Across the character’s impressive cinematic tenure, there have been severalSpider-Manmovie quotes that simply haven’t aged all that well. Back before themovies of the MCU, Spider-Man was Marvel’s most significant cinematic trailblazer. His first modern blockbuster outing shattered expectations, cementing him as one of the most promising movie superheroes in pop culture. Spider-Man’s movies also featured some truly powerful inspirational quotes that have already stood the test of time.
Unfortunately, not every line from acrossSpider-Man’s movie timelinehas aged as well as time has worn on. There have been many quotes that don’t ring quite so true years later, and others that have taken on another aspect with the benefit of hindsight. Though they certainly aren’t ever going to tarnish the hero’s impressive cinematic feats, here are 10 Spider-Man movie quotes that have aged poorly.
10“He’s Just A Kid, No Older Than My Son.”
Train Passenger, Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Spider-Man 2is often considered not just one of the best Spider-Man movies, but one of the greatest superhero movies of all time. The film contains severalscenes that define Tobey Maguire’sSpider-Manmovies, with one of the most iconic being the train battle between the hero and Doc Ock. However, there is a line spoken in the aftermath of the scene that simply hasn’t aged well. After an unconscious and unmasked Spider-Man is rescued by grateful citizens, one of them remarks that he’s “just a kid, no older than [his] son.”
Considering Maguire was 29 years old uponSpider-Man 2’s release, the line doesn’t make a huge amount of sense, as he was far from the “kid” he’s described as. In the years since,the line has started to seem even more ridiculous, particularly since much younger actors have played major superheroesin the MCU, including Tom Holland as the franchise’s own Spider-Man. It doesn’t detract from the scene at all, but the quote certainly hasn’t aged gracefully.
9“I Was Cleaning The Chimney.”
Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Though severalactors have played Spider-Man in live-action, few have captured the range of humor and pathos that the role entails as well as Andrew Garfield. His effortlessly dry comedic line reads are complemented by his ability to act with powerful emotion, but not all of his lines had the desired effect. Such is the case with one particular line that sees him lie to Aunt May about why his face is dirty, claiming he had been “cleaning the chimney.”
Years on fromThe Amazing Spider-Man 2’s release, and the line seems even less funny than it did upon release. The joke that Peter’s lame excuse saw him forget that they had no chimney feels lazy and undeserved, andthe exchange between Peter and May hardly contributes to the storyin any real way. In hindsight, the line seems both out of character and decidedly unfunny.
8“You Want Forgiveness? Get Religion.”
Peter Parker, Spider-Man 3 (2007)
The obvious weak link in Sam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy isSpider-Man 3, though it’s still largely an enjoyable entry into the hero’s cinematic catalog. It also includes several moments of unintentional hilarity while Peter Parker is influenced by the Venom symbiote, facilitating several quotes that have aged terribly. One of several that stands out comes when Peter threatens Eddie Brock, telling him: “You want forgiveness? Get religion.”
It’s clearly meant to be an edgy and callous response that shows Maguire’s Parker becoming a bully.The absurd nature of the line, and how out of place and out of character it seems, makes it incredibly funnywhen revisitingSpider-Man 3. Peter’s brief time as a bully has since become a widespread meme, making the line age even more poorly when viewed through the lens of today.
7“You Ever See That Really Old Movie, Empire Strikes Back?”
Spider-Man, Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Spider-Man’s introduction into the MCU was a moment of triumph for fans, as it saw the end of a long-standing rights issue that prevented one of Marvel’s most iconic figures from joining the franchise. His arrival inCaptain America: Civil Warwas cause for celebration, although it does boast a number of lines that haven’t aged well. Chief among these comes about when Spider-Man offers tactical input, asking his fellow heroes: “You ever see that really old movie, Empire Strikes Back?”
The line was clearly intended to use the generational gap between heroes for comic relief, cementing the MCU’s Spider-Man as a junior hero to the franchise’s established Avengers. In hindsight,the line is trying far too hard, and simply isn’t funny as a result. It feels incredibly inorganic, and was almost certainly overlooked upon release by fans who were simply excited to see Spider-Man finally appear in the MCU.
6“Please, Scooby-Doo This S**t.”
Doctor Strange, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Of all the Marvelcharacters to appear inSpider-Man: No Way Home, it’s actually Doctor Strange that utters one of the movie’s worst-aged quotes. After unwittingly creating issues by convincing Strange to perform a memory spell, the young hero and his friends speak with the sorcerer. Strange tells them to “Scooby-Doo this st”, before being chastised for his poor manners. Correcting himself, he asks them to “please, Scooby-Doo this st” in one of the film’s worst lines.
