Since the much-anticipated release of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” fans have begun to ponder over which actor best played the role of Peter Parker and Spider-Man. After joining Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s versions of Peter Parker helped the Marvel Cinematic Universe hero defeat villains featured in previous films. The linking of the heroes has been celebrated by Spider-Man fans all around the world but has also caused a debate among fans and students.
The first live-action Spider-Man to hit theaters was Maguire in a Sam Raimi-directed trilogy stretching from 2002 to 2007. Maguire received high praise for his acting of the heroic web shooter, with the first two films earning ratings over 90 percent through Rotten Tomatoes.
The timing of the trilogy led many students to grow up watching the Maguire version of Spider-Man. For junior Max Marler, he favorites Maguire over the other Spider-Men in part to his remembrance of the films.
“I grew up watching Tobey Maguire’s movies, and I see him as the sort of original Spider-Man, the one everyone else tries to replicate,” Marler said.
Despite his love for Maguire based on the timing of the films, Marler also believes that Maguire is the strongest of the three heroes.
“Tobey’s Spider-Man is the wisest and he’s also the strongest,” Marler said. “All of the fights he goes through are fights that the other Spider-Man would not be able to make it through.”

Following failed plans at a fourth Maguire film, Sony moved forward with plans of rebooting the Spider-Man franchise and eventually released “The Amazing Spider-Man” in 2012. The franchise had originally planned for three films to be made, however after low box office performance from the second film,” The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” the third installment of the franchise was canceled. Despite the cancellation of the final film, many fans still view Garfield as the best actor for the hero. One student, senior Ben Ankrom, says Garfield brings a unique sense of humor to the character, one that is not seen as often in the other actors.
“Andrew Garfield brings way more comedy to the character than the other actors,” Ankrom said. “It almost seems like he doesn’t even try to be funny. Just the way he words things and the things he says makes it seem like he’s just a funny person.”
After “The Amazing Spider-Man” franchise folded, another reboot occurred, this time featuring Holland. After first reprising the role with a cameo in “Captain America: Civil War,” Holland had three solo films while also helping the Avengers in their fight against Thanos. Holland’s three solo films were met with high praise, with a near 92% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest of any of the three franchises. Holland’s acting has been highly acclaimed by senior Eli George, and he says that Holland fits the overall Peter Parker and Spider-Man role perfectly.
“Tom Holland is just overall better at playing the role,” George said. “His specifics like even his poses are just better. His powers are way stronger. His suit is way cooler, and he’s even a ladies’ man.”
When it comes to playing just the Spider-Man role, George views Holland as brighter than the other actors.
“Tom has more capability as far as like spider man himself. He has that nerdy side but he’s also way more innovative and much better at solving problems and fighting whereas the other two are a little bit more reserved,” George said.
Despite the debating over which actor best portrays the role, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” allowed Spidey fans all around to view a unique film in which all actors of the role got to share a screen, all with the common goal of just trying to be the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.