Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003)
TV SeriesOptional
A CGI series set after the 2002 film, with Neil Patrick Harris as Peter Parker. This 2003 Marvel series sits outside the MCU timeline, so you can watch it on its own without any homework. At 13 episodes, about 4h 46m in all, it is rent or buy only in the US right now.
| Release date | July 11, 2003 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 13 × ~22 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
A loose continuation of Sam Raimi’s first film.
About Spider-Man: The New Animated Series
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series was built as a follow-up to Sam Raimi's first film, so Peter Parker is still sorting out his feelings for Mary Jane and his strained friendship with Harry Osborn. Each episode pits him against a different threat, from the Lizard, Kraven the Hunter, Electro and Silver Sable to original villains created for the show like Turbo Jet, Talon, Shikata and the Gaines Twins.
Mainframe Entertainment handled the CGI animation, with Marvel Enterprises, Adelaide Productions and Sony Pictures Television producing, and MTV aired its 13 episodes from July to September 2003, out of their scripted order. Brian Michael Bendis, Morgan Gendel and Marsha Griffin developed it. Neil Patrick Harris voices Peter and narrates, singer Lisa Loeb plays Mary Jane and Ian Ziering plays Harry. It earned an Annie Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Television Production, but low ratings ended it after one season.
Good to know
- The episode "Keeping Secrets" received an Annie nomination for storyboarding.
- Early development planned a loose adaptation of Bendis's Ultimate Spider-Man comics before the show was reworked to follow the movie.
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) contradicted its continuity, so it now stands as its own separate universe.
- Michael Clarke Duncan voices the Kingpin, and Keith Carradine plays J. Jonah Jameson.
How to watch it
Watch it after Spider-Man (2002), since that's where it picks up, but treat it as a side story: Spider-Man 2 ignores it, so you can go straight from the first film to its sequel without missing anything. At 13 episodes it's a quick watch, and since MTV aired it out of order, a production-order watch reads more smoothly. It aired on MTV rather than a kids' block, and suits teens and adults curious about an early-2000s CGI take on the character.
Where to watch Spider-Man: The New Animated Series in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Not currently on a US subscription service |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Spider-Man: The New Animated Series 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
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series FAQ
Is Spider-Man: The New Animated Series a sequel to the 2002 movie?
It was planned as one and is set shortly after the film, but Spider-Man 2 later contradicted it, so it's best seen as an alternate continuation.
Who voices Spider-Man in The New Animated Series?
Neil Patrick Harris voices Peter Parker and Spider-Man and also narrates.
Why was Spider-Man: The New Animated Series canceled?
It reportedly ended because of low ratings, so only one 13-episode season was made.
Can you skip Spider-Man: The New Animated Series?
Yes. It’s not on the MCU timeline, so you won’t miss any MCU story by skipping it.
How many episodes does Spider-Man: The New Animated Series have?
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series has 13 episodes, around 22 minutes each.
Is Spider-Man: The New Animated Series part of the MCU?
No. It’s Marvel, but it was made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.