Common Sense Media Review
By Sierra Filucci
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spidey grows up in 'toon best for older kids+.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say the show is aimed at an older audience than its PG rating suggests, with many reviewers highlighting adult themes, including profanity and violence, as unsuitable for young children. Despite the mature content, many found it to be an entertaining series, particularly for pre-teens and teenagers who might appreciate its darker tone and character development.
- mature themes
- inappropriate language
- violence depicted
- recommend for older kids
- enjoyable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Peter Parker (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris) moves into the digital age in SPIDER-MAN: THE NEW ANIMATED SERIES. Instead of taking photos for a newspaper, he shoots video for a TV station. And instead of being carefully drawn in pen and ink, he and his friends are brightly (if flatly) rendered in CGI. But Peter hasn't changed too much. He still pines for Mary Jane (Lisa Loeb), and, though he's a bit hipper than in the old days, he still has his shy, self-deprecating appeal. Here, Peter is both attending college and fighting for those in need as his superhero alter ego. He manages to get into all sorts of dangerous predicaments, but he uses his Spidey-sense to stay ahead of his enemies. Whether investigating an apparent attack on the city's mayor by sexy villain Silver Sable or a kidnapping by a group of high-tech terrorists, Spider-Man always manages to win his battles.
Is It Any Good?
The show's half-hour episodes don't delve too deeply into Peter's darker side, and most references to his family and his past are left out. What's left is a flashy superhero cartoon interested mostly in terrific battles and unrequited love.
Fighting evil makes for some tense situations, and Spider-Man: The New Animated Series is packed with last-minute saves and death-defying leaps. These, mixed with sexy villains with big guns, make the show a better pick for older tweens. Plus, Peter isn't in high school anymore, so kissing and even co-ed sleepovers happen every once in a while. His best friend Harry (Ian Ziering) tosses out the occasional sexual innuendo, and Mary Jane has developed into a quite a flirt.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence. What kind of violence is featured in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series? What would the effects of that kind of violence be if it weren't a cartoon? Kids: Does watching fighting in a cartoon ever make you feel more energetic or hyper? What do you think that means?
Families can also compare the show to the Tobey Maguire movies. Which do you like better? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 11, 2003
- Cast : Ian Ziering , Lisa Loeb , Neil Patrick Harris
- Network : Kabillion
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Superheroes
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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