Spider-Man has had many different faces over the years, and it can be difficult to decide which version of the web-head you like best.
But there comes a time in one’s life when a choice must be made (with great power comes great responsibility, and all that).
Do you prefer the earnestness and modernity of Tom Holland? Or the broody aura of Andrew Garfield? Or is it Tobey Maguire still the quintessential Spidey for you in spite of all the memes he helped create?
Let’s not forget the actors who played Spider-Man in the Spider-Verse series or those who only played the Marvel character for a hot minute!
So, without further ado, here’s a list of all 19 Spider-Man actors ranked from worst to best – including those you wouldn’t even think of.
19. Jorma Taccone
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Comedian Jorma Taccone tries to reproduce Paul Soles’ (Spider-Man (1967)) voice in the post-credit scene of Into the Spider-Verse.
The funny gag sees Spider-Man 2099 go back to the 1960s, stumbling upon Soles’ Spidey and thus recreating the iconic meme-ified scene in which Spider-Man meets Spider-Man.
Although he doesn’t really succeed in replicating Paul’s deep timbre, Jorma does a good enough job. We’d have to see more to pass judgement, though.
18. Paul Soles
Appeared In: Spider-Man (1967)
Paul Soles couldn’t have given an interpretation furthest from who ‘Spider-Man’ is supposed to be, and in some strange way, we’re almost thankful for it.
After all, some of the best memes were born from the old 1960’s Spider-Man cartoon.
Even so, Paul’s overly confident and masculine take on Peter Parker’s voice will remain hilariously over the top for years to come.
17. Nicholas Hammond
Appeared In: The Amazing Spider-Man (1977), Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978), Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge (1979)
The first time a live-action Spidey found its way on our screens was in the 1970s. Nicholas Hammond was chosen for the titular role of a television series which, given its premise, should have become a cult classic.
While he is essentially the “first Spider-Man” (live-action), unfortunately, Nicholas’ portrayal is forgettable and far too old for the part.
It’s probably unlikely any of the older adults in your circle even remember this show or its lead actor.
16. Dan Gilvezan
Appeared In: Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1982-1983)
In the 1980s, Dan Gilvezan gave his voice to Spider-Man in Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, an NBC animated series that lasted three seasons and garnered positive reviews.
Although the show hasn’t exactly become a cult classic, Dan actually does a rather good job as Peter Parker, making him sound like the young adult he’s supposed to be, rather than the weathered superhero of previous adaptations.
15. Chris Pine
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Into the Spider-Verse was so good, we can’t help but mention every version of the character that crawled on screen.
Chris Pine plays Sam Raimi’s version of Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire’s iteration) at the start of the movie, perfectly depicting the iconic version of the web-crawler we all know and love.
Not only is Chris’ vocal cameo traditionally funny and heroic, he also treats us to some epic Spider-Man Easter Eggs like shout-outs to his kiss with MJ, and that legendary train rescue from Spider-Man 2.
14. Nicolas Cage
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Here’s yet another actor who took on the Spider-Man role for a fleeting second – and what a great time it was.
Nicolas Cage isn’t your everyday Spidey, but this version we get to meet in Into the Spider-Verse, suits him tremendously well.
The actor brings a 1930s vibe to Spider-Man Noir who is ridiculously and hilariously charming (I mean, that uncle voice is iconic!) – if only we got to see a little bit more of him.
13. Neil Patrick Harris
Appeared In: Spider-Man: The Animated Series (2003)
You wouldn’t immediately associate Spider-Man with the recognizable face of How I Met Your Mother alumni Neil Patrick Harris.
And yet! Spider-Man: The New Animated Series might have only lasted a few episodes, but Neil still gave it his all. Many fans of the comics were happy with how witty and fun his portrayal of Peter was.
12. Donald Glover
Appeared In: Ultimate Spider-Man (2015)
Three years before Into The Spider-Verse, Donald Glover jumped on the Spidey train to lend his voice to the first on-screen adaptation of Miles Morales in the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man.
Turns out, the creators of the series were encouraged to hire Donald after seeing him dressed up as Spidey in the hit show Community.
This was a wise choice, as it helped make Miles a humorous and endearing character from the get-go, and paved the way for Shameik Moore in Spider-Verse.
11. Andy Samberg
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
Andy Samberg’s Ben Reilly, a.k.a. Scarlet Spider, is one of the funniest characters in Across the Spider-Verse.
Whether he’s brooding about his traumatic past (a bit of a running gag with the Spider-People in Across the Spider-Verse) or complimenting his own “perfect pose” atop a building, he basically serves as a light parody of all the other characters at once.
Here’s hoping he delivers some more laughs in the third film.
10. Drake Bell
Appeared In: Ultimate Spider-Man (2012-2017)
Considering the quantity of Spider-Man animated series there are out there, we wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t remember that the Drake & Josh star gave his voice to Peter Parker in Ultimate Spider-Man.
Drake Bell’s work was honorable and he did stay on board for four seasons, after all.
9. Andrew Garfield
Appeared In: The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Although his performance isn’t as acclaimed as Tobey Maguire’s or Tom Holland’s, Andrew Garfield remains a great live-action Spidey in the hearts of many.
