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With that in mind, we’ve put together the ultimate breakdown of every animated version of Spider-Man, ranked from our least favorite to our most favorite.
12) Spider-Man Unlimited
When Fox Kids greenlit Spider-Man Unlimited, expectations were high. Coming off the wildly popular Spider-Man: The Animated Series, fans thought they were in for more grounded storytelling. Instead, they got a bizarre alternate reality adventure that dropped Peter Parker on Counter-Earth with animal hybrids and a futuristic costume.
Rino Romano voiced Spider-Man in this series, and while his performance wasn’t the issue, the show’s tone felt too far removed from classic Spidey. Fans struggled to connect with its odd premise, and Fox pulled the plug after just one season. Today, Spider-Man Unlimited is remembered less for its storytelling and more as a reminder that not every Spider-Man reinvention lands.
The sleek new costume and futuristic setting might have been ambitious, but ambition without clear, contextual execution rarely pays off. Unlike other Spider-Man shows, where Peter’s grounded struggles remain central, Unlimited often sidelines the character’s humanity in favor of outlandish worldbuilding.
11) Spider-Man (1967)
People may gripe that we’ve put the original animated Spider-Man series so low on the list, but nostalgia doesn’t mean “best.” We give it props for creating the iconic theme song and plenty of meme-worthy animation loops, but there’s not much else to praise. The stories were simplistic, the animation was barebones, and Peter Parker often felt more like a passive bystander than the quippy hero from the comics.
Still, this series gets points for being the first and for embedding itself in pop culture history. It laid the foundation for everything that came after—even if it doesn’t hold up by modern standards. While few would argue it’s a high point for Spider-Man storytelling, its campy charm makes it impossible to erase from the character’s legacy.
10) Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003)
In the early 2000s, Marvel attempted to ride the success of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies with a CGI-animated series on MTV. Spider-Man: The New Animated Series had the inspired casting of Neil Patrick Harris as the voice of Peter Parker, but even Dougie Houser couldn’t save the show’s life. Unfortunately, this version’s experimental animation style and lack of compelling stories kept it from finding its audience.
The series attempted to blend a college-aged Peter Parker with edgy, adult-oriented themes. But it struggled to strike the right balance. Still, Harris’s vocal performance remains a highlight, even if the show itself is mostly forgotten. Looking back, it’s easy to see why MTV thought Spider-Man: The New Animated Series could be their next big hit — the Raimi films had revitalized the character, and CGI was the future. But the uncanny animation often distracted more than it impressed, leaving viewers unable to fully engage with the drama.
9) Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Saturday morning cartoons were at their peak in the 1980s. Kids would grab their cereal, switch on the TV, and sit down to watch Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. The show leaned heavily into the classic Saturday cartoon formula with a fun, campy tone. Voiced by Dan Gilvezan, Peter Parker was paired with Iceman and Firestar in a trio that gave the show its superhero-sitcom vibe.
While the stories weren’t particularly deep, the series holds nostalgic value for fans who grew up with it. It introduced a generation of kids to Spider-Man and showed Marvel’s willingness to experiment with team-ups. It’s cheesy, but in a way that still feels charming.
What stands out most about Amazing Friends is its place in Marvel history. Firestar was an original character created specifically for the show. Now, she’s crossed over into the comics and has become a long-running hero in her own right.
8) Spider-Man (1981)
1981 was obviously the Year of the Spider. Debuting the same year as Amazing Friends, this solo series was overshadowed by its more colorful counterpart. Dan Gilvezan also voiced this version of Spidey, but without the supporting cast of Iceman and Firestar, the show felt more traditional.
Though it was faithful to the comics, it didn’t stand out enough to compete with other superhero shows at the time. Fans often lump it together with Amazing Friends, though it’s usually remembered as the less exciting of the two. Still, it deserves credit for keeping Spider-Man in the spotlight during a transitional era of animation. While not groundbreaking, it was consistent, reliable, and ensured Peter Parker never fully disappeared from the pop culture radar.
7) Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Disney+’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man marks Marvel Studios Animation’s first full dive into a solo Spider-Man series. Voiced by Hudson Thames, this version reimagines the hero’s earliest days in a timeline where Norman Osborn steps into a mentor role instead of Tony Stark.
This setup immediately distinguishes the show from prior animated outings. By presenting Peter as inexperienced, still fumbling through high school life and web-slinging alike, the series leans into a true “origin-era” tone. Fans see a Spider-Man who isn’t polished or universally beloved yet, which helps ground the story in a way that feels closer to the street-level roots of the character.
Reception has been largely positive, though — as with all new iterations — it did receive some backlash. But, despite that rocky start, early reviews highlighted the series’ charm, praised its emotional grounding, and balance of nostalgia with fresh perspectives. While some fans argue Peter occasionally feels overshadowed by side characters, the show has nonetheless carved out a unique lane for itself within Spider-Man’s long animated history.
Compared to other iterations, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man doesn’t attempt the sweeping multiverse of Into the Spider-Verse or the serialized tightness of Spectacular Spider-Man. Instead, it thrives in telling intimate, character-driven stories about a young Peter trying to figure out both who he is and what kind of Spider-Man he wants to become.
