Ranking the Spider-Verse Movies: Which One Swings to the Top?

With the release of Kraven the Hunter, I decided now would be a good time to share my thoughts on Sony Spider-Man/Spider-Man adjacent movies. Since 2002, Sony has been consistently releasing Spider-Man and Spider-Man-related movies. These movies can be divided into three groups. First is the live-action Spider-Man films featuring Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland as Spider-Man. Next is the animated Spider-Man films which center around Miles Morales. Third is Sony's Spider-Man Universe, a supposed shared universe featuring the stories of Venom, Madam Web, Morbius, and Kraven the Hunter. Across these three groups, there have been varying degrees of quality, but Sony keeps making their films anyway so they can keep the rights to Spider-Man. With that all said, here are my thoughts and ranking of the 16 Sony Spider-Verse films.

16. Madam Web

Madame Web is easily one of the worst comic book films. It is just another poor attempt by Sony to make a Spider-Man villain movie without Spider-Man in it. To its credit, the movie attempts to be a mid-budget throwback action thriller and tonally it achieves it reasonably well. Where the movie lacks is in its quality of plot, writing, and characters. The movie is more concerned with setting up a Spider-Woman movie and shoehorning Peter Parker references into its story than it is actually telling a good story and then it doesn't even pay off or resolve any of the references it sets up. None of the characters have any depth to them at all. The three girls that Cassandra is protecting have about one defining character trait and could easily be combined into a single character. The villain is also just terribly written. The movie gives no details on who he is or why he is bad. All we get is that he wants the magic spider and has a vision about these three girls killing. Nothing about why he wanted the spider or what is evil about him. Overall, this is just a bad movie and proof that the only reason Sony is putting these out is to keep the rights to Spider-Man.

Grade: D+ Score: 4/10

15. Kraven the Hunter

Kraven the Hunter is just as bad as Madame Web. This movie has some of the worst writing and dialogue in any comic book movie. There are so many lapses in logic in this movie that it is laughable. Tonally, the movie is all over the place. One minute we see Kraven killing a bunch of people, the next we get a bunch of campy jokes. The movie never commits to what type of tone it wants to have. The movie takes itself way too seriously to the point where it is actually funny how hard they commit to the terrible creative choices. The movie also has a ton of side characters that have no purpose in the movie and just take up wasted screen time. The movie also drags a ton in the beginning with the main plot of the movie not even kicking in until an hour into the film. It just baffles me why Sony keeps putting out these movies and not learning from their mistake. In the end, this is another terrible Spider-Man villain movie. The only positive about this movie is that it finally means the end of Sony's Spider-Man universe.

Grade: D+ Score: 4/10

14. Morbius

Morbius is in the same boat as Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter in that it is simply not good. This movie was so bad that it failed twice, once in its original run and then a second time when Sony decided to re-release the film because the memes being made of the movie meant that people wanted to watch it (they still did not). The movie is not in the so bad it's good territory but it is still very easy to make fun of. The movie is just a big convoluted mess that tries so hard to be a superhero horror film and fails in every way. The movie feels like so much of it was cut out to the point where the story isn't even coherent anymore. Several characters seem like they had a much larger role such as the two cops or the doctor that end up being confined to a few very small scenes. The movie also can't decide what type of film it wants to be. It seems like the goal was a horror film but so much was cut out that there wasn't much horror left in it anymore. In the end, this is yet again a bad Spider-Man villain movie where the only positive about it was its memeability.

Grade: D+ Score: 4/10

13. Venom: The Last Dance

Venom: The Last Dance is a movie that is definitely not very good but it is still a lot of fun. The best part of this movie is the dynamic between Eddie and Venom. The two have such a bromance that comes to its peak in this film. The movie also plays into its goofiness with a lot of fun sequences through the format of a road trip movie. Every stop the two make has some little fun sequence that makes the movie more entertaining. The movie also has an incredibly entertaining third act. The story is incredibly clunky to get there but once the action starts it delivers. From a quality standpoint, the movie is not good. The script is messy with lots of clunky storytelling and subplots that just don't need to be there. The movie also has an overabundance of characters that have no purpose in the story. But in the end, for a movie like this, none of that matters. I'm here to watch Venom bite people's heads off and dance to Dancing Queen and that is what this movie delivers.

Grade: C+ Score: 6/10

12. The Amazing Spider-Man 2

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is easily the worst of the actual Spider-Man films. This is nowhere near as bad as any of the villain movies below but it is still a low point for the franchise. There are a lot of elements that I like about this movie. The whole Gwen Stacy-Peter Parker relationship was very well done. Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield have great chemistry together and their moments in the movie make for a sweet little rom-com. I also thought everything with Electro was well done. Max is a very likable and sympathetic character and you feel bad for him when he goes over the edge. However, the movie tries to cram too much into the film which is what gives it such a low score. The movie tries to do everything I liked while also trying to introduce Harry Osborn, uncover the death of Peter's parents, and set up the Sinister Six, Black Cat, the Rhino, and the Spider-Slayer. It is just too much for one movie. Everything was Harry and Peter's parents just feels so tacked on and makes the movie way longer than it needed to be. Overall, if this movie had just cut out some of its ideas and stuck with its core story, I think it would have been much better.

