Every Spider-Man Movie's Final Scene Ranked
Spider-Man has come a long way over the past few decades. Since the release of director Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" in 2002, the web-slinging hero has dominated our screens, with each new adaption bringing something new to the table.
Showing no signs of slowing down, "Spider-Man" films continue to dominate the box office. This is especially the case for 2021's "Spider-Man: No Way Home" — one of only three films ever to rake in more than $800 million from its domestic theatrical run. And with "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" — the much-anticipated sequel to 2018's "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" – on deck for release next year, now is a great time to take a look at the spectacular film history of Spider-Man.
Although critics tend to discuss the visuals, the actors, or even the romance in the "Spider-Man" franchise, we'd like to take a look at the final scenes from each film and determine how well they hold up against one another. Let us ponder the significance each scene holds, and why they're all remembered to this day.
9. The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Andrew Garfield did an amazing job (see what we did there?) portraying Spider-Man in 2012's "The Amazing Spider-Man" and 2014's "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." However, it's difficult to think about those films without comparing them to the stories and the characters of director Sam Raimi's original "Spider-Man" trilogy, which played an essential role in shaping the modern superhero movie genre.
That being said, the final scene in Garfield's second "Spider-Man" outing holds merit. It takes place after the death of Peter Parker's girlfriend, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Peter blames himself for her death and decides that he can't continue being the wise-cracking, web-slinging hero. However, when duty calls once more, Peter suits up to stop the newest villain wreaking havoc on the streets, Rhino (Paul Giamatti). The ending sees Spidey back in action and cracking his jokes. He's seemingly come to terms with his part in Gwen's death and has chosen to fight for the city once again. While film's after-credits scene hints at the villainous team-up of the Sinister Six, it's the final, pre-credits moments that make the biggest impact.
8. Spider-Man 3 (2007)
"Spider-Man 3" is Sam Raimi's third and final "Spider-Man" movie. However, apparently in part due to the studio's unshakable demand for a half-hearted Venom, 2004's trilogy-closer isn't generally considered a creative success.
"Spider-Man 3" has a lot going on. The film includes Venom (Topher Grace), Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), and another Green Goblin (James Franco) for Spider-Man to face off against. On top of that, Peter indulges a flirtation with Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard), and contends with corruption at the hands of the Venom symbiote that brings out his dark side.
One of the only good scenes in the entire film comes at its conclusion, when Peter reconciles with Franco's Harry Osborn as he dies, and reconnects with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). Peter and MJ's relationship runs into many hurdles throughout this series, so it's a nice moment when the two wordlessly embrace and dance in the final seconds of "Spider-Man 3."
7. The Amazing Spider-Man
Released in 2012, "The Amazing Spider-Man" is Andrew Garfield's first performance as ol' Web Head. The film sees him begin a relationship with Gwen Stacy, whose father is Captain George Stacy (Denis Leary) of the New York Police Department. Captain Stacy is not a fan of Spider-Man. However, once he discovers Peter's secret, he works with him to stop the villain of the film, the Lizard (Rhys Ifans). Unfortunately, Captain Stacy is killed fighting the reptilian madman. Captain Stacy's dying wish is for Peter to leave Gwen alone, seeing as how Peter seems like a dangerous person to spend a lot of time with.
Peter decides to keep that promise, and tells Gwen they can no longer be together, resulting in their mutual misery. The final scene shows Peter listening to a voicemail from his recently deceased Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen), who tells Peter that he's destined for greatness and has to figure out how to use his gifts to help the world. Uncle Ben's words move Peter, who makes the decision not to lose Gwen.
During one of their classes together, a teacher tells Peter not to make promises that he can't keep. He then leans in and whispers in Gwen's ear that those are the best kind of promises. She smiles, realizing he means he's changed his mind about keeping his promise to her father. It's a cute moment, but it feels a little dark knowing Gwen ultimately does die because of her association with Peter. If he had kept his promise, Gwen might have survived.
6. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
"Into the Spider-Verse" has been celebrated as one of the best superhero films of all time due in part to its stunning visuals, unique adaptation of "Spider-Man" characters, voice acting, and soundtrack. The film won various awards after its 2018 release, including an Oscar for best animated feature film.
This triumphant remix of a classic origin story introduces young Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) who becomes the new Spider-Man after Peter Parker (Chris Pine) is killed by Kingpin (Liev Schreiber). Due to exceptional circumstances, a group of other Spider-heroes are pulled into Miles' universe, and they help him become a hero in his own right.
Miles begins his story as a regular kid who's overwhelmed by the weight and responsibility of his spider-powers, so when he fulfills his superhero potential in the end of the story, it feels like a massive payoff. The final scene reflects this perfectly; Miles is relaxing in bed listening to the exact same song he was listening to in the beginning of the film, but he's a more confident, casually heroic version of himself. When the film ends with the "Spider-Verse" version of Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) calling him from her universe, he's not afraid to open his eyes and answer. It's just another day for Spider-Man.
