20. Flash – “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Sure, Tony Revolori of “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Dope” fame doesn’t quite look like the Flash’s of old, but he sure does behave like a bully of 2017. Anyone who has seen Revolori in any of his previous roles knows just how talented he is (holding your own toe-to-toe to Ralph Fiennes is no small feat) to the point where you might be disappointed with the character’s overall screentime in the film. However, the actor makes the most of his antagonist role, imbuing Flash with justification for his hatred of Peter, but in a manner that seems far more modern. He’s a little awkward himself but is the loudest kid in the class who will make sure to throw out the first insult and, by the time the film has ended, we’ve wished we’d gotten to spend even more time with the character.
19. Laura Harrier / Liz – “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”
Will Spider-Man get the girl? What’s nice about Liz, the charming, academic decathlon captain, with little shades of the keener character by Molly Ringwald in “The Breakfast Club” is she’s earnest and relatable. And Laura Harrier imbues a warmth into the character that projects her carefree, but not reckless attitude. Without trying to overstate it, ‘Homecoming’ communicates a good high school kid, concerned with her grades, but sweet and willing to let her hair down a little. She’s just waiting for the endearing Peter Parker to get his shit together, but she’s not a doormat to wait around too long. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that seeing an interracial relationship in the film that doesn’t at all make a big deal about itself is refreshingly progressive.
18. Tony Stark / Iron Man – “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Sure, Tony Stark is really in his own universe and arguably shouldn’t be on this list. But, man, Robert Downey Jr. is so charming, so compelling, in the Spider-Man universe he really stands out (so much so he could have been much higher on the list). The character in this series is the reluctant mentor—he’s plucked Spider-Man out of Queens and recruited him to fight the Avengers, but as someone who has to manage a million things, he’s beginning to understand Peter Parker is a) not ready to be a hero, b) high maintenance. Stark doesn’t want Parker’s blood on his conscience, so it’s an interesting father/son, big brother relationship we hope to see continue.
17. Uncle Ben – “The Amazing Spider-Man”
Martin Sheen has had his ups and downs, but throughout his career he has played the stern-but-loving father figure with grace and menace in equal dose. His Uncle Ben is no exception. Unlike the Ben in Raimi’s (superior) film, Sheen imbues the character with rough edges; he’s a man of principle who believes in the responsibility of good, but falls victim to the petty whims of anger. This, of course, is best exemplified in the scene where Ben, full of rage and righteousness, recounts to Peter the “moral obligation” of doing good — the embodiment of the difficulty to live up to your principles. Basically Sheen turns an iconic character into a living, breathing man, and Webb’s film is better for it.
16. Aunt May – “The Amazing Spider-Man 1 & 2”
Despite being open about her distaste of both films, Sally Field gives one of the best performances in the two ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ entries. Grief-stricken over the loss of Uncle Ben, Field’s Aunt May exudes tough love over Peter about the same fate befalling him. Sandwiched in between jarring tonal shifts and a montage set to the ear-cancerous “For You” by Phillip Phillips, the second film stops to breathe for a second while Field delivers that beautiful monologue. If the film had been comprised of more of those moments, we might not be on the second Spidey reboot
15. Denis Leary / Captain Stacy — “The Amazing Spider-Man 1 & 2”
Among Denis Leary’s rare poignant acting turns post-”Rescue Me,” Captain Stacy is a stern, dejected but ultimately (and surprisingly) sincere performance from the notoriously prickly comedian, one that’s impactfully restrained and, in the end, genuinely moving in its grim portrayal. Serving as the bruised, browbeat but beating heart of the flawed-but-involving blockbuster, Leary’s weathered, sarcastic police captain played a huge part in the uneven reboot’s scrappy success, and his flinty, moralistic on-screen presence was felt, despite his absence (mostly) in the less-grounded sequel. It’s pitch perfect casting, and an excellent but sadly fleeting glimpse of Leary at his acting best.
14. Ned – “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Of all of the wonderful additions to the cinematic Spider-Man universe in the most recent go-around, it might be Jacob Batalon’s Ned who makes the biggest impression (beyond the titular teen hero himself). Batalon possesses a natural comic timing and radiates charisma, hopefully promising a big career ahead, well past the MCU. In “Spider-Man: Homecoming” he plays Peter’s awkward (sometimes goofy) best friend who helps tether him to the real world where heroics come second to going to parties and participating in decathlons. It’s a role that easily could’ve been either by the numbers or forgettable but Batalon makes it his own instantly.
13. Michelle – “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Zendaya’s character in “Homecoming” was a bit of a mystery leading up to the film’s release and, upon watching, it still is. Michelle is a sarcastic outcast — a sly nod to Ally Sheedy in “The Breakfast Club” — along with Peter and Ned but in a more self-inflicted manner as she separates herself from the rest of her peers. A self-proclaimed oddball and possessing some wonderfully sardonic wit, Michelle may not be the most fleshed out of characters in the new generation of Peter’s peers, but she gets some of the biggest surprise laughs and adds a layer of cynical humor that matches well against Peter’s bursting-at-the-seams enthusiasm.
12. May Parker – “Spider-Man 1, 2, & 3”
The Sam Raimi “Spider-Man” films have a knack for bringing to life the classic comic book renditions of the web slinger’s supporting cast, and Rosemary Harris’ rendition of Aunt May is a perfect example of that strength. Handily the oldest of the three turns at the character, Harris is also the warmest, showing up in each film to reset our hero’s moral compass with a distinctive, theatrically-trained cadence. Her forgiveness of Peter in “Spider-Man 2” for his complicity in Uncle Ben’s death remains the series’ most generous and moving moment.
11. Harry Osborn – “Spider-Man 1, 2, & 3”
In spite of the fact that “Spider-Man 3” is something of a bloated mess, it finds a modicum of redemption in the way it concludes the character-arc of James Franco’s Harry Osborn. And that speaks to Harry’s importance to, and success within the trilogy. Harry’s relationship with Peter Parker — from friends to rivals to nemeses to friends, again — works largely because Harry is so damn likeable and charming at every turn. Sure, he inherits papa Green Goblin’s tenuous relationship to reality, but, even at his least lucid, it is clear Harry still cares for Peter, which gives Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy a robust emotional core.
Thank you for recognizing Tobey as Spidey!
So many people hate on his performance and i’ve always been astonished as to why???
I was not a fan of Garfield at all but love Holland. I do believe Tobey (maybe Holland for best Spidey) is the best Peter Parker. He was powerful in his pain & inner turmoil.