The first reviews are in: Spider-Man: A Brand New Day is hovering around 90%

The film surpassed 90% on Rotten Tomatoes shortly after the embargo was lifted, based on over 70 reviews. As new critiques were added to the system, the score dipped to 89%, while the number of reviews reached 120. On Metacritic, the weighted average of 34 reviews was calculated at 70. Among these reviews, 26 were positive, eight were categorized as mixed, and there are no reviews classified as outright negative yet.

The resulting picture is a bit more balanced than the comments labeling it as “the best film of the Tom Holland era” after the premiere. The majority of critics find the film successful, but they also agree that the production has not completely escaped Marvel's usual issues.

Tom Holland’s more mature Peter Parker stands out

The element that received the most praise in the reviews was Tom Holland’s performance.

Peter Parker, who was forgotten by everyone at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, is in a very different place in the new film, compared to the cheerful and socially active hero of his high school years. Now living alone in New York, Peter dedicates his entire being to being Spider-Man while watching his old friends continue their lives without him.

Critics note that Holland reflects the character's loneliness, psychological pressure, and transition to adulthood more powerfully than in previous films. In the assessment compiled from the first reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, the view emerges that the actor presents one of the most mature, nuanced, and emotional interpretations of Peter Parker to date.

One of the film's most successful choices is seen as reflecting Peter’s losses in his daily life and emotional state, rather than using them as an excuse for a new multiverse show.

Spider-Man returns to the streets of New York

A Brand New Day moves away from the large-scale narrative built on Spider-Men from different universes and references to past productions.

In the new film, Peter’s fight against crime on the streets of New York, his relationships with the people living in the city, and the everyday consequences of heroism are once again at the center of the story. Some critics evaluate the film as the one that has come closest to the essence of the character since Spider-Man: Homecoming in the Tom Holland era.

There is also a shared opinion that New York is not just used as a backdrop but has become one of the film's main characters. The scenes where Spider-Man glides between skyscrapers, as well as street-level encounters and Peter’s loneliness in the city, define the film's atmosphere.

Critic Robbie Collin noted that a true Spider-Man film should also be a true New York film, writing that A Brand New Day successfully combines these two identities.

Action scenes are among the best Marvel has offered in recent years

The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Cretton’s experience in fight choreography is evident in the more physical and fluid action scenes adapted to Spider-Man’s style of movement. Critics particularly praise the close combat sequences, scenes utilizing practical effects, and the visuals of gliding over New York with webs.

Some reviews mention that the action is among the most successful examples Marvel’s Cinematic Universe has offered in recent years, noting that the fights are designed according to the characters' different abilities rather than relying solely on computer-generated explosions.

Cretton’s choice to use action without overshadowing the emotional narrative has also been positively received.

Zendaya is at the emotional center of the film

Zendaya, returning as MJ, also received strong comments from critics.

The reestablishment of the relationship between Peter and MJ under completely different circumstances than in the previous three films is highlighted as one of the most effective parts of the production. As Peter remembers everything from the past, MJ’s not recognizing him brings a one-sided sense of longing and loss to the scenes between the two characters.

The Guardian noted that Zendaya’s performance elevates the film beyond familiar superhero tropes and that the character's lack of superpowers adds a more mature emotional weight to the story. The Times also regarded the scenes between Holland and Zendaya as one of the film's strongest aspects.

The view that Zendaya’s performance is crucial to the success of the Peter Parker-centered narrative is frequently reiterated in the reviews.

It moved away from the multiverse but couldn’t escape Marvel connections

The most criticized aspect of the film is its increasingly crowded narrative.

A Brand New Day establishes a more personal Spider-Man story about loneliness, identity, and street-level heroism in its early chapters. However, as the story progresses, the increase in supporting characters, Marvel connections, and preparations for future productions sometimes distracts from the film's focus.

Some critics find the film's move away from the multiverse narrative positive, but they believe Marvel has not yet broken its habit of linking every film to a larger story. In Rotten Tomatoes' critique compilation, assessments emerge that the film has become “excessively connected for its own good” and that the initial personal story has been drawn into the larger Marvel web.

Reviews published on Metacritic also criticize the film's overly packed script and its leaving some story elements for future productions. Nevertheless, it is noted that the finale reaches a satisfying point in itself and leaves a genuine curiosity for potential sequels.

A 90% score doesn’t mean the film scored 9 out of 10

The nearly 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes does not mean that critics gave the film an average score of nine.

The Tomatometer shows the ratio of positive professional reviews to total reviews. Therefore, a score of 89% means that 89% of critics found the film generally successful. Metacritic calculates the weighted average of the scores given to the reviews.

Thus, when the high approval on Rotten Tomatoes is considered alongside the 70 score on Metacritic, the resulting picture is quite clear:

The majority of critics like Spider-Man: A Brand New Day, but they do not see it as flawless or an undisputed masterpiece.

A more balanced picture than the first social media reactions

The first comments published after the film's premiere often described the production as Tom Holland’s best Spider-Man film.

While the full reviews do not completely dismiss this claim, they offer a more measured assessment. Tom Holland’s performance, the emotional connection with Zendaya, the return to New York, and the action scenes are largely found successful. In contrast, the long runtime, crowded script, and preparations for Marvel’s future are listed as the main elements that lower the film's score.

Spider-Man: A Brand New Day will be released in theaters in the US on July 31, 2026. The film will run for 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man may have returned to his neighborhood from the multiverse. However, critics believe Marvel has not yet stopped placing the burden of not only New York but also future films on Peter Parker’s shoulders.