotting all the easter eggs and cameos to trying to take in all the visuals. It’d be nigh impossible to pick out all the easter eggs as there is just so many, making it an even more rewatchable movie than it already it. Unlike other films than rely on plenty of nostalgia and fanservice,  Across The Spider-Verse  utilizes them in such a way to deconstruct the nature of Spider-Man and his vast mythology of adventures. It is a very well constructed film and even though it was made as the first part of a two-parter, with next year’s  Beyond The Spider-Verse  serving as a conclusion, this film still has its own story that doesn’t feel incomplete or having to rely on the third film to be fully satisfying.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse  captures lightning in a bottle again with its strong focus on its characters, beautiful animation, zany action and even stronger performances. Spider-fans or general audiences will find plenty to enjoy in this sequel and come away with even more love for Miles and Gwen than they already would have due to Moore and Steinfeld’s excellent voice talents.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Reviewed by: Blake Wilson CONTRIBUTOR

Self-sacrifice

What is LYING? What are the truly BIG lies of our world?

What is TRUTH? Answer

Prequel: “ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse ” (2018)

Review updated July 2, 2023

I t’s been a couple of years since Miles Morales ( Shameik Moore ) was bitten by a radioactive spider and became the new Spider-Man in his universe. What’s happened since then? Puberty, high school, and also keeping his identity as Spider-Man a secret…even from his parents. And, now, there’s a new supervillain terrorizing the streets of New York. A faceless humanoid named “The Spot” ( Jason Schwartzman ), who apparently has a grudge against Spider-Man and yearns to be his nemesis.

Meanwhile, Gwen Stacy ( Hailee Steinfeld ) is having troubles of her own in her universe. Not only is she blamed for the death of someone close to her, she is strained in her relationships with others. One day, Gwen’s universe is invaded by a villain from a distant universe. In the middle of the battle, her universe is invaded again…this time by a couple of other Spider-people. Miguel O’Hara ( Oscar Isaac ) and Jessica Drew ( Issa Rae ), who come to take care of the anomaly. In response to all of this, Gwen goes back with Miguel and Jessica to join the Spider Society.

One day, Gwen makes her way back to Miles’ universe to investigate The Spot’s multiversal mischief, as well as possibly invite Miles to the Spider Society. Would that be a good idea? Or could it potentially lead to disaster?

Entertainment Value

“Across the Spider-Verse” is an impressive film in many respects. The main thing here is, of course, the stunning animation. Each universe depicted here is given its own art style and distinct touch—as does each Spider-Man. Meanwhile, the 2D/3D mix has improved some from the more “experimental” usage in the first one. There are a handful of visually-striking touches I will not spoil here.

The characters are given stronger development here, too. Miles and Gwen are given equally-compelling character stories, and the family dynamics are terrifically-written. The new characters are likable as well. My personal favorite would probably have to be Spider-Punk, a British rocker version of Spider-Man voiced well by Daniel Kaluuya . While I didn’t understand some of what he said, he exuded personality and his Spider-Man had the most unique and fascinating design.

For such an involved story with so much going on, I have to hand it to the writing team. They did a great job keeping the focus on the characters, and don’t quite make it feel overstuffed. Yes, there’s a lot of Spider characters here. However, they manage to give enough time for each new character to shine (a lot of the minor ones are used as pure comic relief). A handful of surprises are well-executed and unpredictable as well. There’s also not too many villains either. The film’s primary villain is an escalating threat that may be just getting started.

On the downside, like the last film, “Across the Spider-Verse” does get a little carried away with its hip-hop/electro pop music in the score. I would have liked to have seen a little more traditional music from returning composer Daniel Pemberton. Also, the film’s 20-minute prologue centered around Gwen didn’t need to be as long as it is. It could have been shortened or switched back and forth between her’s and Miles’ story. That being said, Gwen is given a strong character arc here. Finally, while I loved seeing Peter B. Parker ( Jake Johnson ) again, I felt like he was shortchanged a bit in terms of screentime. And, Peni Parker, Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Ham (great characters from the first film) are nearly completely absent here—but, that being said, there’s a hint they may return.

