Every MCU Hero I’m Convinced Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Could Beat In A Fight (& Why)

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has come a long way in the MCU, and I firmly believe that he could beat many fellow superheroes in a fight. Spider-Man’s MCU debut in Captain America: Civil War immediately showed how powerful the MCU’s wall-crawler can be, even when he was at his most inexperienced. Since then, Spidey has held his own against some incredibly powerful villains, including Thanos and nearly every villain from the Spider-Man movies of yesteryear.

Now, Spider-Man has matured significantly and has had plenty of opportunities to hone his powers. Spider-Man’s strength in the MCU is already staggering, though it is unclear if he yet has the power to match his comic book counterpart. Nevertheless, plenty of evidence in the MCU and Marvel Comics gives us a good idea of how Spidey would fare in a fair fight with some of the MCU’s foremost superheroes, such as the following.

15

There Are Many Ways Spider-Man Can Beat Hawkeye

Hawkeye Is Reliant On His Trick Arrows

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Hawkeye is famously (and perhaps unfairly) belittled as a less powerful Avenger. While he boasts near-superhuman accuracy, he is reliant on his arsenal of trick arrows to gain the upper hand against the MCU’s most powerful villains. Despite his physical shortcomings, he managed to outwit Loki with an exploding arrow in The Avengers and held his own against Thanos’ armies.

Short of some serious luck on Hawkeye’s side, this battle feels like a no-contest bout.

Nevertheless, not even Hawkeye’s trickiest arrows could counter Spider-Man’s superior spider-sense. Additionally, Spider-Man can easily disable Hawkeye’s one mode of attack – his bow – with a well-placed web. Short of some serious luck on Hawkeye’s side, this battle feels like a no-contest bout.

14

Black Widow Concedes A Fight With Spider-Man In Marvel Comics

Black Widow Is No Match For Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense

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Black Widow stands alongside Hawkeye as something of an outlier in the Avengers lineup, as she has no superpowers to speak of. Instead, she has honed her skills to become the world’s foremost assassin. Like Hawkeye, she stood up to some immensely powerful adversaries in the MCU, like Ultron and his drones. Her lack of superpowers already puts Black Widow on a major back foot against Spider-Man, whose super strength, super agility, and spider-sense would be suitable counters to Black Widow’s skills and tech.

Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow in Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Age of Ultron with a purple zany background

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Although the two were on the same side in Captain America: Civil War and haven’t otherwise had cause to fight in the MCU, comic book precedent dictates that Black Widow would lose in a fight with Spider-Man. In “The Spectacular Spider-Man #1,” Black Widow blinds Spider-Man, but she still cannot land a hit as his spider-sense allows him to dodge her attacks. She gets close to besting Spider-Man in “Amazing Spider-Man #86,” she eventually concedes the battle as Spider-Man webs her venom-sting bracelets.

13

Spider-Man Defeated The New Captain America In Captain America: Civil War

Spider-Man Fought And Incapacitated Sam Wilson As Falcon

Although Steve Rogers’ super soldier constitution and superior battle experience may give Spider-Man a run for his money, Sam Wilson isn’t afforded the same litany of powers. Sam Wilson stood up to Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World through his agility and vibranium supersuit. He ultimately gained the upper hand, however, by talking Red Hulk down and out of his rage.

A split image of Sam Wilson in his Falcon and Captain America suits in the MCU

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As a good guy, the same tactic wouldn’t work on Spider-Man (depending on the context, of course). Even in his most kitted-out stage in the current MCU, Sam Wilson would still be outpaced by Spider-Man’s agility. Spider-Man has already proved that he can surpass Sam Wilson’s superior combat experience in Captain America: Civil War, where he capably subdued Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes simultaneously.

12

Spider-Man Already Overpowered A Powerful Thunderbolts Member

The Thunderbolts Aren’t As Powerful As The Avengers

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The Thunderbolts are due to embrace superheroics in Thunderbolts*, but the team of down-and-out antiheroes and reformed villains is far from the most powerful heroes in the MCU. With two super-assassins, three super soldiers, and the quantum-phasing Ghost, their powers arguably pale in comparison to the Avengers. If pitted against Spider-Man individually, it’s hard to see how any Thunderbolts member could gain the upper hand.

Thunderbolts Member

Main Powers

Yelena Belova/Black Widow

Super Assassin

Bucky Barnes/White Wolf/Winter Soldier

Super Soldier

Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian

Super Soldier

John Walker/US Agent

Super Soldier

Antonia Dreykov/Taskmasker

Super-Assassin and perfect mimicry

Ava Starr/Ghost

Quantum phasing

Arguably the strongest member of the Thunderbolts, Bucky Barnes, was already defeated by Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War. Red Guardian, meanwhile, is out of practice, and John Walker proves he doesn’t have Steve Rogers’ resolve in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Spidey’s spider-sense would give him the upper hand against Ghost, while Yelena Belova and Taskmaster would offer a similar challenge to Natasha Romanoff’s Black Widow.

