Spider-Man (2002)
Kernel Score: 82% · 20,366 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Action, Science Fiction
Released: 2002-05-01
Runtime: 121 minutes
Is Spider-Man worth watching?
Must-watch. Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man still gets the origin story right: a likeable Peter Parker, a menacing Green Goblin and a clear idea of what the hero's responsibility means. Its effects look dated now, but the heart holds up.
Watch it if you
- want the classic superhero origin done with warmth
- like your comic-book films earnest rather than snarky
- are introducing a younger teen to superheroes
Skip it if you
- need modern effects polish
- want grim, realistic superhero stories
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Spider-Man
- Stream: Disney+, Fubo, YouTube TV, FXNow
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
After being bitten by a genetically altered spider at Oscorp, nerdy but endearing high school student Peter Parker is endowed with amazing powers to become the superhero known as Spider-Man.
Spider-Man parents' guide: ages 10+
Parents need to know that this superhero origin has comic-book action and a villain, framed around the theme of responsibility.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Comic-book action with a menacing villain and the loss of a loved one, at a PG-13 level.
- Sex, romance & nudity: A little — Includes a teenage romance with mild affection but no explicit content.
- Language: A little — PG-13, with only occasional mild language.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Spider-Man
If you liked Spider-Man, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) — 81%: Same director and cast, with a stronger villain and story
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) — 92%: Another Spider-Man story that trusts feeling over spectacle
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) — 91%: A fresh, inventive origin with the same youthful heart
- The Incredibles (2004) — 85%: Superhero family adventure with real emotional stakes
- The Dark Knight (2008) — 96%: The high point of serious superhero filmmaking
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) — 81%: A younger, lighter Peter Parker in school
Director
Cast
- Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man / Peter Parker
- Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin / Norman Osborn
- Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson
- James Franco as Harry Osborn
- Cliff Robertson as Ben Parker
- Rosemary Harris as May Parker
- J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson
- Joe Manganiello as Flash Thompson
- Gerry Becker as Maximilian Fargas
- Bill Nunn as Joseph 'Robbie' Robertson
Spider-Man FAQ
Is Spider-Man worth watching?
Must-watch. Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man still gets the origin story right: a likeable Peter Parker, a menacing Green Goblin and a clear idea of what the hero's responsibility means. Its effects look dated now, but the heart holds up.
Where can I watch Spider-Man?
In the US you can stream Spider-Man on Disney+, Fubo, YouTube TV and FXNow and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Spider-Man OK for kids?
Spider-Man is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 10+. Parents need to know that this superhero origin has comic-book action and a villain, framed around the theme of responsibility.
What movies are like Spider-Man?
If you liked Spider-Man, try Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The Incredibles.