Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Holland's Most Dramatic Turn Yet

Brand New Day is probably the best Marvel movie I've seen since Fantastic Four: First Steps, and before that, No Way Home. It earns that spot mostly on the strength of Tom Holland, who is at the top of his game here.

What I appreciated most is the dramatic weight. This is a heavier, more grounded Spider-Man story, and Holland carries it with real maturity.

Where it was a little less successful for me is the "fresh start." The idea that nobody remembers Peter Parker, set up at the end of No Way Home, never quite stuck the way I hoped it would.

A couple of thoughts for fans. Longtime X-Men fans may find a little something extra in this one. I'm a fan but less versed in that corner of Marvel, so I'll leave it at that. And selfishly, bringing back Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield would have pushed this into the top spot for me.