It’s officially a Spider-Man summer, as the next web-slinging adventure, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” swings into theaters at the end of July. Nolan’s Batman movies and “Iron Man” are usually cited as the catalyst for superhero culture, but 2002’s “Spider-Man” deserves its flowers for ushering in the rise of the comic book adaptation in the 21st century.
Since 2002, three actors have played the live-action version of Peter Parker: Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland. Each actor truly made the role their own, resulting in three distinct depictions of the beloved superhero. Since the three actors shared the same screen in 2021’s “No Way Home,” there has been an ongoing debate as to which Spider-Man is the best.
Having seen all their movies, I’m ready to put an end to the debate and name the top Spider-Man.
Best Peter Parker
Choose your Peter Parker: Awkward Peter (Maguire), Surprisingly Edgy Peter (Garfield), or Nerdy Peter (Holland). Maguire is the everyman version of Peter. He’s barely getting by on his newspaper salary, forcing him to live in a building with a shared bathroom. He’s always late to pay his rent (Sorry, Mr. Ditkovitch). While in school, Maguire’s Peter was a shadow in the background, searching for a way to sneak a picture of MJ.
Holland’s Peter is the biggest nerd out of the three Spider-Men. They’re all smart; Peter Parker is a genius. However, Peter’s mentor, Tony Stark, is always implementing the latest technological advances in his suit. When he’s not freezing up in front of Mary Jane, Peter is making web-fluid cartridges or quoting “old movies” like “Aliens,” which just celebrated its 40th anniversary. He’s a dork, but he’s a lovable dork.
Garfield plays the most comic-book-accurate version of Peter. He’s certainly the most confident and witty of the three. There is an edge to Garfield’s Peter. He's the cool alternative-music-loving kid in your high school class who skateboards and probably could talk your ear off about conspiracy theories.
Plus, Garfield’s Peter is willing to stand up for himself a lot more than Maguire’s or Holland’s Peter. Behind his caring personality, Garfield’s Peter has some cockiness to him. He calls Flash by his first name, and he romantically uses his webs to snag Gwen in for a kiss.
No chance Maguire or Holland are singing “Spider-Man (Theme Song)” like Garfield.
Winner: Andrew Garfield
Best Spider-Man
When I say "best Spider-Man," I’m judging the actor who plays the character the best while in the suit. Maguire’s Spider-Man deserves some grace. It goes back to that everyman version of Peter. Even though he gained over 25 pounds to play the character, Maguire’s physique looks attainable. You go to a gym, and Maguire’s Spider-Man wouldn’t even be in the top 10 most fit people there. Physique aside, Maguire’s Peter is mostly serious when dealing with the authorities, but he’s not afraid to crack a joke to his enemies. Isn’t that right, Gobby? The one-liners are hit or miss, with more swings and misses than home runs.
The confidence of Garfield’s Peter translates to his portrayal of Spider-Man. One of the first times we see Garfield in the full suit is when he acts out an entire sketch comedy routine with a criminal. Garfield certainly increased the athleticism from Maguire’s Spider-Man, with more flips, dips, and dangerous stunts. It helps to be two inches taller than Maguire and Holland.
Yet Maguire and Garfield are nowhere close to Holland in terms of athleticism. Holland’s dance background allows him to be quick and nimble in the suit. He’s CrossFit Spider-Man, a hero who can flip his way out of any situation. Peter’s innocent nature leads to some unintentional comedy moments as Spider-Man, including the memorable ATM robbery when he faces off against thieves in Avengers masks.
Holland’s Spider-Man exudes the same energy as a freshman trying to impress the seniors. He’s the little brother who tries to be cool, even though the best thing he can do is to be himself. It’s an innocent version of Spider-Man that I respond to more than the other two depictions.
Winner: Tom Holland
Best Movies
It’s universally known that Garfield has the worst collection of Spider-Man movies. “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is the worst of the 21st-century Spider-Man movies. He’s the clear bronze medalist in this situation.
