Many Marvel characters have been adapted throughout the numerous Spider-Man franchises, yet some were far better in Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series proffered some of the greatest character portrayals in Marvel history, some of which surpass their cinematic equivalents. Spider-Man: The Animated Series adapted many characters from Marvel Comics, many of which have appeared throughout the various Spider-Man movie timelines. However, some of these have not performed as well as their animated counterparts.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series boasted a wealth of great episodes, faithfully adapting beloved characters into the animated format. Many of these were subsequently adapted to cinema in celebrated performances, such as Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus. However, other Marvel characters fared much worse, with their definitive portrayal appearing in Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

10. Morbius The Living Vampire

Morbius (2022)

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Morbius, the Living Vampire, was portrayed with depth and complexity, staying true to his comic book origins. Spider-Man: TAS delved into his tragic backstory, exploring his struggle with his vampiric nature and his desire to find a cure. The character’s motivations and conflicts were well-developed, exploring Morbius’s conflicted morality. In contrast, the live-action movie, Morbius, failed to capture the same level of depth, reducing Jared Leto’s Morbius to a more one-dimensional antagonist. The animated series thus stands out for its superior portrayal of Morbius as a compelling and multifaceted character.

9. Harry Osborn’s Green Goblin

Spider-Man 3 (2007) & The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Harry Osborn’s transformation into the Green Goblin is more compelling than in the live-action movies. While James Franco’s portrayal in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films had emotional depth, it suffered from an underwhelming execution, marked by the infamous snowboard glider. Conversely, Dane DeHann’s portrayal lacked the depth and resonance needed to truly engage audiences. However, the animated series adeptly navigated Harry’s character arc, portraying his transformation into the Green Goblin with more depth and coherence. The Spider-Man: TAS rendition allowed for a more nuanced exploration of Harry’s internal struggles with a more classic appearance.

8. Rhino The Raging Spider-Man Foe

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Rhino was portrayed with legitimate menace, capturing his brute strength and cunning intellect. His appearances were significant, showcasing epic battles that tested Spider-Man’s abilities and resolve. However, in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Rhino’s portrayal was disappointingly brief and superficial, reducing him to a mere caricature in the film’s climax. The lack of character development and the anticlimactic nature of his role diluted Rhino’s potential as a formidable adversary. Spider-Man: TAS succeeded in fleshing out Rhino as a compelling antagonist, providing a richer narrative experience compared to the live-action adaptation.

7. Shocker The Shockwave Creating Villain

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

In Spider-Man: The AnimatedSeries, Shocker’s character was more extensively developed compared to his brief appearance in “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” In Spider-Man: TAS, Shocker’s backstory, motivations, and interactions with Spider-Man were more fleshed out, allowing viewers to connect with his character on a deeper level. His presence in the series contributed significantly to the storyline and added complexity to the conflicts. However, in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Shocker’s role was reduced to a mere cameo, limiting his impact on the plot and leaving audiences craving a better live-action depiction.

6. Venom The Symbiote

Spider-Man 3 (2007), Venom (2018), & Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Venom emerged as a truly formidable adversary, embodying legitimate menace and intensity. Unlike his fleeting and underwhelming portrayal in Spider-Man 3, the animated rendition delved deeper into Venom’s villainous essence, presenting him as a relentless antagonist with a palpable sense of dread. While the live-action Venom movies skewed towards portraying him as a conflicted antihero, Spider-Man: TAS stayed closer to Venom’s roots, emphasizing his sinister nature and his unyielding vendetta against Spider-Man. With an imposing presence and unwavering malevolence, Venom in Spider-Man: TAS remains a benchmark for depicting the character’s terrifying persona.

5. Carnage The Crazed Symbiote

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Carnage was a chilling embodiment of chaos and terror, brought to life through dynamic storytelling and voice acting. Unlike the live-action portrayal in Venom 2, where Woody Harrelson’s performance received mixed reviews for its lack of conviction, Spider-Man: TAS captured Carnage’s sinister essence flawlessly. Through the animated medium, Carnage was able to be truly menacing, evoking fear with every appearance. Spider-Man: TAS provided a more compelling examination of Carnage’s psyche, making him a more effective and terrifying villain than his live-action counterpart, which was ultimately disappointing.

4. Madame Web The Psychic

Madame Web (2024)

Madame Web’s portrayal in Spider-Man: The Animated Series resonates far more authentically than in the live-action film Madame Web. In Spider-Man: TAS, Madame Web maintains her enigmatic mystique, serving as a wise and powerful mentor to Spider-Man without unnecessary alterations to her character. However, the live-action film diverges significantly, shoehorning in a convoluted backstory that feels detached from her essence in the comics. By altering her fundamental nature to fit a contrived narrative, the live-action rendition undermines the complexity and allure that made Madame Web an intriguing character. Spider-Man: TAS remained faithful to the source material’s captivating portrayal.

3. Kingpin Of Crime

Daredevil (2003)

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Kingpin’s portrayal was strikingly potent, exemplifying his status as a formidable antagonist. Spider-Man: TAS adeptly captured his imposing presence and intricate schemes, rendering him a truly consequential force in Spider-Man’s world. In contrast, the lone live-action depiction in the movie Daredevil was serviceable but lacked the same weight. However, Vincent D’Onofrio’s masterful portrayal in Netflix’s Daredevil series showcased the true potential of Kingpin on-screen. D’Onofrio’s incredible performance offered a portrayal that would rival, if not surpass, the animated counterpart. As such, D’Onofrio’s Kingpin has been folded back into the MCU.

2. Daredevil The Blind Superhero

Daredevil (2003)

Daredevil’s portrayal in Spider-Man: The Animated Series outshines his live-action counterpart, notably seen in the 2003 movie Daredevil. In Spider-Man: TAS, his character arc is more intriguing and faithful to the comic book roots, capturing the essence of Matt Murdock’s complexities and struggles. While the lone live-action film failed to do justice, Charlie Cox’s stellar rendition as Daredevil in the Netflix series garnered acclaim, particularly for his impeccable portrayal of the conflicted hero. His appearance as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home further emphasized his live-action potential, but sadly did not assume his heroic persona.

1. Punisher The Violent Antihero

The Punisher (1989), The Punisher (2004), & Punisher: War Zone (2008)

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Punisher’s portrayal was more faithful and dynamic compared to his depiction in a string of subpar live-action movie adaptations. Spider-Man: TAS featured a captivating interpretation, capturing the essence of his vigilante persona. While Netflix’s The Defenders Saga featured a celebrated performance, the transition to MCU movies has remained elusive. Spider-Man: TAS offered a richer narrative canvas for the Punisher, emphasizing his moral dilemmas and inner conflicts, something the live-action adaptations failed to fully realize, leaving audiences longing for a cinematic portrayal like Spider-Man: The Animated Series.