Yes, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is definitely suiting up for the fight against Doctor Doom. Between the massive cliffhanger ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home and the "street-level" reset we’re seeing in Spider-Man: Brand New Day this week, the stage is set for Spidey to be a central player when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters this December.
TL;DR
Spider-Man will be a lead character in Avengers: Doomsday, serving as the emotional bridge to Robert Downey Jr.’s new role as Doctor Doom. Expect a high-stakes PG-13 spectacle that builds directly off the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. For the full breakdown of where to start with your kid, check out our Spider-Man franchise pillar.
We’ve spent the last few years wondering how Marvel would handle a Peter Parker who has been forgotten by the entire world. Spider-Man: Brand New Day finally answers that by putting Peter back in a homemade suit, swinging through a gritty New York, and trying to balance a GED with being a "friendly neighborhood" hero.
But Spider-Man has always been the connective tissue of the MCU. While Brand New Day looks like a smaller, more personal story, the industry buzz and the trailers suggest it’s really a launchpad. Peter is the only one who truly understands the weight of the "multiverse" mess they’re in, which makes him the natural recruit for whatever new version of the Avengers forms to take on Victor von Doom.
The elephant in the room is Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU, not as Tony Stark, but as Victor von Doom. For a kid who grew up watching Peter Parker look up to Tony as a father figure, this is going to be the emotional gut-punch of the year.
Marvel is leaning into this irony. The trailers for Avengers: Doomsday haven't shown Peter and Doom face-to-face yet, but the narrative math is obvious. Peter will likely be the one struggling most with Doom’s face, which adds a layer of "wait, is that him?" tension that’s perfect for older elementary and middle school kids who are invested in the characters, not just the explosions.
Based on the production notes and the directors (the Russo Brothers are back, which usually means a tighter, more coherent story than some of the recent cosmic flops), Avengers: Doomsday will likely be intense.
- Intensity: Expect Avengers: Infinity War levels of stakes. Doom isn't a "bank robber" villain; he’s a "reconstruct the universe in my image" villain.
- The Roster: Spidey won't be alone. He’ll be flanked by the Fantastic Four and likely the new Captain America, but Peter is the character kids identify with most. He’s the "eyes" of the audience.
- Action: It’s going to be loud, fast, and full of multiversal weirdness. If your kid handled the "disappearing" scene in Infinity War, they’re ready for this. If they’re still sensitive to heroes being in real peril, maybe sit this one out until the reviews drop.
If your kid is hyped for Spider-Man: Brand New Day this week, use it as a bridge. The transition from "neighborhood hero" to "world-saving Avenger" is a classic theme about responsibility.
Ask them: "Why does Peter keep doing this even when nobody remembers who he is?" It’s a great way to talk about doing the right thing when you don't get the credit—a concept that actually matters more than knowing who Doctor Doom’s mother was in the comics.
The biggest friction point with these massive crossover movies is the "homework." To really get Avengers: Doomsday, your kid technically needs to have seen about fifteen other things.
The pro-tip: You don't actually have to watch everything. If they’ve seen Spider-Man: No Way Home and they see Spider-Man: Brand New Day this week, they’ll have 90% of what they need to follow Peter’s arc in December. Don't feel pressured to marathon the entire Disney+ catalog just to understand a three-second cameo.
Q: Is Spider-Man the main character in Avengers: Doomsday? He is expected to be one of the primary leads. While the Avengers movies are ensembles, Peter Parker’s relationship with the "face" of the villain (RDJ) makes him the emotional core of this specific story.
Q: What age is Avengers: Doomsday appropriate for? Like most MCU films, it will almost certainly be rated PG-13. It’s generally a sweet spot for kids 10 and up, though younger fans who are already deep into the Marvel world usually handle it fine with a parent nearby to explain the plot twists.
Q: Do we need to see the new Fantastic Four movie first? It will definitely help. The Fantastic Four are Doctor Doom’s primary rivals in the comics, and they are set to appear in Doomsday alongside Spider-Man. If you want the full context, put The Fantastic Four: First Steps on your watchlist.
Q: Will Andrew Garfield or Tobey Maguire be in Doomsday? There are rumors, but nothing is confirmed. Given that Doomsday leads into Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, Marvel is likely saving the "all the Spider-Men" reunion for the grand finale.
Spider-Man is the heart of the MCU right now. Whether he's fighting street-level crime in Spider-Man: Brand New Day or jumping into a multiversal war in Avengers: Doomsday, he’s the character that keeps these movies grounded.
- Catch Spider-Man: Brand New Day in theaters this week to see how Peter is handling his new "forgotten" life.
- Browse our best family movies by age for more superhero picks.
- Check out the Spider-Man pillar to see which animated series are worth your time while waiting for December.