Summary
Spider-Manis one ofMarvel’s most bankable properties with a cinematic legacy that has given rise to some of thebest quotes in the superhero genre. While Spider-Man was no stranger to the big screen by the time Sam Raimi’s trilogy was released, it was with 2002’sSpider-Manthat his live-action legacy began in earnest. This started Peter Parker on a trajectory as one of the most beloved superheroes in the genre, withevery subsequent movie starring Spider-Manbeing mostly well-received by fans and critics alike.
Peter Parker is well-known for his witty banter, which is thankfully on full display in most of his cinematic outings. Nevertheless, some of the best quotes in Spider-Man movies come instead from the characters who surround him rather than the quick-witted web-slinger himself. Many of these have meanings that run far deeper than dialogue and stand as a testament to the writers who have contributed toSpider-Man’s cinematic career.
Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked By Rewatchability
A Spider-Man fan will still watch a bad Spider-Man movie dozens of times – but it helps if the movie is a masterpiece, like Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2.
10"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility."
From Spider-Man (2002)
Uncle Ben’s iconic line inSpider-Manhas become so ingrained in pop culture thatit might be the best quote of any Spider-Man movie. It exemplifies a sentiment that has carried throughout history but is particularly applicable to the inherently virtuous Spider-Man and superheroes in general. Though he ostensibly gives his advice to Peter in the wake of his fight with Flash Thompson, it hones in on the fact that power is a burden, not a privilege - something which would typify Spider-Man’s story from thereon.
Variations on the “With Great Power” line
Speaker
Movie
“He believed that if you could do good things for other people, you had a moral obligation to do those things! That’s what’s at stake here. Not choice. Responsibility.”
Uncle Ben
The Amazing Spider-Man
“When you can do the things I can, but you don’t, and then the bad things happen… they happen because of you.”
“With great ability comes great accountability.”
“With great power, there must come great responsibility.”
“When you take on the responsibility, great power will come.”
Spider-People Leader
Madame Web
Since 2002, the line has been imitated several times, to varying degrees of success. While its delivery in other movies is never able to measure up to the original, Aunt May’s rendition inSpider-Man: No Way Homeis a close second to Cliff Robertson’s Uncle Ben. The line is so character-defining for Spider-Man that it is impossible to exclude from his story, but it will likely never hit the same mark as it did inSpider-Man.
9"We Have To Be Steady And Give Up The Thing We Want Most…Even Our Dreams."
From Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Although it is far less famous, Aunt May took the reigns from Uncle Ben inSpider-Man 2to deliver a life lesson about hero-ing of her own. This came as part of a monologue spoken to Peter with the implication thatshe knew Spider-Man’s secret identity, insisting, “I believe there’s a hero in all of us,” as she imparts her own wisdom on doing the right thing and expressing her appreciation of heroes like Spider-Man. Peter, meanwhile, quietly acknowledges her every word, in stark contrast to his impetuous response to Uncle Ben inSpider-Man.
It’s not often that a parent figure tells their dependents to give up on their dreams as part of a heartfelt life lesson. Yet this interaction is typical of the motif that pervades Maguire’s tenure in the suit:the burden of being the hero he never asked to be. To hammer this home, Peter would parrot these words to his own mentor, Otto Octavius, in a bid to sway him from his destructive ambitions, cementing Peter’s growth as a person and a hero.
8"You Know, I Guess One Person Can Make A Difference."
From Spider-Man 3 (2007)
AlthoughSpider-Man 3has themost meme-able lines of any Spider-Man movie- including “Gonna cry?” and “I’m gonna put some dirt in your eye,” to name a couple - one of its most poignant comes from Spider-Man’s creator himself, Stan Lee, in a classic cameo appearance. His line, in reference to Spider-Man’s heroics, highlights New Yorkers' appreciation for Spider-Man. This is something that theMCU’s version of Spider-Man has yet to capturequite as well as the original.
The line hits extra hard in the wake of Stan Lee’s death, however. Stan Lee’s impact on popular culture with Marvel Comics wasn’t a strictly solo venture, but his creations are responsible for helping to shape the lives of countless individuals. This was no doubt the point in having Lee deliver the line himself inSpider-Man 3, and it stands the test of time when looking back onSpider-Man 3from the heady heights of the MCU.
7"Really? You Seriously Think I’m A Cop? Cop In A Skin-Tight Red And Blue Suit?"
From The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
It is difficult to saywhich Spider-Man actor is the bestbecause each one has unique strengths. For Andrew Garfield, one of these was his quick wit and quips, which weren’t as prevalent in Maguire’s outings.This line set the bar for the level of charisma that audiences could expect from Garfield’s version of the characterwhile also indulging in the classic Marvel movie trope: self-deprecating humor.
This scene and quote were an exciting springboard for Garfield’s new take on the character. Garfield’s playful charisma is on full display in his first outing in his iconic suit as he runs rings around a would-be car thief. Poking fun at their own outfits is par for the course with live-action superheroes these days, but the line is so well delivered by Garfield’s Spider-Man that it still holds up today.
6"You’re Wrong About Us Being On Different Paths. We’re Not On Different Paths. You’re My Path. And You’re Always Gonna Be My Path."
