‘Close to perfect’ action movie trilogy is now streaming on Netflix | Films | Entertainment

A ‘classic’ film trilogy credited with ‘saving the genre’ and boasting an impressive ensemble cast has arrived on Netflix.

2026 promises to be an eventful year for superhero cinema, with Marvel preparing their most significant release since Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Doomsday.

Last week also witnessed the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) drop all eight episodes of Wonder Man on Disney+. Wonder Man chronicles Hollywood actor Simon Williams, who finds himself plunged into the superhero realm after acquiring abilities and transforming into a new hero.

Led by Aquaman’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the lead role, the series features Sir Ben Kingsley’s Trevor, a character previously seen in Iron Man 3 and Shang Chi.

Before the Avengers return, audiences will flock to cinemas for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man appearance in Brand New Day. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink joins the production, which depicts Peter Parker attempting to concentrate on college life whilst stepping away from Spider-Man.

With supporters clamouring for a trailer, Netflix have seized the ideal moment to deliver fans a dose of nostalgia by adding Spidey’s initial trilogy on Tuesday (February 3). In 2002, mainstream cinema-goers had relatively little appetite for superhero films.

That all shifted when Spider-Man swung onto the big screen, with Tobey Maguire donning the iconic suit.

Helmed by The Evil Dead’s Sam Raimi, Spider-Man demonstrated that superhero cinema deserved serious consideration, blending humour, tension and excitement throughout its running time. Many still regard it as the ultimate superhero picture.

Taking on Doctor Octopus in the 2004 follow-up and Venom in the trilogy’s conclusion, released in 2007, Maguire’s Spider-Man is a champion who consistently attempts to wear his heart on his sleeve regardless of the consequences.

The trilogy features performances from stars including Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, Alfred Molina and Topher Grace.

Devotees of Spider-Man persistently post reviews of the original trilogy on IMDB to articulate why they remain captivated by the films more than two decades since their release.

@condorelli-pierpaolo commented: “I definitely think that Tobey Maguire is the only actor who best embodies Spider-Man. Why am I so sure? Because Tobey isn’t playing the shy nerd; he is really a shy nerd just like Peter Parker.”

@jaredpahl wrote: “The world of movie superheroes began with Superman, thrived with Batman, and reached its ultimate apex with Spider-Man. 2002’s biggest movie event combines the slam bang roller coaster rush of Batman with the heart, sweetness, and aw-shucks sincerity of DC’s other titan, into a comic book adaptation that is as close to perfect as any will ever come.”

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@ciobanualin commented: “Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy it’s going to be my favourite one. It has a sad and emotional storyline, great special effects for their time, great acting and nice action. This trilogy it’s also a little bit darker and more realistic than the actual Spider-Man trilogy, starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker.”

Beyond adding the Maguire trilogy, Netflix have also included Andrew Garfield’s two outings as Spidey, so it’s the ideal opportunity to binge a series that will only grow in stature as the years go by.

The Spider-Man and Amazing Spider-Man films are available to stream on Netflix.