Common Sense Media Review
Fun movie, but may be too intense for younger kids.
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Spider-Man
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 75 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is an exciting adaptation of a beloved superhero story, featuring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and notable themes around responsibility, but it includes some intense scenes and moderate violence which may not be suitable for very young children. Many reviews recommend it for older kids, particularly ages 9 and up, while emphasizing the positive role models and life lessons presented through the characters’ experiences.
- fun superhero adventure
- great role models
- intense scenes
- suitable for older kids
- themes of responsibility
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 250 kid reviews
Kids say this superhero movie has a mix of exciting action and intense moments, delivering a classic origin story that highlights themes of responsibility and bravery. However, many reviews caution that the violence and some suggestive scenes may not be suitable for younger audiences, emphasizing the film's mixed messages about maturity and appropriateness for kids.
- intense moments
- positive role models
- suggestive content
- violence levels
- great origin story
- family movie
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In SPIDER-MAN, Toby Maguire stars as Peter Parker, a brilliant and sensitive high school student who's so deeply in love with his next-door neighbor Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) that he can barely bring himself to say hello to her. On a school field trip, he's bitten by a genetically engineered spider; the next morning he wakes up with some distinctly arachnid-like qualities: He can see without his glasses, climb walls, eject webbing with the swinging power of rope and the strength of steel, and anticipate danger. Peter plays around with his newfound superpowers but quickly learns that power comes with great responsibility. Great risk comes as well: Everyone Peter cares about is put in danger because of who he is. Meanwhile, Peter's best friend's father, industrialist Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), has decided to try out his company's new product on himself. He, too, develops extraordinary power -- and a mad fury. His new alter ego is dubbed the Green Goblin for his bizarre armor-like covering.
Is It Any Good?
Maguire is just right as Peter, the supporting cast is great, and the script is excellent, striking just the right note of respect and affection for the source material. Spider-Man has a contemporary feel without being showily post-modern or ironic. The special effects are thrilling. New York City is brilliantly stylized. Peter's relationship with MJ is sweetly romantic. The movie's weakest point is that it fails in the single most important requirement for a comic book-based movie: The villain isn't unforgettably crazy or evil or larger-than-life. Dafoe is a brilliant actor, but the part of Osborn/Green just isn't interesting enough to be truly scary.
Parents who are struggling with whether this movie is appropriate for kids under 13 should know that it's at about the same level as the X-Men movies. Keep in mind that just because kids can repeat after you that "it's only pretend" doesn't mean that they fully understand what that means until they're 10 or even older. Some kids may see the movie and appear to have no problems with it but later act out in other ways. Be watchful for kids who respond by desensitizing themselves to violence or re-enacting it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Uncle Ben's influence on Peter Parker in Spider-Man. What role does he play in Peter's life?
What does "with great power comes great responsibility" mean? Can you think of other superhero movies that tackle that theme?
Also, do you agree that people "love to see a hero fail"?
How do you think this live-action film compares with Spider-Man comics or the other Spider-Man films?
How do the characters in Spider-Man demonstrate self-control, integrity, and empathy? What about perseverance and courage? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 3, 2002
- On DVD or streaming : November 1, 2002
- Cast : Kirsten Dunst , Tobey Maguire , Willem Dafoe
- Director : Sam Raimi
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Self-control
- Run time : 121 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence.
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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