Spider-Man 4 sinks to MCU-worst Rotten Tomatoes score as first reviews arrive

Well, here we are again with Spider-Man setting records, but not exactly the sort Marvel would boast about in the marketing. The latest outing for our webbed hero, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, has had its big Hollywood premiere and… let’s just say the numbers are raising more eyebrows than champagne glasses.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day just posted an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest MCU Spidey score so far.

That Rotten Tomatoes Blip

The cold, hard stats: according to Rotten Tomatoes, the new film’s rating has dropped to 89%. Now, don’t get me wrong — eighty-nine isn’t exactly “critical bomb” territory, but for Marvel’s flagship bug, it’s a definite nadir, at least in the MCU era. Before this, Far From Home (2019) held the dubious distinction with 91%. Homecoming (2017) and No Way Home (2021) managed a slightly rosier 92% and 93% respectively. So by Spidey’s usual glossy standards, Brand New Day is looking a bit tatty on the aggregator.

What’s Working? (And What’s Not)

Despite the rating wobble, critics aren’t sharpening their knives for the fun of it. In fact, quite a few have pointed out what Marvel’s got right here — apparently, the film shakes off that damp feeling of “filler” that’s plagued a lot of post-Avengers stuff. This one’s properly doing its own thing.

• Timeline: The plot is set four years after the end of No Way Home. No one remembers Peter Parker’s alter ego anymore, so he’s back swinging solo, fighting crime, and basically muddling through an isolated life.
• Atmosphere: Some early reviewers have praised the film’s more mature tone, with one saying it’s the 'most emotional, most mature, and most atmospheric' Spidey entry yet. Apparently, it’ll go as expected in places — and completely flip expectations in others.
• Action: Plenty of positive noise about the set pieces; the action apparently looks 'phenomenal'.

There’s a fair bit of chatter about the new faces, too. Sadie Sink — yes, that’s Max from Stranger Things — is causing a stir for her mystery character, who appears to be every bit as isolated and emotionally shredded as Peter himself. Her performance is being singled out as a properly complex bit of acting, and it sounds like she’s not just there to stand in front of green screens and react to CGI tentacles.

Deadline described Sink’s performance as 'the introduction of the mysterious character played to the hilt by Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) who proves without question she has the chops to take on a complex three-dimensional role of a young woman whose confused mental state and own personal loss make her every bit as alone as Peter Parker himself has become.'

As for the rest? The so-called popcornmeter (that’s the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes) isn’t even up yet, so the public verdict is still in the post. But if you’re looking for a date, Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into UK cinemas on 31 July 2026.