Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fourth MCU Spidey movie spins tale of action and emotion.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
What's the Story?
In SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY, it's been four years since Peter Parker (Tom Holland) was erased from everyone's memory in No Way Home. He devotes himself full-time to being Spider-Man, living an anonymous, solitary life. When his former flame, M.J. (Zendaya), and best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon), arrive back in New York after attending M.I.T., Peter can't help but follow Ned to a party, where he sees M.J. kissing another man. Meanwhile, the city is under attack by a mysterious entity that has the ability to jump from one body to another, briefly taking over their consciousness. The entity seems to be targeting the Department of Damage Control, as if it's looking for something specific. But when the entity figures out who Spider-Man really is, Peter realizes that M.J. is in trouble and asks for help from an unlikely ally: Frank Castle, a.k.a. the Punisher (Jon Bernthal). Meanwhile, something has been going haywire with Peter's spider DNA, causing him to lose control of his powers—and himself.
Is It Any Good?
After the amazing No Way Home, this fourth MCU Spidey movie had some big shoes to fill, but it actually sidesteps that multiverse spectacle, musing instead on trauma and on connection. For Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Destin Daniel Cretton (Short Term 12, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) takes over directing duties from Jon Watts, and the movie even skips having "home" in its title in any way—which is appropriate, as Peter no longer has any home. And there are no "villains" here, not technically. All of them, including Peter, are just wounded souls who are trying to do the best they can, dealing with loss and pain. Peter refuses to show his face or to confide in anyone, determined to carry his burden all alone. Even his suit is now more fabric than armor, more vulnerable. Peter's unexpected budding friendship with Frank is a delight, as both of them are lonely souls whose approaches to crime fighting are, to say the least, polar opposite. Their bickering is the stuff of screwball comedy. Peter's interactions with the forgetful M.J. and Ned are likewise emotionally mature.
Of course, this is a Marvel movie, and there are action scenes aplenty, each with its own generous selection of "oohs," "aahs" and "WOWs." Spidey swings wildly over the city, trying to control his new organic webs, using them as fulcrums to simultaneously subdue a foe and swing around to catch another. Certainly there are a few tiny quibbles here and there (first and foremost: how does Peter earn any money?). Yet even with a massive 145-minute running time (the second longest of any Spidey movie), the pacing of Spider-Man: Brand New Day feels assured and balanced, excitement nicely intertwined with the feels, as if bundled up in a beautiful web.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Spider-Man: Brand New Day's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Who do you consider to be role models in Spider-Man: Brand New Day? In addition to courage, what other character strengths do they display? What does Peter learn about himself and his role as a superhero?
What does the movie have to say about the idea of having a network of family or friends to reach out to in times of need? Why is it often so hard to ask for help? Is it possible to go it alone? Why, or why not?
What's the difference between Spider-Man and the Punisher's approach to justice? Where does compassion come in?
What would you want to see in another Spider-Man sequel? For those familiar with the previous Spider-Man installments: Which Spider-Man series is your favorite? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 31, 2026
- Cast : Tom Holland , Zendaya , Jacob Batalon , Mark Ruffalo
- Director : Destin Daniel Cretton
- Studio : Sony Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage
- Run time : 145 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of action/violence and some language
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : July 29, 2026
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