Grade: C+ Score: 6/10

11. Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man 3 is the other Spider-Man movie that was negatively affected by studio interference. Just like The Amazing Spider-Man 2, there are quite a few solid moments in the film but also a lot of very bad ideas. Everything with Sandman was cool. His story is such a tragic one that you feel bad for him when he has to turn to crime. The whole relationship between Harry and Peter is also well done. I like the conflict and resolution the two go through. There are also a lot of cool action sequences. The whole third act is exciting and fun to watch. One of the main issues with the movie was the studio-mandated Venom subplot. Sam Rami didn't want Venom in his movie but Sony did so the result was a half-effort Venom story. His story just feels so out of place and tacked on. It should have been its own movie. I also thought the whole Mary Jane and Peter relationship conflict was utter nonsense. Their disagreement is just so stupid and takes me out of the movie every time I watch it. Harry then gets drawn into the mix which just adds to the nonsense of the conflict. In the end, this is another Spider-Man story that has a deep conflict between some really good ideas and some really bad ideas.

Grade: B- Score: 6.5/10

10. Venom

Venom marked the beginning of the Sony Spider-Man villain universe and did surprisingly well box office-wise. This movie was a lot of fun to watch. The chemistry between Eddie and Venom is the main charm of the movie. They have this great bromance going on that delivers a lot of laughs throughout the film. The action sequences were also very cool. We get to see Venom fight a bunch of people and bite people's heads off. This movie is very much a junk food movie. The story itself is pretty weak and pretty much nonsense but the movie as a whole is very entertaining and easily rewatchable. The main thing keeping this down on the list is that the movie takes a bit too long to get going. It takes almost an hour for us to get Eddie and Venom together. Much of the beginning of the movie is bogged down by Eddie's reporter stuff when pretty much everyone comes to see Venom's action. The villain is also pretty bland and doesn't have any discernable characteristics. Overall, this is a dumb but fun movie that takes a little bit too long to get going.

Grade: B- Score: 6.5/10

9. Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Venom: Let There Be Carnage takes what works about the first Venom film and pretty much just cuts out everything else. This movie wastes no time on any setup as it is a brisk 90 minutes, leaving only room for Eddie and Venom shenanigans. This movie does a great job highlighting the relationship between Eddie and Venom as they continue to learn how to live with each other. This probably has the most Venom violence of the three films which I think works in its favor as that is what the people are here to see. Woody Harrelson is great as the villain in this story. He is likable yet very crazy and dangerous. This story is also the most focused on three as it has to trim off any fat to get in the 90 minutes. Of course, just like the other Venom movies, this is a very dumb but fun movie. The story is simple but not great and there isn't much to any of the characters. It is another junk food movie just like the other two. In the end, this is easily the best of the Venom films but is still by no means a great movie or anywhere close to the top of the list.

Grade: B- Score: 6.5/10

8. The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man is the first bout of Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man and is pretty much right in the middle quality-wise. This is the weakest of the Spider-Man origin stories as it just kind of is a redux of the original Spider-Man movie. On the positive side, I think Andrew Garfield is great as Spider-Man. He brings this charm to the character that neither of the other actors can bring. I also like the whole storyline between Peter and Gwen. When the movie is a rom-com between these two I think it works very well. This is what director Mark Webb is good at. I also liked Dr. Conners as the villain. I like that we get a new villain instead of a rehash of villains from the Tobey Maguire movies. However, this movie isn't the most groundbreaking in the world. It pretty much plays it safe by just rebooting a Spider-Man origin story with the first hour or so of the movie feeling very similar to the original Spider-Man film. Overall, while this movie isn't bad, it isn't super unique either. If I'm going to watch a Spider-Man origin story, I'll just watch the original film.

Grade: B Score: 7/10

7. Spider-Man 2

I may get some pushback for putting Spider-Man 2 this low. While a lot of people think it is the best of the original trilogy, I still prefer the original film. Doctor Octopus is easily the best part of this movie. He is one of the best villains in the Spider-Man franchise and Alfred Molina does a great job portraying him. I like how this movie builds on the Peter Parker that is established in the first film. This movie gives him all new challenges such as balancing his personal life with his superhero life. I also like how Harry is incorporated into the story and what the impact of his father's action had on his life view. I also thought the action in this movie was top notch with the train sequence being an obvious standout. The action and effects in the movie age pretty well considering the movie is 20 years old. The main reason this film isn't higher on this list is that I wasn't a huge fan of the whole Peter losing his powers subplot. It comes across that he loses his powers because he is bummed out and then just randomly gets them back when he feels better. In the end, this is a great Spider-Man sequel that is held back by a subplot that doesn't quite hit for me.

