The Movie Man: A New Day for Spider-Man

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) continues to deliver with their newest installment, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. With 2026 being the summer that proves movie theaters aren’t going anywhere, Brand New Day is worthy of being included among the summer blockbusters Disclosure Day, Toy Story 5 and The Odyssey (also starring Tom Holland). Superhero movies belong on the big screen, and anyone who can venture to the movie theater ought to make the trip if they are interested in Marvel’s newest feature.

Since the climactic Avengers: Endgame in 2019, MCU movies/series have divided fans and critics alike with Madame Web, Morbius, Eternals, The Marvels and The Fantastic Four. Fortunately, because Spider-Man is considered “High Marvel,” with the web-slinger’s historic fanbase, Disney was able to prioritize his movies to assure quality entertainment. They certainly delivered with their signature stunts and special effects, but most importantly they continue to bring us performances and a story that we can emotionally invest in. Of course, it wouldn’t be Marvel without a sense of humor and great jokes told in passing throughout its runtime. 

With the preceding film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans were given one of the rarest treats in the entertainment industry with the multiverse addition of both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield (the stars of the previous Spider-Man franchises) to the modern MCU. Not only were the previous Spider-Man actors brought into the current narrative, but it was pulled off perfectly. It was the kind of movie fans dream of, and the stuff of fan fiction. Leave it to Disney to make dreams come true. But it came with a price: because of their interference with the multiverse, the only way to maintain the space-time continuum is for everyone in the current MCU to forget Peter Parker existed, which led our hero to say farewell to his love, MJ (Zendaya), and best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon).

In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Peter is living years later in anonymity, fighting crime as the web-slinger while aspiring to re-introduce himself to the world. Confronted by a mysterious villain with telepathic abilities, he is forced to reckon with whether reuniting with MJ and Ned is worth entangling them in his drama.

Martin Scorsese has chided the MCU for being one continuous narrative instead of pursuing distinct artistic styles for each installment, referring to the franchise as a theme park. I am not afraid to disagree with my favorite filmmaker by saying that I appreciate this style, as it allows characters we love to serve as interchangeable roles for any installment. It’s a delight to be able to have Mark Ruffalo step in for a supporting role as Dr. Bruce Banner/the Incredible Hulk, or Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova/Black Widow, and Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/the Punisher. Spider-Man has yet to make a cameo or take a supporting role as done by the other heroes in this movie, but who’s to say Tom Holland won’t show up as they did?

Spider-Man has always been my favorite superhero. As a kid, what could be more appealing than climbing skyscrapers and swinging from rooftop to rooftop? Add to it that Peter Parker is a teenager, so he is far more relatable to children than Superman or Hulk. But even as I soar past Spider-Man’s age, he is still appealing. It’s not because there’s still a thrill-seeker within me. It’s because he’s the most relatable superhero. Billionaires Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark are automatically disqualified as “relatable.” This young adult is trying to figure out who he is while he pursues an education, jobs, friendships and dating. But this has been infinitely complicated by his sense of duty and the constant reminder that with his great powers come great responsibility (a lesson he learned in his 1962 debut in Amazing Fantasy #15). 

While summer ought to be spent outside enjoying the warm weather at the beach, golf course or a bike ride, it’s also worth remembering that the season should be spent with the occasional retreat into the air-conditioned dark screening rooms of the movie theater as you chow down on popcorn, candy and guzzle a fountain drink. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the perfect opportunity to excuse yourself from the outdoors for just a few hours. It can make the return to the beach even more enjoyable as you catch up with friends and discuss MCU’s latest installment.

About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin Ganey has a lifelong passion for cinema that goes beyond simply watching films. He is the creator of CityOfCinema.com, a site devoted to movie analysis, and co-hosts the Moviehouse Mystics podcast with Koda Uhl, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.