From The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Another highlight of the Amazing Spider-Man franchise is the unparalleled chemistry between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacey. The love that poured from their scenes together - and this line in particular - may have been helped by the fact that Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone were dating in real life at the time.The chemistry is palpable and exemplified by Peter’s line above, where he throws caution to the wind in favor of “following” Gwen to England despite his responsibilities at home.
This would, of course, precede one of the most iconic and tragic scenes in any Spider-Man story. This quote is agonizing in retrospect, knowing that Peter couldn’t make good on his declaration after Gwen’s death and his failure to save her. With that being said, the idea that Gwen would continue to be his path would be vindicated in his next cinematic outing, where he was able to save MJ and find a measure of redemption for his perceived failure with Gwen.
5"Those People, Pete, Those People Up There, The Rich And The Powerful, They Do Whatever They Want. Guys Like Us, Like You And Me… They Don’t Care About Us."
From Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
TheMCU’s skill at creating sympathetic villainscontinued with Adrian Toomes, AKA the Vulture, who embodied the spirit of the everyman so often overlooked by the MCU’s larger-than-life narrative. After having his big break curtailed by the Stark-funded Department of Damage Control, Toomes swung towards villainy in an ill-advised attempt at retaliation against what he perceived to be dispassionate upper echelons of Earth-616. In this context, his beef is with Stark specifically, butit is a sentiment that resonates beyond the big screen.
With Adrian Toomes last seen trapped in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, his MCU future (and a team-up with Scorpion) looks bleak.
Spider-Man: Homecomingcontinues to highlight how the superheroes of the MCU are far from infallible. Tony Stark, in particular, is a controversial figure despite his best efforts to improve and protect the world. Toomes' quote encapsulates the experiences of the average citizen trying to live their lives in a world replete with godlike figures housed in towers that quite literally look down on the little guy.
4"It’s Easy To Fool People When They’re Already Fooling Themselves."
From Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Spider-Man: Far From Homecontinued reflecting real-world social commentary by spotlighting the master of illusion, Mysterio, in the context of a world beleaguered by fake news. Mysterio’s observation came during one of the movie’s most iconic sequences, helping to make it even more memorable as he proved capable of besting Peter Parker through illusions. Like Vulture,Mysterio’s line exemplified the main drive behind his villainy while delivering a prescient observation of society as a whole.
Quentin Beck may have been slightly less sympathetic than Adrian Toomes, but his sentiments were similar after his achievements were sidelined by his boss, Tony Stark. The fact that Mysterio arguably won, despite dying at the end ofSpider-Man: Far From Home, highlights the power he held with his propensity for misdirection. This, in turn, makes him an even more terrifying villain, especially in the knowledge that his fake news MO is something that unscrupulous people can feasibly emulate in real life.
From Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Despite being designated “Peter Three,” Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker arguably delivered the best line in the best way inSpider-Man: No Way Home. His awkwardness and stand-out propensity for humor were on full display as he opened his heart to the other two Peter Parkers. Although the line was brief and to the point,it gave voice to the thoughts of all Spider-Man fans around the worldwitnessing three iterations of Spider-Man teaming up in a fight with their iconic rogues gallery.
Peter’s insecurity is a trait present in all live-action iterations of the character, and this unorthodox moment of self-affirmation is as heartwarming as it is clumsy.
More poignant than that, however, is the notion that Peter Parker was saying it to himself. Peter’s insecurity is a trait present in all live-action iterations of the character, and this unorthodox moment of self-affirmation is as heartwarming as it is clumsy. AsSpider-Man: No Way Home’s incredible box officetake demonstrates, Spider-Man is evidently worthy of the love that Peter Three was expressing at this moment.
2"Anyone Can Wear The Mask. You Can Wear The Mask."
From Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
In Miles Morales' final monologue addressing the audience, he delves into his initial insecurities about being a superhero, resolving that if he can do it, anyone can. It also homages Stan Lee’s initial intentions for Spider-Man. In an interview with Larry King, Lee stated that one of the best things they thought of with Spider-Man was the mask. This is because “Any kid could imagine he’s Spider-Man,” no matter the color of their skin.
It also, however, highlights another prominent theme throughout Spider-Man stories, which is that heroism does not come from superpowers but from the actions and intentions of individuals. His final lines suggest that “you,” the (presumably) non-superpowered individual watching, can wear the mask and carry out acts of heroism in less ostentatious ways. This line is a testament to Sony’s animated Spider-Man franchise for being so multifaceted despite being so simple.
1"I Never Found The Right Band To Join, So I Started My Own, With A Few Old Friends. You Want In?"
From Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
WhileSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Versecentered on Miles Morales' story, book-ended by monologs addressing the audience,Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Versefocused more heavily on Gwen Stacey as it falls to her to deliver the opening and closing monologs. Gwen Stacey’s final lines mirror those of Miles Morales as she invites the viewer to join her “band” of Spider-People. Yet this final line is a little more focused on her own story as it follows an opening in which she struggled to find her “band” in a more literal sense.
While it may not be as deep as Morales' line inInto the Spider-Verse,it provides satisfying closure to Gwen’s arc in the sequel. The line is delivered as she teams up once more with the ragtag group of variants from the first movie, leading to an iconic closing shot. Aside from the satisfaction of affording Gwen the sense of belonging she has been seeking, it also highlights how exciting it is to seeSpider-Manvariantsfrom across the Spider-Verse teaming up once more.
