Following the incredibly popular trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Tom Holland’s next appearance as Spider-Man is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s biggest films in a long time. The trailer included appearances from major characters and hints of fresh storylines, and also referenced past movies – so it’s no wonder fans are so eager to see this new film.
As fans eagerly await the next Spider-Man movie in 2026, many are revisiting recent films or reading the comics. But for a fun way to build excitement, the 90s animated Spider-Man series is a great choice! It didn’t just define the feel of today’s Spider-Man movies and shows—it also told some of the most daring and creative stories in the franchise’s history.
The story in Brand New Day feels a lot like Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which makes it a great watch, especially over the next few months. STAS has five seasons of exciting episodes, but these six are essential viewing before the superhero appears in a new movie later this year.
“Attack Of The Octobot”
After the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the Brand New Day storyline begins with everyone having forgotten Peter Parker’s identity, creating a fresh start compared to the previous movies. In contrast, “Attack of the Octobot” tells a different story: Peter himself has lost his memories, leading to a thrilling and unforgettable experience.
Doctor Octopus captured Spider-Man and used mind control to erase his memories. He then tried to trick Spider-Man into believing he was a villain working for him, even forcing him to commit crimes. To reinforce this deception, Doctor Octopus used a negative news report from J. Jonah Jameson to convince Spider-Man he was truly evil.
I have to admit, even though Peter did the right thing, I felt for him – he was really struggling with what happened while saving Taina and Mousie. They were trying to help Spider-Man break free from Doc Ock’s control, and it was amazing to see them step up. Honestly, they were key to getting through to him and reminding him who he is at his core. That’s what allowed him to finally fight back and put Doc Ock where he belongs – behind bars!
Although “Attack of the Octobot” sometimes feels like a familiar story about mind control, it interestingly shows us what Peter’s life would be like without the support of his friends and family. This idea will also be explored in Brand New Day, making “Attack of the Octobot” a good watch before that bigger story begins.
“The Sting Of The Scorpion”
Scorpion has been a well-known Spider-Man enemy for years. While he appeared briefly in a scene after the credits of Spider-Man: Homecoming, he hasn’t been seen since. Now, the upcoming film Brand New Day is finally bringing back Michael Mando as Scorpion, and he might even be a main villain.
Interestingly, the villain Scorpion wasn’t featured in Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man movies or Andrew Garfield’s films. This means viewers who only know those live-action adaptations might not be familiar with him. But his debut in Spider-Man: The Animated Series gives a fun look at who Mac Gargan is and what motivated him to become a criminal.
Even though this story comes from a different part of the Marvel universe, “The Sting of the Scorpion” is a fantastic introduction to the classic Spider-Man versus Scorpion rivalry. The villain feels like a real danger, similar to how Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man handled it in 2025, and this episode will definitely build anticipation for the upcoming MCU version.
This episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series features a regular person becoming a major danger to the city due to a failed experiment. It’s a must-watch for any movie fan. If the upcoming Brand New Day storyline borrows even a little from this story, we’re in for something special this July.
“Hydro-Man”
While Hydro-Man won’t be in the next Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland, his story in the 90s animated series has a minor connection to the Brand New Day storyline. In the episode “Hydro-Man,” Mary Jane’s former boyfriend tries to win her back, but she rejects him because of past unhappiness he caused her.
Morrie keeps trying to win over MJ with his powers over water, but it only scares her. This leads to a running fight between Spider-Man and Hydro-Man all episode long, and Peter has to constantly battle one of MJ’s boyfriends while dealing with a villain who just won’t stay down.
Look, I’m a big Spider-Man fan, and while MJ’s new boyfriend in Brand New Day seems like a genuinely good guy, it’s just… tough to watch. It’s not about fighting a bad guy this time, it’s about Peter having to come to terms with MJ being happy with someone else. It’s a much more personal struggle for him, and honestly, it feels more heartbreaking than any supervillain fight.
While the two storylines are quite different, the “Hydro-Man” plot is enjoyable and really shows how much Peter cares for MJ, and what he’s willing to give up for her. This theme will likely become even stronger in Brand New Day, potentially even meaning he has to leave her life for good.
“Tombstone”
While many remember Tombstone for his great performance in The Spectacular Spider-Man, he also played a significant role in Spider-Man: The Animated Series. Despite not being featured in the latest trailer, Tombstone is set to be a major villain in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and has been officially confirmed as part of the project.
If you’re excited about the upcoming movie, definitely watch the “Tombstone” episode first. It really highlights how dangerous and intimidating the villain can be – he even threatens Aunt May and defeats Peter Parker in a fight, showing he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Throughout the episode, he expertly uses blackmail, demonstrating why he’s such a frightening gang leader – he’ll do anything for money. Unlike some versions of this character, like the one in the Spider-Man: Insomniac games, this portrayal in STAS doesn’t offer any sympathetic qualities.
Since the trailer for Brand New Day doesn’t show anything of Tombstone, it’s hard to say what kind of villain he’ll be. But given that Marvin Jones III often plays wicked characters, I think he’ll likely resemble his portrayal in the animated series, and this episode will give us a good idea of what to anticipate.
“Enter The Punisher”
While often linked to Daredevil, the Punisher has clashed with Spider-Man before, even appearing together in the 90s animated series. In the story “Enter the Punisher,” Frank Castle is hired to capture Spider-Man to improve his own image. He believes Spider-Man kidnapped Michael Morbius, which motivates him to accept the job.
Throughout the episode, Frank relentlessly pursues the protagonist, trying to capture him without killing him – which is unusual for his character. He finally traps Peter in a net, but Spider-Man escapes again, leading to a chase to a warehouse. There, Frank encounters Man-Spider, a creature resulting from Peter’s transformation.
Both characters are vigilantes operating outside the law, and they clash throughout the “Enter the Punisher” storyline. However, when the Punisher appears in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, they seem likely to work together towards a common goal, even though they don’t necessarily agree on how to get there.
The film might start with the characters avoiding each other, eventually leading to a partnership and a friendly dynamic. Despite their past conflict – Frank being against Peter – this setup is a good way to build anticipation for BND, and the opening is well worth watching, even though it’s about 20 minutes long.
“The Final Nightmare”
If you’re planning to watch the new Spider-Man movie and want a little background from the animated series, “The Final Nightmare” is the most helpful episode to see. The movie hints at Peter Parker losing control of his powers and possibly changing physically, which is very similar to a famous storyline called “Neogenic Nightmare” from the 90s cartoon’s second season.
As a huge fan of Spider-Man: The Animated Series, I always thought “The Final Nightmare” really brought everything together. It wasn’t just about fighting a bunch of bad guys – it was a really tough emotional ride for Peter, dealing with stuff inside himself and the fact that the Vulture was changing because of this weird genetic thing. And to top it all off, Scorpion came back! It’s honestly one of the darkest and most challenging episodes of the whole series, with Peter facing so many obstacles.
Honestly, the second season is a really solid watch leading up to Brand New Day. It does a great job of showing Peter grappling with the fallout of becoming Man-Spider and how it messes with his everyday life. But, and this is a big ‘but’, “The Final Nightmare” feels like a little taste of what we’re getting in the MCU’s next big story – it’s good, but leaves you wanting much more.
If you have time before seeing the new Spider-Man movie, watching the “Neogenic Nightmare” storyline from Spider-Man: The Animated Series will give you a sense of what influenced the movie’s plot. And while “The Final Nightmare” isn’t a perfect match for what’s to come, it’s still a great episode to watch.
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2026-03-28 19:11