Spider-Man is a fictional comic book superhero created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko for the Marvel Comics publication. He has appeared in multiple films since his creation, beginning with Nicholas Hammond in 1977 in the made-for-television film Spider-Man. By 1999, Sony Pictures Entertainment had acquired the film rights for the character, creating two film series until 2014: Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, starring Tobey Maguire, and Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider-Man films starring Andrew Garfield. In 2015, Disney, Marvel Studios, and Sony began sharing the film rights to Spider-Man, leading to a new iteration being integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This version of Spider-Man is portrayed by Tom Holland, who has appeared in six MCU films to date, beginning with Captain America: Civil War.
Peter Parker, who is Spider-Man, has been portrayed by multiple actors throughout the years. Each film has been generally well-received, and the hero is beloved by many. The character, no matter who is playing him, is quirky and sometimes goofy. But that doesn’t stop him from having plenty of love interests. No matter what foe he’s facing, Peter always finds time for some romance. So, here are all of Peter Parker’s romantic relationships in the movie franchises, ranked.
8 Betty Brant — Spider-Man
This Betty Brant appeared during the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy. Peter Parker’s relationship with her was mostly professional. They worked together at the Daily Bugle, with most of their interactions dealing with payments and how to work with the volatile J. Jonah Jameson.
Things changed between them, however briefly, in Spider-Man 3, when the two became quite close. Betty was certainly interested in Peter once he became possessed by the symbiote from outer space. The two almost shared a passionate, and very public, kiss. But Jameson intervened it. So, this love interest ranks last because Jameson prevented it from really becoming anything.
7 Ursula Ditkovich — Spider-Man 2
Ursula Ditkovich first appears in Spider-Man 2. It’s pretty obvious that she has a major crush on Peter, as she immediately gets nervous the second he’s in close proximity. While she doesn’t have any luck with him in the second film, she does get see a possible opening when he breaks up with Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man 3.
Unfortunately for her, the duo never really becomes a couple. Peters spends quite a bit of time trying to get back with Mary Jane, leaving it up to Ursula to make the first move — which she never does. It was probably for the best though, as Ursula’s father was always badgering Peter when he was behind on his rent.
6 Gwen Stacy — Spider-Man 3
The first Gwen Stacy on this list goes to Bryce Dallas Howard’s portrayal of the character in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3. Peter’s love interest is a girl in his class, whom he ends up saving and later kissing on stage, right in front of Mary Jane. The two begin to date when the symbiote takes over, although it’s all a ploy to make Mary Jane jealous. He ended up humiliating Gwen when he made a scene at a jazz club and hit his ex. It’s no surprise that Gwen dumped him after this.
5 Liz — Spider-Man: Homecoming
Liz appears in the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming and is Holland’s Spider-Man’s first love interest. She agrees to go to prom with him, but he ends up finding out more about her than he bargained for. Liz’s father is Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes, a villain who has been stealing alien technology to assemble an arsenal of powerful weapons. After her father’s arrest, she and her family leave New York, and she’s yet to reappear in the MCU.
4 Mary Jane Watson — Spider-Man
Kirsten Dunst plays Mary Jane Watson in Raimi’s trilogy. She and Peter had an intriguing relationship throughout the franchise and the chemistry between Dunst and Maguire was undeniable. Their relationship also went through the wringer. In the first film, Peter turns her down after Norman Osborn’s death, but they eventually get together in Spider-Man 2.
However, things hit the fan again in Spider-Man 3 once the symbiote takes over. By the end of the trilogy, their relationship is left up in the air with the two going their separate ways thanks to Harry Osborn. Mary Jane is pretty much the damsel in distress for Peter.
3 MJ — Spider-Man: Far From Home
Holland’s Spider-Man finally gets with Zendaya’s MJ in Spider-Man: Far From Home. MJ is a far better fit for Peter than Liz, as she has the same quirky sense of human, courageous instincts, and can easily take the lead in dangerous situations. The two are just on the same level. MJ is no damsel in distress, as seen from previous love interests of each Peter Parker iteration. She can save herself, although she appreciates it when the web-slinging hero swoops in to save her from time to time.
2 Gwen Stacy — The Amazing Spider-Man
While Maguire’s Spider-Man is a nostalgic favorite and fans now love Holland’s integration into the Avengers of the MCU, Garfield’s Spider-Man remains divisive among fans. Whether you loved The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel or hated it, everyone can agree that the chemistry between Garfield and Emma Stone was impressively strong in both films. It helped that the pair were together in real life just as they were in the film. This iteration of Gwen Stacy is just so different from Howard’s Gwen or other love interests like Mary Jane. She stands in the face of villains like the Green Goblin and Electro without showing fear.
1 Spider-Gwen — Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
The final Gwen Stacy on this list comes from the 2018 film Into the Spider-Verse. She clicks immediately with Miles Morales, the Spider-Man of this film, and their relationship blossoms throughout the film. She helps improve Miles and his alter ego while also being a strong fighter on the battlefield herself. Spider-Gwen easily beats out the previous iterations of her character, considering she’s one of the Spidey superheroes herself.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
