'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' reviews: Netizens say Holland 'got their spider senses tingling'
Peter Parker may have been forgotten by the world, but moviegoers certainly have not forgotten Spider-Man. As ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ swung into cinemas on July 30, social media was quickly flooded with enthusiastic first reactions, with fans praising the film's emotional depth, comic-book-faithful storytelling and Tom Holland's compelling return as the beloved web-slinger.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the 2 hour 25 minute movie picks up after the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, where Doctor Strange's spell erased Peter Parker's identity from the memories of the entire world. Forced to navigate life in complete isolation, Peter embarks on a new chapter that blends high-stakes superhero action with a deeply personal journey. The film also stars Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo, Jacob Batalon and newcomer Sadie Sink, whose performance has already earned praise from early audiences.
Fans praise emotional storytelling and Tom Holland's performance
Initial reactions across X (formerly Twitter) suggest that audiences have connected strongly with the film's emotional core. Many viewers have described ‘Brand New Day’ as one of the most character-driven Spider-Man films in recent years, applauding Holland for portraying a Peter Parker weighed down by loneliness, responsibility and hope.
Several fans also highlighted the film's balance between high-octane action and heartfelt moments, saying it stays faithful to the spirit of Spider-Man while allowing Peter's personal struggles to take centre stage. Sadie Sink's performance has also emerged as an early talking point, with audiences welcoming her addition to the franchise.
A new beginning after ‘No Way Home’
Rather than picking up where previous Spider-Man adventures left off, ‘Brand New Day’ explores the consequences of Doctor Strange's spell at the end of ‘No Way Home’, which erased Peter Parker's identity from everyone's memory. The story follows Peter as he attempts to move forward in complete isolation while confronting new challenges that redefine his journey as both a young man and a superhero.
The film's more grounded narrative has been widely appreciated by early viewers, many of whom felt the focus on Peter's emotional journey gives the franchise a refreshing direction without sacrificing Marvel's trademark action.
Massive advance bookings signal record-breaking opening
The positive word of mouth comes as the film enjoys a remarkable theatrical launch, particularly in India. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ registered advance bookings exceeding ₹85 crore gross for its opening weekend, including more than ₹45 crore gross for its opening day.
The advance sales reportedly eclipsed the estimated opening-weekend pre-sales record previously held by ‘Avengers: Endgame’ in India even before the first screening began. Meanwhile, BookMyShow reported that the film sold more than 1.3 million tickets in advance, underlining the immense anticipation surrounding the release.
Trade expectations also suggest the film is on course for one of the biggest global openings for a Hollywood release, driven by strong demand across several international markets.
CBFC clears film with minor modifications
Ahead of its Indian release, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ received a U/A 13+ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The board reportedly directed the makers to mute or remove certain words from the audio and subtitles and trim an eight-second kissing sequence before granting certification.
Following the revisions, the film was cleared with a runtime of two hours and 24 minutes.
Spider-Man's enduring popularity in India
Spider-Man remains one of Hollywood's most successful franchises in the Indian market. ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ earned around ₹271 crore during its theatrical run in India, making it one of the country's highest-grossing Hollywood releases. Worldwide, the 2021 blockbuster collected approximately $1.91 billion, cementing its place among the most successful entries in the Spider-Man series.