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Youthful and nerdy-looking enough, he seemed promised to a beautiful run. Alas, it was the “meh” plotlines and Sony’s efforts to make Peter Parker part of the “cool kids” that doomed Andrew’s version of the character, more than his ‘acting’ or overall portryal.
Actors don’t write the scripts after all.
8. Karan Soni
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
Some of the Spider-People in Across the Spider-Verse are seen through quick glimpses (like the Spider-T-Rex), while others get their own little chapters. The Spider-Man India segment is the best of them.
Karan Soni voices Pavitr Prabhakar, resident Spider-Man in “Mumbattan.” Simply put, he’s hilarious.
From a fast-talking rundown of the traffic, to a rant about chai, to humble-brags about his luscious hair, he has us in stitches. Pavitr Prabhakar is mostly a comic relief, but an excellent one at that.
7. Josh Keaton
Appeared In: The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-2009), Marvel’s Spider-Man (2017-2020)
From 2008 to 2009, Josh Keaton lent his voice to the iconic web-crawler in the The Spectacular Spider-Man. And just like Neil Patrick Harris, he does a damn good job nailing the hero’s liveliness and quick wit.
The show was only cut short by legal issues between Disney and Marvel. Prior to the series, Josh had also voiced Spidey in video games.
6. Oscar Isaac
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Oscar Isaac takes on the brief voice role of Miguel O’Hara a.k.a. Spider-Man 2099 in Into the Spider-Verse. In the sequel however, his role is much more important.
He’s a tortured, powerful leader who’s been driven to the brink of madness by the challenges that occupy him. With effortless power and a palpable sense of burden, Isaac turns O’Hara into one of the most interesting parts of the Spider-Verse sequel.
This character may be considered a bit of an overreach, but the writers and directors behind Across the Spider-Verse, as well as Isaac himself, turn him into a compelling figure.
5. Jake Johnson
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
If you’ve ever seen New Girl, you’ll recognize Jake Johnson’s weary yet loveable voice in a matter of seconds. And even if you haven’t, Jake’s charisma as the interdimensional, broken-hearted Spider-Man in Into the Spider-Verse was an iteration of Spidey we didn’t know we needed.
The best heroes are those we can relate to most, and what is more relatable and inspiring than someone who doubts themselves, but gets back up?
Johnson’s Peter Parker returned in the sequel as the ultimate “girl dad,” remaining as charming as ever. Oh and did we mention he’s hilarious?
4. Christopher Daniel Barnes
Appeared In: Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998), Ultimate Spider-Man (2013-2016)
In the 1990s, the original Spider-Man: The Animated Series offered us a Peter Parker who defied expectations and became the Spidey that millennials would come to worship.
Then, in his early twenties, Christopher Daniel Barnes had everything to make the character work – a young, eager voice and a snappy, fun personality to go with it.
3. Tom Holland
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
When he was picked to play Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, Tom was only 19 years-old, making him the youngest actor to ever play Peter Parker in a feature film.
Arguably the closest and most accurate version to the comics, Tom’s Spider-Man delivers everything and more to the character, including iconic one-liners (whilst fighting) and being engagingly silly.
Finally giving us someone who actually looks like a high-schooler, Tom has just the right amount of wit, earnestness and courage to play the part like a pro.
2. Shameik Moore
Appeared In: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Shameik Moore’s Miles Morales He’s the most innovative version of the hero, and Moore’s performance reflects as much. Not only is he the first Afro-Latino Spidey to grace the big-screen, he’s also an exciting departure from the tired Peter Parker origin story.
This is our second-best Spidey of all time, thanks to Morales’ character depth. He’s shown that even a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man needs help from friends, and later, he grapples with his own meaning and destiny in a fresh, engaging way.
He’s also the most convincing romantic lead we’ve seen in a Spidey suit. We can’t help but feel his attraction to Gwen Stacy like it’s our own old high-school crush.
1. Tobey Maguire
Appeared In: Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Here’s the thing. Whether you grew up with the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies or not, it’s undeniable that Tobey has given everything he has to the character.
While you probably want to be best friends with Holland’s Spidey, you really admire and look up to Maguire’s version as a true superhero.
Although he looks a bit old for the part, Tobey’s performance in all three movies (even the not-so-good third opus), is fittingly goofy, in-depth, and filled with heart – and there’s no beating that.
Officially ranked in the top tier of all-time Spideys as the best Spider-Man actor (at least in Tell Tales’ opinion), Tobey Maguire will always come to mind when we recall our friendly neighborhood hero.
Here you have it! The worst and best Spider-Man actors ranked!
Although we might have been harsh on some of the actors on this list, every one of them has worked hard and has somewhat contributed to the fantastic world that is the Spider-Man universe. That’s why we secretly love them all…
So, out of these Spider-Man actors, who would you rank as the best in the world? Don’t hesitate to come at us if you disagree with our ranking. After all, to each their Spidey!
This article was originally published in February 2021.
There are sections of this article that were written by Angela Stephanou.
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2 Responses
Totally disagree with your ratings. Andrew Garfield without a doubt, was the best Spiderman. Tom Holland next . Toby McGuire somewhere after them
Well, I disagree with yours. Tom Holland takes first, then Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield somewhere after. Btw, you didn’t even spell Tobey’s name right.