Fans everywhere are gearing up for Spider-Man: No Way Home, which releases in theaters on December 17. For some, this means participating in the spoiler fray. Will Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire appear in No Way Home? Will Venom and Eddie (played by Tom Hardy) appear in the MCU’s Spider-Man movies? What about Morbius, the Living Vampire? Will we see any other characters from Marvel ‘verses we’ve already visited? Some Human Torches, perhaps?
These are all excellent questions, but if you spend too much time worrying about them, you will probably end up with a headache big enough to fill the MCU multiverse up five times over. So instead, we suggest you build your excitement up the good old-fashioned way. By watching all of the movies and TV shows that might impact Spider-Man: No Way Home. Emphasis on might. But this way, if some of these movies and their characters do end up affecting the MCU, you’ll be ready. And even if not, a great, headache-less time will be had by all.
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Movies (a.k.a. Spider-Man 1, 2, and 3)
Let’s face it, one of the Spider-Men people want to see back in the MCU the most is Tobey Maguire’s version of the web-slinger. Will Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man actually appear in the MCU? Well, Marvel would certainly like you to think that’s a possibility… while telling you absolutely not. But admit it, even though you’ve been following the rumors with bated breath, you haven’t actually watched the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies in a decade.
These movies are now bona fide classics. And they include Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, and James Franco as Harry Osborn. Additionally, they introduce two villains joining the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home: Doc Ock, played by Alfred Molina, and the Green Goblin, played by Willem Dafoe. Plus, we’ll be seeing Spider-Man 3‘s Sandman, played by Thomas Haden Church, on our screens again very soon. Though we don’t yet know if Marvel really plans to introduce an MCU version of the Sinister Six.
We also can’t forget Topher Grace’s iconic appearance as Eddie Brock. (Nor can we forget how this incarnation of Venom made Peter Parker shimmy down the streets of New York.) Though we love Tom Hardy’s Venom, we always say two Venoms are better than one.
So go ahead, blast Dashboard Confessional to get yourself in the mood. Then press play on your DVD menu to reacquaint yourself with these epic Spider-Man movies. These films currently stream on Hulu with a premium subscription.
The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2
After Tobey Maguire, the next most-rumored person to appear in No Way Home is Andrew Garfield. Andrew Garfield, of course, played Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. These Spider-Man movies also starred Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. These movies also featured an origin story for Spider-Man. And though they eventually gave way to the MCU’s version of the web-slinger, they are well worth a watch.
In these films, we see Peter Parker battling two other members of the Sinister Six who may come into play in Spider-Man: No Way Home. In fact, it has already been confirmed that Jamie Foxx will reprise his role as Electro in the MCU film. What remains to be seen is whether Rhys Ifans will return as the Lizard from The Amazing Spider-Man. We know Lizard is in No Way Home though. It certainly seems like an option, which means fans will want brush up on this set of films. The trailer for No Way Home even references an iconic moment from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Fans will miss Easter eggs like that without a rewatch. You can rent The Amazing Spider-Man films on Amazon Prime.
Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Given that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man literally appears in the end credits of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, we absolutely suggest you catch up with Eddie Brock and his symbiote partner (lover?) while you wait for No Way Home. After Venom 2‘s shocking reveal, we feel reasonably confident we will see more of this duo soon. Although in what capacity is hard to determine. Venom seemed like he wanted to take a chunk out of Peter when we last saw him. But Venom and Eddie are also more bonded than ever at present.
Would Venom betray his host in No Way Home? Maybe a Venom rewatch will hold the clues. Venom currently streams on Hulu with a premium subscription. Venom: Let There Be Carnage will be available on video-on-demand starting November 23.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
While we haven’t been given any sign that Miles Morales will appear in the MCU’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, watching Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a sure-fire way to get you in the Spider-Man mood. Especially when it comes to the Spider-Verse. Honestly, though we love the idea of a live-action Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has already done the concept to perfection.
This film perfectly captures how different ‘verses can come together to tell a meaningful story that tugs on the heartstrings. All the different Spideys we meet bring something unique to the table, and yet they all still feel very Spider-Man-y. Not to mention, the animation is top-notch, and the soundtrack is perfection. We hope the MCU takes all the right lessons away from this fantastic movie and applies them to its Spider-Man movies and beyond. We also hope that you have a great time watching it again. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse currently streams on Hulu with a premium subscription.
Daredevil
There has been a lot of chatter around Daredevil now that Netflix’s hold on its rights has officially expired. With the rights back in Marvel’s hands, the hero could join the ranks of the MCU. Fans have pointed out that Peter Parker could need an attorney after being branded a murderer at the end of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Some even pointed to a hairy arm in the No Way Home trailer, citing it as belonging to Matt Murdock (it wasn’t him though). Charlie Cox, who plays Matt Murdock in Daredevil, has also expressed interest in returning to the role.
While all of this remains only speculation, the Netflix Marvel show Daredevil is absolutely worth a watch or rewatch. If Daredevil does come into the MCU fold, we don’t know how much of the series will become canon. However, it does serve as a great introduction to the character. The Netflix Marvel shows are known for being darker and more violent than the MCU’s more family-friendly offerings. And this certainly gives a different edge to the characters portrayed in them. It would definitely shock and delight fans if Matt Murdock found his way into the MCU’s Spider-Man movies. Daredevil streams on Netflix.
Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four (2015)
Listen. These movies aren’t great. You know it. I know it. We all know it. But what they do contain are two prominent MCU actors, Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan. Evans, of course, played Steve Rogers’ Captain America across many MCU movies. And Jordan stunned as Erik Killmonger in Black Panther. Interestingly enough, both these actors also played the Human Torch. And if we’re interested, you can bet Kevin Feige has thought about the possibilities.
No Way Home is all about the MCU multiverse. Worlds are cracking. Villains are emerging from all kinds of verses and timelines. If you can potentially have three Spider-Men and two Green Goblins in No Way Home… Why not two Human Torches? Both Killmonger and Steve Rogers are ostensibly gone from the MCU. But fans would love to see them again. There probably isn’t a day that passes where someone doesn’t search Google asking, “Will Chris Evans return to the MCU.” And, on top of that, there has been a real excitement for an MCU Fantastic Four, so why not introduce the concept here.
With all the hype around Spider-Man: No Way Home, maybe we will see Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan return to the MCU. Just not in the ways we expect. It could even merit a watch of these two movies. Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four (2015)stream on Disney+.
A Multiverse of Movies
As real-life machinations continue to make more and more MCU multiverse crossovers possible, the amount of movies on our to-watch pile grows. But if waiting until December feels like a chore, diving deep into the world of Spider-Man movies and beyond could feel like just the right move. And, hey, don’t forget the Tom Holland-version while you’re at it.