A milder version of the line was featured inNo Way Home’s trailer, prompting mockery. The slightly revised verbiage did nothing to make it less ridiculous, though, and as a result, the quote has aged very poorly.The use of crass language hardly fits the tone of the scene or the MCU’s Doctor Strangeat all, making it stand out for all the wrong reasons upon each and every rewatch.
5“Give Me Your Hand. Believe In Me, As I Believed In You.”
Norman Osborn, Spider-Man (2002)
2002’sSpider-Mansaw the eponymous hero face one of his most deadly adversaries, the Green Goblin. Willem Dafoe’s Norman Osborn was widely praised for the dualistic depth of his performance, although one particular quote from late in the film has aged poorly. After battling Spider-Man and losing the upper hand, Osborn begs the hero: “Believe in me, as I believed in you.”
Though Spider-Man doesn’t fall for the lie, the line has aged poorly for all the right reasons.No Way Homesaw Tom Holland’s Spider-Man place his trust in Dafoe’s Osborn, believing in the good in him, allowing him the opportunity to kill Aunt May.The line uttered almost two decades prior has since taken on a more sinister and foreboding aspect, rather than remaining the simple deceit it appeared to be uponSpider-Man’s initial release.
4“Look At Little Goblin Junior. Gonna Cry?”
Spider-Man 3has several poorly aged quotes, and they all stem from the film’s attempts to make its hero seem dark and edgy. While influenced by the Venom symbiote, Peter Parker’s dual identity is discovered by Harry Osborn, and the two proceed to fight over the death of Harry’s father Norman. After beating Harry with relative ease, Peter looks down on his battered and upset friend, and utters the line: “Look at little Goblin Junior. Gonna cry?”
Even with the symbiote influencing him, it’s impossible to believe that the hero could be so callous to his friend’s suffering.Making fun of Harry for being upset over his dead father is especially strange considering the similarities to Peter’s own origin story, and the presentation of the line has made it seem unintentionally comedic in hindsight. Even so, it’s aged terribly, and it’s by far one of the worst quotes fromSpider-Man 3.
3“It’s My Birthday… Now It’s Time For Me To Light My Candles!”
Max Dillon, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2is unique in that it was, for a time, considered the worst Spider-Man movie, only to undergo a more favorable reappraisal. Perhaps the most criticized element of the film was the character of Electro, who was thought to be a poorly-written villain. One such example comes shortly after his transformation, where he exclaims: “It’s my birthday… now it’s time for me to light my candles!” immediately before attacking Spider-Man.
After Electro reappeared inSpider-Man: No Way Homeand was explored in a far more interesting manner, his appearance inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2is recontextualized.It’s this that has made the scene age so poorly, as the depth tapped into byNo Way Homecan be glimpsed in his earlier appearance. Simply put, the lines about his birthday make it all too evident whyThe Amazing Spider-Man 2was held in such low regard.
2“Now Dig On This.”
EverySpider-Manmovie has good and bad scenes, but none can boast the levels of infamy enjoyed bySpider-Man 3’s jazz club scene. At the pinnacle of the symbiote’s influence over Peter, he attends the jazz club where Mary Jane works and sets about causing a scene to embarrass her. While performing one of the strangest dances ever to grace a superhero movie, he whispers the words: “Now dig on this,” snapping his fingers and gyrating for the crowd.
Understandably, the scene has become fuel for memes, and its notoriety exceeds even that ofSpider-Man 3as a movie. The sheer ridiculousness of it all, combined with the misplaced confidence Parker seems to have in his newfound edginess, makes it all the more memorable. As time has passed, the quote has only appeared to become even sillier, gaining further traction as Spider-Man’s cinematic low point.
1“That’s A Cute Outfit, Did Your Husband Give It To You?”
Peter Parker, Spider-Man (2002)
Released as it was in 2002, there are a number of ways that society has developed sinceSpider-Manwas made. The collective understanding of what constitutes a joke and what constitutes phobic speech has shifted, and as such, one particular quote has aged remarkably poorly. While facing off against the wrestler Bonesaw, Peter Parker uses his newfound powers to evade the bigger man. He then taunts him, telling him: “That’s a cute outfit. Did your husband get it for you?”
The joke is clearly a homophobic one, and as such, is rightfully something that it seems wouldn’t be approached in the same manner today. It’s an unnecessary joke at the expense of the LGBTQ+ community, and isn’t at all fitting with the spirit of Spider-Man’s character. As such, it’s by far the worst-aged quote in the history ofSpider-Manmovies.
