The Wallcrawler has a variety of adversaries, ranging from alien goo to rhino-shaped tanks and even a few goblins. But who are considered the top Spider-Man villains?
It is a challenging question to address, but Spider-Man is often regarded as having the most impressive group of villains in the history of comic books (although some Batman enthusiasts may disagree). Many of these malicious adversaries have been featured in different Spider-Man films thus far.
Therefore, keeping this in consideration, we have combed through Peter Parker’s filmography to determine which dastardly villain causes the most trouble for Spidey (for the time being, as we cannot predict what Spider-Man 4 will bring).
For clarification, we will only be including the mainline Spider-Man films in this list. Therefore, any appearances in Avengers Marvel movies or SPUMC movies will not be considered. Apologies to Thanos fans, although he would have ranked in the top five. And for those curious about Morbius’ placement, may God have mercy on your soul. Without further ado, here is our definitive ranking of the greatest Spider-Man villains.
16. The Elementals
Do you not recall The Elementals? How is it possible that you have forgotten the illusions conjured by Mysterio to deceive the public into believing he is a hero? Perhaps it is because they were intentionally created as expendable enemies, solely for the purpose of providing Spider-Man with something to fight in the middle of Far From Home. Although this may be a cynical (yet accurate) perspective on these individuals, we are certain that there are many enthusiasts of Molten Man among us.
15. Venom/Eddie Brock
Venom, a combination of a bitter journalist and an extraterrestrial symbiote, is typically regarded as one of the most formidable adversaries of Spider-Man. However, their highly anticipated showdown in Spider-Man 3 on the big screen was ultimately disappointing.
Despite the character’s potential, the portrayal of Spidey’s enemy feels incomplete and more of an afterthought rather than a fully developed character. Topher Grace does a commendable job with the material he was given, but it’s a shame that the character was not fully fleshed out. This resembles my inclusion of a guide to our Venom 3 release date page, which feels forced much like the inclusion of this character may have been for the purpose of selling action figures.
14. The New Goblin/Harry Osborn
The portrayal of the New Goblin in the movie highlights the issues with translating comic book characters onto the big screen. While this may seem like a strong statement, it is undeniably accurate. In comparison to his comic counterpart and previous film adaptation, this version of Harry Osborn lacks the exaggerated theatrics and instead sports an all-black ‘tacticool’ appearance (despite the lesson we should have learned from the X-Men’s leather pants). This results in the New Goblin having the same level of panache as a plain brown bag. It’s baffling that someone thought it was a good idea to dress a Goblin in ski goggles and leather, and they certainly deserve a pumpkin bomb to the face.
In all honesty, it would have been forgivable if Harry had been given the opportunity to play the role of a villain. However, just like the other antagonists in Spider-Man 3, he is vying for attention. This is a disappointing conclusion to one of Raimi’s most enduring storylines.
The Green Goblin/Harry Osborn
Many individuals strongly dislike the Green Goblin portrayed in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and it’s understandable. Despite being a kind person, Dane DeHaan was not asked to reprise his role for No Way Home. This iteration of Harry is bothersome and his teeth are the only frightening aspect of him, so much so that even a cosmetic dentist would cringe at their condition.
Despite everything, one thing is certain: Mark Webb made sure to include the spider’s eggs in order to have Harry transform into an authentic goblin, rather than taking a shortcut and simply placing a motorcyclist on a surfboard. Additionally, the Amazing version of the Green Goblin deserves recognition for being the only villain on this list to successfully kill Peter’s love interest… in a way.
12. The Rhino
Prior to terrorizing students at Barton Academy with his bad grades and body odor, Paul Giamatti appeared in a rhino-shaped battle mech, battling against the amazing Spider-Man. Although technically not Giamatti himself, he portrayed the role of Aleksei Sytsevich, a common thug turned supervillain whom Spidey easily defeats in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. While Giamatti’s performance is entertaining and over-the-top, this version of The Rhino lacks depth and complexity, resembling a simple maze on a children’s menu.
11. Shocker 1+2
You may be curious about which film features Shocker. In fact, there are two Shockers in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and they only have a total of 10 minutes of screen time. So why have I ranked them higher than other villains who have a more significant role in the movie? Simply to emphasize my strong dislike for any character below the Shockers.
