“Spider-Man: No Way Home” made absolute Spidey fan dreams come true in 2021 and advanced not least because of this to one of the best and most successful MCU adventures to date. Now it is available in the Netflix subscription.
Update from October 15: Contrary to the original announcement, Netflix has so far only included the theatrical version and not the extended cut of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in its portfolio. Should this be added later, we will inform you here. But this does not change our recommendation for the film, it is in both versions an absolute MCU highlight.
It was basically an open secret in advance that we would not only see MCU spidey Tom Holland in “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, but that Tobey Maguire from Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” trilogy of the early 00s and Andrew Garfield from the two “The Amazing Spider-Man” films would also be making a comeback – even though all those involved refused to confirm this until the film’s release.
So there was still a little residual doubt, but curiosity was driven to dizzying heights precisely because of this – and probably played a decisive role in ensuring that the sequel to “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home” not only clearly outshone its successful predecessors at the box office, but also became the third most successful MCU film of all time (after “Avengers: Endgame” and “Avengers: Infinity War”) and the second most successful film of the last four years (after “Avatar: The Way Of Water”) with a worldwide box office of 1.92 billion dollars.
This phenomenal result was also somewhat boosted by a rebroadcast with additional scenes, which was then available for the first time on WOW’s streaming subscription a few months later. But now that it’s disappearing there, it’s the turn of the next provider. As of today, October 15, 2023, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” can be accessed at Netflix.
The timing is a bit awkward, since the streaming service just cancelled the two previous Spidey parts from its subscription and a trilogy streaming marathon is no longer possible there. However, one is compensated by the fact that there is also the so-called “More Fun Stuff Version” of “No Way Home” to watch optionally on Netflix…
THIS IS WHAT’S BEHIND THE “MORE FUN STUFF VERSION “
As the title suggests, the Extended Cut of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is a version of the film that features mostly comedy-heavy plot extensions. For instance, there is more silliness from Flash (Tony Revolori) and Ned (Jacob Batalon), some additional funny dialogue between the three Peters and even some more screentime for Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox).
On the other hand, the new post-credit scene has a tragic note, in which the high school days are looked back on quite humorously, but there is no trace of Peter after the dramatic end of the film. All in all, the extended version runs nearly nine minutes longer than the already nearly two-and-a-half-hour theatrical version.
Never mind the version, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” remains one of the best and most fun films in the MCU (only four other entries have also received 4.5 out of 5 stars in our FILMSTARTS review). The clash of the three Spidey incarnations is pure fan service, but does not degenerate into a mere end in itself. Maguire and Garfield don’t just drop by for short 0815 cameos, but take on leading roles in the last third of the film – and not just in the acion-packed showdown, but also in the emotional development of the MCU Peter. And along the way, unfinished storylines from their own “Spider-Man” adventures are touchingly brought to a conclusion.
THIS IS WHAT “SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME” IS ABOUT
After his true identity is revealed, the life of Spider-Man aka Peter Parker (Tom Holland) has become much more complicated. More and more, Peter longs for everything to go back to the way it used to be – and so he finally asks his old Avengers comrade-in-arms Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to help him out with a spell.
However, something goes horribly wrong in the process. Instead of making the public forget that Peter is Spider-Man, all sorts of villains from other dimensions are suddenly drawn into his world, their universes aware of the superhero’s alter ego. And so Peter tries to set the record straight, but is soon overwhelmed on his own…
