For more than half a century, Spider-Man has done whatever a spider can — and more — across our TV screens in animated form. He has shaped generations of Marvel fans long before the MCU turned him into a box office juggernaut. From the groovy 1960s to today’s cutting-edge animation, Spider-Man’s story has been told and retold in ways that reflect the era, the audience, and the creative teams behind them. Some versions have stood the test of time, while others are best left as quirky footnotes in that friendly neighborhood hero’s long history.
Videos by ComicBook.com
With that in mind, we’ve put together the ultimate breakdown of every animated version of Spider-Man, ranked from our least favorite to our most favorite.
12) Spider-Man Unlimited
When Fox Kids greenlit Spider-Man Unlimited, expectations were high. Coming off the wildly popular Spider-Man: The Animated Series, fans thought they were in for more grounded storytelling. Instead, they got a bizarre alternate reality adventure that dropped Peter Parker on Counter-Earth with animal hybrids and a futuristic costume.
Rino Romano voiced Spider-Man in this series, and while his performance wasn’t the issue, the show’s tone felt too far removed from classic Spidey. Fans struggled to connect with its odd premise, and Fox pulled the plug after just one season. Today, Spider-Man Unlimited is remembered less for its storytelling and more as a reminder that not every Spider-Man reinvention lands.
The sleek new costume and futuristic setting might have been ambitious, but ambition without clear, contextual execution rarely pays off. Unlike other Spider-Man shows, where Peter’s grounded struggles remain central, Unlimited often sidelines the character’s humanity in favor of outlandish worldbuilding.
11) Spider-Man (1967)
People may gripe that we’ve put the original animated Spider-Man series so low on the list, but nostalgia doesn’t mean “best.” We give it props for creating the iconic theme song and plenty of meme-worthy animation loops, but there’s not much else to praise. The stories were simplistic, the animation was barebones, and Peter Parker often felt more like a passive bystander than the quippy hero from the comics.
Still, this series gets points for being the first and for embedding itself in pop culture history. It laid the foundation for everything that came after—even if it doesn’t hold up by modern standards. While few would argue it’s a high point for Spider-Man storytelling, its campy charm makes it impossible to erase from the character’s legacy.
10) Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003)
In the early 2000s, Marvel attempted to ride the success of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies with a CGI-animated series on MTV. Spider-Man: The New Animated Series had the inspired casting of Neil Patrick Harris as the voice of Peter Parker, but even Dougie Houser couldn’t save the show’s life. Unfortunately, this version’s experimental animation style and lack of compelling stories kept it from finding its audience.
The series attempted to blend a college-aged Peter Parker with edgy, adult-oriented themes. But it struggled to strike the right balance. Still, Harris’s vocal performance remains a highlight, even if the show itself is mostly forgotten. Looking back, it’s easy to see why MTV thought Spider-Man: The New Animated Series could be their next big hit — the Raimi films had revitalized the character, and CGI was the future. But the uncanny animation often distracted more than it impressed, leaving viewers unable to fully engage with the drama.
9) Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Saturday morning cartoons were at their peak in the 1980s. Kids would grab their cereal, switch on the TV, and sit down to watch Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. The show leaned heavily into the classic Saturday cartoon formula with a fun, campy tone. Voiced by Dan Gilvezan, Peter Parker was paired with Iceman and Firestar in a trio that gave the show its superhero-sitcom vibe.
While the stories weren’t particularly deep, the series holds nostalgic value for fans who grew up with it. It introduced a generation of kids to Spider-Man and showed Marvel’s willingness to experiment with team-ups. It’s cheesy, but in a way that still feels charming.
What stands out most about Amazing Friends is its place in Marvel history. Firestar was an original character created specifically for the show. Now, she’s crossed over into the comics and has become a long-running hero in her own right.
8) Spider-Man (1981)
1981 was obviously the Year of the Spider. Debuting the same year as Amazing Friends, this solo series was overshadowed by its more colorful counterpart. Dan Gilvezan also voiced this version of Spidey, but without the supporting cast of Iceman and Firestar, the show felt more traditional.
Though it was faithful to the comics, it didn’t stand out enough to compete with other superhero shows at the time. Fans often lump it together with Amazing Friends, though it’s usually remembered as the less exciting of the two. Still, it deserves credit for keeping Spider-Man in the spotlight during a transitional era of animation. While not groundbreaking, it was consistent, reliable, and ensured Peter Parker never fully disappeared from the pop culture radar.
7) Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Disney+’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man marks Marvel Studios Animation’s first full dive into a solo Spider-Man series. Voiced by Hudson Thames, this version reimagines the hero’s earliest days in a timeline where Norman Osborn steps into a mentor role instead of Tony Stark.
This setup immediately distinguishes the show from prior animated outings. By presenting Peter as inexperienced, still fumbling through high school life and web-slinging alike, the series leans into a true “origin-era” tone. Fans see a Spider-Man who isn’t polished or universally beloved yet, which helps ground the story in a way that feels closer to the street-level roots of the character.
Reception has been largely positive, though — as with all new iterations — it did receive some backlash. But, despite that rocky start, early reviews highlighted the series’ charm, praised its emotional grounding, and balance of nostalgia with fresh perspectives. While some fans argue Peter occasionally feels overshadowed by side characters, the show has nonetheless carved out a unique lane for itself within Spider-Man’s long animated history.
