Spider-Noir Review: A Fun Watch, But Was It Blockbuster-Worthy?

Nicolas Cage stars as Ben Reilly in a scene from Spider-Noir. Image courtesy of Aaron Epstein and Prime Video.

After reading both positive and negative reactions to the show, I wanted to share some of my own thoughts on the series.

Spider-Noir premiered on May 27, 2026, and the reviews have been largely favorable. Still, I understand where some of the criticism is coming from. Between the visuals and the mixed reactions to Nicolas Cage playing an older Spider-Man, some viewers felt it didn't quite capture the true spirit of Spider-Noir.

My own experience watching it was a bit mixed, but overall, I really enjoyed it. I don't know much about the Spider-Noir character beyond what I've recently read, but I definitely noticed a few moments that felt like callbacks to Spider-Man: The Animated Series from 1994.

For instance, in the animated series, Spider-Man was always complaining about how life wasn't fair. You could watch the first two episodes and hear him talk about how other superheroes had it better than he did. Robbie acting as both a friend and a support system felt very much like Spider-Man's relationship with Robbie in the cartoon.

The little touches, like Janet Ruiz describing Ben as "an ace photographer," also reminded me of Peter Parker's roots as a photographer working for The Daily Bugle. Spider-Noir's showrunners and Cage really captured some of that 1990s-era attitude.

--

---

MASH Spotlight: From humor to wisdom, I captured a few lines that made me both laugh and think. Read quotes and fun facts filled with wit and wisdom from the characters of the 4077.

---

--

Michael Kostroff as Mayor Morris in Spider-Noir. Screen capture used for commentary and review purposes.

At the same time, the show fully commits to its 1930s setting. From Cat Hardy's pearl-handled pistol to the whiskey that seems to appear in nearly every conversation, the visual design embraces the hard-boiled detective stories and gangster films that inspired the genre.

Even the dialogue was on point. When Winston sits in the private eye's office and says, "Cute. But give me one good reason I shouldn't plug you," it sounds exactly like something you'd expect from a classic noir film. Even the small touches, like Dirk Leyden using the old Pig Latin expression "Amscray," help sell the period atmosphere.

Based on what I remember from growing up in the 1990s, reading some of the comics, and watching the animated series, did this live-action series feel like a true Marvel Spider-Man story? Yes, it did. I also think Cage did a great job putting his own spin on how an older, salty hero might behave.

But here's the thing. Sites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes use stars to rate movies and shows. My rating system might seem a little odd. I rate everything I watch based on one question: If Blockbuster still existed, would I rent it?

Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, I can't count how many times I rented Batman just to watch Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson play two of my favorite characters.

Lamorne Morris portrays reporter Robbie Robertson in the series Spider-Noir. Image courtesy of Prime Video.

So let's say it's a cold, snowy Friday night in the Bronx. I have enough for one rental. Would I walk to Blockbuster to rent Spider-Noir?

Sadly, no. But am I hoping for a second season? Yes!

While I loved the performances, the 1930s atmosphere, and the dime-store detective novel feel, it wasn't quite punchy enough for me. At times, it felt like a great 1930s detective story and a Marvel Spider-Man series competing for the spotlight.

Oddly enough, the moment when those two sides finally felt completely connected came near the end during the big goodbye. Cat Hardy's farewell line, "I love Flint. But in a different world, I really would have run away with you," felt like something straight out of Casablanca while also carrying extra weight for Spider-Man fans familiar with the relationship between Felicia Hardy and Peter Parker in other versions of the character's story.

That was the moment when Spider-Noir finally felt completely harmonious to me. The noir romance, the Spider-Man mythology, and the emotional stakes all came together in that scene.

What I ultimately got was a great 1930s detective story and an entertaining Marvel Spider-Man series with a strong cast.

Now let's say I have a bigger budget and I'm doing a 1930s-to-1940s movie weekend, picking up 1989's Batman, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Rocketeer, and Dick Tracy.

In that case, yes, Spider-Noir is absolutely coming home with me, along with a bag of five-dollar Blockbuster popcorn.

Thanks for reading! If you've watched the series, I'm curious: What are your thoughts on the series?

Keep life interesting, stay channel surfing.

TalkTeaV is an independent Bronx-based publication covering TV and movie news alongside stories about Bronx culture, the arts, history, and local entertainment. Learn more about TalkTeaV's mission.