Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, and Kemp Powers (Soul (2020)), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has received glowing early reviews from film critics.  The film follows Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) as Spider-Man reuniting with spider friend Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) as they explore the interdimensional Multiverse and meet other Spider-People. The most notable new spider characters introduced in the film are Oscar Isaac’s Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099), Issa Rae’s Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman), and Daniel Kaluuya’s Hobie Brown (Spider-Punk).     

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be followed by an upcoming sequel, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. 

Expectations were set high as the first film in the franchise, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, won ‘Best Animated Feature Film’ at the Oscars in 2019.

Producer Chris Miller explained to Comicbook.com that the ambitious style of the Spidervese films requires lots of collaboration and hard work.  

“This is a situation where the movie was so ambitious, it was trying to do so many groundbreaking things in its visual style, in its storytelling style, in its cinematic style. Everything about it…the sound mix was probably going to be groundbreaking, so it required a lot of work. Every version of these movies is a collaboration of hundreds of filmmakers working together, and in the best versions people are contributing their creative ideas, and the people, the directors, and the producers are the ones that get to decide which of the things fit the road that you’re going down.”

Here are some reactions from film critics:

OK. #SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse lives one step above Masterpiece. It’s an actual work of art. Every frame deserves to be hung in a museum. The jokes and nods to Spidey lore are perfect. It’s OUTSTANDING. The best #SpiderMan movie. Might be my favorite movie ever. Cherish it. pic.twitter.com/mQxSnfKF0N

— Sean O’Connell (@Sean_OConnell) May 25, 2023

#SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse delivers in every way possible. It’s incredible from start to finish. Dare I say it, I loved it more than the first film. Puerto Rican Spider-Man is here to stay and I’m living for it! Boriqua! Wepa! #SpiderVerse @SpiderVerse pic.twitter.com/xUbBpUpPjb

— Vanessa D. (@BriteandBubbly) May 25, 2023

#SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse lives up to the hype in every conceivable way!

Miles Morales absolutely shines in his second Marvel movie adventure. Gwen Stacy takes her place at the head of this table too. Tons of heart on display in every corner of this one. pic.twitter.com/7SFbpOqhKA

— Aaron Perine (@SumitLakeHornet) May 25, 2023

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse raised the bar with its unique animation style & way of storytelling. Minds were blown when it was released & fans thought there was no way it could be topped. Think again. #SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse raises its own bar which seemed impossible pic.twitter.com/F1Tay5Aif6

— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) May 25, 2023

Even legendary horror director, Guillermo Del Toro, noted that the film would “fulfill and heal” the industry. 

SPIDER-VERSE will fufill and heal. https://t.co/MH56Qqwwjs

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) May 25, 2023

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse releases in theaters on June 2nd. 

The film’s sequel, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, is expected to be released on March 29, 2024.