It’s been 10 years since Spider-Man first made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he’s had a tangled movie history ever since.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which comes to theaters Friday, will be the fourth solo film featuring Tom Holland’s web-slinging superhero. But he’s also made appearances in multiple other Marvel films over the years — and that’s not even including the two sets of Spider-Man movies that preceded him, starring Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, who are both now (sort of) integrated into the MCU.
It can definitely get confusing, so if you’re looking for a refresher before “Brand New Day,” here’s what you need to know about Spider-Man’s history in the MCU — and what to expect from the new movie.
Which MCU movies has Spider-Man been in?
‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)
Holland’s Spider-Man got his MCU introduction with a minor role in the final film of the “Captain America” trilogy. Fifteen-year-old Peter Parker is recruited by Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) to help fight against a team of heroes led by Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), and he plays a brief but pivotal role in the showdown.
‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
Spider-Man’s first solo outing came a year later. Set in the months following the events of “Civil War,” Peter does his best to prove to Iron Man that he can be a hero worthy of the Avengers. He has to juggle high school, keeping his superhero identity secret from his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and fighting a dangerous group of illegal weapons dealers led by a villain called the Vulture.
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)
Spider-Man gets caught up in the Avengers’ fight against Thanos. After stowing away on an alien ship, he teams up with Iron Man, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the Guardians of the Galaxy on another planet.
‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)
Spider-Man only plays a small role in “Endgame,” returning with an army of superheroes to fight in the final battle against Thanos.
‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ (2019)
As Peter grapples with the loss of one of his heroes after the events of “Endgame,” he’s also trying to reintegrate into normal life as a high schooler. He’s hoping to relax with his friends and his crush, MJ (Zendaya), during a school trip to Europe, but he and his classmates find themselves in the midst of a battle between dangerous creatures called Elementals and a new hero called Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal). Peter reluctantly helps Mysterio, but soon realizes that the Elementals — and Mysterio himself — might not be what they appear.
‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)
Picking up immediately where “Far From Home” left off, Peter has to deal with the aftereffects of his showdown with Mysterio — including the entire world suddenly knowing his secret identity. He turns to Doctor Strange for help, asking him to cast a spell to make the world forget that he’s Spider-Man. But the spell goes wrong, and instead, it starts to bring dangerous figures from across the multiverse to his world, and it’s up to Peter and his friends to figure out how to return them to their own worlds safely.
‘Spider-Man’ movies outside of the MCU
Tobey Maguire’s ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy (2002-2007)
The 2002 “Spider-Man” in many ways jump-started the current wave of superhero movies that’s still ongoing today. It was followed by two sequels, “Spider-Man 2″ in 2004 and “Spider-Man 3″ in 2007.
Maguire’s Spider-Man, as well as the villains Otto Octavius/Doc Ock (Alfred Molina), Norman Osborn/Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) and Flint Marko/Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), arrived in the MCU with appearances in “No Way Home” in 2021.
Andrew Garfield’s ‘Spider-Man’ films (2012-2014)
Spider-Man underwent a reboot in 2012 with “The Amazing Spider-Man,” followed by “The Amazing Spider-Man 2″ in 2014.
Garfield also appeared in “No Way Home,” along with the villains Max Dillon/Electro (Jamie Foxx) and Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard (Rhys Ifans).
‘Spider-Verse’ movies (2018-2027)
In the animated “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” the mantle of the web-slinging superhero is taken on by Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) after the Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) in his universe is killed in a fight. But then Spider-Man figures from across the multiverse start arriving in Miles’ world, helping him learn how to become a hero.
The sequel, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” followed in 2023, and a third film, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” is expected next year.
The “Spider-Verse” movies don’t currently have any connection to the MCU.
What we know about ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
The new movie finds Peter Parker more isolated than ever, after the death of his Aunt May and a spell at the end of “No Way Home” that causes everyone in the world to forget him — including his girlfriend and best friend, MJ and Ned (Jacob Batalon).
In trailers, Peter is seen watching MJ and Ned in social media videos, and eventually “meeting” them both again. Though they’ve forgotten their relationships with Peter, Ned shows Peter that they’ve been keeping track of Spider-Man with a board covered in articles, photos and other information related to him. Peter later tells MJ that she’s in danger and that he wants to keep her safe.
Peter also appears to be going through struggles with his superpowers in the new film. “I’m losing my mind,” he says in one of the trailers. “I’m totally out of control. I’ve got to fix whatever this is right now.”
Other characters that make appearances in the trailers include Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Mac Gargan/The Scorpion (Michael Mando) and Frank Castle/The Punisher (Jon Bernthal). Sadie Sink is also confirmed to be in the movie, though her role has been kept tightly under wraps.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” will open in theaters on Friday.