One of the biggest reasons why fans were excited about Spider-Man: No Way Home was teased in the first trailer. When Doc Ock appeared, it was kind of a mind-blowing moment even for a Marvel movie in the MCU. This was only in the trailer too. The actual movie is full of surprises beyond Doc Ock.
Including Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Doc Ock, and Dr. Strange, there are nine major characters with powers in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Some of these characters were used well and some were left in the dust. There will be spoilers for the movie ahead as these performances and stories are ranked out.
9 The Lizard
The Lizard is the first villain to appear in The Amazing Spider-Man films and is one of Peter’s father figures after Uncle Ben passes. Dr. Connors is an empathetic villain. All he wanted to do was regrow his missing arm.
Unfortunately, the experiment turned him into a giant lizard and thus warped his brain into thinking everyone should become a lizard. That dilemma is not highlighted in No Way Home which makes The Lizard feel like an afterthought.
8 Sandman
Sandman is another criminal that got caught up in something bigger than himself. He was a two-bit robber who only wanted money to support his family. His daughter is especially important to him. He’s not a bad guy. The giant collider turned him into a creature that gave him the power he thought would make his family safe.
It turns out that instinct was wrong in the original trilogy. While he does show conflict within himself in No Way Home, his character doesn’t seem to have a good footing on the overall plot. He’s a sheep, following a leader.
7 Electro
That leader would be Electro. This character is evil for the sake of being evil. He has been pushed around and ignored all of his life. Instead of gaining powers to protect the weak like himself, he decided to take out everyone.
Electro doesn’t have a redeeming moment in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and he doesn’t have one in No Way Home. He just stops because he runs out of juice. It’s not like he’s sorry or anything either. He’s a bad dude, but it’s fun to see Jamie Foxx have fun with the role.
6 Spider-Maguire
Toby Maguire’s take on Spider-Man was a mixed bag in the original trilogy. What he nailed perfectly was that Peter isn’t perfect like Tom Holland’s take. He is kind of a selfish jerk but that’s a good quality to have in a hero.
Show him change and grow into a hero worthy of power. That’s what Maguire brings into No Way Home. This Spider-Man has seen some stuff and as a result, he’s a bit tired. Still, he will do what needs to be done to save the day.
5 Doc Ock
Maguire’s Peter sees Doc Ock as a true friend and father figure in the original trilogy. What the good doctor wants to do is ingenious. The only trouble is the chip in the back of his neck. At long last this curse is lifted in No Way Home, turning Doc Ock back into a good guy.
It’s a great fake-out to see him working with the villains all while thinking two steps ahead. As the first crossover villain to be seen in No Way Home, he brings the heat. It is just unfortunate he isn't given more.
4 Spider-Holland
Tom Holland was great to see when he joined the MCU in Captain America: Civil War. His take was fresh, young, and full of spunk. He has been the quippiest Spider-Man to date which fans loved to see. It’s hard to argue against anyone thinking he has been the best live-action version of Peter Parker and Spider-Man.
However, Holland’s Peter does do a lot of stupid things that hold him back in No Way Home. He should have listened to Dr. Strange, zapped back the villains when Dr. Strange told him to, and avoided all of the destruction. He was a bit too selfish.
3 Spider-Garfield
Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man got a little ripped off in his movie universe. He only got two movies whereas Maguire got three and Holland has been in a bunch of supporting roles alongside his trilogy. If the three actors in No Way Home, Garfield looks the hungriest to prove himself.
And he does. When he delivers his Gwen speech, it’s hard not to cry. That moment gets even better when he can rescue MJ for Holland. He will not let another Peter feel the same way he has felt for so many years. That’s why he is the best Spider-Man in this movie at least.
2 Green Goblin
Willem Dafoe was perfect casting for Norman Osborn all those decades ago and it remains true now. Foxx was having fun being a confident, powerful villain in this movie whereas Dafoe was having fun being a maniacal one.
The first time he reveals his true intentions is wonderful. His softer moments are fun too like when he is stealing donuts. Dafoe brings heart and chaos into No Way Home which is the markings of any good supervillain.
1 Dr. Strange
Dr. Strange is oddly the best character in No Way Home. He has all of the power, literally, and is part of the reason why this mess even happens. He had good intentions of helping Peter, but Peter’s interruptions caused the spell to go haywire. Dr. Strange is the only one thinking logically in No Way Home. He comes off as cold, but the world needs a hero like that.
There is a whole sequel dedicated to him cleaning up the ripples of Peter’s mess. How could he not be the best part of this movie? The weight of the universe rests on his shoulders. He presumably doesn’t even remember why that is thanks to his forget-me-Peter spell. Magic is a messy business.