Every Cinematic Spider-Man, Ranked Worst to Best

Cage's Spider-Noir was the first "Spider-Verse" character to cross over into live-action. He commits fully to the 1930s noir detective persona, including the period voice that made the character a standout. Prime Video's "Spider-Noir" series, which debuted earlier this year, is somehow already underrated. Although this ranking generally excludes TV versions, Cage originated the character in the films, and his show is the only modern live-action Spider-Man series. Spider-Noir was reduced to a non-speaking cameo in "Across the Spider-Verse," but Cage is expected back for "Beyond the Spider-Verse."

Daniel Kaluuya – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

No version of Spider-Man is cooler than Kaluuya's Hobie Brown, aka Spider-Punk. He voices the character with ease and confidence, a marked departure from Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Deadline reported in 2025 that Sony was exploring a Hobie spin-off film.

Andrew Garfield – The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Garfield is probably the best actor pound-for-pound to have worn the live-action mask. His Spider-Man balances quippy and endearing. His Peter Parker is the problem. The "Amazing Spider-Man" films are not good, and Garfield never convincingly plays the awkward teen that Peter should be. He skateboards. He pulls Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy with minimal effort. Peter Parker needs to be slightly more pathetic.

Garfield gains significant points for "No Way Home," where he plays a version of Peter who has been mourning a loss for nearly a decade and is emerging on the other side. He has a moment with Zendaya's MJ that is nearly impossible not to tear up at. There is a case that he is the best part of that film. That performance earns him a spot in the top five.

Jake Johnson – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Johnson plays a washed-up Peter Parker who ends up in Miles' universe, separated from Mary Jane Watson and needing to rediscover himself. His wit and sarcasm are perfect for the role. He remains the beating heart of the crew in "Across the Spider-Verse," balancing his love for Miles with his duties to the Spider Society and his new role as a father. He is basically Nick Miller as Spider-Man. It works perfectly.

Tobey Maguire – Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Spider-Man 3 (2007), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Maguire is the benchmark that all subsequent live-action Spider-Men have tried to meet. At 26, he was too old for the role, but he convinced audiences that he was Peter Parker and Spider-Man. He is perfectly awkward – it still tracks that Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane would fall for him – and he carries an inherent sweetness that echoes the original 1960s version of the character. His return in "No Way Home" was satisfying, allowing him to mentor Tom Holland's Peter and interact with Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin and Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus nearly two decades later.

Shameik Moore – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Moore delivers an inspiring performance as Miles Morales. He captures the roller-coaster of self-discovery that the first film depicts. Watching Miles go through his own origin story – in an alternate universe where Peter Parker is killed by Kingpin – felt fresh, thanks to Moore's performance and the film's visuals. He is even better in "Across the Spider-Verse," where he decides to defy the entire multiverse of Spider-People to save his father.

Tom Holland – Captain America: Civil War (2016), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)

Holland was the perfect age to play a believable teen Peter Parker when his journey began a decade ago. He has appeared as the webhead in seven films, including two "Avengers" installments and a "Captain America" movie – more screen time than any other actor. His version of Peter Parker is the most fully realized, evolving from a starstruck kid to a hero carrying the weight of lost mentors and friends. "Brand New Day" will test whether audiences want to see Holland play the character into middle age. The early signs suggest they do.