Peter Parker devotes his life to protecting New York City as a full-time Spider-Man. But as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he's ever faced.
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Rated PG-13 for sequences of action/violence and some language.
Runtime: 2h 25m
Review:
Spider-Man: Brand New Day delivers an impressive refocus on the central character that delivers emotional weight and spectacle in equal parts anchored by one of Tom Holland’s best turns behind the mask. Destin Daniel Cretton takes over the reins from Jon Watts, who directed the three previous solo entries, with impressive confidence as he thrust the audience into the ground level of super heroism that Spider-Man generally engages in. The action set pieces are impressive across the board with Cretton utilizing inventive use of slow-motion shots and POV to make those moments pop off the screen. The action is visually frenetic, engaging and most importantly fun as we watch the webslinger in his Manhattan home fighting off smaller scale of villainy than this version of the character has been dealing with during his Marvel cinematic run. It delivers what you’d hope for from a summer blockbuster but underneath it all the script delivers an emotional core that captures the essence of Peter Parker’s, who’s been forgotten by everyone, as he deals with loneliness and isolation by throwing himself into his work. Tom Holland delivers one of his best turns in the role as he manages to balance the character’s wide-eyed optimism that’s always been part of the character but peppered with regret over what he’s loss in order to do the right thing. Holland has always been a perfect fit for Peter Parker but this might be his signature turn as he’s able to cycle through multiple emotional states as his character evolves in multiple ways. One of the bigger surprises of the film is the mini buddy comedy with Holland’s Spider-Man and Jon Bernthal’s lethally gruff Punisher. Their back-and-forth interactions and opposing personalities make their friendship so much fun to watch with both actors giving an impressive level of authenticity to their relationship. In most superhero films, this would serve as a fun cameo with little effect to the story but this script actually makes his presence and their relationship make sense into the overall narrative which makes it all the more effective. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as Parker’s love interest and best friend with both delivering solid work as they rediscover their relationships with the webslinger. Sadie Sink’s sort of villainess is fine but probably the weakest part of the entire film as she serves as a constant reminder that her character is there mostly to set up for films and characters. Mark Ruffalo, Michael Mando and Tramell Tillman have smaller supporting turns with each making the most of their time onscreen but you do get the sense the film could have made better use of them with slightly beefier roles. Nitpicks aside, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is effective on so many levels that you can’t help but appreciate the care that went into making one of the best entries in the character’s filmography.
A-
