The debate over which big screen version ofSpider-Manis the most popular has been going on for years, and now Netflix has stepped into the fray with somenew data that could possibly settle the argument.
In 2021, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man came face to face with his previous iterations, played byTobey Maguireand Andrew Garfield. While both actors have been popular in their own right, when all three came together the result was to reignite the debate over which star plays the most popular version of Marvel’s webbed wonder.
Thanks to its deal with Sony Pictures, Netflix is currently streaming Tobey Maguire’sSpider-Mantrilogy, Andrew Garfield’sThe Amazing Spider-Manmovies, Tom Holland’s MCU solo trilogy (including the extended version ofSpider-Man: No Way Home), and the animatedSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseall in the same place. This means that the streamer has been able to provide an insight into exactly which of Peter Parker’s iterations is most popular among viewers.
Related:Tobey Maguire’s Best Moments as Spider-Man, Ranked
Is Tobey Maguire Actually the Most Popular Spider-Man?
Although this breakdown of Netflix’s data seems to suggest that, as many would attest,Maguire is the most popular actor to have played Spider-Man, there are many ways to interpret the data.
If broken down to just include the viewership of the first two movies of all three actor’s tenures, levelling the playing field in terms of the volume of movies, then the picture is a little different. Maguire’sSpider-ManandSpider-Man 2pulled in a combined viewership of 26.4 million, while Garfield’s movies achieved 19 million. However, Holland’sHomecomingandFar From Homedelivered the highest volume of 29.5 million.
So perhaps the search to name the most popular Spider-Man is almost as tricky to pin down as the Marvel hero himself. Of course, Holland had the advantage of having his movies featuring as part of the MCU, and being seen as more current and recent than Maguire’s original movies. However,No Way Homecertainly instigated a huge wave of interestin both Maguire and Garfield’s iterations of the character, including new calls for both stars to get new solo outings themselves.
While there may be no way to definitively decide who is the supreme Spider-Man, fans are hoping thatNo Way Homewas not the last time we see all three Spider-Men on screen together. With rumors thatAvengers: Secret Warscould bring backMaguire, Garfield and Holland, as well as a possible live-action debut for some of the characters featured in theSpider-Versemovies, we may just have to accept that everyone has their favorite friendly neighborhood Spider-Man…and no amount of data will change that.
