Nicolas Cage is returning to the superhero genre with Spider-Noir, a new Prime Video series based on an alternate version of Spider-Man. The show marks the first modern live action Spider-Man TV series in years. It arrives later this month, and early reactions are already drawing strong comparisons to past hits in the genre.
While full reviews remain under embargo, a few early reactions have surfaced online. Critic Nick Zednik posted a brief reaction, calling the show “spectacular” and urging audiences to pay attention. It is not yet clear how many episodes critics were able to view. Full reviews are expected once the embargo lifts on May 22.
If #SpiderNoir wasn’t on your radar, it should be!
It’s… Spectacular!
Full review @moviearcher & @Vigilante1939 May 22nd pic.twitter.com/ARrkrX3oUA
— Nick Zednik (@NickZednik) May 1, 2026
Spider-Noir will follow an unusual release plan. All eight episodes will debut on MGM+ linear television on May 25. The full season will then launch globally on Prime Video two days later. This breaks from the weekly rollout model used by other Amazon superhero titles like The Boys and Invincible. Instead, the show will be released as a full binge. That strategy could limit week to week conversation, but early reactions suggest strong interest could carry it forward.
Cage stars as Ben Reilly, an alternate version of Peter Parker. This change separates the series from prior Spider-Man storylines, including the animated Spider-Verse films where Cage first voiced the character. In Spider-Noir, Reilly is an older detective in 1930s New York who left his superhero past behind. He is pulled back into action when a new case tied to Silvermane, played by Brendan Gleeson, forces him to confront a range of villains.
The series introduces new takes on classic characters, including Sandman played by Jack Huston and Tombstone played by Abraham Popoola. Cage’s version of the hero, known as The Spider, wears goggles and a long coat as he fights crime in a darker, period setting. Cage has said his performance leans into the idea of a spider trying to pass as a human, a detail that has stood out in early footage.
Supporting cast members include Li Jun Li as Cat Hardy, a nightclub singer inspired by Black Cat, and Lamorne Morris as journalist Robbie Robertson. Karen Rodriguez appears as Jane, and Andrew Lewis Caldwell plays Megawatt, a lesser known villain with powers similar to Electro.
The early buzz around Spider-Noir suggests Amazon may have another major franchise entry on its hands. With superhero fatigue still a concern across the industry, strong execution and clear identity could make the difference. For now, the platform appears to be betting that audiences are ready for a darker, more grounded take on a familiar hero.
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English (US) · 