The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008)
TV SeriesOptional
A teenage Peter Parker’s first year as Spider-Man, with a carefully built villain line-up. Released in 2008, it’s a Marvel series that isn’t part of the MCU timeline, so it’s optional and stands on its own. At 26 episodes, about 9h 32m in all, it is rent or buy only in the US right now.
| Release date | March 8, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 26 × ~22 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
Often called the best Spider-Man cartoon; canceled after two seasons, which fans still bring up.
About The Spectacular Spider-Man
The Spectacular Spider-Man follows Peter Parker in high school, balancing classes, money worries, Aunt May and his friendships with Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn alongside his early years as Spider-Man. Developer Greg Weisman called the theme "The Education of Peter Parker." Every arc is named like a school course, from "Biology 101" to "Criminology 101," and the villains build on each other the way a crime story does.
Weisman and Victor Cook developed it with Sony Pictures Television. Season 1 aired on Kids' WB in 2008 and season 2 on Disney XD in 2009, for 26 episodes total. Josh Keaton voices Peter, with Lacey Chabert as Gwen, Vanessa Marshall as Mary Jane, James Arnold Taylor as Harry, Steve Blum as the Green Goblin, Benjamin Diskin as Eddie Brock and Peter MacNicol as Doctor Octopus. The Tender Box wrote and performed the theme song. Critics loved it, and IGN named it Best Animated Series in both 2008 and 2009.
Good to know
- Five seasons were planned. The show ended after Sony's Spider-Man TV rights went back to Marvel and Disney bought Marvel in 2009.
- Planned villains for season 3 included Scorpion, Hobgoblin, Carnage, Mister Negative and Morbius.
- The show mixes the Lee–Ditko comics, Ultimate Spider-Man and the Sam Raimi films.
Spoiler Spoilers for The Spectacular Spider-Man: tap to reveal
- Josh Keaton returned as this version of Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).
How to watch it
Watch it start to finish in order, since the stories build on each other across both seasons. The Venom story in season 1 and the gang war run by the Master Planner in season 2 are the highlights. It has no MCU continuity, but it's a great match for fans of Tom Holland's high-school Peter.
Where to watch The Spectacular Spider-Man in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Not currently on a US subscription service |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch The Spectacular Spider-Man outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not included | Not available |
| Canada | Not included | Not available |
| India | Not included | Not available |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
The Spectacular Spider-Man FAQ
Why was The Spectacular Spider-Man canceled?
Sony's Spider-Man TV rights went back to Marvel in 2009, and Disney bought Marvel later that year. Marvel then made Ultimate Spider-Man instead.
Who sings The Spectacular Spider-Man theme song?
The Tender Box wrote and performed it.
Will there be a Spectacular Spider-Man season 3?
None has been made. Fans have campaigned for a revival, and Weisman had planned villains for a third season, but the show ended after two seasons.
Can you skip The Spectacular Spider-Man?
Yes, skip it if you like. It’s a Marvel title, but not part of the MCU timeline.
How many episodes does The Spectacular Spider-Man have?
The Spectacular Spider-Man has 26 episodes, around 22 minutes each.
Is The Spectacular Spider-Man part of the MCU?
No. It was made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe and isn’t on its timeline.