Marvel’s first film in 2026 – and the final MCU before Avengers: Doomsday – is shaping up to be a major cinematic event. Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks the return of Tom Holland’s web-slinger, five years after his last appearance, ushering in a new era for the character in the MCU timeline after so much happened before.
Actor Zendaya advised fans to prepare for the movie by watching all the MCU’s previous Spider-Man movies, as well as a “couple of Avengers movies,” according to Qmusic. That’s already a long watchlist. But bear in mind that Holland’s last Spider-Man movie draws heavily from movies outside the MCU.
Though this may seem like a lot of homework, understanding the story beforehand should make the movie more enjoyable and emotional for the audience. Thankfully, all the Marvel movies featuring Spider-Man are all available on Disney+. With all of these films streaming in one place, it should be easy for fans to brush up on their knowledge about the web-slinger’s story so far.
Here’s what you should watch before seeing Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
- number of users
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2-4
- Subscription with ads
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$11.99/month
- Premium Subscription
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$18.99/month
- # of profiles
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6+
- Originals
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Yes
- Live TV
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No
Disney+ is a popular streaming service that Disney launched in November 2019.
Spider-Man (2002)
Spidey’s first blockbuster
Though this film doesn’t follow Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, it set the stage for the many subsequent superhero movies that would dominate Hollywood. Directed by Sam Raimi, Spider-Man tells the familiar origin story of Peter Parker, played by Tobey Maguire, getting bitten by a genetically altered spider, gaining superpowers, and choosing to fight crime after the death of his Uncle Ben.
Some of the movie’s acting, dialogue, and visual effects haven’t aged well. Also, its depiction of female characters like Mary Jane remains divisive. However, the film’s hero, villain, and emotional story have made it a beloved classic to this day, with Spider-Man setting a high bar for the movies that followed.
- Release Date
-
May 3, 2002
- Runtime
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121 minutes
- Director
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Sam Raimi
Cast
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Tobey Maguire
Spider-Man / Peter Parker
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Willem Dafoe
Green Goblin / Norman Osborn
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Kirsten Dunst
Mary Jane Watson
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James Franco
Harry Osborn
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
A sequel that surpasses the original
Two years after facing the Green Goblin, Peter must prevent a new villain, Doctor Octopus, from destroying the city with his fusion reactor. At the same time, Peter suffers an existential crisis as he struggles to juggle crime-fighting, school, work, and his friends, which causes him to lose his superpowers.
This sequel improved upon the original film in several ways, from its tragic villain to its visual effects to Peter’s relatable struggles. Not only did Spider-Man 2 raise the bar for the franchise even higher, but it also showed Peter Parker at his most human.
- Release Date
-
June 30, 2004
- Runtime
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127 minutes
- Director
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Sam Raimi
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Tobey Maguire
Spider-Man / Peter Parker
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Kirsten Dunst
Mary Jane Watson
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James Franco
Harry Osborn
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Alfred Molina
Doc Ock / Otto Octavius
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
A franchise remake
That being said, The Amazing Spider-Man introduced a spectacular new version of the web-slinger played by Andrew Garfield. Retelling the hero’s origin story, this Marc Webb-directed movie shows Spider-Man gaining his powers and defending New York City from scientist Curt Connors, who transforms himself into the dreaded Lizard. Despite its clunky narrative, The Amazing Spider-Man presents a humorous, heartfelt, and electrifying adventure carried by Garfield’s performance and his romantic chemistry with co-star Emma Stone.
- Release Date
-
July 3, 2012
- Runtime
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136 minutes
- Director
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Marc Webb
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Andrew Garfield
Spider-Man / Peter Parker
-
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Rhys Ifans
The Lizard / Dr. Curt Connors
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Denis Leary
Captain Stacy
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
A bigger, but not better sequel
In this sequel, Garfield’s Spider-Man faces off against superpowered foes like Electro, Rhino, and Harry Osborn’s Green Goblin. However, like Spider-Man 3, this movie suffered from too many underdeveloped villains and storylines.
Sony hoped to launch its own shared universe, rivaling the MCU, but this film killed the franchise just as it was getting started. It’s not a great movie, but it is entertaining. Also, while it never spawned a direct sequel, the movie got an emotional payoff in the MCU years later.
- Release Date
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May 2, 2014
- Runtime
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141 minutes
- Director
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Marc Webb
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Andrew Garfield
Spider-Man / Peter Parker
-
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Jamie Foxx
Electro / Max Dillon
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Dane DeHaan
Green Goblin / Harry Osborn
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Tom Holland’s superhero debut
Though he doesn’t play the main character, Tom Holland made his debut as Spider-Man in this massive superhero crossover. After Captain America becomes a fugitive, Iron Man seeks Spider-Man’s help to apprehend the Avenger.
