Published May 31, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT
Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.
With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.
Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.
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Without a doubt, legendary actor Nicolas Cage has one of the biggest and most fascinating superhero résumés to ever exist in Hollywood history. Even before the massive explosion of comic book movies that came with the dawn of the MCU, Cage had already been involved in a good handful of superhero movies (including an infamous attempt at playing a live-action Superman).
Over the course of several years, Nicolas Cage has played a wide variety of superhero roles in both live-action and animation, and even versions of the same character in both live-action and animation (for two different superheroes). Taking on each role with an impressive level of commitment every time, Cage's superhero performances are frequently cited as incredibly entertaining and unforgettable (even in movies that weren't received so well overall).
Now that Sony's live-action Spider-Noir series has arrived on Prime Video and is already receiving some high praise, now feels like the perfect time to look back at every major superhero role he's played thus far. From brief cameos to supporting roles and leading performances, here's our breakdown of every Nicolas Cage superhero role, ranked from worst to best.
8 Superman In 2023's The Flash
One of the most talked-about moments from 2023's The Flash was the surprise cameo of Nicolas Cage as Superman, modeled after what would have been his role in Tim Burton's canceled Superman Lives project of the late 90s. While cool in concept, the incredibly brief cameo was fairly divisive (though it had nothing to do with Cage himself). Not only was his appearance amid controversial digital recreation cameos of deceased Superman actors like Christopher Reeve and George Reeves, but Cage himself was fairly unhappy with the final result as well.
Although Cage did the performance capture for the CGI sequence that saw his Man of Steel fighting a giant robot spider (calling back to a producer's bizarre real-life demand for robot spiders in the original Superman Lives movie), Cage revealed in interviews that what audiences saw was nothing like the scenes he actually filmed. Featuring no dialogue, the cameo role deviating from whatever Cage's actual performance was means it can't rank any higher than the bottom of this ranked list.
It was a fascinating surprise appearance for longtime DC fans as well as fans of Nicolas Cage's career, though there's simply not enough there at the end of the day.
7 Superman Lives (Unreleased)
Ranking an unreleased movie is naturally quite strange, though it still feels worthwhile considering how much we know about Superman Lives despite never being released as intended in the late 90s. Directed by Tim Burton with a script from Kevin Smith and starring Cage as Superman, Superman Lives has become one of Hollywood's greatest "What Ifs".
Concept art, costume tests, behind-the-scenes footage, and robot spiders revealed via documentaries and interviews have been a fascination for decades. It also feels worth mentioning due to Cage's well-documented love for Superman above all other superheroes (he even named one of his children Kal-El). While it's hard to judge Cage's performance as it was never actually seen, one can imagine it would have objectively been better than his wordless Superman cameo in The Flash at the very least.
6 Superman In 2018's Teen Titans GO! To The Movies
In 2018, Nicolas Cage finally got to voice Superman in the kids' animated comedy Teen Titans GO! To The Movies, a feature film spinning out of the incredibly popular Teen Titans GO! series on Cartoon Network.
Although the role is small, it's ultimately pretty fun as a fun meta-callback to Cage's long history with Superman in the past. Cage clearly had a lot of fun with the role, though the brief appearance isn't particularly deep or as compelling as his other roles ranked higher on this list. That said, it's by far his best Superman role yet, all things considered.
5 Doctor Tenma In Astro Boy (2009)
While not technically a superhero himself, Doctor Tenma plays a crucial role in 2009's animated feature Astro Boy. Cage voices the brilliant scientist who creates Astro after losing his son, placing his consciousness in an advanced robot body. The character serves as both creator and tragic father figure, driving much of the story's emotion.
Cage was reportedly drawn to the role and script due to the sadness of the character, seeing as how Tenma ultimately rejects Astro Boy for not being exactly like his original son. As such, Doctor Tenma is definitely one of Cage's more reserved roles, while still being fairly deep and compelling.
4 Spider-Noir (Animation)
Nicolas Cage joined 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and his animated Spider-Man Noir easily became one of the film's standout characters. Stealing every scene he's in, it's absolutely hilarious seeing his moody Spider-Man Noir talking about his origins as a P.I. in his original black-and-white universe, punching Nazis, "going where the wind blows and wind smelling like rain...", and "burning matches down to his fingers just to feel something, anything!"
Friendly Neighborhood Assessment · MCU Era
Tom Holland's
Spider-Man Trivia
🏠Homecoming2017
✈️Far From Home2019
🌌No Way Home2021
😈VillainsSinister…
🤖MCUAvengers
THWIP! LET'S GO →
01
Before getting his own solo film, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut by being recruited by Tony Stark to help in a massive superhero conflict. In which MCU film did Holland first appear as Spider-Man?
AAvengers: Age of Ultron BCaptain America: Civil War CSpider-Man: Homecoming DAvengers: Infinity War
✓ Correct! Tom Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War (2016), where Tony Stark visits Peter in Queens and recruits him for the airport battle against Team Cap. His quippy, starstruck portrayal instantly won over audiences.
