Polygon argues that *Spider-Man: Homecoming* remains one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s strongest Spider-Man films and an accessible starting point for Tom Holland’s version of Peter Parker. Its significance lies in combining superhero action with a grounded coming-of-age story, focusing on school, friendships and local crime rather than an immediate threat to the universe.

The 133-minute film avoids retelling Spider-Man’s origin, instead following Peter after his appearance in *Captain America: Civil War*. He investigates a black-market weapons operation led by Adrian Toomes, or the Vulture, whose motives stem from the economic consequences of superhero battles; the film is due to leave Netflix on 1 October. Michael Keaton’s performance, particularly a tense car scene, is highlighted as a key example of the film’s intimate, character-driven suspense.