Compared to other iterations, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man doesn’t attempt the sweeping multiverse of Into the Spider-Verse or the serialized tightness of Spectacular Spider-Man. Instead, it thrives in telling intimate, character-driven stories about a young Peter trying to figure out both who he is and what kind of Spider-Man he wants to become.
6) Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994)
For many fans, Spider-Man: The Animated Series from the ‘90s is the definitive version of the character. Airing on Fox Kids, it ran for five seasons and adapted iconic comic book arcs like The Clone Saga and Secret Wars. Christopher Daniel Barnes voiced Peter Parker, delivering a performance that captured both his earnestness and his wisecracking humor.
Despite its beloved status, the show hasn’t aged as gracefully as some of its contemporaries. The heavily censored fight scenes and reliance on repetitive stock footage sometimes broke immersion. Still, its serialized storytelling and ambitious crossovers with the X-Men and other Marvel characters made it a major step forward for Marvel animation and became a true gateway for many Marvel fans.
5) Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man was Marvel’s attempt to modernize the character for a younger generation on Disney XD. Voiced by Drake Bell, Peter Parker ventured into more meta moments, breaking the fourth wall regularly to address the audience directly. What may have seemed like a fun option for the showrunners became divisive among fans.
Despite some viewers disliking its comedic, almost Deadpool-like tone, the series lasted four seasons and featured major Marvel crossovers. It was especially appealing to younger fans who were discovering Spider-Man for the first time. Its legacy lies in blending humor with Marvel’s growing interconnected universe.
What makes Ultimate Spider-Man stand out is that rather than trying to mimic older shows, it leaned hard into comedy and embraced Marvel’s expanding roster of characters. For some, it was a jarring departure. For others, it was the perfect way to bring Spider-Man into a more MCU-like animated world. Either way, it carved out its own place in Spidey’s animated history.
4) Spidey and His Amazing Friends (2021)
Not to be confused with the 1980s show, this Disney Junior series is aimed squarely at preschoolers. Voiced by Benjamin Valic as Peter Parker, this version introduces Spider-Man to the youngest generation alongside kid-friendly versions of Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy.
The show is bright, wholesome, and educational in tone, helping kids learn teamwork and problem-solving, and it becomes a perfect entry point for children. While it won’t satisfy older fans looking for deep storytelling, it serves its purpose exceptionally well.
Where other shows might be too violent or complicated for younger viewers, this one strips Spider-Man down to his most essential qualities of courage, kindness, and cooperation. For many kids today, this will be their very first exposure to Spider-Man, making it an invaluable addition to his animated legacy.
3) Spider-Man: The Animated Series (Spectacular Spider-Man) (2008)
Greg Weisman’s Spectacular Spider-Man is often hailed as one of the greatest superhero cartoons ever made. Josh Keaton delivers a heartfelt, layered performance as Peter Parker that balances his awkward teenage years with Spider-Man’s confident alter-ego.
The series was praised for its tight storytelling, strong character arcs, and faithful adaptation of Spidey’s rogues’ gallery. Unfortunately, it was canceled after just two seasons due to rights issues, but its legacy remains enormous, and fans still clamor for its revival more than a decade later.
It was funny without being goofy, serious without being grim, and heartfelt without being corny. Every character — from Gwen Stacy to Eddie Brock — felt like a real person with depth and motivation. That kind of balance is rare in animated superhero shows, and it’s why Spectacular Spider-Man continues to be loved by much of the fandom.
2) Spider-Man (Marvel’s Spider-Man) (2017)
Replacing Ultimate Spider-Man, this Disney XD series sought to strike a balance between humor and drama. Voiced by Robbie Daymond, Peter Parker was portrayed as a brilliant young scientist, referencing his “Parker the prodigy” roots more than previous versions ever have.
The show explored Peter’s early days and brought in characters like Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy in prominent roles. While it didn’t reach the heights of Spectacular Spider-Man, it offered a thoughtful, modernized take on the character that resonated with fans.
This series’ biggest strength was its willingness to showcase Peter as both a hero and a thinker. By highlighting his scientific mind, it gave kids and teens a version of Spider-Man that emphasized brains as much as bravery. That angle makes this iteration a refreshing and important entry in Spidey’s animated canon.
1) Miles Morales/Spider-Man Spider-Verse Franchise
While Peter Parker has headlined nearly every Spider-Man animated series, Into the Spider-Verse gave Miles Morales his moment as the lead. Voiced by Shameik Moore, this version of Spider-Man brought fresh energy and representation to the role, presenting Miles as a Brooklyn teenager balancing family expectations, newfound powers, and the weight of stepping into a legendary mantle.
What sets this interpretation apart is how Miles isn’t repeating Peter’s story. His relationships with his parents, his uncle Aaron, and his mentor Peter B. produce a broader exploration of what it’s like growing up as a teenage superhero. Peter B.’s story arc also adds the weight of facing the reality of aging alongside great responsibility (before No Way Home did it).
The film earned near-universal acclaim, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and has been hailed as one of the best superhero films ever made. Fans embraced Miles not only because of his powers, but because his story resonated across generations.
Would you agree with our rankings? Put your list in the comments, and let’s start a discussion!
Most Viewed
-
Image Courtesy of Netflix
