In recent years, many actresses have taken on the roles of Spider-Man’s girlfriends on the big screen. Here is a list of all the characters who have had romantic histories with Spider-Man.
Zendaya portrays Michelle Jones in the Spider-Man series alongside Tom Holland, directed by Jon Watts. Initially Peter Parker’s classmate, she later becomes his girlfriend, offering a fresh perspective on the typical “Spider-Man’s girlfriend” role. Audiences appreciate her compatibility with Tom Holland’s innocent Peter Parker, and Zendaya and Tom Holland’s on-screen romance has gained attention.
Laura Harrier plays Liz, Spider-Man Tom Holland’s first love interest in “Homecoming” (2017). After discovering her father’s villainous identity, Liz leaves New York and does not reappear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Emma Stone stars as Gwen Stacy in two films with Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, directed by Marc Webb. Gwen, Spider-Man’s sole love interest in this series, exhibits modern style and positive traits. Despite assisting Spider-Man against various villains, Gwen Stacy, as portrayed by Stone, meets a tragic end. Audiences praise Stone and Garfield for their on-screen romance, which translated into a real-life relationship lasting four years after meeting on set.
Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Gwen Stacy in the Spider-Man series, featuring Tobey Maguire and directed by Sam Raimi, predating Emma Stone’s portrayal. She appears in “Spider-Man 3” (2007) and falls for Peter Parker when he is influenced by the alien symbiote Venom. In contrast to the comic storyline, Stefani in the film is not Spider-Man’s serious romantic interest; the superhero only uses her to make Mary Jane jealous. Despite being pregnant during filming, Howard performed many action scenes herself on set.
Kirsten Dunst plays Mary Jane Watson in Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man trilogy. Mary Jane is Peter Parker’s long-time crush and neighbor, but their relationship remаins at a friendship level due to Peter’s hesitations. Their love faces challenges, and Mary Jane becomes a constant target for villains seeking payback against Spider-Man. Opinions on Mary Jane vary, with some seeing her as a classic damsel-in-distress archetype, while others appreciate the on-screen chemistry between Dunst and Maguire, depicting a tumultuous relationship throughout the trilogy.
Mageina Tovah plays Ursula Ditkovich in Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man series. Ditkovich is Peter Parker’s neighbor and not a character from Marvel comics. She admires the photographer and often gives him food. The character tries to woo Peter in “Spider-Man 3” (2007) after his breakup with Mary Jane, but their relationship is not developed further in the film.
Elizabeth Banks portrays Betty Brant, the editorial assistant where Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) collaborates. Initially, their relationship is purely professional. In “Spider-Man 3” (2007), they share a few flirtatious and intimate moments, but it doesn’t develop into a romantic relationship. The character Betty Brant also appears in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man series, played by Angourie Rice. However, in this version, the character’s affection is directed towards Ned (Jacob Batalon), Peter Parker’s best friend, rather than the superhero Spider-Man.