While the OG Spider-Man series will always be Tobey Maguire, most lovers of the comics are rooting for either Andrew Garfield's or Tom Holland's franchise. While Tom Holland has actually ed the Avengers, some fans are definitely still on-board with Garfield's portrayal of this iconic superhero.
Regardless of whose team you're on, both of these actors brought a lot to the table and definitely entertained movie lovers with their embodiment of Peter Parker.
Garfield: The Outcast Attitude
It's definitely part of Peter Parker's story that he was outcast in school. He's smart, he's a nerd, and he doesn't have a ton of friends. That being said, Andrew Garfield certainly adopts a pretty incredible persona of not really caring about what anyone else thinks.
He's on the outside and doesn't fit in, but his intelligence and his determination definitely paint an incredible background for him figuring out everything about his powers and his family history.
Holland: The Bullied Kid
One major criticism of Andrew Garfield is that frankly, he's too cool to ever have been bullied in high school. Tom Holland is the quiet, quirky kid that doesn't fly with the popular kids at school.
This awkward and shy character is portrayed perfectly by Holland and definitely does justice to the comic book story of him being a bullied kid in high school, whose release is being Spider-Man.
Garfield: The Cocky Moves
One pinnacle part of Spider-Man's persona that was never touched in the original franchise is certainly his cocky and arrogant attitude. When he's not Peter Parker, Spider-Man toys with and insults the criminals he captures.
There isn't much of this offered by Holland, but Garfield is certainly believable and masterful while throwing shade at perps and slinging them up in a mess of webs. He's confident in the suit and plays on it wonderfully.
Holland: The Eagerness
One thing about Tom Holland's youthful and exciting personality that makes him stand out is definitely his eagerness. Like all teenagers, it would be super exciting to find out you have superpowers, let alone to the Avengers.
Holland is the only Spider-Man so far to make this character trait believable and lovable. In fact, his eagerness is also what usually gets the best of him, and is so fitting for his character and his growth.
Garfield: His Emotions
Andrew Garfield is undoubtedly the best at making viewers cry. Fans probably still hold their breath whenever they watch the sequel to his series, and where we all know that Gwen Stacy is about to meet her demise.
His sorrow is portrayed in an incredible performance by Garfield, and this is certainly a leg-up that he has over the younger and less experienced Tom Holland. He's believable, and his emotions certainly run deep.
Holland: His Age
One thing, while not being Garfield's fault, that truly matters is Tom Holland's age. Born in 1996, he actually fits the bill as the young, quirky, and eager high school student that discovers he has incredible spidey powers.
Unlike Andrew Garfield and even Tobey Maguire, this actor slays the role that was meant for someone exactly like him. There is something magical about watching a teenager hit the big screen as our favorite superhero.
Garfield: Balancing Family & Photography
For huge fans of the comics, Peter Parker as a photographer with some pretty bad family drama are two pinnacle aspects to his character. Andrew Garfield actually makes a super believable teenager that loves art and pictures and portrays this aspect of Peter Parker perfectly.
Of course, while his franchise offers him more background into his family, Garfield might have been a better pick anyways to dive into a dark past. This mysterious actor allowed viewers to feel his angst amidst the unknown.
Holland: Balancing High School
Where Garfield's franchise focuses on photography and family, Holland's actually dives into how difficult it would be to balance high school AND having super-secret and awesome powers. Despite the writing, though, Holland is the perfect face for this dichotomy.
His innocence and his free and genuine spirit allow viewers to laugh with, cringe with, and totally relate to being that kid in high school. While we don't all have superpowers, his difficulty is wholesome and fresh.
Garfield: His Love Story
While it's refreshing to see the true difficulties of love, watching Holland try to swoon Zendaya's character, it's hard to compete with the pure and believable chemistry between Garfield and Emma Stone.
Their acting and their story was more than enough to hook viewers from the start of their romance to the very last second of it. Garfield's infatuation with her, and adorable facial expressions, definitely tugged at everyone's hearts.
Holland: His Acrobatic & Action Skills
Spider-Man is known for being quick, nimble, and full of acrobatic genius. Tom Holland has this coming in waves and has proved time and time again off-screen that he, a gymnast, is the perfect Spider-Man.
His franchise relied a lot more on these skills and allowed viewers to fully appreciate the spider-like actions of this superhero. Peter Parker is unlike any other in this sense, and Tom Holland does it perfectly.
