The “Spider-Noir” Reviews Are In

Critical reception for the live-action Spider-Noir series on Amazon Prime Video has arrived, with the production earning strong marks from reviewers. The series currently holds an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 78/100 on Metacritic.

The Metacritic score places the series in a tie with Ms. Marvel for the highest-rated season of a Marvel-related television series, though this ranking excludes FX’s Legion.

Set in 1930s New York, the series follows Ben Reilly, an aging and down-on-his-luck private investigator played by Nicolas Cage. The narrative focuses on Reilly as he is forced to confront his previous life as the city’s sole superhero.

While the critical consensus indicates that the overall story may be the weakest element of the production, reviewers suggest that other aspects of the series effectively compensate for the shortcomings of the script.

Several critics praised the bold creative direction and the atmospheric execution of the noir setting. Alex Godfrey of Empire described the series as an irresistible concoction and an utterly insane stew that somehow makes perfect sense, calling the experience total joy.

Bob Strauss of The Wrap noted that the show appeals to a wide range of tastes, whether the viewer prefers old, existential crime movies, four-colour fantasy magazines or TV that aspires to artistry as well as entertainment.

The series’ adherence to the genre’s conventions was also highlighted. Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence observed that while the show hews closely to the familiar tropes of the detective tale, it avoids feeling like a parody, instead serving as a successful answer to the premise of a 1930s noir featuring a private investigator with spider powers.

However, the production was not without its detractors, particularly regarding the pacing and narrative depth. Sarah Fields of Tell-Tale TV noted that a few episodes toward the end of the season drag a bit, although she mentioned the show rebounds beautifully with a satisfying conclusion and an exciting climax.

Other critics were more pointed in their assessment of the writing. David Craig of Radio Times suggested that the rich sense of style and the plucky protagonists are what ultimately make up for the show’s storytelling shortcomings.

Some reviews were significantly more critical of the characterization and plot. William Hughes of AV Club described the series as a noble, but ultimately failed experiment, arguing that the lead character never really feels like a person due to an attempt to create a character who did not feel entirely human.

Daniel Fienberg of THR characterized the story as frustratingly dull, claiming it adds precious little while borrowing the basic elements of vintage gumshoe dramas.

Similarly, Aramide Tinubu of Variety acknowledged the solid cast and the sparkling depictions of a bygone era but concluded that Spider-Noir is all style and very little substance.

The series is scheduled to launch on MGM+ on May 25, 2026. Following that release, it will be available to audiences globally on Amazon Prime Video starting May 27, 2026.