Spidey is back again to save New York from a new powerful threat just before the MCU faces its DOOM
Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
Written by: Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink
Rated PG-13 for sequences of action/violence and some language
Release Date: July 31, 2026
Runtime: 2:25
This review may contain spoilers
No way back from No Way Home…
Man, that last Spider-Man movie was epic! Not only did Marvel Studios bring back existing villains from previous Spider-Man movies, but they also brought back Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as separate Spider-Men, joining the MCU Spider-Man (Tom Holland) on top of the Statue of Liberty.
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
“Absolute cinema!” I’m sorry, but it’s gonna be hard to top that!
Also, No Way Home was five years ago, so I’m absolved from those spoilers; deal with it!
New Day, new Spider
Spider-Man has become a full-time superhero, now that literally everyone has forgotten Peter Parker. The city is filled with supervillains (and violent anti-heroes) to keep him busy as he becomes a celebrated hero for New York.
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
Yeah, sure, ignore Daredevil saving the city from a tyrannical mayor; Spider-Man fought a guy in a Scorpion suit.
But the big city has a new problem – a dangerous, strange foe possessing bodies and causing chaos, including a destructive car chase in a military Armored Protected Vehicle (APV). But Spider-Man is also dealing with his body undergoing a new mutation from the spider DNA – getting stronger, meaner, and actual organic webbing.
Eww, I hope that stuff is only coming out of his wrists.
MCU
The Multiverse Saga is coming to an end soon, marking this as the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). 38 movies and all the Disney+ shows, specials, and animation… that is gonna be a ton of catch-up for those behind. Good luck!
This guy likes the MCU
Director Destin Daniel Cretton has been attached to the MCU for a while now. First, he directed Shang-Chi back in 2021. He was also going to direct the next Avengers movie back when it was still called Kang Dynasty. He stepped down to focus on Disney+’s Wonder Man (which he co-directed and produced) and a Shang-Chi sequel (still in development). The sequel will have to wait, though, since he’s busy with a live-action Naruto movie.
Wait… a live-action what now?!
“I’m going through Changes”
Peter Parker has come a long way since Captain America: Civil War, not just because no one knows him anymore. He’s a loner; he broods over the city, and he’s non-stop crime-fighting. He’s also on the verge of an internal breakdown from the severe isolation.
He also feels like he’s aged since being a teenager. He’s grown up, although tragically (and magically) torn from everyone and anyone he loved. I like that kind of progression in Tom Holland’s acting. Bravo!
That was always a problem I had with Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 3 (trust me, there were plenty wrong with that one). He was a great Spider-Man and Peter Parker, but… it always felt like he was playing the character the same in all three movies. It was like he was permanently a teenager while in the middle of college or something. Just, always bothered me.
“You know what, let me tell you something”
Jon Bernthal is back as Frank Castle, aka the Punisher. If you’ve been off Disney+, Bernthal has been back as the Punisher for Daredevil: Born Again and The Punisher: One Last Kill.
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
Punisher has lightened up since One Last Kill, having become crime-fighting buddies with Spider-Man. Maybe slaughtering a ton of bad guys and teaming up with superheroes in bright costumes was what he needed. Now he’s cracking jokes, and the brother-like banter with Spidey gives the gun-toting Punisher a fresh new feel.
I mean, he’s still violent and has a bunch of military-grade guns, but still.
Nerd fact: Punisher was introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man #129comics. Punisher gets his first MCU movie in a Spider-Man movie. It all connects…
That Doomsday clock is ticking…
What do you mean this is it? That’s all we have before Avengers: Doomsday??? I don’t feel ready! Do you feel ready? Of course you freakin’ don’t!
Holy Hell! Doomsday is this December?!
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
Where’s Doctor Strange after he jumped portals with Charlize Theron? Isn’t there a piece of Venom’s symbiote in the MCU still? Where are the Eternals, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and Wonder Man? What about that Hercules tease at the end of Thor: Love and Thunder? What about the end of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and that entire legion of pissed-off Kangs?
There are so many questions left here! And don’t even get me started with Blade! Kevin Feige, you got some ‘splainin’ to do!
Before I hyperventilate, this really felt fast compared to Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. The Infinity Saga took 10 years to get to Thanos; the Multiverse Saga is getting to Doctor Doom in half that time. It’s even crazier that Doom is a replacement big baddie after Jonathan Majors (who played Kang the Conqueror) was fired for a 2023 assault and harassment verdict.
Swinging from Home to a Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Brand New Day was great to see! Marvel really has stepped their game up lately.
Brand New Day might not be as great as No Way Home, but I’d say it’s pretty close. While it doesn’t have a traditional Spidey villain (despite having many villains show up), this new baddie was a cool addition to the MCU, and that’s all I can say about her. Chances are, though, you already know who she is.
Marvel has been stingy with post-credit scenes this year; literally nothing all year from the Disney+ series. Thankfully, the movies are still keeping the tradition going. Stay seated, people; Spidey has some long-distance business coming soon. Very long distance.
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