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming
When it was announced that Spider-Man would finally join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans everywhere rejoiced. Almost a decade after 2008's "Iron Man" launched the shared cinematic timeline, it looked like Spidey was about to take his rightful place at the center of the Marvel Universe. Tom Holland's portrayal of Spider-Man in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War" was widely praised, so it should come as no surprise that his first solo feature as the character was a success.
Arriving in theaters in 2017, "Spider-Man: Homecoming" sees Holland's Spider-Man try to find his way as a superhero in a world where superheroes are already all over the place. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) takes on the role of mentor to Peter, who hopes to eventually join the Avengers. One of the film's final scenes shows Peter getting everything he wanted — he's about to join the Avengers. But he decides to remain independent at the last moment.
While the Avengers deal with global threats, Peter has learned his value as a defender of the metaphorical little guy as a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Tony respects his decision, ultimately gifting him a new suit. Unfortunately for Peter, when he gets back home, his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) sees him in costume and exclaims in shock.
While this film also has a post-credits scene, it's these final pre-credits scenes that stand the test of time. One shows Spider-Man finally leaving Iron Man's shadow; the other helps set up Aunt May's role for the next two movies.
4. Spider-Man 2
"Spider-Man 2" has widely been acknowledged as one of the greatest superhero films ever. This movie allowed studio executives to see that, when done properly, superhero movies are a gold mine.
A major hit from 2004, "Spider-Man 2" raises the stakes in Peter's life as he faces off with a sympathetic villain in Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina). He also must come to accept that the love of his life, MJ, is about to marry someone else. However, in the final scene, we discover MJ has left her fiancé at the altar and has shown up on Peter's doorstep. In reference to his spandex-clad alter ego, she tells him that it's high time someone saved him for a change. Then they kiss ... until Peter hears sirens in the distance. MJ tells him to go, and he jumps out the window, excited about what's to come.
Unknown to Peter, MJ is watching him with a somewhat sad look in her eye as she accepts what being with Peter means. It's not just him she's with — it's Spider-Man. And while she loves him, audiences can see the pain in her eyes as the realization of her choice sinks in.
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home
As far as the Tom Holland era of Spidey films goes, 2021's "Spider-Man: No Way Home" gives audiences the most authentic version of the character. Holland's Spider-Man has often been in the backseat of his own movies, as the adversaries he faces off against in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and "Spider-Man: Far from Home" are basically "Iron Man" villains. The Vulture (Michael Keaton) and Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) are primarily angry at Iron Man — Spider-Man just gets caught in the crossfire.
This is what makes the ending of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" so great. It finally shows Spider-Man on his own, as the hero historically tends to be. He doesn't have the Avengers or Stark technology to rely on. The movie's final scene shows Peter coming to terms with the fact that he's alone. Nobody remembers him. His Aunt May has passed. He decides against trying to make his friends remember him, and creates a new Spider-Man suit entirely on his own. The words of his Aunt May — "With great power, comes great responsibility" — ring in his head as he understands the responsibility that comes with being Spider-Man. Holland's Peter Parker alone in his room, mentally taking on the weight of his responsibilities, makes for a powerful scene.
2. Spider-Man: Far from Home
"Spider-Man: Far from Home" is a fun film that introduces an interesting take on Mysterio. Typically, the fishbowl-headed criminal is known as a master of illusion, so it's interesting to see him reinvented in the mold of a modern tech bro, as opposed to his more traditional rendering as a disgruntled special effects artist.
However, it's in the 2019 film's final scene that Mysterio's true illusion comes to light, as he tricks the world into thinking that Spider-Man is the villain of the story. It gets worse, as Mysterio also broadcasts the fact that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Even in death, Mysterio single-handedly changes Spider-Man's entire life. This is the moment that leads to Peter accidentally breaking the barriers of reality, resulting in the events of the next film, "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
During this final scene in "Far from Home," although Peter is wearing his mask, the viewers can still see the terror and fear he experiences as a crowd of New Yorkers react to the lie. This final scene also sees the "Spider-Man" franchise's return of J.K. Simmons, who reclaims the role of dubious media mogul J. Jonah Jameson that he expertly played in the Raimi films.
1. Spider-Man
Released in 2002, "Spider-Man" is the film that started it all. As Uncle Ben says in many iterations of Spider-Man's origin story, "with great power, comes great responsibility." It's something that every version of Spider-Man must deal with during some part of their journey to become a hero.
The final scene of "Spider-Man" takes place at Uncle Ben's (Cliff Robertson) gravestone. MJ confesses her love for Peter, telling him that he's always been there for her and it's him that she wants. Audiences can see the surprise and happiness on Peter's face as she kisses him, but the words his Uncle Ben spoke have deeply affected him. He tells her all he can be to her is a friend; then he walks off. Mary Jane watches him sadly before touching her lips, noticing some similarity between this kiss and the kiss she shares with Spider-Man earlier in the movie. As she mulls over this intriguing coincidence, Peter walks off thinking in a voiceover, "With great power comes great responsibility ... This is my gift and my curse. Who am I? I'm Spider-Man."
There's no better ending.