The 21st century delivered arguably the best-known versions of Spider-Man, with numerous movies hitting the big screen and becoming major box office and critical successes. Contrary to what some might believe, Spider-Man is a challenging role. It requires a charming, funny, and talented actor who can pull off both the nerdy everyman Peter Parker and the suited-up superhero.
Tobey Maguire was the first Peter Parker we ever got on the big screen. That started off with Sam Raimi’s trilogy: Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man 3. After a false start attempt at a fourth Spider-Man from Raimi, Sony rebooted the franchise and that’s when Andrew Garfield was cast in the role. However it was a role that never quite found the right surrounding movie for Garfield. And after Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the decision was reached to try something else.
Then Peter Parker hit the MCU, and Tom Holland entered the fray. With Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home and in addition to his appearances in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, Holland has now appeared as Spidey more than any other actor.
And while every Spider-Man has its share of fans, some have been better received by critics and fans. Here are the three Spider-Man actors ranked by performance.
3. Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014). Image Credit: Sony Pictures
Andrew Garfield, although a beloved actor, was once considered the weakest live-action Spider-Man. However, his chemistry with Emma Stone remains unmatched, making them the best superhero couple ever. Garfield also embraced Peter Parker’s unlikely coolness, making him even cooler.
His emotional scenes with Stone and Sally Field are some of the strongest in Spidey’s live-action canon. However, lukewarm box office returns and mixed critical reception contributed to his series’ downfall. His return in Spider-Man: No Way Home has given his take on the role much-needed redemption, leading fans to clamor for Garfield’s return as Spider-Man.
2. Tom Holland
Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Image Credit: Sony Pictures
Tom Holland has reached a commercial status that neither of the other two actors did. Younger and brimming with energy, Holland plays Spider-Man with the enthusiasm of a true fan. If Tobey Maguire was the more mature Spider-Man and Garfield was the one trying to appeal to the cool kids, Holland portrays the childlike innocence of Spider-Man seamlessly. With his quick wit and one-liners that are endemic to Peter Parker, it’s easy to see how Holland’s Spider-Man became so successful.
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As of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Holland now has six on-screen Spider-Man credits under his belt, more than Maguire and Garfield. During those six films, Holland crafted an entirely new vision of Spider-Man that revolutionized the character and affected Spider-Man media as a whole.
1. Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man (2002). Image Credit: Sony Pictures
It’s impossible to deny the sheer soul and heart Tobey Maguire put into the role of Spider-Man. Maguire’s Spider-Man is one anyone can fully entrust and look up to. His performance did considerable work to dignify Spider-Man, becoming inherently tied to it.
Maguire played the character with incredible muster, going from the intense internal struggles of the first Spider-Man to dancing on the street in the much-misunderstood third film. This is a Peter Parker whom fans saw grow and change, learning self-acceptance and responsibility, and ultimately deciding what’s most important to him in life. This is easily the best-written Spidey in cinema, let alone the best performance. Some would even argue that Tobey Maguire is the ultimate Spider-Man.
Most of the Spider-Man movies are available to stream on Disney+