Electro
Max Dillon, also known as Electro (played by Jamie Foxx), became Spider-Man’s most dangerous foe after he was accidentally transformed into a living bolt of lightning. After falling into a tank of genetically modified electric eels, Max chose to use his newfound powers for destruction instead of good, leading to a confrontation with the superhero in New York City.
Despite not being as fully developed as other Spider-Man foes, Electro’s story still contains a sense of pathos that sets him apart from other sinister characters. Jamie Foxx’s charm also adds to the character’s shine. However, in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, there are too many villains and plotlines crammed into the film, causing Electro to lose his spark.
9. The Lizard
In the Amazing Spider-Man duology, the most impressive antagonist is Curt Connors, also known as The Lizard. This iteration of the character intentionally draws inspiration from the techniques that made Raimi’s villains so exceptional. Similar to Otto and Norman, he serves as a mentor and father figure, ultimately succumbing to evil due to a mishap in his laboratory.
One may wonder, what sets The Lizard apart from those who came before him? Despite his appearance resembling a peculiar mix of Lord Voldemort and a dinosaur, there are not many distinguishing features, unfortunately. The repulsive reptile seems to be a mere imitation of previous villains. However, Rhys Ifhans’ portrayal adds depth to the character, and his ludicrous plan to transform others into lizard-human hybrids is delightfully absurd.
Sandman
Flint Marko, also known as Sandman, is a highly underrated antagonist in the Spider-Man universe. He possesses a fascinating and distinct set of abilities, and his backstory is both complex and engaging. Although his connection to Uncle Ben’s death may seem strange, Flint’s standout moment in Spider-Man 3 occurs when he reassembles himself after being disintegrated. Moreover, we are given insight into his motivations for turning to a life of crime: he is desperate to gather funds for his ailing daughter.
Regrettably, similar to the other antagonists in Spider-Man 3, Sandman is not given enough screen time to shine. He disappears from the film during the second act, only to reappear in the final act where he teams up with Venom without any proper explanation. This is even more frustrating than sand in your shoe because it is evident that director Raimi had a strong emotional connection to the character. Sandman is portrayed with the same depth and empathy as Otto Octavius and Norman Osborn, leaving us to ponder what could have been if the producers had not insisted on including Venom.
7. Kingpin
The Kingpin from Into The Spider-Verse has been given a high ranking due to his unique actions as a crime lord in the Marvel movie universe. Unlike any other villain before him, he manages to successfully kill the hero. However, his luck runs out when a new version of the Wallcrawler appears, followed by five other Spider-people from different dimensions (this will be explored in the sequel).
Bolstering his villainous credentials is the extent of his schemes. His goal is to obtain a duplicate of his wife and son from a different dimension, regardless of the destruction he must cause. Despite his desire for complete annihilation, we must acknowledge Liev Schreiber’s portrayal of the character. Along with the talented animators who brought Kingpin to the screen, they effectively maintain a sense of sympathy for the Kingpin of Crime.
6. Spot
Despite Miles Morales possibly disagreeing, Spot is considered his nemesis. He may be one of the more comical characters on this list, but he is also the most perilous. With the ability to generate portals to multiple locations simultaneously, The Spot poses a threat not only to Miles, but to the entire multiverse. It’s impressive for someone who gained their powers after being hit in the head with a bagel and is primarily recognized in the comics for assisting in the creation of the Legion of Losers.
Despite his formidable powers, Spot’s ranking in the top 10 of this list is not solely attributed to them. What truly sets him apart as a great villain is his intricately crafted character arc. In a brief appearance of less than 30 minutes (or even less), Spot undergoes a transformation from a pitiable figure to a driven threat, determined to destroy the multiverse in pursuit of vengeance against Miles. What makes this development even more impressive is its natural progression, without any forced plot devices. We eagerly anticipate seeing more of Spot in the upcoming release of Beyond the Spider-Verse, and who knows? Perhaps he may even climb a few spots higher… do you get it?
