Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun, funny, touching Spidey sequel has comic book violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Spider-Man: No Way Home
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 71 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is a thrilling and emotional experience that captivates both long-time fans and newcomers, though it contains more violence and mature themes than previous installments. Many reviewers emphasize its strong messages about responsibility, friendship, and redemption, while also noting that the language and some scenes might not be suitable for younger audiences.
- thrilling experience
- strong messages
- some violence
- language concerns
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 313 kid reviews
What's the Story?
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME picks up moments after the ending of Far from Home, in which J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) revealed Spider-Man's secret identity to the world. This bombshell upends the lives of Peter Parker (Tom Holland), MJ (Zendaya), and Ned (Jacob Batalon), even resulting in their applications to MIT getting rejected. Peter decides to go see Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and ask for a spell. There is one, but it will cause everyone to forget who Peter is; it would be as if he'd never existed. While they attempt to modify the spell to exclude Peter's loved ones, things spin out of control. Before long, supervillains from alternate universes descend upon Spider-Man's world, and his hands are full. He's going to need some help.
Is It Any Good?
This Spider-Man sequel has all the necessary ingredients for a top-notch superhero movie, including hilarity and heart, action and anxiousness, and some happy surprises. There's so much in Spider-Man: No Way Home to try not to spoil, but, given that the three Tom Holland Spidey movies all play on the word "home," even the title holds some clues. At its core, the movie is about families (including the "found families" we make along the way), doing the right thing, and helping out. Peter makes a most unusual decision in the story, steering away from what might be the "normal" choice in a comic book story and choosing something more unconventional, perhaps even uncinematic, because it's the right thing to do.
Yet the filmmakers don't let things get preachy or self-righteous. There's plenty of time for some of the funniest bits of dialogue in any of the Marvel movies so far, as well as moments of undeniable warmth between characters who've become so soothingly familiar. Unsurprisingly, Spider-Man: No Way Home is also technically superb, with exhilarating effects sequences, expert cinematography, and a breathless music score. (It's still a little untidy here and there and can't quite reach the dazzling perfection of the thematically similar Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but what can?) Overall, this 27th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe feels in some way like part of a great Spider-Man TV show, built on characters we really care about, whose trials and tribulations are truly affecting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Spider-Man: No Way Home'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 are the role models in Spider-Man: No Way Home? In addition to courage, what other character strengths do they display? What does Peter learn about himself and his role as a superhero?
Is it true that good deeds can live on and inspire others? Can you think of any examples?
How do you feel about the idea of the multiverse? If you could meet someone from an alternate universe, who would it be? What would you expect?
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? How about which Spider-Man actor, and why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 17, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : April 12, 2022
- Cast : Tom Holland , Zendaya , Benedict Cumberbatch
- Director : Jon Watts
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Columbia Pictures , Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 148 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of action/violence, some language and brief suggestive
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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