Netflix’s most-watched show is The Amazing Spider-Man.
Netflix’s top 10 most-watched movies are usually recent releases. You might expect to see Hustle, Interceptor and Senior Year in the top 10, but a newcomer has snuck its way into the top five, and it features everyone’s favorite webhead.
A few weeks ago, The Amazing Spider-Man briefly held the No. 1 place, but it has since fallen back to No. 5. More than 22 million people have watched the film in the previous two weeks. This clearly indicates that Netflix members are seriously interested in the unappreciated comic book film.
After the Sam Raimi-directed trilogy came to an end with 2007’s Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man was released in 2012 as a reboot of the franchise. Andrew Garfield plays Peter Parker and Emma Stone portrays Gwen Stacey, his girlfriend. A Marc Webb-directed picture depicts the origin story of Spider-Man and then pits him against the Lizard, Dr. Curt Connors.
The movie was a financial success, grossing over $750 million worldwide, but comic book fans weren’t as enthusiastic about it when it first came out. There were several negative similarities drawn to the Toby Maguire starring trilogy that preceded it. As much as fans loved his British accent and his humorous repartee, others thought Garfield’s persona didn’t quite fit that of Peter Parker, who is known for his reserved demeanor.
However, The Amazing Spider-Man received a respectable Rotten Tomatoes score of 72 percent (opens in new tab). Critics praised Garfield and Stone’s evident connection, but the film’s excessively familiar premise and uninteresting villain were lambasted.
Who knows why The Amazing Spider-Man is making such a rapid ascent up the Netflix rankings?
Netflix’s most-watched list may seem a little odd given that The Amazing Spider-Man will be 10 years old next month, but there’s an excellent reason why the picture is so popular right now.
For Spider-Man: No Way Home, viewers were enthralled as three generations of the webslingers (Maguire, Garfield, and the MCU’s Tom Holland) came together. At the global box office, it pulled in about $2 billion, and audiences were practically cheering and clapping at the screen.
In No Way Home, Garfield’s reappearance as Spider-Man was hailed as a highlight by many critics. This is in part because he enjoys some of the best lines in the picture, but it’s also because time has been kind to his portrayal of the character. A long-overdue evaluation was eventually given to The Amazing Spider-Man after Garfield’s triumphant return in the wake of his homecoming.
Though not a great film adaptation, The Amazing Spider-Man has much more highs than lows. They both shine, and there are some fantastic scenes of Spider-Man flying through the city. It’s not simply Martin Sheen’s portrayal of Uncle Ben that’s so impressive. While it may not be the best Spider-Man movie, it’s still worth watching again or for the first time if you can get your hands on a copy of Netflix’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Spider-Man could return in some capacity in the future if Garfield’s character is given a chance to shine. After the popularity of No Way Home, Sony was urged to approve Amazing Spider-Man 3 by fans. Garfield’s return to the Spider-Man universe has been rumored, but it seems improbable. With films based on Kraven the Hunter and Madam Webb in the works, this interwoven franchise is destined to extend even more.