✗ Web miss! The answer is Captain America: Civil War. Holland debuted in the 2016 film before Homecoming (2017). He was recruited by Tony Stark for the iconic airport fight scene, stealing Captain America’s shield with his webs in one of the film’s most memorable moments.
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02
In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter faces a blue-collar salvage contractor who turned to arms dealing after being shut out of the Chitauri cleanup by Damage Control. Using an alien-tech wingsuit, he becomes one of Spider-Man’s most grounded villains. Who is he?
AThe Vulture (Adrian Toomes) BThe Shocker (Herman Schultz) CThe Scorpion (Mac Gargan) DThe Tinkerer (Phineas Mason)
✓ Correct! Adrian Toomes, played brilliantly by Michael Keaton, is the Vulture — a working-class father who builds a criminal empire selling alien-derived weapons. The twist that he’s the father of Peter’s date Liz is one of the MCU’s best surprises.
✗ Web miss! The answer is The Vulture (Adrian Toomes). The Shocker and Tinkerer are his henchmen in the film, and Scorpion (Mac Gargan) only briefly appears. Toomes is the main antagonist who personally confronts Peter in the unforgettable car ride scene.
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03
Tony Stark built Peter a high-tech suit loaded with features Peter didn’t even know about, including an AI assistant that helps him in combat, provides tactical analysis, and even gives dating advice. What name does Peter give this AI?
AFriday BEdith CKaren DJocasta
✓ Correct! Peter names his suit’s AI “Karen,” voiced by Jennifer Connelly. She assists him with web shooter modes, reconnaissance, and even his love life. Friday is Tony Stark’s AI, and E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark satellite system that appears in Far From Home.
✗ Web miss! The answer is Karen. Friday is Tony Stark’s personal AI, E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark defense satellite Peter inherits in Far From Home, and Jocasta is an AI from the comics. Karen, voiced by Jennifer Connelly, is Peter’s suit assistant throughout Homecoming.
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04
In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter encounters a seemingly heroic figure who claims to be from an alternate Earth, battling elemental creatures across Europe. In reality, he’s a disgruntled former Stark Industries employee using advanced holographic drones. What is his real name?
AWilliam Ginter Riva BAldrich Killian CJustin Hammer DQuentin Beck
✓ Correct! Quentin Beck, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is Mysterio — a master of illusion who uses Stark Industries’ B.A.R.F. holographic technology and weaponized drones to fabricate the Elementals and pose as a hero. His final act of revenge shapes the entire third film.
✗ Web miss! The answer is Quentin Beck. William Ginter Riva is one of Beck’s team members, Aldrich Killian is the villain of Iron Man 3, and Justin Hammer is from Iron Man 2. Beck is Mysterio, the illusionist who manipulated Peter’s trust across Europe.
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05
In one of the MCU’s most shocking mid-credits scenes, J. Jonah Jameson broadcasts doctored footage from Mysterio’s final moments that completely upends Peter Parker’s life. What does this broadcast reveal to the entire world?
AThat Spider-Man killed Mysterio in cold blood BThat Spider-Man is Peter Parker CThat Spider-Man is a Skrull impersonator DThat Spider-Man commanded the drone attack on London
✓ Correct! Mysterio’s doctored footage, broadcast by J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons reprising his iconic role), exposes Spider-Man’s identity as Peter Parker to the entire world. This revelation drives the entire plot of No Way Home as Peter desperately seeks to undo the damage.
✗ Web miss! The answer is that Spider-Man is Peter Parker. While the footage also frames Spider-Man for the London drone attack, the earth-shattering reveal is Peter’s unmasked identity being broadcast globally by The Daily Bugle’s J. Jonah Jameson.
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06
With his identity exposed and his loved ones under threat, Peter seeks help from a powerful sorcerer to cast a spell that would make the world forget he is Spider-Man. Peter’s constant modifications to the spell cause it to fracture the multiverse. Which sorcerer casts this spell?
AWong BWanda Maximoff CDoctor Strange DKarl Mordo
✓ Correct! Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts the memory-wiping spell at Peter’s request, but Peter keeps asking for exceptions — for MJ, Ned, May, and Happy to still remember him. These constant changes corrupt the spell and tear open the multiverse, pulling in villains from other Spider-Man universes.
✗ Web miss! The answer is Doctor Strange. While Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme and actually warns Strange against it, it is Stephen Strange who agrees to cast the spell. Wanda’s multiverse interference occurs in Multiverse of Madness, not here.
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07
Throughout all three films, Peter’s loyal best friend serves as his “guy in the chair,” helping with tech support and keeping his secret. In No Way Home, this character even discovers he can open magical portals using a Sling Ring. Who is Peter’s best friend?
ANed Leeds BFlash Thompson CHarry Osborn DMiles Morales
✓ Correct! Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon, is Peter’s best friend and self-proclaimed “guy in the chair.” He discovers Peter’s secret identity in Homecoming, supports him across all three films, and in No Way Home he accidentally uses Doctor Strange’s Sling Ring to open portals to other Spider-Men.
✗ Web miss! The answer is Ned Leeds. Flash Thompson is Peter’s rival and bully who ironically idolizes Spider-Man. Harry Osborn is Peter’s friend in the Raimi and Webb films but doesn’t appear in Holland’s trilogy. Miles Morales is only hinted at. Ned is the irreplaceable “guy in the chair.”
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08
At the emotional climax of No Way Home, Peter makes an enormous personal sacrifice to save the multiverse. Doctor Strange completes the spell, and when it takes effect, Peter is left completely alone. What does the final spell do?
AIt sends Peter to an alternate universe where no one knows him BIt erases Spider-Man from existence entirely CIt removes Peter’s spider powers permanently DIt makes everyone in every universe forget who Peter Parker is
✓ Correct! The final spell makes every person in every universe forget that Peter Parker exists. MJ, Ned, Happy, the Avengers — everyone. Peter visits MJ at the coffee shop afterward but decides not to re-introduce himself, choosing to protect them. He starts over completely alone, sewing his own suit in a small apartment.
✗ Web miss! The answer is that everyone forgets who Peter Parker is. The spell doesn’t erase Spider-Man — people still know the hero exists — but nobody remembers Peter Parker the person. This devastating sacrifice means MJ, Ned, and even Happy Hogan have no memory of him at all.
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↻ SWING AGAIN
Cage once confirmed in an interview that his performance as Spider-Man Noir was "70% Humphrey Bogart, and 30% Bugs Bunny", a combo that 100% works in Phil Lord and Chris Miller's first Spider-Verse movie. While he did have a small appearance in the Across the Spider-Verse sequel, the hope is that Noir has an even bigger role in the trilogy-ending Beyond the Spider-Verse, with Noir having joined Spider-Gwen's team to save Miles Morales.
3 Big Daddy / Damon Macready In 2010's Kick-Ass
Now we're at the truly iconic and definitive Nicolas Cage superhero performances. Big Daddy in Kick-Ass is essentially one of the first times where Nicolas Cage was truly allowed to play a live-action comic book character with absolutely no restraint. Inspired by classic Batman archetypes, Damon Macready trains his Robin-esque daughter Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) to take on organized crime.
Everything about the character is unhinged and ridiculous, with some of the wildest line deliveries (which is exactly why it's so dang good). Despite his limited screen time, Big Daddy is one of the movie's most memorable and important characters, a big reason why 2010's Kick-Ass has since become such a major cult favorite.
2 Ghost Rider (2007/2011)
For years, Marvel's Ghost Rider has represented Cage's most definitive live-action superhero role. Another superhero whom Cage had long been a fan of, the actor's commitment to bringing Johnny Cage and the Spirit of Vengeance to life is nothing if not entertaining and quite commendable, even if the movie itself (and its 2011 sequel) received mixed reviews overall.
Cage fully embraced the Ghost Rider role, one of Marvel's darkest and unique heroes of all time. While the story and some of the effects might not have been the strongest, Cage's evident enthusiasm for the role is what has made the live-action Ghost Rider still so memorable to this day, and many MCU fans would love to see some sort of multiversal return before the end of the Multiverse Saga with Avengers: Secret Wars. After all, Cage's Ghost Rider was heavily considered for 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine.
1 Spider-Noir (Live-Action)
In 2026, it feels pretty safe to say that Nicolas Cage finally has a superhero project that feels tailor-made for him in more ways than one. The live-action Spider-Noir series is incredibly unique, combining classic detective fiction in a 1930s New York with classic superhero storytelling and a leading Spider hero the likes of which we've never seen on-screen before.
Cage's Ben Reilly is an older and more cynical Spider-Man who begins in this new series retired for fives years as "The Spider", having become disillusioned with heroism after a lost love: "With no power comes no responsibility..." That's an incredible place to start, with Cage's character gradually regaining his conviction as the series progresses.
Likewise, Cage was clearly allowed to give a performance only he could provide with Ben Reilly, elevating his original portrayal of Spider-Man Noir in animation to even greater heights.
There's also a surprising physical performance that works very well, offering new and very compelling takes on Spider-Man's powers as we've never seen before. As such, it really does feel as though Nicolas Cage has finally found the perfect live-action comic book character with one of the best performances he's ever delivered. Here's hoping we get more Spider-Noir sooner rather than later.
All episodes of Spider-Noir are now streaming on MGM+ and Prime Video.
Release Date May 27, 2026
Network MGM+
Showrunner Oren Uziel, Steve Lightfoot
Directors Harry Bradbeer
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Lamorne Morris
Robbie Robertson
English (US) ·