Positive Messages

There’s a strong positive theme about the importance of positive, sacrificial and loving parents. Gwen and her Dad and Miles and his parents all struggle with trying to meet each other halfway. And it’s made abundantly clear that all of them have room to grow and things they can learn from each other. (There is a spoiler alert in the next paragraph.)

Gwen’s Dad (Captain George Stacy) does find out about her secret identity. Later on in the film, it is revealed that Gwen’s dad quit the police force as a choice to help protect his daughter. I thought this was a moving example of a father’s sacrificial love.

Meanwhile, Miles’ parents struggle with how to best handle their son’s budding independence. Not long after an intense conflict, Miles’ mom (Rio) attempts to meet her son halfway and does her best to try and understand what her son is going through (although he falls short of telling her who he is). Of course, with Miles hiding his secret, his parents absolutely and appropriately hold him accountable and guide him.

The film sends home the message that relationships (especially familial, though can absolutely be applied in romantic relationships and friendships as well) can be challenging and difficult at times. It takes grace, sacrifice, selflessness, perseverance, and unconditional love to make it work and grow. In our relationships, we can model sacrificial love in the way Christ did. Paul summarizes this thought in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV.

“ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Negative Content

SEXUAL CONTENT: Very tame. A couple of characters are shown wearing tank tops or something that might reveal cleavage. Gwen accidentally leaves her sweater in Miles’ room, which gives his parents the false impression that something else could be going on. Another misunderstanding involves talking about Spider-Punk and implied feelings between him and Gwen, which is also proven untrue.

LANGUAGE: There’s a little more foul language here than in the first film. We hear two uses each of “a**” and “h***”, one “d***”, and two misuses of God’s name. There’s also a couple of uses of “cr*p”, and several uses of the word “shoot” in one scene, including a couple with loud music in the background that may give the impression they said the s-word instead.

DRUGS/ALCOHOL: Wine is seen at a party. Gwen is mistakenly suspected to have a Dad that “deals drugs”.

VIOLENCE: This is definitely the main concern here. Several scenes of peril and action violence involving villains using multiple weapons to smash, hit, and pummel Spider-Man. The Spot causes a lot of mayhem with a collider and causes buildings to crumble as well. An earthquake nearly causes the death of one character. A vision prophesies the death of another. In worst case scenarios, entire universes of characters are seen pixelating out of existence. One action scene features an intense brawl with loud sound effects between two Spider-Men. One is shown to have a vampire-like appearance with claws and fangs (in shadow form). Characters are held at gunpoint. Glass windows and various debris collapse. Spiders bite people. The death of Uncle Ben is seen replicated in many universes. That being said, this is all handled with pretty much no bloodshed.

SPIRITUALITY: None. However, there are discussions about fate and how breaking it can cause tragic consequences.

OTHER: Lying and deceit play a big part in any superhero story, especially in these Spider-Man stories involving teenagers telling lies. Miles and Gwen lie repeatedly, though for mostly heroic reasons and to protect their loved ones. Meanwhile, one scene involves a couple of dirty diaper jokes courtesy of Peter B. Parker and his toddler-aged daughter.

“Into the Spider-Verse” was a groundbreaking animated film in many respects. Not only did it experiment with bringing different animation styles together, but it genuinely revolutionized animated filmmaking (along with the tired, yet reliable superhero genre). It was well-received and went on to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar. You have to wonder, how can you top that?

From here, like the storytelling team behind the first film decided to take a page from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and try to top it with not one, but TWO animated films (Part 2, “Beyond the Spider-Verse,’ is scheduled for next March). For those who have followed along with the film’s progress, no, this is not a spoiler. (That being said, I will add that my friend who came with me didn’t know this, and the look on his face and reaction was absolutely priceless.)

Based on the effort here, I think I can say “Across the Spider-Verse” may have topped the original. The animation is absolutely spectacular. The character dynamics are deeper and more involved. The action sequences are stunning. And the story developments and surprises are unexpected and pulled off in unexpectedly genius fashion.

