Spidey and His Amazing Friends | |
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![]() Promotional poster for the series. Clockwise from the top left: Spin, Ghost Spider, Spidey, and TRACE-E. | |
Genre | Preschool Superhero |
Based on | |
Directed by | Darren Bachynski (season 1–2) Mitch Stookey (season 3) |
Storyboarded by | Stephanie Blakey (season 1) |
Voices of |
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Theme music composer | Patrick Stump |
Opening theme | "Spidey and His Amazing Friends Theme", written and performed by Patrick Stump |
Ending theme | "Spidey and His Amazing Friends Theme" (Instrumental) |
Composer | Patrick Stump |
Country of origin | United States Canada |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 3 |
No. of episodes | 67 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer |
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Producers |
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Editor | Bec Cranswick |
Running time | 22 minutes (2 11-minute segments) |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | Disney Junior |
Release | August 6, 2021 present | –
Spidey and His Amazing Friends (also known as Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends) is an animated television series produced by Marvel Studios Animation (formerly Marvel Animation) and Atomic Cartoons (who also produced Marvel Super Hero Adventures) that premiered on Disney Junior on August 6, 2021. The show features young versions of the Marvel characters.
After the series premiere, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on August 19, 2022.[2][3][4] In June 2022, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on January 8, 2024.[5][6] In June 2023, the series was renewed for a fourth season.[7]
The series follows the adventures of Peter Parker / Spidey, Miles Morales / Spin and Gwen Stacy / Ghost-Spider as they fight villains such as Rhino,[8] Doc Ock, Green Goblin, Electro, Black Cat, Sandman, Zola, Lizard, and Trapster. Spidey, Spin, and Ghost-Spider would sometimes receive aid from other superheroes such as Black Panther, Ms. Marvel, her dog Lockjaw, Hulk, Iron Man, Ant-Man, Wasp, Reptil, Thing, his partner H.E.R.B.I.E., Squirrel Girl, her sidekick Tippy-Toe, and White Tiger.
Main article: List of Spidey and His Amazing Friends episodes |
Marvel Animation announced its first preschool series Spidey and His Amazing Friends in August 2019.[8] Disney Junior renewed the series for a second season in August 2021.[2] On June 15, 2022, Disney Junior renewed the series for a third season.[5] Marvel Studios Animation took over production of the series starting with season 2.[3] On June 13, 2023, Disney Junior renewed the series for a fourth season.[7]
Patrick Stump of the pop punk rock band Fall Out Boy wrote, composed, and performed the theme song for the series.[48] A longtime Marvel fan, he used themes from previous Spider-Man media as inspiration.[49]
Spidey and His Amazing Friends premiered with a series of 11 short episodes titled Meet Spidey and His Amazing Friends on June 21, 2021, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior,[9] followed by Disney+ on July 16.[50] It also premiered on September 11, 2021, in Southeast Asia, but only lasted 20 days before the channel's closure on October 1, 2021.[citation needed]
The full series premiered on August 6 with a simulcast on Disney Junior and Disney Channel,[9] later on Disney+ on September 22.[51]
The second season of Meet Spidey and His Amazing Friends premiered on July 18, 2022, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, followed by Disney+ on August 17.[4]
The second season of the series premiered on August 19, 2022, with a simulcast on Disney Junior and Disney Channel, later on Disney+ this fall.[3][4]
On October 10, 2022, it debuted on CBeebies in the United Kingdom, making this the first show based on a Disney property to premiere on said network.[52]
The third season of the series premiered on January 8, 2024, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, followed by Disney+ later on.[6]
Adam Levine of Looper ranked Spidey and His Amazing Friends 19th in their "Every 2021 Superhero Movie And TV Show Ranked" list, asserting, "Bright, colorful, and wonderfully animated, it doesn't get high marks from comic book diehards, but has been nonetheless well-reviewed by parents of its young target audience for its wholesome stories and message of teamwork."[53] Polly Conway of Common Sense Media rated the series three out of five stars, writing, "The whole "Marvel Babies" concept may be a little odd for parents, and more cynical viewers might see the show as a way to get even younger kids interested in the vast, lucrative Marvel franchise. But overall the show is charming, well-paced, and a solid choice for younger siblings who aren't ready for the movies or more mature cartoons."[54]
Marisa Lascala of Good Housekeeping included Spidey and His Amazing Friends in their "60 Best Kids' TV Shows and Family Series of All Time" list.[55] Dakota Mayes of MovieWeb ranked Spidey and His Amazing Friends 5th in their "Best Animated Spider-Man Series" list, stating, "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends is different from all others on this list in that it is geared towards toddlers. This modern update of the classic 80's cartoon left out Iceman and Firestar, and traded them with other popular web-slingers like Ghost-Spider/Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales, nicknamed 'Spin' to avoid confusion with Peter Parker's alter ego. This trio appeared in two computer-animated shorts per episode that were filled with youthful fun and adventures. Each adorably animated episode featured a classic Spider-Man villain committing some mild manner of mischief. More than that, the series even included an occasional appearance from Marvel superheroes like Black Panther and Captain Marvel to add to the age-appropriate fun. This show was such a hit with its targeted age group that it earned itself a second season", which aired in 2022."[56]
The series was nominated for Best Editing in an Animated Pre-School Series at the 2023 Canadian Cinema Editors Awards.[57] It was also nominated for Outstanding Animated Series at the 55th NAACP Image Awards.[58]