'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Quietly Broke A 19-Year-Old Franchise Curse
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) returns fans to the era of struggle for Spider-Man. After three films of Peter getting help from the Avengers, he's on his own and struggling, just like in the comics. But for as many traditions we return to, there is another that has been broken for the first time in almost 20 years.
One thing that's been synonymous with Spider-Man since 2002 has been a final swing through New York City, as a victory lap for all he accomplished in the film. But in Brand New Day, things change and show us that what feels established isn't always set in stone.
Spider-Man Eras End Without A Final Swing
During the Tobey Maguire era of Spider-Man, his trilogy featured two films that had a final swing. Both carried a different weight but also left audiences feeling a sense of hope that they could overcome their own trials as long as they don't give up. But in Spider-Man 3 (2007), the film started a trend by ending without a final swing. Though MJ and Peter reconciled as the credits rolled, it was the final time we would see them, as a fourth film was scrapped.
Andrew Garfield suffered a similar fate with his franchise as The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) ended in a beautiful and fun final swing. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) ended with him fighting the Rhino in a heroic return to form. But, like Maguire's films, no swing meant no continuation.
To be fair, Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) didn't end with a final swing either, but what made this an exception was that we knew he was returning in Avengers: Infinity War (2018). More than that, this new era was designed to continue, and people wanted Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years. It was a safe risk, especially since his two films after that did have final swings.
'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Proves A Final Swing Isn't As Important As You Think
The end of Spider-Man: Brand New Day doesn't have a final swing, but it still manages to leave audiences with an incredible impression. Peter finally embraces the responsibilities for his choices and sees Ned at the local bodega he goes to. He decides to try one more thing to get him to remember who he is, reintroduces himself, and does their secret handshake.
It takes a second, but Ned looks up at him and says "Peter!" in a way like he hasn't seen a friend in a long time, and it ends with Peter finally smiling. Before this conclusion, there has been more than enough evidence to say that a Spider-Man movie not ending with a swing means an end to that actor's tenure. But in this case, that was the exact opposite.
Brand New Day needed a quieter conclusion because we already spent a lot of time with Peter in the suit. He saved a life, but it wasn't as victorious an ending as others. This Peter Parker needed a quieter and hopeful conclusion that mirrored the personal struggles he faced, and it paid off.
The Future Is Brighter Than Ever For Spider-Man
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is more than a fun title; it's everything the franchise now stands for and why an almost 20-year curse has finally been broken. We haven't gotten an official confirmation of another sequel, but considering it's a movie that has made over $1 billion in its first week and features the world's most famous superhero, it would make sense to keep things going.
With that in mind, knowing that this is both the first Spider-Man franchise to hit four films and succeed without a final swing means that the metaphorical web still has to be spun. Spider-Man has faced many more villains since we saw him in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), and because of that, there are likely even more unseen threats we don't know about.
Plus, as Peter tries to navigate getting Ned and MJ back, we have even more reason to tune in to the future. Everything is in place for Spider-Man to be in his greatest era ever, and it proved this by ending on an unfamiliar note that usually signals the end for the character.