For Christian families looking for something to see, “Across the Spider-Verse” stays within PG boundaries overall, though I will say it is too intense and mature for very young viewers (I would say ages 7 and under). There is some unnecessary mild language and some lying/deceit. However, on the very positive side of things, I did not sense any agenda-driven or obvious political messaging here, no real inappropriate sexual content or humor, and no dark spirituality here to report either (all superpowers are the result of science experiments gone awry). I would say if you’re not sure if your child can handle the content, I would say “ The Super Mario Bros. Movie ” is a safer choice for more sensitive youngsters.

For older superhero fans and movie fans, however, “Across the Spider-Verse” is stellar entertainment. Pure escapism at just about its finest.

POSTSCRIPT: A couple of weeks after seeing “Across the Spider-Verse,’ the following was brought to my attention… in one scene, a small blue and pink poster is briefly shown in the background of Gwen Stacy’s room saying, “Protect Trans Kids’. In another scene, a badge with the colors of the pride flag is briefly shown on Gwen’s dad’s police uniform. These details will very likely be missed by most viewers (as was the case with me). That being said, in contrast to what was originally stated in my conclusion, it does seem that the filmmakers were trying to make a (very subtle) statement in agreement with a leftist, woke agenda.

• Violence: Moderate
• Profane language: Mild
• Vulgar/Crude language: Mild
• Wokeism: Mild
• Drugs/Alcohol: Minor
• Nudity: None
• Occult: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers .

PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.

Tom Holland's Spider-Man 4 Has A Daunting Task Ahead After No Way Home's $1.9b Success

• Tom Holland will return as Peter Parker in Spider-Man 4 to follow up the immense success of No Way Home.
• Spider-Man 4 faces a daunting task after No Way Home, the highest-grossing Spider-Man movie.
• Spider-Man 4 could be a multiverse story or a street-level adventure, setting up the future of the MCU's Spider-Man.

Tom Holland will return as Peter Parker in Spider-Man 4 , and the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe will have quite the task, as it needs to follow up the tremendous success of Spider-Man: No Way Home . Holland has become extremely popular as Peter, leading a trilogy of Spider-Man movies in the MCU and appearing in multiple other crossover projects, such as Marvel's Avengers films. Given how beloved his version of the character is, Holland should be sticking around the MCU for quite some time , with a possible new Spider-Man trilogy ahead of him.

Currently, updates on Spider-Man 4 , the first film in a possible new trilogy, have been scarce. The project had to halt development last year due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes. After work on the movie's story resumed, multiple rumors came out regarding Marvel Studios and Sony possibly having different visions for the project. Holland's latest Spider-Man movie — No Way Home — presented a major challenge for the franchise's future that could be the cause of the new movie's rumored behind-the-scenes problems. With Spider-Man 4 's filming start revealed in a new report , the MCU movie needs to succeed in a daunting task.

10 Reasons Tobey Maguires Spider-Man 4 Should Happen Even After 17 Years

Spider-man: no way home is the highest-grossing spider-man movie ever, the mcu film was a generational event.

Holland's Spider-Man 4 will have the daunting task of following the most successful Spider-Man movie ever. According to the specialized box office tracking website Box Office Mojo , 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home amassed just shy of $2 billion at the box office , with the MCU movie boasting a healthy $1.92 billion worldwide — with no China release. Spider-Man: No Way Home 's astonishing box office totals put the movie as an Avengers-level event, and as such, it becomes very hard for another solo entry in Holland's Spider-Man franchise to match or surpass the successful movie.

Check out the box office of all Spider-Man movies below:

Spider-Man: No Way Home was a cinematic event three generations in the making . The movie brought together Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland's versions of Spider-Man, as well as a few villains from the previous two Spider-Man movie franchises — including Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin and Alfred Molina's Doc Ock, both iconic Marvel castings. Fans had been asking for quite some time to see the three movie Spider-Men join forces, and the movie managed to show how perfectly the three actors behind Peter Parker fit together. Following an event that was only possible due to decades of buildup is hard.

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 Has A Major Choice To Make

The franchise needs to pick between very different paths.

Spider-Man 4 could take one of two routes to follow Spider-Man: No Way Home 's success, with Sony and Marvel rumored to each be partial to one side. As part of the Multiverse Saga, Holland's Spider-Man 4 could once again go to the multiverse for its story, bringing back Maguire and Garfield's Spider-Men. As the characters showed up late in Spider-Man: No Way Home , the other Peter Parkers being in Spider-Man 4 from the start would guarantee the movie would be a major success, with good chances of even topping Spider-Man: No Way Home 's box office.

