Spider-Man: No Way Home, starring Tom Holland, has been a huge success for the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, grossing $1.8 billion within only two months of opening in theaters. Released on December 17, 2021, this movie was highly anticipated because Far From Home, the prior Spider-Man movie released in 2019, was left on a suspenseful cliffhanger. Fans were eager to find out what was in store for Peter Parker in No Way Home. 

       The movie begins where Spider-Man: Far From Home ends. Peter’s secret identity is revealed and he must deal with people knowing about his double life as Spider-Man. He appeals to Doctor Strange for help, asking him to cast a spell that will erase Peter Parker from everyone’s memories. The spell is transfigured as Peter has second thoughts while the spell is being cast and asks to make sure his loved ones remember him. Due to Peter interrupting the spell, windows of alternate dimensions open, allowing villains from previous Spider-Man movies into his universe. This conflict sets the stage for many unexpected encounters. In one instance, Peter is attacked by Dr. Octavious, who is from Tobey McGuire’s Spider-Man universe, and Strange summons them back, containing Octavious in a cell next to Dr. Curtis Conners, also known as The Lizard, a villain of Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man.

Dr. Strange explains that while the spell was being altered, it summoned people from different universes that have a relation to the other Peter Parkers. Working together, Peter, his best friend, Ned, and MJ, his girlfriend, are able to detain another one of Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man villains, Electro, and one of Tobey Mcguire’s antagonists, Sandman. While detained, the villains discuss their encounters with Spider-Man from their respective universes and realize that they were dragged from their realms right before their deaths. Peter has an idea that he can cure them in order to prevent their demise. Doctor Strange discourages the plan as it could change the course of the present day, but Peter carries on despite Strange’s warning. However, this plan backfires as Green Goblin betrays Peter and convinces the villains to return to their old ways, killing Aunt May in the process and leaving Peter heartbroken and defeated. Before her death, she states, “With great power comes great responsibility,” the same message other Uncle Ben’s said to their Peters before dying. While Peter is alone and grieving the death of Aunt May, Ned accidentally realizes that he can use Dr. Strange’s ring to bring the other Peter Parkers into their dimension. Once united, the three Spider-Men are astounded to learn of one another. They talk about their similar struggles and the most troublesome villains they have encountered. Peter summons the villains to meet at the Statue of Liberty to carry out their plan to save them. The Green Goblin, however, thwarts Peter’s efforts and releases the contained spell, bringing in more villains from the multiverse. Finally, Peter realizes that the only way to protect the multiverse is to erase himself from everyone’s memories, as originally planned, including all of his loved ones. With his sacrifice, the spell is executed and everyone is sent to their correct universe. 

       Spider-Man: No Way Home has been one of the most highly anticipated Marvel movies as fans speculated about a collaboration of the three Spider-Men. The appearances of Andrew Garfield and Tobey McGuire confirmed the theory of a multiverse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans were thrilled to see both actors revisit their roles as Spider-Man. The final scene of the movie shows the darkened sky swarming with a multitude of villains possibly from other realms. Moreover, the film opens up many possibilities for directions the MCU can take in future projects. Other confirming factors are the Multiverse of Madness trailer, the post-credit scene for Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and the post-credit scene for No Way Home. Each of these shows a crossover between different Marvel franchises. The Let There Be Carnage scene shows Venom, an alien symbiote who needs a host in order to survive, seeing Peter’s identity being revealed on the television. The No Way Home scene shows Eddie Brock, Venom’s host, and Venom on an island catching up on what occurs in Peter’s universe. It reveals that when Strange’s spell returns the villains to their original homes a piece of venom is left behind, opening up the possibility of a Venom-Spider-Man crossover. In conclusion, Spider-Man: No Way Home created endless possibilities for where the MCU may go in the future.