Grade: B+ Score: 8/10

6. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a surprise for me. I wasn't on board with an animated Spider-Man movie but once I watched it, I felt like visually this movie was a work of art. This was one of the first movies to take on the Multiverse and still one of the only ones to do it right. I just love how this movie is animated to be like a comic book with each different version of Spider-Man having his one animation style. Miles Morales is such a relatable and likable hero. I thought the whole training aspect with Miles was very well done as well as his relationship with Peter B. Parker and Spider-Gwen. The movie also has a great sympathetic villain in Wilson Fisk. You understand his loss and can see why he wants to do what he is doing. The only thing holding this movie back is that the latter half felt a little bit crunched together. I think it should have had time to breathe a little more after all of the Spider-people were introduced. Overall, this is just a great Spider-Man story while also being a top-tier animated movie.

Grade: B+ Score: 8/10

5. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming begins the best live-action rendition of Spider-Man. This movie is a refreshing take on Spiderman avoiding the origin story that we've seen too many times and jumping right into him having powers. This film is a high school comedy in the MCU and pulls it off well. Tom Holland is a perfect choice for Spiderman and can capture an immature high schooler well. We get to see classic Spider-Man street-level action and his attempts to grow to something more. The arc that Peter goes through is also very well done as he learns that he is more than just Spider-Man. The Vulture is also a great villain. He is likable and sympathetic as he is not an evil guy trying to do bad things but a family man wronged by Iron Man that just wants to provide for his family. The film also manages to balance Tony Stark and other MCU references well and not let them overshadow Spiderman. In the end, this was a great start to a new era of Spider-Man and finally lets him play with other MCU heroes.

Grade: A- Score: 8.5/10

4. Spider-Man: Far From Home

Spider-Man: Far From Home is a great sequel to Spiderman: Homecoming as well as a great epilogue to Avengers: Endgame. The story allows Peter to grow as a character and a hero. We see Peter become more of an adult as he has to step up and be a hero in the absence of Iron Man. The direction as a summer vacation story is also really fun with Spiderman able to swing around in all of these countries while also trying to advance aspects in his personal life. This movie does a great job of differing the struggles Peter has in life from what they were in the previous film. While in the last movie, you wanted him to grow and mature, this movie is about him trying to get the girl. Finally, Mysterio is also a great character. He is very sympathetic. You understand why he was wronged and what is driving him to do villainous things. Overall, it is just a solid adventure that grows Spider-Man as a character and kicks off the new era of MCU films in a post-Endgame Universe.

Grade: A- Score: 8.5/10

3. Spider-Man

The original Spider-Man film is still one of the best Spider-Man films. Not only is this a great Spider-Man film, but it is also an iconic superhero movie. This movie paved the way for all other MCU and DCU movies to be mainstream. X-men and Fantastic Four cleared the way and Spider-Man is what blew through the wall. Tobey Maguire is great as Spider-Man and Peter Parker. He can balance the timid Peter with the outgoing Spider-Man. The effects in this movie have aged very well with most everything being done with practical effects. Willem Dafoe is iconic as The Green Goblin. He is so creepy with both the mask on and off. The story itself is such a classic origin story and sets the standard for what other superhero movies would do. The movie also introduces us to the great J.K Simmons as J Jonah Jamison who was so great in the role that they didn't bother recasting him in the reboots. Finally, I found the score by Danny Elfman to be so great. It perfectly captures the essence of Spider-Man. In the end, this is an iconic movie that is a staple of the Superhero genre.

Grade: A- Score: 8.5/10

2. Spider-Man: No Way Home

Spider-Man: No Way Home is a truly special film. It was able to bring in villains from all of the different Spiderman films in a natural way without making it feel like there are too many. It was able to close out arcs not just from the MCU Spiderman films but the other Sony Spiderman films. While there are so many villains and Spider-Men in this movie, it still manages to be Tom Holland's movie The movie gives him a great arc that has been building for the past 6 MCU movies he's been in and allows him to transform into a mature superhero. The movie also does a great job of developing the friendship between MJ, Peter, and Ned. They are so much closer and more mature than they were when we met them in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Everyone had such high expectations and the movie managed to deliver on every single thing that was expected. It is funny, emotional, and just an overall fantastic film. This is a movie that knows what fans want and gives them exactly what they want.

Grade: A Score: 9/10

1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

It is not overstating things to call this movie a masterpiece. The animation looks so good in this film and is like nothing ever seen before. The handling of each universe is so well done. Not only do they have different colors but each Spider-being and world looks like it was animated completely different from any of the others. It is just so interesting to see all of these slightly different variations of animation in a scene together. The movie also does a great job of covering the multiverse. We get to cover multiple different universes and have prolonged scenes in each. The story itself is extremely compelling as it is all about what makes some Spider-Man and whether their destiny is set and has to fit in this Spider-Man mold. The movie also does a great job of giving us a natural next step for all of these characters. They all feel like a natural continuation of themselves from the previous films. We also get a lot of great growth from Miles as he learns how to balance his life and become his own Spider-Man. We also get a lot of growth from the other characters. The movie spends a lot more time with Gwen as we get a bit more of her back story and relationships. The conflict in this movie is also handled very well. We get different viewpoints on how to handle the main issue and it is just so interesting to see the different opinions. In the end, this is a fantastic film and one of the few movies I have given a 10/10 to.

Grade: A+ Score: 10/10