Miles Morales, Peter B. Parker, and Gwen Stacy in costume standing together.Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
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Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck
Published 2 hours ago
Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts.
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Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
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The MCU is great and all, but even with their biggest movie coming out in 2026, Avengers: Doomsday, some fans still find it hard to get excited about any projects. That is why Marvel needs to expand outside the MCU, and they already have done so with success. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is one of Marvel's most critically acclaimed projects, announcing a trilogy of films that will conclude in 2027.
There are countless things Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse does right, from its animation to its art, story, visuals, and comic aesthetic. However, one of its greatest aspects is its characters, introducing a handful of new and beloved heroes and villains. This list will rank the ten best characters in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse based on writing, characterization, memorability, originality, popularity, and overall fan opinion. There will be no characters from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse featured in this list.
10 Spider-Ham
Played by John Mulaney
Spider-Ham (John Mulaney) in 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced many Spider-People and variants from other worlds, but not all of them were human, such as Spider-Ham (John Mulaney). This fun character was one of the few Spider-variants who came from their universe into this one, serving as a major side character who was trying to get back home. Helping in the fight, he also mentored the main character for a bit before leaving for his home.
Spider-Ham isn't the best character in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but he did have a distinct and unique role, mainly serving as comedic relief with his goofy and cartoony antics. With the power of toon-force, the creators could be a lot more free and creative with his character, providing a refreshingly cartoony character. While Spider-Ham wasn't integral to the story, he had a nice dynamic with the characters and served an essential role.
9 Doctor Octopus
Played by Kathryn Hahn
Kathryn Hahn as the animated Doc Ock in Spider-Man: Into The Spider-VerseImage via Sony Pictures Releasing
Spider-Man is known for his rogues' gallery, and this movie features a handful of his villains. One of Spider-Man's most iconic villains is Doctor Octopus (Kathryn Hahn), and while fans have a clear picture in their mind, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse revamped them for a modern interpretation. This female version of Doc Ock is a scientist in the main villain's lab, serving as a secondary antagonist for the early part of the movie.
Not every fan likes a new iteration of a fan-favorite character, but there are a lot worse versions than this Doctor Octopus. She was fun, unique, intimidating, and intelligent, offering a new take on this character that should return at some point. Despite being a secondary antagonist, she had a sizable part where she showcased why she is an excellent villain, proving this movie can do new things and still be one of the best animated superhero movies.
8 Peni Parker
Played by Kimiko Glenn
Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn) inside a mech in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Anime is one of the fastest growing mediums in the world, with shows such as One Piece gathering critical acclaim. Anime's influence can be seen everywhere, even making it into Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse with Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn). This anime girl and Spider-variant, was one of the Spider-People who ended up on this Earth, using a giant spider mech to wield her powers.
Like Spider-Ham, Peni Parker didn't play too massive of a role in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, mainly being a side character who helps in the fight. However, the obvious anime inspiration as a high school girl in a giant mech was fun to see. This distinct take on a Spider-Person added a lot of creativity to the movie, showing that some of the best characters aren't only beloved comic heroes.
7 Jefferson Davis
Played by Brian Tyree Henry
Jefferson Davis (Brian Tyree Henry) looking at something in 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
All the characters on this list are either superheroes or supervillains, except for one normal human, and that is the father of the main character, Jefferson Davis (Brian Tyree Henry). Being a father comes with many trials and tribulations, but also being a cop whose son is Spider-Man brings in many more issues. He tries to do his best for the city and his son, but he has no idea that the hero he hates is actually his own flesh and blood.
Jefferson Davis is an essential grounding point of the movie, serving as the most prominent human character who has no special powers. His relationship with Miles (Shameik Moore) is beautiful, complex, and well-written, offering the human side of the movie. He is involved in many major plot points, including his dynamic with Miles, Spider-Man, and the murder of his brother. Overall, Jefferson Davis is a key character, and fans can't wait to see what they will do with his character in the next film, being one of the most anticipated story points in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
6 Aaron Davis
Played by Mahershala Ali
Aaron Davis, aka The Prowler crouched with his claw on the gorund in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Following one of the members of the Davis family is another one, this time being Miles' uncle and Jefferson's brother, Aaron Davis (Mahershala Ali). He is a source of inspiration and friendship for Miles, even though his brother thinks he is a bad influence. Involved in crime and a generally devious lifestyle, he hasn't made the best choices, possibly leading to him becoming The Prowler, one of the main villains of the movie.
