SPOILER WARNING.

On Dec. 17, 2021, Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home hit theaters and has since broken multiple revenue records. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, No Way Home surpassed one billion dollars in sales in less than ten days after it was released. But, the question remains: does No Way Home deserve the hype? 

Tom Holland, who portrayed Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) was not the only actor to take on the Spider-Man role. Tobey Maguire previously played Spider-Man in the Spider-Man trilogy (2002-07) as well as Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man duology (2012-14). Holland’s trilogy, however, differs through the fact that Marvel implements various characters from its universe, including those from the Avengers. This new film combines different roles yet again with Maguire, Garfield, and their villain counterparts.

“So often in these big multi-villain events, the hero gets swallowed up, but here [Spider-Man] defines the film,” journalist Richard Whittaker for Austin Chronicle said. “If this really is Holland’s last outing, then he leaves having kept true to the spirit of his Spidey. And if he does return, he’s perfectly positioned him for the next phase, the post-high school Parker that’s a lot of people’s definitional Petey.”

Spider-Man: No Way Home has many similarities to the Spider-Man franchise: the film is packed with action, some humorous moments, and a bit of romance. 

“You don’t need to have seen any of the previous Spider-Man movies to follow this one,” journalist Mark Feeney for the Boston Globe said. “But it’s much more entertaining – more affecting, too – if you have.”

The new movie keeps Holland’s trilogy consistent with the same cast, including Zendaya as Mary Jane (MJ), the hero’s girlfriend, and Jacob Batalon as Ned, the hero’s  best friend. Spider-Man: No Way Home ties together the Spider-Man franchise with characters from different Spider-Man movies who come together to save the universe. However, naturally, the film ends on yet another cliffhanger. 

“No Way Home isn’t just about looking back at old films,” journalist Nicholas Barber for BBC said. “It also opens up new avenues for the Marvel Universe – or the Marvel Multiverse, to be more accurate.”

Spider-Man: No Way Home is not only commended for creating a direction in new Marvel movies, but is also recognized for Tom Holland’s performance in this new addition to the Spider-Man franchise.

“Tom Holland is better than ever in his surprise-packed, third solo outing as a teen hero in a onesie who’s out to save the world and a faltering pandemic box office,” journalist Peter Travers for ABC News said. “But this time the generic thrills are tempered with genuine emotion. Good one, Spidey.”

Spider-Man: No Way Home has received many positive reviews, receiving a rating of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.9/10 stars on IMDb. Overall, 97% of Google watchers and 98% of users on Rotten Tomatoes enjoyed the movie. Therefore, this new Marvel film is considered to be worth the watch.

“No Way Home weaves together stories, characters, moments and icons of more than two decades, to deliver applause and cheers that reverberate just as loud in half-empty, post-pandemic cinema halls,” film critic Aniruddho Chakraborty for Film Companion said. “No Way Home is the movie we had been waiting for – a once-in-a-lifetime, near-perfect web-shooter cocktail for one of the most endearing and relatable superheroes in the Marvel pantheon.”