5. Prowler
The character of Miles’ uncle Aaron, also known as The Prowler, is portrayed as complex and realistic in the Spider-Verse films. While he may be seen as dangerous due to his use of sharp claws, he is not entirely evil. In fact, he stands out as the only person in the film who supports Miles in being true to himself, rather than conforming to others’ expectations. Despite his questionable actions, Aaron ultimately serves as a positive influence for Miles’ character development.
4. Mysterio
A skilled practitioner of the mystical arts hailing from a parallel world, Mysterio made the journey to our planet with the intention of aiding Spider-Man in defeating The Elementals. However, as it turns out, this was all a fabrication. Mysterio was actually a dissatisfied ex-employee of Tony Stark who was masquerading as a hero in order to acquire his former employer’s technology and attain fame.
Mysterio is a despicable individual with no redeeming qualities, known for prioritizing his own interests above all else. Despite his lack of depth, this self-absorbed con artist’s charm lies in his ability to deceive. It’s satisfying to witness this villain outsmart Spider-Man, and part of the credit goes to actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who expertly portrays Mysterio as a ghoulish narcissist reminiscent of his role in Nightcrawler. Gyllenhaal’s performance prevents the character from feeling as superficial as his signature fishbowl helmet.
Vulture
In the comics, The Vulture is depicted as an elderly man wearing a green jumpsuit, yet he poses a significant threat to Spider-Man. To keep up with the changing times, Kevin Feige and the Homecoming team wisely decided to reimagine The Vulture as a middle-aged industrial scavenger who utilizes his wings for pulling off heists.
The MCU’s more ‘tech’ focused take on Spider-Man is brilliantly reinvented with the addition of Michael Keaton as his oldest enemy. As evidenced by his performance in Batman, Keaton effortlessly transitions between charming and menacing, making his portrayal of Adrian all the more chilling. One of the most memorable scenes in modern cinema is when Adrian discovers Spider-Man’s secret identity while Peter is unsuspectingly sitting in the back of his car.
2. Green Goblin/Norman Osborn
Despite his numerous sacrifices, Norman Osborn is only in second place? This seems unjust. In the first Spider-Man movie directed by Raimi, he is portrayed as a menacing lunatic who is willing to harm Peter’s loved ones to achieve his goals. However, it is not until No Way Home that we truly grasp the extent of his insanity.
Despite being a lunatic who takes pleasure in causing suffering and death, he finds joy in brutally killing Aunt May and remains unfazed even when Peter appears to have the upper hand. What adds to the emotional impact of this is the fact that the Norman we see on the big screen is a loving father figure who admires the scientific talents of both Peters he encounters.
Despite only catching glimpses of this before it is overtaken by the Goblin, it adds a heartbreaking layer to the character. Willem Dafoe’s transformational acting skills and sinister facial expressions must be credited for this. However, he is not the ultimate Spider-Man antagonist. That title belongs to someone with the ability to control the power of the sun in their hand.
1. Doctor Octopus
One of Spider-Man’s most notorious adversaries, Otto Octavius, also known as Doctor Octopus, is a tragic character that serves as a dark mirror to Peter Parker – not in the obvious way that Venom does. Both Peter and Otto are highly intelligent individuals whose lives are irrevocably altered by a laboratory incident that deprives them of the chance to utilize their brilliance. However, while Peter chooses to use his newfound abilities responsibly, Otto’s hubris (and the influence of the AI controlling his powerful tentacles) blinds him and ultimately transforms him into, as he puts it, “a monster.”
In addition to their shared name referencing an eight-legged creature, Otto’s case is strengthened by his role as the antagonist in the highly praised live-action Spider-Man film, Spider-Man 2. Director Sam Raimi’s superb storytelling, thrilling plot, and unforgettable action scenes (such as the iconic train fight) all contribute to the film’s success, as does Danny Elfman’s sweeping score.
Despite this, what truly solidifies Doc Ock as the greatest supervillain in film history, even surpassing Heath Ledger’s Joker, is the masterful portrayal by Alfred Molina. He strikes the perfect balance between exaggerated and compelling, making his character both intentionally over-the-top and deeply relatable.
In addition, we have an article that delves into the intricate timeline of the X-Men movies.
The purpose of creating this list was to honor HeroFest, a week dedicated to celebrating everything related to superheroes. For more information, please refer to the complete HeroFest schedule.
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