On the other hand, Spider-Man: No Way Home 's ending seemed to set up Peter Parker to have a smaller-scale adventure . The prospect of a street-level Spider-Man 4 has been well-received by fans, and exciting characters like Kraven the Hunter and Black Cat could make their MCU debut in such a type of movie. The MCU is setting up a major story with Kingpin as the Mayor of New York City, and Spider-Man 4 adapting a version of "Devil's Reign" with Daredevil and other street-level heroes and villains would make the film a major event without the need for the multiverse.

10 Marvel Villains Perfect For A Street-Level MCU Spider-Man 4 Movie

Spider-man: no way home already set up spider-man 4, peter parker is at his lowest in the mcu.

Spider-Man: No Way Home ended with Doctor Strange's spell making everyone forget who Peter Parker was. Holland's Spider-Man 4 could build up on that to present a Spider-Man movie that brings the character back to the basics after a series of MCU crossovers. Out of high school, Spider-Man 4 could follow Peter in college , introducing Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn as his classmates. Peter working at the Daily Bugle under J. Jonah Jameson, the MCU's Norman Osborn getting introduced, and new love interests emerging could be the path for Spider-Man 4 to follow Spider-Man: No Way Home .

A classic Spider-Man story with iconic characters tied to the hero in the comics would be perfect for Spider-Man 4 . The MCU's version of Peter is beloved; however, Marvel has faced criticism due to Spider-Man being deeply tied to Iron Man and other MCU characters. By having Peter all alone, Marvel can use Spider-Man 4 to deliver a classic Spider-Man comic book story, with a street-level tale that serves as the perfect stepping stone for Holland's Peter Parker to once again deal with multiversal threats in the two upcoming Avengers movies.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can't run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.

Studio(s) Marvel

Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe

prequel(s) Avengers: Endgame, spider-man homecoming, Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: No Way Home

Spider-Man Homecoming 4

Spider-Man: Homecoming 4 is the first sequel to the MCU's Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland as the titular wall-crawler. After wiping his identity for the public's memory in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker continues his crime-fighting adventures without the aid of Iron Man technology or the support of his former allies.

Studio(s) Pascal Pictures, Marvel Studios, Columbia Pictures

Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man

prequel(s) Spider-Man: Far From Home, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: No Way Home

Key Release Dates

Deadpool & wolverine, marvel's thunderbolts, marvel's fantastic four, blade (2025), avengers: the kang dynasty, avengers: secret wars.

• Cast & crew

Kraven the Hunter

Russian immigrant Sergei Kravinoff is on a mission to prove that he is the greatest hunter in the world. Russian immigrant Sergei Kravinoff is on a mission to prove that he is the greatest hunter in the world. Russian immigrant Sergei Kravinoff is on a mission to prove that he is the greatest hunter in the world.

• J.C. Chandor
• Richard Wenk
• Matt Holloway
• Aaron Taylor-Johnson
• Ariana DeBose
• Russell Crowe

• Sergei Kravinoff …

• The Foreigner

• Dmitri Smerdyakov …

• Aleksei Sytsevich aka 'The Rhino'

• Russian Prisoner

• Cora's Mum

• Law Firm Staff
• Turkish Policeman
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

New and Upcoming Action Movies & Series

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Did you know

• Trivia Set in Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU), the same universe in which Venom (2018) , Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) , Morbius (2022) , Silver Sable , The Black Cat , Nightwatch , Jackpot , Silk , and Madame Web (2024) are set.

Sergei Kravinoff : [after his father tries to attack him] You don't get to do that to me anymore.

• Connections Featured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Caillou's Revenge (2022)
• When will Kraven the Hunter be released? Powered by Alexa
• August 30, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Official Instagram
• Official Facebook
• Kraven: Thợ Săn Thủ Lĩnh
• Trabzon, Turkey (Sumela Monastery)
• Columbia Pictures
• Marvel Entertainment
• Arad Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Atmos
• IMAX 6-Track

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