11

The Young Avengers Are Too Inexperienced For Spider-Man

Spider-Man Is Now An Experienced Avengers Member

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The MCU is gearing up to adapt the Young Avengers, as proven by Kamala Khan recruiting Kate Bishop at the end of The Marvels. Many potential Young Avengers candidates have been making their way to the MCU, with varying degrees of demonstrated power levels. While these Young Avengers have already faced off against many powerful enemies, they have typically achieved this so far as part of a team, including older, more experienced heroes. While some, like Wiccan, could give Spider-Man a run for his money, many would struggle, including:

  • Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel
  • Kate Bishop, aka Hawkeye
  • Cassie Lang, aka Stature
  • Riri Williams, aka Ironheart
  • America Chavez

The reason Spider-Man could individually beat each of these in a straight fight is experience. Although he is still one of the younger Avengers, Spider-Man boasts several years of experience facing enemies like Thanos. Add this to his overall prowess and superpowers, and it’s hard to see how a character like Cassie Lang could come out on top.

10

Spider-Man Outsmarted Doctor Strange In No Way Home

Spider-Man’s Intelligence Was Enough To Ensnare Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is one of the most powerful superheroes in the MCU. As a master of the mystic arts, he has access to a multidimensional litany of mystical powers, though he has since lost access to the immensely powerful time stone. I admit that I find it baffling that Strange was unable to defeat characters like Thanos, especially with the help of his fellow Avengers on Titan, when we have seen him sever limbs with his portals.

Split image of Doctor Strange in marvel comics using a spell and doctor strange in avengers endgame holding up a finger (1)

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Perhaps even more baffling, however, is the fact that he was bested by Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home. While Doctor Strange wasn’t attempting to kill Spider-Man, the wall-crawler demonstrated how his spider-sense and genius intellect can outwit Strange, even in the Mirror Dimension, with which he has plenty of experience. Based on this fact, I’m convinced that Spider-Man could repeat his success if another tussle were to break out between them.

9

Daredevil Was Able To Defeat Echo

Echo Isn’t Shown To Be Particularly Powerful

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Echo is a recently introduced MCU hero who starred in her self-titled Marvel Spotlight spin-off. Here, she was proven to be a capable hand-to-hand combatant who could make short work of Kingpin’s lackeys. When she embraces her ancestral powers towards the end of the series, she is also able to defeat Kingpin himself.

Echo’s powers call upon the skills of her ancestors, one of which is healing.

Nevertheless, I find it hard to believe that her powers are enough to subdue Spider-Man in a straight fight. Given that Daredevil was able to get the upper hand on Echo in the past, the fact that Daredevil would also struggle against Spider-Man convinces me that Echo wouldn’t stand a chance. It’s unclear, however, whether Echo will re-emerge in the MCU whatsoever.

8

Spider-Man Uses Star Wars To Floor Giant-Man In Civil War

Spider-Man Already Proved Himself Against Scott Lang

Ant-Man is a surprisingly powerful character when he concocts the correct tactics in a fight. He has proven to be a significant foil against Iron Man twice. For example, first disabling his weapons while ant-sized in Captain America: Civil War, and then causing past Tony Stark to have a heart attack in Avengers: Endgame​​​​​​. He was also seen felling a Chitauri Leviathan during the Battle of Earth while fighting as Giant-Man.

While Spider-Man did receive assistance at that moment, it still proved how strong his webbing is and that it could be a useful tool in a subsequent fight.

Nevertheless, Spider-Man has also proven that his quick thinking is enough to get the upper hand on Giant-Man. Evoking the iconic Battle of Hoth in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Spider-Man uses his incredibly strong webbing to tie Giant-Man in knots before Iron Man and War Machine knock him down. While Spider-Man did receive assistance at that moment, it still proved how strong his webbing is and that it could be a useful tool in a subsequent fight.

7

Spider-Man’s Reflexes Outperform Black Panther

Black Panther Respects Spider-Man’s Power In Marvel Comics

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Black Panther was also introduced in Captain America: Civil War, where his powers were swiftly demonstrated in his tenacious pursuit of Bucky Barnes. Later, it is revealed that T’Challa received his powers from the heart-shaped herb and his specially-made vibranium suit. Along with his extensive combat experience, Black Panther is one of the most formidable heroes in the MCU.

Nevertheless, Spider-Man can give Black Panther a real challenge, as multiple comic book encounters help to prove. While certain parameters could see Black Panther gain the upper hand, such as immediate access to some of Shuri’s tech, a straight fight might be a battle of attrition. Spider-Man’s improvisational skills and superior maneuverability, however, would be sufficient in getting Black Panther to back down.

6

Deadpool Isn’t Strong Or Fast Enough To Defeat Spider-Man

Deadpool’s Healing Factor Would Be Inconsequential

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Deadpool is officially an MCU hero after Deadpool & Wolverine introduced him into the fold. His regenerative healing factor makes him practically invincible, even after being disintegrated by the time ripper at the end of his MCU debut movie. With that in mind, the best way to defeat Deadpool is to incapacitate him or get him to relent, as Wolverine proved is possible by strapping him up after their brawl in the Honda Odyssey minivan.

