Spider-Man 1967 animated series review: is it worth watching

The 1967 Spider-Man animated series is the one that gave us the theme song everybody knows and the pointing-Spider-Man meme that won't die. It ran three seasons from 1967 to 1970, and it was the first time Spidey swung onto TV screens. IMDb users score it a 7.3 out of 10, which tells you it's fondly remembered but not without its flaws. If you grew up watching reruns in the 80s or 90s, you probably have warm feelings for it. If you're coming to it cold in 2026, you'll notice the budget limitations, the recycled animation, and the fact that every episode follows the same formula. It's a time capsule, not a binge-worthy classic.

What is the 1967 Spider-Man series about?

Each episode is a standalone adventure: Peter Parker is a college student and freelance photographer who suits up as Spider-Man to fight a rotating cast of villains, from Doctor Octopus and the Green Goblin to one-off crooks and mad scientists. There's no overarching story, no character development, and barely any supporting cast beyond quick appearances by Aunt May and J. Jonah Jameson. The formula is simple: villain shows up, Spider-Man fights, Spider-Man wins, roll credits. The tone is kid-friendly and bloodless, with Spidey cracking jokes and swinging through a psychedelic New York that looks like it was painted on construction paper. It's pure Saturday morning cartoon, and it makes no apologies for it.

What works and what doesn't

The theme song is an all-timer, and the show deserves credit for bringing Spider-Man to a generation of kids before the comics were everywhere. Some of the villain designs are iconic—Doc Ock, the Lizard, and the Goblin all look great in that retro style. The voice cast, including Paul Soles and Paul Kligman, delivers solid work, and Spidey's wisecracks still land. But the animation is rough even for its time: backgrounds repeat, characters slide across static frames, and entire action sequences are reused from episode to episode. The stories are paper-thin, the pacing is slow, and after a few episodes, you've seen everything the show has to offer. It's not bad, but it's not going to keep you hooked for all three seasons unless you're in it purely for nostalgia.

How does it compare to later Spider-Man cartoons?

If you grew up on the 1994 Fox animated series, that one blows this away in every category: better animation, serialized storytelling, deeper character arcs, and a wider roster of villains. The 1967 show is simpler, cheaper, and more repetitive. But it has a charm the later shows don't—it's weird, trippy, and unintentionally funny in a way that makes it perfect meme material. The 90s show is the better watch if you want actual Spider-Man stories. The 60s show is the better watch if you want to see where it all started and you're okay with a lot of filler.

Who is this for?

This is for Spider-Man completists, animation history buffs, and dads who want to show their kids what cartoons looked like before CGI. It's also great background viewing—throw it on while you're working on the car or folding laundry, and you won't miss anything if you zone out for ten minutes. If you're looking for a serious Spider-Man story with stakes and character growth, skip this and watch the 90s series or fire up the PS4 game. If you just want to hear that theme song and see the OG web-slinger in action, it's worth a few episodes.

Where to watch it

The 1967 Spider-Man series has bounced around streaming services over the years. Look for the complete series on disc or digital to own it outright, or search your current streaming subscriptions to see if it's available. Availability changes, so check where you already subscribe first.

The verdict

The 1967 Spider-Man cartoon is a piece of history and the source of the best meme in internet history, but it's not essential viewing unless you're a completist or you grew up with it. The animation is dated, the stories are repetitive, and the pacing drags. But the theme song is perfect, the villain designs are iconic, and there's a goofy charm to the whole thing that makes it worth a nostalgic revisit. Watch a few episodes, smile at the memories, and then move on to something with a budget.

Quick answers

Is the 1967 Spider-Man series connected to the comics?

Loosely. It uses characters and villains from the Stan Lee and Steve Ditko comics, but the stories are original and much simpler than the source material.

How long did the series run?

Three seasons from 1967 to 1970, with each episode running about 25 minutes.

Is this the one with the pointing Spider-Man meme?

Yes. The meme comes from an episode where Spider-Man meets an impostor, and it's become one of the internet's most enduring images.

Should I watch this or the 1994 animated series?

The 1994 series is the better show—better stories, animation, and character work. Watch the 1967 version only if you want the nostalgia or the history lesson.