Someone recently said that the superhero movie was done and dusted, that public fatigue had grown, which is why films like Supergirl had failed miserably. Well, looking at the box office takings of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it seems that there is still a hunger for the web-slinger. This fourth outing for the current incarnation of the hero has a strong enough fan base to draw audiences to cinemas, and it has been raved about by critics, with strong word-of-mouth. Let me join the bandwagon: this is one of the best Spider-Man movies because it manages to blend top-notch action, a solid story, and, more importantly, strong character development that makes it more than just another smash-bang superhero film.

Four years after the events of No Way Home, Peter Parker aka Spider-Man, is living the life of a hero, but one filled with loneliness. He is also growing, with his arachnid levels slowly taking over his body. He is also facing a powerful new enemy he cannot contain alone, which could jeopardise his former girlfriend, MJ, and his best friend, Ned.

I don’t want to give too much away, as the joy of watching this film lies in the surprises hidden within. Yes, there are guest appearances from other Marvel characters that pop up in the trailer, but the bulk of the film hinges on one character that, even though most will know the answer already, I won’t spoil here.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton, who has already taken on a Marvel Studios movie before (the worthy Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), knows how to handle the action sequences, and these are executed with aplomb, including an interesting view of Spidy as he swings through the streets of New York (although shot in Glasgow). The set pieces are made all the more enjoyable as you can actually follow what is going on. No shaky cam, no rapid editing. He allows the audience to feel every punch.

There’s also plenty of humour, with an interesting new double act as Spider-Man teams up with Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher. The banter between the two very different heroes, or hero and anti-hero, brings a well-needed touch of comic relief to a film that deals with some quite deep subject matters, mainly that of loneliness. Being a hero isn’t all about winning the adoration of fans, especially when you need to keep your identity anonymous, which is a major issue for Peter. He has connections with people, like Frank and a New York Detective, but they don’t know who he is. The real crunch is his loss of MJ, whom he had to let go to save the world. There is also that sense of loss from the mysterious enemy who is searching for that special person in their life.

Throw into the mix Peter discovering he is changing. No longer a child, he is growing into adulthood, and with that, the spider within him is taking over the human side and causing him to react in very different ways. These are the moments that lift the film from being just another Marvel spectacle. Spider-Man has always been about great responsibility, but it also has that human element, where Peter has to cope with the pain of the decisions he has made.

It also helps that the performances are incredibly strong. Tom Holland, returning to the role in his fourth solo movie, has really grown into the role in more ways than one. This is his strongest performance as he is given many more emotional issues, as well as the changes in his DNA. He has really made the role his own. With his wife, Zendaya, returning as MJ, and with Jacob Batalon and Ned, the chemistry is terrific. One scene has the group making Lego Star Wars models, which is one of the most refreshing sequences seen in a Marvel movie.

Throw into the mix Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, the comic relief, and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner and the Hulk, which will please fans. The new character taken on by Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is a revelation and one that Sink almost steals the film with.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is terrific blockbuster entertainment that won’t disappoint those seeking escapism, but it’s also a wonderful drama that works on a human level. It’s definitely one of the best Spider-Man movies out there, and on the strength of this, it looks like Marvel Studios is back in form.

5 out of 5

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Bernthal, Sadie Sink, Liza Colon-Zayas, Tramell Tillman, Marisa Tomei, Naomi Watts, Michael Mando

Written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, (based on the Marvel comic book and creation of Spider-Man) Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

Running Time: 145 mins

Cert: 12A

Release date: 29th July 2026