Deadpool is currently still in his universe, Earth-10005.

Deadpool and Spider-Man have come to blows multiple times in Marvel Comics, and Spider-Man often emerges victorious. Given that killing Deadpool is out of the question, his main power is null and void in a fight with Spider-Man, with Spider-Man’s superior speed, strength, and spider-sense giving him the upper hand every time. Deadpool is additionally a Spider-Man fan, meaning he would be likely to pull his punches in a straight one-on-one fight, as he wouldn’t want to kill the iconic web-slinger.

5

Spider-Man Runs Rings Around The Defenders

The Defenders Are Strong, But Not Fast Enough

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The Defender Saga was recently confirmed to be canon in the MCU. This means Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Danny Rand/Iron Fist are all technically alive and well in New York City. These are distinctly street-level heroes and are most often pitted against street-level threats such as the Hand.

Defenders Members

Main Powers

Luke Cage

Bulletproof skin, super strength

Jessica Jones

Super strength

Danny Rand/Iron Fist

Chi manipulation

This indicates how each of them would fare in a straight fight with Spider-Man, who has gone up against cosmic-level threats in the MCU. Although they are immensely strong, Spider-Man boasts several other powers that would supersede their strength alone – most notably his agility. Combined with his experience, there is little hope that the Defenders would be able to stand up to their fellow New York-based vigilante.

4

Spider-Man’s Spider Sense Counters Punisher’s Main MO

Spider-Man Can Dodge Frank’s Bullets

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The Punisher is not a superhero and has no superpowers. He is, however, a master tactician and one-man army when suitably armed, but still a significant danger to most even when he is not, as the Daredevil: Born Again post-credits scene helped to prove. So far, Punisher has only gone up against street-level threats, though he is more than capable of taking on crowds of enemies at a time.

Punisher is due to return in a Marvel Special Feature in 2026

Spider-Man is a different story, however. Frank Castle may be a master tactician, but he is reliant on his arsenal of weapons to cause any damage, and dodging bullets is precisely in Spider-Man’s wheelhouse. In a straight fight, Spider-Man’s spider-sense would give him the upper hand over Frank Castle, who Daredevil: Born Again proved certainly isn’t untouchable.

3

War Machine Doesn’t Have Iron Man’s Intelligence

His Firepower Is Impressive, But Spider-Man Could Outwit Him

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War Machine is also kitted out with enough ordinance to make him a significant threat to any adversary. He was seen mowing down legions of Thanos’ army in Avengers: Infinity War alongside Falcon. It is unclear whether James Rhodes is still in operation after Secret Invasion suggested that he might have been replaced by a Skrull. Whatever the case, Rhodey’s power is rooted in his Iron Man-made suit.

Iron Man War Machine MCU

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There is a chance that Rhodey could unleash enough firepower to catch Spidey out, if he were to cause a significant explosion, for example. Then again, as is the case with Punisher, Spider-Man is particularly well-placed to fend off traditional weapons thanks to his spider-sense warning him of incoming danger. Without the intelligence of Tony Stark to help him find a way to best Peter Parker, it’s fair to say that Rhodey would fail to subdue Tony’s superpowered protégé alone.

2

Spider-Man Could Defeat The Guardians Of The Galaxy (Individually)

If The Guardians Fight Together, They Would Stand A Chance

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The Guardians of the Galaxy boast a mixed set of powers, and they are formidable when working together. Together, they have withstood the sheer power of the Power Stone by diffusing the energy between them and bested a Kree Accuser and a Celestial while working as a team. This suggests that the team could give the Avengers a run for their money, and with their alien tech, the same could be said for Spider-Man.

Fighting alone, however, the Guardians are unlikely to stand a chance. Although Star-Lord (somewhat bafflingly) managed to subdue Spider-Man in Avengers: Infinity War with some alien tech, Peter Parker has earned much more experience in the intervening years, honing his spider-sense in his fight with Mysterio. He has also already encountered Peter Quill and can utilize this specific experience to his advantage.

1

Daredevil Can Struggle Against Non-Superpowered Enemies

Daredevil Is No Stranger To Being Beaten

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There is little doubt that Daredevil is one of New York’s most powerful street-level heroes, especially when he isn’t holding back. He has repeatedly bested Kingpin, a man double his size and with superior strength and durability. So far, however, he hasn’t gone up against a cosmic threat like Thanos.

In fact, Daredevil is repeatedly subdued by far less powerful characters. Bullseye, for instance, is a real thorn in Daredevil’s side, and while it helps to make his brawls more compelling, he doesn’t consistently run rings around non-superpowered bruisers. With that in mind, despite certain stories in Marvel Comics (and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man) seeing Daredevil best Spider-Man, this isn’t as likely to happen in the context of the MCU.

Spider-Man Swinging in Dodson Comic Art

Spider-Man

Created By

Stan Lee, Steve Ditko

First Appearance

Amazing Fantasy

Alias

Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner

Alliance

Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors

Race

Human

Franchise

Marvel, Spider-Man

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