One of this year’s most highly-anticipated films, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, is finally about to hit theaters everywhere. And as such, there’s no better time to take a look back at its predecessor: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

In 2018, Sony Pictures Animation released the first-ever animated feature film in the Spider-Man franchise, and in the years since, Into the Spider-Verse has become widely regarded as a modern masterpiece. It’s been hailed by both critics and fans as not just one of the greatest superhero movies ever made, but one of the greatest animated films as well. With a movie this beloved, it’s hard to name just a handful of its best moments — however, these five sequences manage to effectively encapsulate everything that makes Into the Spider-Verse so spectacular.

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Miles Meets Peter

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The film’s first act comes to a climax when Miles Morales, overwhelmed by his new powers, returns to the scene of the spider bite that granted him these new abilities, only to be caught in the middle of a fight between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. While the fierce battle that follows is compelling enough on its own, the real highlight of the sequence is the quiet first meeting between Miles Morales and Peter Parker.

After rescuing Miles, Peter’s Spider-Sense resonates with his own, and Peter immediately recognizes that Miles shares his powers. “I thought I was the only one,” Peter says. “You’re like me.” Throughout the movie, Miles has felt lost and confused, crushed by pressure from all angles. But now, he finally finds some words of comfort and guidance in Spider-Man, who offers to help Miles learn to use his new powers. It’s a simple moment of compassion and connection that helps underscore what being Spider-Man truly means — and offers Miles some much-needed hope. And that makes it hit even harder when Peter is soon killed by Kingpin, devastating Miles.

The Alchemax Escape

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Into the Spider-Verse is filled with riveting, stylish action scenes, but one of the best is the frantic chase through the Alchemax facility, in which Miles and Peter B. Parker flee from Doctor Octopus while trying to protect her stolen computer. It’s a sequence that’s as exciting as it is hilarious (shout out to Peter stealing a bagel), and it even advances the character arcs of Miles and Peter by deepening their mentor-student relationship. But of course, the real highlight is the sequence’s dramatic conclusion — the grand entrance of Spider-Gwen, who rescues Miles and Peter and defeats Doc Ock.

Uncle Aaron’s Death

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Of course, the movie isn’t all fun and games. The most gut-wrenching moment in the movie is without a doubt the tragic death of Miles’ uncle Aaron Davis. After being revealed as the villainous Prowler, Aaron nearly kills Miles, only to stay his hand when his nephew takes off his mask. However, Aaron’s act of mercy causes Kingpin to shoot him for his disobedience, fatally wounding him.

As Miles stays with Aaron in his final moments, Aaron tearfully apologizes for letting his nephew down. “You’re the best of all of us, Miles,” he says. “You’re on your way. Just keep going.” And with those last words, Aaron perishes at Miles’ side. It’s a truly crushing scene that gives the usually cool-and-collected Aaron a moment of total vulnerability, reflecting on his failures as he expresses his love and hope for Miles. While watching this scene, it’s hard not to feel a bit of Miles’ pain — and as such, it’s one of the most emotional scenes in any Spider-Man movie.

Miles’ Leap of Faith

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There was no way this scene wasn’t going to make it on the list. The “Leap of Faith” sequence is the climax of Miles’ character arc, and it’s become practically synonymous with the movie. After a heartfelt talk from his dad in the wake of Aaron’s death, Miles finally finds the resolve to embrace his role as Spider-Man, with all the responsibility it entails. And with that sense of responsibility guiding him, he sets out to join his fellow Spiders in the battle against Kingpin and stop Peter from sacrificing himself.

But while Miles’ character development gives the sequence the weight it needs to succeed, it’s the presentation of this moment that makes it truly unforgettable. “What’s Up Danger” by Blackway and Black Caviar plays in the background throughout the scene, reflecting Miles’ newfound determination. And while the visuals of the film have always been stunning, they reach their apex here. As Miles takes his “leap of faith”, as Peter called it, the screen inverts as he jumps off the side of a skyscraper, making it appear as if he’s rising, not falling. It’s an awe-inspiring shot that instantly became iconic, and for good reason.

From there, Miles swings through the New York skyline with ease, paralleling his earlier failures at web-slinging. After all the struggle and heartbreak Miles has endured, he’s finally conquered all his doubts and fears. It’s a joyous, triumphant moment, capped off by Miles finally receiving his own comic cover to add to the film’s comic book framing device. At long last, he’s proven himself as a true Spider-Man. Ultimately, there’s little to say about this scene that hasn’t been said already. It’s an incredibly moving culmination of Miles’ character arc, and a truly masterful display of filmmaking. If there’s one scene that perfectly encapsulates why Into the Spider-Verse is an amazing movie, this is it.

Showdown at the Collider

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Finally, there’s the film’s grand finale, in which Miles and his fellow Spiders take on Kingpin and his henchmen in one last action setpiece. As Kingpin’s collider breaks down the walls between universes, pieces of debris torn from other worlds begin to float through the chamber, providing an imaginative, visually stunning battleground for the final showdown. The fights range from comedic to intense, but they’re all a blast to watch.

After a touching goodbye between Miles and his comrades, he takes on Kingpin in a gripping one-on-one clash. Physically, Miles is no match for Kingpin, leaving him on the receiving end of a brutal beatdown. But like any good Spider-Man, Miles always gets back up. Inspired by Uncle Aaron’s memory, he takes down Kingpin with an electric-powered “shoulder touch” and swings him into the collider, shutting it down and saving the multiverse. All in all, it’s a marvelously thrilling final battle that serves as a fitting conclusion to the story of Into the Spider-Verse. Here’s hoping that Across the Spider-Verse will provide plenty of moments that are just as impactful.

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