Tobey Maguire

You can practically hear the Danny Elfman score. For a whole generation, Tobey Maguire wasn’t an Spider-Man. He was Spider-Man. The awkwardness was painfully real, the responsibility always felt heavy, and when Peter’s life fell apart, Tobey looked like a guy who genuinely hadn't slept in three days.

His case is built on heart and huge moments. The upside-down kiss. Stopping the train. Facing Doc Ock. That brutal final fight with Green Goblin. Even the ridiculous stuff became permanently quotable.

Andrew fans will say Tobey never had enough Spidey swagger. Tom fans will argue their Peter feels more like an actual teenager. Fair. But neither gets to escape the biggest weapon in Tobey's arsenal: when people picture Spider-Man without thinking about it, a whole lot of them still picture him.

Nostalgia pick—or still the king?