That leaves a trilogy battle between Maguire and Holland. It comes down to what you value more, high points or consistency. Holland’s trilogy is rock solid. All three MCU Spider-Man movies are fun adventures that let the character shine. They also differ in their overall themes and emotionality. “Homecoming” is a 1980s teen movie, “Far From Home” is a coming-of-age tale about growing up, and “No Way Home” is a sci-fi spectacle with life-or-death stakes.
Yet none of Holland’s movies equal the heights that Maguire’s first two Spider-Man entries reached. You could not ask for a better first movie of a superhero trilogy than “Spider-Man,” which establishes the character’s motivations and the movie’s message from the beginning. With great power comes great responsibility, a message that is omnipresent in all three movies.
Sam Raimi managed to top the highs of “Spider-Man” with “Spider-Man 2,” a superior sequel and arguably one of the best superhero movies of all time. Featuring a superb villainous performance from Alfred Molina, “Spider-Man 2” features some of the best action sequences in any Spider-Man movie, particularly the fight with Doc Ock on the train.
More importantly, “Spider-Man 2” might be relatable because of its messaging about choices. Are you willing to make hard sacrifices that will satisfy the greater good instead of personal gain? You, me, Spider-Man — it doesn’t matter — we’ve all had that existential crisis.
Even though “Spider-Man 3” has massive problems, I’ll take Maguire’s first two movies over Holland’s first three solo outings.
Winner: Tobey Maguire
Coolest Suit
The less technologically sound, the better. I don't need all of Mr. Stark’s gadgets or Oscorp’s products. I’ll take Maguire’s suit, which resembles the spandex a professional wrestler would wear.
Winner: Tobey Maguire
Better Spider-Man reveal to the woman he loves
Don’t get it twisted: All of the Spider-Men eventually get the girl. They might be nerds, but they can sling charm. How else could they convince someone to love them despite spending their free time listening to police scanners? I’m happy Holland and Zendaya found love off the set, but Peter’s Spider-Man reveal to MJ in Europe is pretty anticlimactic.
I mentioned Garfield’s Spider-Man having what the kids call “rizz” when he twirled Gwen into a kiss with his web on the roof. The chemistry between Garfield and Emma Stone is the best of the three couples, but that moment is too cocky for my liking. He’s Spider-Man, not a contestant on “The Bachelor.”
My pick for best Spider-Man reveal happens in “Spider-Man 2,” when Mary Jane finally sees Peter without the mask. In this moment, she realizes why Peter denied her at the end of the first movie. Peter avoided Mary Jane because he loved her so much that he couldn’t risk being Spider-Man around her. Now that’s real (cinematic) love.
Winner: Tobey Maguire
Best death scene
I’m sinning by not putting Uncle Ben’s death in “Spider-Man.” The internet corrupted me when it turned Maguire’s crying face into a meme. I can’t shake it, and that’s on me. Uncle Ben deserves better. Uncle Ben’s death in Garfield’s first movie is Spider-Man karaoke — the original is better.
I’m going with Aunt May’s sacrifice in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” as the best death scene. Personally, I didn’t expect it to happen because I was so used to Ben dying, not May. “You have a power, and with great power, there must also come great responsibility,” May said before collapsing. It’s a fresh spin on a classic Spider-Man trope — Peter contemplating his choices after a loved one dies.
Winner: Tom Holland
Best Spider-Man
We’ve reached the end of this Spider journey, and my vote for the overall best Spider-Man goes to Tobey Maguire. It’s difficult to beat the original, especially because I saw the first movie in prime Spider-Man-loving years as a young boy. Garfield is still the best Peter Parker, and Holland’s movies are the most consistent, but Maguire portrays my version of the character.
Winner: Tobey Maguire
Watch all eight live-action Spider-Man movies from the 21st century on Disney+
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