Spider-Man: The New Animated Series

TV review by Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Spidey grows up in 'toon best for older kids+.

Kabillion Kids' Animation 2003
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 8 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 20 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) is college-aged in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, a spinoff of the hit big-screen movie. He dates, kisses, and even allows a woman to sleep over at his apartment (speaking of which, most of the female characters have exaggerated figures, often with exposed flesh or generous bosoms). Spidey's battle against evil results in lots of cartoon violence, including villains wielding gigantic guns and regular near-death experiences, though all of the scenes are bloodless. Some scenes show Peter and his friends drinking cocktails.

Community Reviews

MFell98
MFell98 Adult
November 1, 2018
age 12+

MFell98's Review

POSITIVE MESSAGES (3/5): Kids can find out how to take responsibility. POSITIVE ROLE MODELS + REPRESENTATIONS (3/5): Peter is very responsible. VIOLENCE (4/5): A few instances of characters being slammed, thrown, etc. A man is electrocuted to death; a lady is shot in the leg and blood is visible, along with a hole; violent references are made. SEX (3/5): Peter spies on a couple making out, and a few female characters have skin/clothing exposure and mature breasts; Harry suggestively holds his girlfriend with her in his lap. LANGUAGE (3/5): Use of “crap,” “damn,” “hell,” “ass,” and “bitch.” DRINKING, DRUGS + SMOKING (2/5) Occasion drinking including Harry drinking underage. CONSUMERISM (0/5)

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
DanWescher
DanWescher Adult
October 31, 2018
age 13+

Good, but a little intense....

I think this show is in the teen range because of an episode where a woman's leg gets shot and blood is shown. There are uses of “damn,” “hell,” “ass,” and “bitch.” There is also a scene of Peter spying on a couple making out, and a few instances of characters drinking alcoholic beverages. But you can learn things from it, and in reality, that’s what matters.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 8 parent reviews

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

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