Spider-Noir's Multiple Versions Provide The Ultimate Road To Success

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 No Way Home

Published Feb 14, 2026, 4:00 PM EST

Kyle is a senior writer at ScreenRant and has been part of the team for over two years. Having led coverage on The Walking Dead projects alongside Rick & Morty, Kyle is well versed in numerous genres.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Kyle is a passionate journalist who has a keen interest in TV and film. He has six years of experience studying journalism including a HND in Practical Journalism and a BA Honours in Journalism, Media and Communication and History. Alongside his love for TV and film, Kyle enjoys video games, football and Formula 1.

Spider-Man is already Marvel's most popular hero by some distance, and the character looks like he'll continue bringing more success. Alongside the upcoming release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2, 2026 will also feature another project from the web-swinger over on Prime Video, but it'll be far from your typical Spider-Man show.

Spider-Noir is a live-action detective thriller based on Nicolas Cage's character from the Spider-Verse movies. The hero first appeared in the Spider-Man Noir comic series back in 2008, but interestingly, the 2026 Spider-Man series is replacing Peter Parker with Ben Reilly, meaning fans will be in for a completely fresh take on the already mysterious crime-fighter.

As a result, Prime Video's upcoming project is arguably the most exciting out of all the Spider-Man movies and shows releasing in 2026. However, it's not just the gritty tone and unique portrayals that are garnering hype, as Spider-Noir also has a clever trick that looks to be an infinite success glitch for Marvel and Sony.

Prime Video’s Spider-Noir Can Be Watched In Color & In Black & White

Nicolas Cage's Spider-Man Noir doing the famous Spider-Man pose with his fingers extended in Spider-Noir

As if learning more about Spider-Noir and the strange universe he comes from wasn't interesting enough, Prime Video's upcoming show also has two ways of watching it. On top of having a colored version, Spider-Noir will be released in black-and-white as well, offering audiences a chance to lean into the old-school aesthetic or stick with the brighter version.

It's a simple yet effective strategy that makes perfect sense, given Nicolas Cage's Spider-Man appeared in black-and-white in the otherwise vibrant Spider-Verse movies. Going this extra mile proves how committed the creators are to doing the character justice while still making him feel like the same hero we met in the masterpiece that is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Of course, the content looks a little more mature, especially if some of Spider-Noir's most powerful enemies are involved in the series. That said, having both the colored and black-and-white options puts control in viewers' hands, proving there is no wrong choice, which should make watching Spider-Noir for a second time even more fascinating.

Spider-Noir’s Multiple Versions Give Viewers A New Way Of Rewatching The Series

Li Jun Li looking glamorous in Prime Video's Spider-Noir series

Rewatching TV shows has become more and more common over the years, given how accessible most pieces of media are these days. Whether it's to refresh your memory ahead of a new season or to try and spot something you missed, rewatches have become incredibly popular, but Spider-Noir's multiple versions make it near-impossible to view just once.

Sure, the content and dialogue may be the same, but the overall tone and atmosphere will shift depending on how fans choose to consume the show, giving them an instant reason to rewatch. Spider-Noir's new version of Black Cat and classic villains has already made it a must-see thriller, but this unique trait only makes it more appealing.

Those who opt for the colored version first may check out the black-and-white alternative afterward to see if it adds a more old-school noir feel to the story. Likewise, those who become engrossed in the black-and-white aesthetic the first time around could later be curious about how the colored version compares, especially against other superhero shows.

To fully appreciate Spider-Noir, viewers may have to watch it at least twice, which should add to its longevity. It'll also spark debate over which way is the best, a smart way of increasing fan engagement and keeping the series relevant. So long as the show is good, people will likely rewatch anyway, but this tactic practically ensures infinite success.

Beyond The Spider-Verse's 2027 Release Will Be Another Reason To Rewatch Spider-Noir

Spider-Man hanging from one arm in Spider-Man Beyond The Spider-Verse still

With Spider-Noir set to be a part of 2027's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, the upcoming animated movie will provide the perfect reason to rewatch Prime Video's Spider-Noir. Back in 2019, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse changed modern animation, becoming an Oscar-winning hit that no one saw coming.

Despite focusing on Miles Morales, a whole variety of other heroes with spider-based powers were involved, including Gwen Stacy, Peni Parker, and, of course, Spider-Noir. While he wasn't as involved in the 2023 sequel, he did appear at the end, which hinted at him being part of Gwen's team that will attempt to save Miles and stop the Spot.

With Across: the Spider-Verse ending on a cliffhanger, Beyond: the Spider-Verse's constant release date changes proved to be a constant problem, as it was supposed to be a direct follow-up. However, this means that rewatching the first two films will be a necessity for many, and adding Spider-Noir into this preparation makes sense, since it could play into the next movie.

It looks destined to flesh out this version of Ben Reilly, who will hopefully have at least as big a part in the next movie as he did in the first. Learning more about his background, allies, and motivations could also make his role more emotional, especially since he's leaving it all behind to help Gwen, Miles, and the other Spider-Man variants.

Although there are reports that Spider-Punk and Gwen movies are in the works, Spider-Man Beyond: the Spider-Verse will supposedly end this great trilogy. Therefore, to really get into the spirit, rewatching Spider-Noir sometime next year just feels right, highlighting how much longevity this show could end up having.

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Release Date May 27, 2026

Network MGM+

Showrunner Oren Uziel, Steve Lightfoot

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