The road to Spider-Man homecoming

Before you check out Spider-Man: Homecoming this weekend, check out this rundown of all the theatrical films featuring everyone’s favorite webslinger.

Ever since the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Iron Man all the way back in 2008, comic book fans have been eager to eager to have Spider-Man exist in the same world as the other Avengers. However, because of a pre-existing rights agreement, the film rights of Spider-Man belonged to Sony. It took several years, but Marvel Studios was able to work out a deal with Sony that allowed the joint project, Spider-Man: Homecoming, to be made.

But before you get your spandex on to watch the new film, let’s flashback to the other big-screen appearances of the one and only Spider-Man:

SPIDER-MAN (2002)

Though Blade is the film credited with opening the door for subsequent Marvel Comics-based movies, it was really Spider-Man that caused the comic book movie genre to explode. Sam Raimi directs this film starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane, James Franco as Harry Osborn, and William Dafoe as the Green Goblin. The film received rave reviews at the box office and had the highest opening weekend in its release.

SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004)

Sam Raimi and the original cast return for Spider-Man 2, this time joined by Alfred Molina as the villain Doctor Octopus (Doc Ock). Supposedly filming began before a script was even completed, but you could not tell that from the finished film. Spider-Man 2 is considered one of the character’s best films and considered by many to be among the top comic book superhero films of all time.

SPIDER-MAN 3 (2007)

Though it wasn’t intended to be a conclusion at the time, the film’s underwhelming success led to Spider-Man 3 to be the de facto end of the original series. Common criticisms include too many villains, over the top humor, and a poor portrayal of the fan favorite villain Venom by Topher Grace.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2012)

Sam Raimi was originally expected to return for Spider-Man 4 (and even 5 and 6), but he left the project over creative differences. Rather than continuing without, Sony chose to make the decision of rebooting the franchise. Marc Webb came in the director’s seat with Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy along with Rhys Ifans as The Lizard. While generally considered a good film, the stigma of this installment comes from the mere fact that a rebooted origin story happened in such a short timespan as the original.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (2014)

If the main complaint of Spider-Man 3 was too many villains, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 takes that up to 11. Jamie Foxx appears as Electro, Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn/Green Goblin, and Paul Giamatti as the Rhino, along with setup for sequels and a Sinister Six film. Obviously because of the underwhelming financial performance of this project, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was the end of the Marc Webb, all future sequels and spinoffs were canceled, and the franchise was once again set to be rebooted.

IRON MAN 2 (2010)

Okay, this one doesn’t really count, but then again, it kind of does…. Though certainly not the intention when originally made, in an interview, Tom Holland said that Peter Parker appears in this film as the little kid wearing an Iron Man mask. Given that majority of this film takes place in Queens, it’s not a hard stretch to believe Peter Parker could have attended the Stark Expo. He would be the right age too as well.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (2016)

Marvel Studios chose to prepare audiences for their version of Spider-Man by introducing the character in Captain America: Civil War. Here Tom Holland is cast as the much younger Peter Parker. Though anyone can be skeptical of a second reboot in 15 years, fans quickly embraced Holland’s portrayal, citing him to be the closest to the comic book version.

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (2017)

Spider-Man’s first solo film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is out this weekend. This movie has already gotten 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, tying it with Spider-Man 2. Tom Holland is set to make further appearances in this universe, already scheduled for Avengers: Infinity War, Parts 1 and 2, as well as a Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel.

What did you think of Spider-Man: Homecoming? Have you seen it and what is your favorite Spider-Man film? Let us know in the comments below!

Spider-Man: Homecoming is out in theaters on July 7, 2017.