Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in December’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, finishing the current arc for his wall-crawler. And given the ever-nearing arrival of this much-anticipated MCU flick, it seems like a good time to look at the best moments from Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies as of October 2021!
10) Spider-Man Introduces Himself (Captain America: Civil War, 2016)
Holland’s part in Civil War is relatively small, especially compared to Peter Parker’s later appearances. But it’s effective enough as an appetizer for what audiences can expect from his Spider-Man from that point onwards. Let’s not forget it’s also the first appearance of the Stark Suit, which takes its visual cues from the John Romita Jr. run of Amazing Spider-Man.
Having Spidey yank Cap’s shield from his hands is a spectacular intro for the beloved hero. The teenage naivete displayed as Peter remarks on the Winter Soldier’s arm is also endearing. Inserting Spidey into Civil War was a great creative decision that endeared audiences enough to anticipate his solo film a year later.
9) Spider-Man Saves His Class (Homecoming, 2017)
The Washington Monument scene is one of the most significant scenes in Homecoming. It’s one of Peter’s first major rescues but, at the same time, highlights a big mistake of his. An alien bomb he obtained earlier explodes in Ned’s bag, rendering the elevator unstable and forcing Spidey to come to his classmates’ rescue.
The scene is great because it shows Peter adapting to his suit’s technical powers including the glide function and Karen’s analysis. It also pays tribute to the upside-down kiss from Spider-Man 1 when Karen suggests he kiss Liz when he hangs from the ceiling. It has an effective mix of action and comedy all in one.
8) Spider-Man vs Mysterio (Far From Home, 2019)
The Spider-Man vs. Mysterio fight is one of the best fights in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies. The scene is an impressive flurry of dizzying acrobatics as Spidey takes on Mysterio’s drones. But in many ways, it’s a sign of the character’s development that he can take on the illusionist without Stark Tech to help him.
There’s also a bittersweet sense to the scene since Quentin Beck set himself up as Peter’s father figure in the movie. It’s evident from the battle that Peter feels some disappointment that his supposed father figure is nothing more than a criminal.
7) Peter Realizes That Toomes is Liz’s Dad (Homecoming, 2017)
Homecoming makes many changes to Spider-Man, but it doesn’t take away the Parker Luck we all know and love. Indeed, the Parker Luck appears to be on steroids as Peter discovers, to his horror, that Liz’s Dad is the villain he’s been pursuing the whole movie. Of course, at this point, he’s not in the suit and only present to meet his prom date.
I remember being at the theatre and hearing the audience gasp when Toomes opens the front door and reveals himself as the father. It’s a brilliant and shockingly effective moment that turns everything on its head, making Peter’s mission even more personal than it was already.
6) Vulture Discovers Peter’s Identity (Homecoming, 2017)
One of the tensest and nail-biting moments in Homecoming has no superpowers or webs. It just has Peter and his prom date, Liz, being driven to the Prom by her dad, Adrian Toomes AKA Vulture.
The moment rules because we feel Peter’s nervousness as Liz’s banter surrounding Peter’s mysterious absences allows Toomes to put two-and-two together. When Toomes grins and says slyly, “Good ol’ Spider-Man”, we know Parker is in deep trouble.
5) Spider-Man’s Identity is Revealed (Far From Home, 2019)
We always knew the MCU were taking their Spider-Man in a different direction than previous movie iterations. But who would’ve guessed that it would be this? Ironically, after a whole movie of Peter desperately trying to manage his dual identity, a posthumous video from Mysterio undoes his hard work in an instant.
This is one of the best moments of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies for many reasons. Firstly, it reintroduces J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson – which is just plain brilliant. Secondly, making ol’ Jolly Jonah an Alex Jones-esque conspiracy theorist is creative writing and relatable in our modern political climate. Thirdly? The moment comes so far out of left-field and is a great example of shock value done right. How on Earth will Peter get himself out of this one in No Way Home?
4) Spidey Holds The Ship Together (Homecoming, 2017)
It wouldn’t be a Spider-Man adventure if something didn’t go wrong. Indeed, it does so in Homecoming when a boat is split in half while Peter fights Vulture and his cronies. This forces him to save a ferry full of helpless people.
It also allows the visual effects artists to make a tribute to Spider-Man 2. The similarity between the train moment in SM2 and this one is uncanny. Both have their respective Spider-Men utilize their strength to help subvert a disaster, employing similar camera angles. And yeah I know Iron Man saves him in the end, but it still counts as a visually striking moment in Holland’s turn as the web-slinger.
3) Peter Activates ‘Instant Kill’ on the Aliens (Avengers: Endgame, 2019)
You’ll recall that in Homecoming, Peter’s AI tells him that his suit has an in-built ‘Instant Kill Mode’. Upon hearing the info, Peter anxiously rejects it, determined not to kill anybody. And then we never hear about it again.
…That is, until Avengers: Endgame, when Spider-Man activates it during the battle between the titular heroes and Thanos’s alien forces. It’s a pretty good callback to that moment in Homecoming and shows Peter is taking no prisoners in the battle for the universe’s freedom.
2) Peter vs. Mysterio’s Illusions (Far From Home, 2019)
This scene is a mind-trip not just for Spider-Man, but also for the audience. Taking place shortly after the wall-crawler discovers Quentin Beck’s true motives, Mysterio disorients Peter through a series of visually powerful illusions while taunting him for his naivete. Look, this scene is just awesome as a visual eyesore, watching Peter helplessly attempt to escape the illusions despite his best efforts. That’s one way to reveal your villain’s true colors. It’s a scene worthy of Mysterio, and a Spider-Man film in general.
1) Peter Lifts the Rubble (Spider-Man: Homecoming, 2017)
Spider-Man has always been a coming-of-age story, but its coming-of-age quality has never been so effectively demonstrated as it is in Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Homecoming. Unlike previous solo Spidey films, Holland’s Parker benefits from the tutelage of Tony “Iron Man” Stark.
However, towards the end of the film, the young superhero is forced to save the day without his idol’s help. This is best exemplified when the Vulture traps Peter under a heap of rubble, leaving him helpless as he flies off to steal the Avengers weapons. After crying for help, Peter realizes that it’s up to Spider-Man to save himself and determinedly rises from his entrapment. It’s a scene that pays tribute to the classic If This Be My Destiny story arc from the ’60’s comics and remains the most emotionally powerful moments from MCU Spidey thus far.
So, we pass the question off to you. Do you agree or disagree with this list? What do you think are the best moments in the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies?