Spider-Man: No Way Home has performed spectacularly at the global box office, all while earning rave reviews and the adoration of comic book fans. It's an insane film, and one that combines three separate franchises to deliver what many feel is the greatest Marvel adventure ever made.
A story this big inevitably includes a lot of Easter Eggs, references, and cameos, and after multiple viewings, we've scoured the film for the best efforts.
From obscure nods to previous Spider-Man adventures to hat tips to the source material only hardcore fans will have spotted, Jon Watts and the team did an amazing job on this threequel. There are also Easter Eggs that tease Spidey's future, as well as some that, honesty, are just there for the fun of it.
Be warned that MAJOR SPOILERS for Spider-Man: No Way Home will follow from this point on!
10. "DITKO" And "GKANE"
During that early rooftop scene with Peter Parker and MJ, you should be able to spot some graffiti behind that that says, "DITKO." You shouldn't need us to remind you that Steve Ditko is Spider-Man's co-creator, and the artist responsible for helping bring not just the wall-crawler, but the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Lizard, and Sandman to life.
This isn't the only noteworthy graffiti in the film, however, as "GKANE" can be seen on the other side of the roof. Gil Kane only provided art for twenty issues of Amazing Spider-Man, but lent his talents to everything from Harry Osborn's overdose to Gerry Conway's "The Death of Gwen Stacy."
Stan Lee receives a nod as well because a cab on the bridge where Doctor Octopus attacks has the number "1228" on its roof. The legendary creator's birthday is December 28.
9. A Glimpse Into The Spider-Verse
With the Multiverse being torn asunder at the end of the film, countless beings from every reality - all of whom know that Peter Parker is Spider-Man - start getting pulled into the MCU.
Look closely at the silhouettes and you'll spot some familiar baddies. There's Kraven the Hunter with his spear, a comic accurate Rhino, and even Scorpion. We also see a woman, though your guess is as good as ours when it comes to who that might be (Black Cat, Mary Jane Watson, and even Spider-Gwen should be considered as being among the likeliest possibilities).
These are all characters from other worlds, but seeing as the MCU's Peter has never battled Kraven, Rhino, and Scorpion, we can't help but wonder whether it's a sign of what's to come!
8. Spider-Man's Bad Back
As they wait for those five sinister villains to arrive at the Statue of Liberty, Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man complains that he had a bad back. Andrew Garfield's wall-crawler sympathises and both believe it's a result of swinging through the Big Apple (something Tom Holland's web-slinger definitely doesn't have as much experience of prior to Spider-Man: No Way Home).
Those of you familiar with Spider-Man 2 will hopefully remember that Spidey plummeted from the sky and on to a car below during the film, limping away and complaining about his back. At the time, that was meant as an in-joke after Maguire nearly missed out on returning in the sequel after his back was injured during Seabiscuit's production.
Mysterio actor Jake Gyllenhaal was lined up to replace him at the time, and Peter even references his "web block" being the result of an "existential crisis" while reflecting on the events of the 2004 film.
7. Hobgoblin Teases?
In the MCU, Ned Leeds is Peter Parker's best friend. In the comics, he's more of a love rival, often battling Peter for Betty Brant's affections. Brainwashed by Roderick Kingsley, he also took on the mantle of Hobgoblin but ended up being killed before he could reveal who was really beneath the mask.
In Ned's house, the camera lingers and some green and gold weapons, while there's an entire scene dedicated to him promising Peter he'll never become a supervillain and attempt to kill him. Now he no longer remembers his best buddy, perhaps he'll follow in the Green Goblin's footsteps to target Spidey?
Norman Osborn may well have left behind his weapons, and Ned being framed as Hobgoblin would be a tragic reveal that drives home the consequences of Spider-Man's role in making Ned forget Peter.
6. Liz Allan-Toomes Returns
When Doctor Strange and Spider-Man begin fighting, the sorcerer is shown walking past a newsstand covered in magazines about the web-slinger really being Peter Parker.
Look closely, and you'll notice that a copy of People Magazine is adorned by Laura Harrier's Liz Allan-Toomes. We haven't seen her since Spider-Man: Homecoming. The headline on the front reads "He's A Liar!" and is likely referencing the fact Spidey is responsible for putting her father, The Vulture, behind bars (it has to hurt that she dated the vigilante who captured him).
Michael Keaton will return as Adrian Toomes in Morbius, so we hope the fallout from Spider-Man: No Way Home and how he's somehow landed in another reality will be addressed head-on.
5. Green Goblin No More!
The Green Goblin's mask from 2002's Spider-Man doesn't receive much in the way of screentime, with Norman Osborn rejecting the Goblin during his second scene. That moment in the alleyway is an obvious nod to the "Spider-Man No More!" moments from Amazing Spider-Man #50 and Spider-Man 2.
There are lots of fun Green Goblin Easter Eggs to be found in Spider-Man: No Way Home, though the reveal that there's no Oscorp in the MCU could mean Peter will never face his own Norman.
This film's Norman wears many variations of green and purple, all of which are meant to pay homage to his comic book appearance. Our favorite moment doesn't involve a costume, though. Instead, it comes when Willem Dafoe gets to repeat his "I’m something of a scientist myself" line, a quote that's become the subject of countless memes in recent years.
4. Deal With The Devil
Matt Murdock is Peter Parker's lawyer in Spider-Man: No Way Home and that marks the Man Without Fear's MCU debut. However, there are other devilish references in the film, including outside the hero's high school where a member of the public can be seen holding a sign describing the teenager as the "Devil In Disguise." What's the significance of the devil? Mephisto, of course.
In "One More Day," Peter's Aunt May is gunned down by an assassin hired by The Kingpin after Spider-Man reveals his true face to the world. Left with no other choice, the web-slinger makes a deal with Mephisto to save May Parker, sacrificing his marriage to Mary Jane Watson.
We'd later learn that Spider-Man hid his secret identity from the world with the help of Doctor Strange. The Sorcerer Supreme cast a spell that gave everyone a blank space in their minds, though the difference in the comics is that it would be filled in when the hero unmasked before them.
3. The Amazing Spider-Man 3
Once upon a time, there were plans for The Amazing Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man 4, and a Sinister Six film. Those changed when the second film starring Andrew Garfield underwhelmed financially, and the wall-crawler was rebooted for a third time with Tom Holland bringing Spidey into the MCU.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is very much a follow-up for Garfield's Peter; we learn he went down a dark path after Gwen Stacy's death, giving up on his life outside the costume, and no longer pulling his punches. As the film progresses, it seems he finds some redemption, particularly after saving MJ.
As for the other Spider-Man, it sounds like he did eventually get a happy ending with Mary Jane. For this Amazing hero, however, we can't help but feel there's still more story to be told.
2. Doc Ock's Debut
License plates referencing famous issues of Amazing Spider-Man has become the norm in the Spider-Man franchise, and that's the case in this film as well. When Doctor Octopus attacks on the bridge, the car that the Head of Admissions from MIT is in has the "63ASM-3" plate on it. Doc Ock debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #3 in 1963, and this was an appropriate nod to that fact.
As with the Green Goblin, there are lots of fun winks to Otto Octavius' past scattered throughout Spider-Man: No Way Home. Most refer to his appearance in Spider-Man 2, with Otto repeating that famous line about the power of the sun being in the palm of his hands...twice.
His touching conversation with Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker is also a nice throwback to their first meeting. That was 17 years ago, but no matter how old you are, is should still strike a chord.
1. Emperor Palpatine
The web-slinger may have referred to The Empire Strikes Back as a "really old movie" in Captain America: Civil War, but Spider-Man: Homecoming established Peter Parker as a fan of the franchise. A shocked Ned Leeds dropped their Death Star LEGO set upon discovering that his best friend is Spider-Man, and there's a throwback to that moment when Dum-E inadvertently trashes it.
After the world has forgotten who Peter is, the teenager moves into an apartment in New York City (that's strikingly similar to the one Tobey Maguire's Spidey once called home) and leaps into action in a comic accurate red and blue costume. Before leaping out the window, he puts an Emperor Palpatine LEGO Minifigure on his desk as a reminder of the friendship he once shared with Ned.
Who knew LEGO could make us tear up, eh?