Common Sense Media Review
Complex, sophisticated action for older kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
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Spider-Man
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say that the show presents a complex narrative filled with action and some violence, making it appealing for older children, though it may not be suitable for younger viewers due to romantic elements and occasional mild swearing. Many reviewers appreciate the animation and engaging characters, while also noting concerns about mature themes and suggest that parents should be aware of the content before watching with younger kids.
- complex storytelling
- action-packed
- mild violence
- mature themes
- appealing for older kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
SPIDER-MAN -- which originally aired on Fox from 1994-1998 -- follows Peter Parker/Spidey (voiced by Christopher Daniel Barnes) from college through his early career and encounters with villains like the Green Goblin and Chameleon. Because each episode is part of a multi-part storyline, the action can be a little hard to follow (the episodes aren't always aired in order during reruns), and there's no expository catch-up -- familiarity with the Spider-Man back story and characters is assumed.
Is It Any Good?
This spidey series looks and feels more like a movie than a classic action cartoon. The plots are complicated, the scenes are cut in movie style, characters narrate their histories over flashbacks, and action interrupts conversations and prevents people from revealing or discovering things. It's interesting and complex -- a good introduction to the live-action movies that are more suitable for older tweens and teens.
It's also worth noting that this Spider-Man, like the one in the comic books and movies, isn't always clearly the good guy; he struggles with his identity. And other superhero characters in the series can be even more ambiguous. All of that complexity makes Spider-Man a fun world to enter into -- nearly everyone seems to have an alter-ego and a personal mission that drives them. In that way, it also serves both as a reminder that everyone has his or her own story and as an invitation to create your own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Spider-Man more accurately reflects the original comic book Spider-Man than earlier series did. If so, what makes that the case? In what ways is it different from other versions of Spidey's story?
What messages do Spider-Man and his dilemmas send to kids?
How is Spider-Man different from other superheroes?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 19, 1994
- Cast : Christopher Daniel Barnes , Ed Asner , Roscoe Lee Browne
- Network : Toon Disney
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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