THIS is the best Spider-Man movie (or Peter Parker movie, since Spider-Verse is perfect). Spider-Man 2 was my favorite Spidey film for a long time until I watched No Way Home. After that I thought, "Is No Way Home BETTER than Spider-Man 2?" I rewatched Spidey 2 a month later or two and I thought that no, Spider-Man 2 is still better. Here's why:

In NWH, I did enjoy that Tobey, Andrew, and all the villains came back but that's not the #1 thing I loved about NWH. It was actually Tom Holland's Peter Parker story and his progression as Spider-Man. However, I believe that Spider-Man 2 is the better Peter Parker story.

Firstly, the simplicity. I could care less about multiversal/ end of the world stories when it comes to Spider-Man. His best comics and stories are when things are simple because Spider-Man is meant to be an everyman. Someone like us who faces regular, everyday problems; he has as much human problems as his superhero problems, and sometimes they clash with each other. Spider-Man 2 is simple and just cause No Way Home has bigger things happening, doesn't make it better. A big movie doesn't mean a better movie.

Spider-Man 2 is an actual Spider-Man story because it's simple, like the comics. No high tech suit, no avengers involved or multiple Spider-Men, and no world ending problems. Just Peter Parker struggling with his personal life while trying to stop Doc Ock as Spider-Man. To me, that's all I need. Peter Parker struggles with everyday life with money troubles, relationships (girls and friends), with jobs, and all that jazz. THAT'S what makes Spider-Man fascinating: The relatable problems.

Secondly, is that this movie feels like an actual film. Say what you will but I didn't love that NWH was 80% CG and green screen. I'm fine if you wanna do those things unless if most of the film is done this way when some shots can be done in real locations. Also, the fact that it was done during the pandemic does not excuse it. There are SO many films shot around the same time that use real locations and look significantly better than NWH.

Overall, Spidey 2 is my favorite Spider-Man movie. It's not nostalgia that convinced me because NWH is my second favorite Spider-Man movie, over Spider-Man 1 and 3. It's just that in terms of filmmaking and in terms of the story, I prefer it over NWH. If you like NWH better, that's alright. You like what you like but as for me, I still stand with Spider-Man 2.