The Animated Masterpiece You Can't Skip
If you only watch one thing, make it Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023). This sequel to the Oscar-winning Into the Spider-Verse is a visual and narrative triumph that many fans and critics consider one of the best superhero films ever made. It
follows Miles Morales as he's pulled deeper into the multiverse, meeting a sprawling society of Spider-People led by the grim Miguel O'Hara (Spider-Man 2099). The animation is stunning, the story is emotionally complex, and it ends on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that directly sets up the next film. You'll hear people debating whether Miguel is a hero or a villain and discussing the film's shocking final reveal about Miles. This is the new benchmark for animated storytelling.
Sony's Live-Action Universe Got… Weirder
While the animated side thrived, Sony’s live-action Spider-Man Universe (SSU) has had a rockier path. You might have heard about Morbius (2022), a film that became a bigger internet meme than a box office hit. Then came Madame Web (2024), a movie about a clairvoyant paramedic that was widely panned. Most recently, Kraven the Hunter (2024) was released to negative reviews and became a box office failure. These films exist in a separate continuity from Tom Holland’s MCU Spider-Man but are loaded with Easter eggs and teases that have largely confused audiences. The key takeaway: Sony is building a universe of Spidey villains and side characters, but it has struggled to find its footing, with reports that the entire project might be rebooted.
The Animated Finale Has a Date
That massive cliffhanger from Across the Spider-Verse will be resolved in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. After a long delay from its original 2024 date, the finale to Miles Morales's trilogy is now scheduled to hit theaters on June 18, 2027. Producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller have promised the film will be an emotional conclusion to the story, picking up immediately where the last one left off. Fans are eagerly awaiting the resolution of Miles's multiversal predicament and the fate of his father. The wait has been long, but the promise of a satisfying conclusion to this beloved animated saga has kept the hype alive.
So, What About Tom Holland?
This is the big question for most fans. The good news is that a fourth MCU Spider-Man movie is officially on the way. Titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the film is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. It will pick up after the events of No Way Home, with Peter Parker completely alone and forgotten by the world, operating as a street-level hero in a handmade suit. Destin Daniel Cretton is set to direct. Reports and comments from Tom Holland suggest a more grounded story, though Jon Bernthal and Mark Ruffalo are rumored to be reprising their roles as The Punisher and Hulk, respectively. Holland has also expressed a strong desire to eventually introduce Miles Morales into the MCU, but for now, the focus is on this new, lonelier chapter for Peter Parker.
