--- title: "Spider-Man: Brand New Day: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/spider-man-brand-new-day/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/spider-man-brand-new-day" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 16 reviews: 12 positive, 4 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like it, and the praise clusters in the same places: Tom Holland’s performance as a lonelier, more grown-up Peter Parker, his scenes with Zendaya, and a return to street-level crimefighting after several films of multiverse traffic. Several reviews call it the best of Holland’s outings, and a few reach further back, ranking it alongside the Raimi films. The action is generally admired, particularly in the first half. The reservations are consistent too: a back half that slows under Marvel obligations, a villain plot that interests reviewers less than the character work, some corny effects, and themes explained more than once. The spread is fairly wide for a film nobody dislikes. Variety finds it arduous and self-serious, trying too hard to be humane, and The New York Times misses the comedy and chemistry of the earlier entries. Even those two credit Holland; the argument is about the plot around him, not the man in the suit. ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Rating B+. 28 July 2026. The review calls it the best MCU Spider-Man since Homecoming, praising the character-focused approach, crossovers, and handling of young adult changes, while noting it's not as masterful as earlier Raimi films but satisfying. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/spider-man-brand-new-day-review) ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 July 2026. The critic calls the film a refreshingly intimate spidey success that balances exhilarating action with emotional depth. They single out Holland's portrayal of a lonely, melancholic Peter Parker and strong character moments, especially with Zendaya. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/spider-man-brand-new-day-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2026. The critic praises the film's focus on Peter Parker's emotional isolation and humanity, highlighting Tom Holland's soulful performance and strong action sequences balanced with tenderness, though noting some pacing issues. It singles out the intimate scenes with MJ and Ned for emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland-zendaya-1236657988/) ## The Telegraph — Robbie Collin Rating 4/5. 28 July 2026. This is hailed as the best Spider-Man film since the Tobey Maguire era, restoring the character’s gawkiness, pep and street-level charm through organic web-shooters and strong chemistry between the real-life newlyweds Holland and Zendaya. The self-contained plot and inventive combat are praised while some CGI is noted as occasionally corny. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/spider-man-brand-new-day-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2026. Praises the reset to street-level Spidey and action clarity in first half, but criticizes later focus on villain and CGI-heavy action; ultimately values the moral climax where Peter demonstrates his humanity. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland-zendaya/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2026. The critic finds the film an entertaining but familiar spectacle that resets Peter Parker’s secret identity and introduces body-possessing threats and health issues, yet lacks real novelty. Zendaya’s grounded, adult performance as MJ is singled out as the element that rescues the movie from silliness and generic superhero tropes. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jul/28/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-zendaya-saves-tom-hollands-semi-cronenberg-style-superhero) ## The New York Times — Alissa Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2026. The critic views the film as capping this Spider-Man’s growing-up arc, focusing on accepting adult powers amid isolation and external threats. It lacks the lighthearted comedy and character chemistry of prior entries, making it less fun overall. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/movies/spider-man-brand-new-day-review.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Amy Nicholson Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 30 July 2026. The film is likable but never quite achieves liftoff due to franchise obligations and padding; it highlights Tom Holland’s buoyant humanity as a lonely, workaholic Spider-Man while offering some strong action and humanist touches. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-07-30/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland-zendaya-sadie-sink-destin-daniel-cretton) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2026. The film is a mature but arduous effort that tries too hard to be thoughtful and humane, resulting in something watchable yet overly episodic, self-serious, and not emotionally transporting despite solid action. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland-zendaya-1236821873/) ## Empire — John Nugent 28 July 2026. The critic praises the film's more mature, emotional and ground-level take on Spider-Man, highlighting the friendly neighbourhood elements, Tom Holland's earnest performance and strong opening montage, while noting some typical MCU concessions slow the pace in the back half. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/spider-man-brand-new-day/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★☆☆. 28 July 2026. Holland’s sensitive, emotional performance and the charged scenes with Zendaya are highlighted as saving the film and giving it genuine ache and longing, but the actual plot is criticised as a shame that undercuts the strengths. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland-kcchqdlx9) ## Total Film — Jordan Farley 28 July 2026. The critic calls it Marvel Studios' strongest standalone outing since Endgame, celebrating the film's fresh take on the character and strong performances. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/marvel-movies/spider-man-brand-new-day-review/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2026. The critic praises the film for taking a more mature, darker direction under Cretton, returning Spider-Man to his roots as a crimefighter. Holland and Zendaya maintain strong chemistry despite the plot's distance. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2026/07/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland-zendaya-1237005422/) ## NME — Victoria Luxford Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 29 July 2026. The critic highlights the film's exploration of loneliness, consequences, and Peter as an adult, with strong action sequences, mature storytelling, and Tom Holland's darker yet engaging performance. It calls it the best Tom Holland Spider-Man outing and the best MCU movie of the decade. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-is-tom-holland-marvels-new-super-saviour-3959622) ## Polygon — Jake Kleinman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2026. The critic praises it as the best Spider-Man movie since Raimi's Spider-Man 2, highlighting its grounded, emotional storytelling, mature tone, and action sequences inspired by video games and classic films. They single out the focus on Peter Parker as a lone hero and the innovative action. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/spider-man-brand-new-day-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2026. The critic calls it a fantastic Peter Parker movie focused on loneliness, growth, and doing good despite personal cost, with strong ensemble work and character-driven storytelling that elevates the MCU entry. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland-zendaya/) ## Consequence Rating B+. 28 July 2026. The review calls it a remarkably coherent, often joyful film that gives the character growth and grace, praising the focus on Spider-Man's humanity, aerial action, and integration with the MCU without overshadowing the hero. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2026/07/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-marvel/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4/5. 28 July 2026. The critic praises the film's focus on Peter Parker's personal growth, longing, and relationships, especially with MJ and Ned, anchored by Tom Holland's performance. It notes some clutter from MCU obligations but highlights strong human elements, direction by Cretton, and Holland's command of the character. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland/) ## /Film — Jeremy Mathai Rating 7/10. 28 July 2026. The critic praises the film as Tom Holland's best Spider-Man outing yet, highlighting director Destin Daniel Cretton's emotional depth and action, the grounded story focusing on Peter's isolation and growth, and its real-movie feel. They complain about over-explained themes, some wonky plotting, and pacing issues that make the runtime feel long. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/2224901/spider-man-brand-new-day-review-tom-holland-marvel/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/spider-man-brand-new-day.md