We’ve ranked all the best Spider-Man titles to watch online in South Africa

Spider-Man is a classic “boy meets spider, gets untold powers, makes the newspaper, saves the city from super villains” tale. Peter Parker has picked a peck of pickled peppers on more than one occasion… and still we want more from everyone’s favourite masked New York webslinger!

Here’s our pick of Spidey’s web of adventures.

The LEGO Movie entrenched the beloved toy brand in the world of superheroes through DC. Now expanding its pop culture takeover to the Marvel universe, The Avengers and Spider-Man have also been “LEGOfied”. These LEGO shorts see Spider-Man battling his archrival, the sentient alien symbiote known as Venom.

The “plastic” animation is crisp, the peril is constant and the cheesy one-liners flow like fondue. The storytelling mimics play-time as Spider-Man faces off with Venom in one action sequence after another. It’s a glossy showcase for the superhero toy theme, exhibiting different builds and contraptions whilst emulating the fun of The LEGO Movie.

IMDB rating: 6.5/10

If Spider-Man 3 was Sam Raimi’s showstopper, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was Marc Webb’s. Coasting on the back of a promising Spider-Man reboot with Andrew Garfield, the sequel centred on the budding romance between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacey. More emotional in its attempt to capture the Twilight crowd, it just didn’t have the magic of The Amazing Spider-Man reinvention.

Dane DeHaan was terrific in Chronicle and serves as an inspired choice for the Green Goblin alongside Jamie Foxx, an intriguing choice as Electro. While the sequel made a lot of sense on paper, the languishing romance is at odds with the over-inflated fast-forward/slow-mo superhero action.

IMDB rating: 6.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 51%

Ultimate Spider-Man sees Spider-Man learning how to be a superhero, training to work as part of a team and facing off against Doc Ock. Marvel’s animated series was retitled Ultimate Spider-Man: Web-Warriors in Season 3, which sees Spidey getting a chance to join The Avengers. In Season 4, known as Ultimate Spider-Man vs The Sinister 6 he leads his own arachnid team.

The high energy cartoon series engages the senses through quickfire editing, wacky one-liners with Spidey breaking the fourth wall and features a wide spectrum of superheroes and villains. Aiming for high-octane action fun, it’s an easy and lightweight distraction with important lessons about growth and responsibility.

IMDB rating: 7./10

Marvel’s Spider-Man comic series seems aimed at kids but it’s actually good fun for all ages. The story of how Peter Parker became Spider-Man is starting to feel well-worn, but this series doesn’t dwell on it, launching headlong into new adventures.

The animation style is pretty simple, harking back to hand-drawn cartoons of the 80s. Voiced by Robbie Daymond, this series owns its goofiness. Tapping into Spidey’s youthful verve as a teenager, it has a much more playful and experimental edge than its film counterparts. The cartoon series captures Homecoming’s zesty goofiness and the smorgasbord that is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

IMDB rating: 7.1/10

Coming at a time of disarray in the Marvel Universe after Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home needed to bridge into the next phase with Spider-Man caught between two dimensions (studios). “It’s complicated” would definitely be the relationship status on this sequel, which essentially takes a Eurotrip to give fans some breathing room.

A blend of awkward teen comedy and cataclysmic action, Far From Home is a playful jaunt five years after Endgame. Not that much has changed, making it easy enough to put a new skin over the formula of Spider-Man: Homecoming. The goofy atmosphere, high entertainment value and Jake Gyllenhaal’s precarious balancing act makes it easier to roll with its flaws even at two hours.

IMDB rating: 7.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 90%

Andrew Garfield was an unconventional, but smart choice for Peter Parker. While Maguire set the scene for pop culture with his just-seen-a-ghost coolness factor, Garfield is much warmer and more relatable. Having established himself in Boy A, the young actor had the accent and chops to pull off New York’s friendly neighbourhood superhero.

Directed by Marc Webb… pause for effect… everyone thought the reboot was way too soon! Just like Iron Man’s build-up under an unproven Downey Jr and Favreau, expectations were low. However, taking a more dramatic, grounded and psychological approach with a fresh new star and slippery villain in Rhys Ifans as The Lizard made it surprisingly good!

IMDB rating: 6.9/10

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 73%

Sam Raimi is a legendary director, the guy who brought us The Evil Dead, Darkman and A Simple Plan. His comic book senses made him a perfect match for Spider-Man, bringing a healthy dose of cult appeal, dark edge, cheesy comedy and eye-popping visuals to Peter Parker’s world.

Tobey Maguire’s enigmatic vibrations and vulnerable streak make him a solid choice for Spidey. Pitting him against the indomitable Willem Dafoe as the Goblin contrasts this joyful coming-of-age superhero adventure of discovery. Much like The Matrix, the novelty of being immersed in Parker’s new world makes it fresh, exciting and wildly entertaining.

IMDB rating: 7.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 90%

Tom Holland’s Peter Pan agility and easy-going nature made it possible to accept a third “that Spider guy” in 14 years! While it may anger die-hard fanboys, this Marvel reboot is essentially a high school “romcom” retooled as a superhero flick. Sipping on Big Bang Theory and Superbad, it’s much more energetic, playful and zippy than its predecessors.

This infectious fun translates well, carried by Pete’s bromance with Ned and “skirmishes” with Zendaya as MJ. This trio of lovable and charming characters are backed by a stellar cast and full-tilt performances. Ultimately, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a well-balanced blast of entertainment fun, belly laughs and pulsating action.

IMDB rating: 7.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92%

Spider-Man was one of the first box office blockbusters to lead the superhero renaissance. Going much darker and psychological in Spider-Man 2, Raimi turned his attention to one of the comic universe’s most beloved villains with Alfred Molina as Doc Ock. Giving Maguire more demons to wrestle with, his inward quest has to catch up with the chaos around him.

This influential sequel mapped the way for the shadowy depiction of today’s superheroes. Building on what had been achieved in Spider-Man, there’s a greater depth of character even if it lost some of the joy and novelty of the original’s classic origin story.

IMDB rating: 7.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%

The LEGO Movie revolutionised animation visuals only for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to do it all over again with producer Phil Lord. Comic book visual styling and furious pacing power a rip-roaring and surreal sci-fi action adventure of the highest order. The print texture of the visuals give it a pulpy, fun and creative energy that’s so fresh, it takes time for your eyes to adjust!

Purposefully inconsistent, bending rules, poking fun at itself and trailblazing through pop culture, it’s a real achievement for animation and film. Into the Spider-Verse is a trip, dexterously balancing action exhilaration with spirited drama, skyrocketing into artful explosions of colour and intensity without losing its pure entertainment value.

IMDB rating: 8.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 97%