With that, Peter receives a high-tech super suit that looks straight out of the comics. With his rapid-fire quips and youthful energy, Holland’s Spider-Man made a strong first impression as the iconic hero, setting the stage for his successful run in subsequent films.
- Release Date
-
May 6, 2016
- Runtime
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147 minutes
- Director
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Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
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Chris Evans
Steve Rogers / Captain America
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Robert Downey Jr.
Tony Stark / Iron Man
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Scarlett Johansson
Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
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Sebastian Stan
Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The MCU’s first solo Spider-Man film
Tom Holland got to lead his first movie as Spider-Man in this coming-of-age superhero adventure from director Jon Watts. Unlike previous Spider-Man movies, Homecoming skims over the origin story that has been retold countless times. Instead, the movie follows Peter in the middle of his first year as Spider-Man and his second year as a high schooler.
After his brief team-up with the Avengers, Peter seeks to prove himself as a crime fighter by stopping the Vulture from selling alien weapons on the streets of New York. Essentially an ‘80s teen comedy but with superheroes, Spider-Man: Homecoming was the first movie to realistically portray Peter as a teenager trying to be a hero.
- Release Date
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July 7, 2017
- Runtime
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133 minutes
- Director
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Jon Watts
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Tom Holland
Peter Parker / Spider-Man
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Michael Keaton
Adrian Toomes / Vulture
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Robert Downey Jr.
Tony Stark / Iron Man
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Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Spidey becomes an Avenger
This blockbuster took the webslinger where no Spider-Man film had gone before. When the evil alien Thanos attacks Earth to gather the Infinity Stones, Spider-Man swings in to help Iron Man and Doctor Strange protect the universe. Donning a new “Iron Spider” suit, Peter travels to space and joins the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy in a battle against Thanos himself.
This movie is filled with superheroes, and the story puts a heavy focus on the villain’s journey. However, Spider-Man steals the show in every scene he’s in, all the way through the film’s tear-jerking finale.
- Release Date
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April 27, 2018
- Runtime
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149 minutes
- Director
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Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
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Robert Downey Jr.
Tony Stark / Iron Man
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Chris Evans
Steve Rogers / Captain America
-
-
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spidey saves the universe
Spider-Man doesn’t appear for most of the film. However, Peter’s absence weighs on Iron Man as he and the remaining Avengers try to undo the damage Thanos did in Infinity War. This only makes the web-slinger’s appearance in the film all the more emotional and rewarding.
Joining the Avengers in the climactic battle against Thanos, Spider-Man takes part in one of cinema history’s biggest blockbuster finales. Overall, Avengers: Endgame marked a major turning point for Spider-Man and the entire MCU.
- Release Date
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April 26, 2019
- Runtime
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181 Minutes
- Director
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Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
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Robert Downey Jr.
Tony Stark / Iron Man
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Chris Evans
Steve Rogers / Captain America
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Mark Ruffalo
Bruce Banner / Hulk
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Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Spidey gets a working vacation
This story follows Peter as he goes on vacation with his classmates to Europe, where he encounters Mysterio and battles the monstrous Elementals. With many people considering him the next Iron Man, Peter is given greater power and responsibility than ever before.
Though Peter had enormous shoes to fill after Avengers: Endgame, this movie proved he could stand tall on his own as one of the main faces of the MCU. Not only that, but the film also pokes fun at the making of Marvel movies themselves, making it a thrilling and comedic epilogue to the Infinity Saga.
- Release Date
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July 2, 2019
- Runtime
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129 Minutes
- Director
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Jon Watts
-
Tom Holland
Peter Parker / Spider-Man
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Jake Gyllenhaal
Quentin Beck / Mysterio
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Samuel L. Jackson
Nick Fury
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Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
When worlds collide
This movie directly sets up the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. After Peter Parker’s secret identity is exposed to the world, the web-slinger seeks Doctor Strange’s help to make everyone forget the truth. However, the duo accidentally summons Spider-Man’s enemies from across the Multiverse, bringing back villains from Maguire and Garfield’s movies, so fans will want to watch said films before diving into No Way Home.
This multiversal blockbuster culminates in Peter teaming up with Maguire’s and Garfield’s Spider-Men to save his world. However, he pays a heavy price that forever changes his life, leading him to become the more mature, isolated hero seen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
- Release Date
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December 17, 2021
- Runtime
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148 minutes
- Director
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Jon Watts
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Tom Holland
Peter Parker / Spider-Man
-
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Benedict Cumberbatch
Doctor Strange
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