Aaron Davis/ The Prowler was in one of the most important and entertaining storylines in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. As Aaron, he was a critical factor in Miles' development and growth, and as The Prowler, he was an intimidating villain who also played a significant part in Miles' growth. His death was an important moment and change for Miles, also starting the complicated plotline with Jefferson's view of Spider-Man.
5 Spider-Man Noir
Played by Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man Noir pointing in 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse had a decent number of big actors, but the most well-known was by far Nicolas Cage, who played Spider-Man Noir. Another one of the Spider-People who showed up on Earth through the interdimensional rift. Spider-Man Noir is an important side character who helped in the fight and restoration of the device.
Being voiced by Cage played a major part in the character's popularity, adding his signature acting style that worked perfectly for this overly dramatic and gloomy Spider-Man. His confusion of color and modern-day technology was hilarious, adding a new layer of comedy. Fans wish he had more of a role in the sequel, but that won't be the last fans see of him, as the new Spider-Noir TV show is one of the most anticipated superhero projects of 2026.
4 Wilson Fisk
Played by Liev Schreiber
Kingpin smiling slightly in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
This list has a few villains featured, so, of course, it also had to include the main antagonist of the film, Wilson Fisk (Liev Schreiber). Kingpin is a fan-favorite villain in Spider-Man and Daredevil stories, even serving as the main villain in the Daredevil TV, and a significant presence in the MCU. In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, he attempted to open a portal to an alternate dimension where his family was still alive, kicking off the story.
A lot of fans point fun at his overly built and square design, and while it is pretty outlandish and funny, it accentuates the comic-book aesthetic and animation style. However, the real reason why Wilson Fisk is so high is because of how well-written, tragic, and intimidating he was. His backstory, motivation, and presence in the story cemented him as an iconic villain.
3 Peter B. Parker
Played by Jake Johnson
Peter B. Parker licking his fingers and holding a soda in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Everyone knows Spider-Man's (Jake Johnson) backstory, so much so that this movie even references that, brushing over each one. That also means that most fans know that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. However, after the death of the main universe's Peter Parker, voiced by Chris Pine, the new one that appeared in this world wasn't nearly as put together, having a horrible life where he stopped caring.
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Want deeper Spider-Verse insight? Subscribe to the newsletter for full character breakdowns, rankings and behind-the-scenes analysis of Miles, Gwen, Kingpin and the rest — plus broader pop-culture coverage that builds on these conversations. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.There are many versions of Peter Parker in the movies, shows, and comics, but many of them have horrible lives, including this iteration. However, that just means he had an incredible arc and character development over the course of the film. He also served as a mentor to Miles, helping both of them grow and serving as the deuteragonist of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
2 Miles Morales
Played by Shameik Moore
This list just mentioned that most fans know Peter Parker as Spider-Man, but this film shows a whole cast of other people who could be the hero, including Miles Morales. As the protagonist of the film, he was bound to be high on this list, driving the plot forward with the main attention being directed at him. As a new Spider-Man, he needs to quickly learn what it takes to be a hero in dangerous times.
Miles may not be first on this list, but he is still the main character of this movie and the trilogy. He was the reason why Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was so good, presenting a complex and relatable character arc about responsibility. This continues into the second movie, but the first movie alone is a perfect arc that could have been a standalone story. The voice acting was perfect, his development was flawless, and he was a generally likable character, which made this one of the greatest animated films ever.
1 Gwen Stacy
Played by Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Some fans probably thought Miles would be number one, and while he was the central point of focus, one other character stole the spotlight, Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld). Gwen Stacy was another one of the Spider-People dragged to this universe, serving as a deuteragonist to Miles and a central side character, prominent during most of the film.
Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker were the main side characters in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but the former proved to have a larger cultural impact, becoming the symbol of a female Spider-Man. Her costume is remarkable, the voice acting was magnificent, and her role in the story was amazing, all coming together to make her the most beloved character in this movie. Fans can't wait to see Gwen Stacy in the final film, which will surely be one of the best movie trilogies of all time.
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Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse
PG
Animation
Action
Release Date
December 14, 2018
Runtime
117 minutes
Director
Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey
Writers
Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Cast
See All-
Jake Johnson
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Kimiko Glenn
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