The Battle of the Spider-Men: Peter Parker vs. Miles Morales

The Charismatic Spider-Men

Both the MCU and Sony's Spider-Verse franchise have their own versions of Spider-Man, but it's unclear which one is more powerful in their current form. MCU's Peter Parker is one of the most genuine, compassionate heroes around, always doing his best to help and save as many people as he possibly can, even if it's to his own detriment. Spider-Verse's Miles Morales is a breath of fresh air who is charming and cool while carving out his own path as Spider-Man. Beyond their compelling personalities, Peter and Miles have displayed memorable feats of power across their movies, creating some of the most iconic scenes in superhero media.

Tom Holland as Peter Parker angry at the end of Spider-Man No Way Home

Peter strikes a fun balance between being a geeky, relatable high school student and casually being one of the strongest heroes in the MCU, besting opponents much older and larger in stature than him with ease. Miles is a clever fighter, easily outsmarting his opponents with speed, wit, and effortless charisma. Since they're the most popular Spider-People right now, and they're about the same age, their shared prominence yet obvious differences invite consideration as to who is the strongest. There are compelling cases to make for both heroes, but one just etches out the other for the unique way his powers are displayed.

Miles Morales with his new suit in Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse.

Peter Parker's Most Impressive Feats In The MCU Explained

Peter stands out for having some of the most incredible displays of strength in all of the MCU. While super strength is a common power in the franchise, Peter's strength is so powerful that he stands out even among the older, more experienced heroes he encounters. This is first exemplified in his first MCU appearance during Captain America: Civil War. The first time audiences see Peter in action is in a viral video Tony Stark shows in which Peter stops a moving car with seemingly little effort. Later in the film, Peter takes on Falcon, the Winter Soldier, and Captain America single-handedly, evidently impressing and intimidating the powerful heroes.

Miles Morales holds up his hands in Across the Spider-Verse

Peter continues to display just how strong he is in Spider-Man: Homecoming. In a scene that echoes Tobey Maguire's Peter stopping a moving train, MCU Peter holds the two halves of the Staten Island Ferry together after it's ripped apart. Amazingly, this incredible feat is not the most significant in the movie. After confronting the villainous Vulture in his lair, Vulture collapses the building around Peter, intent on killing him. Peter then miraculously musters up not just enough physical strength but emotional strength to lift himself out of the rubble, proving that being a hero is not just about physical ability but perseverance in the face of adversity.

Miles Morales jumps through a NYC street in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Miles Morales' Best Displays Of Power In The Spider-Verse Movies

Miles excels by seamlessly bridging his powers and his sense of identity together, making his displays of power resonant visually and thematically. This is conveyed most beautifully when Miles finally takes his leap of faith during the climax of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. After repeatedly racing down flights of stairs to avoid jumping off the side of buildings, Miles finally overcomes his insecurities and leaps off the side of a skyscraper in one of the most beautiful shots in any animated superhero movie. This leap not only signals his willingness to expose himself as Spider-Man, but also his mastery over his previously troublesome adhesive abilities.

Miles Morales kicks Spot in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

This bridging also occurs when Miles repurposes the shoulder touch technique that his uncle taught him to cleverly employ his venom strike and disarm Kingpin. It's the quiet confidence he exudes right before the strike that makes it that much more effective. Even when Miles is placed in perilous situations, he relies on his self-assuredness and inner strength to triumph. This is shown in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse when Miles outsmarts Miguel O'Hara and blasts him away with a powerful venom strike while affirming himself as the master of his own destiny. It is this ability to tap into his inner strength that distinguishes Miles from legions of other Spider-People.

Spider-Man 2099 fighting Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Why Miles Morales Is The Stronger Spider-Man Right Now

Miles Morales is the strongest Spider-Man right now because his reliance on his inner strength exemplifies the importance of intentionality when using superpowers. Whenever Miles is feeling insecure, his powers falter, but when he's at his most confident, he thrives. When Miles wants to help his Spider-Friends defeat Kingpin, for example, he feels so ashamed and guilty about his uncle's death that he's unable to turn invisible, signaling to his mentor Peter B. Parker that he isn't ready for battle. It's only after Miles overhears encouraging words from his father that he's able to overcome his negative thoughts and demonstrate mastery over his abilities.

Miles Morales Running From The Spider-Society In Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse

A similar event occurs in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Miles is unable to execute a new venom strike technique because he feels insecure in front of Hobie Brown, and Spot is able to escape. Later, when the Spider Society has trapped Miles to prevent him from saving his father, he believes so strongly in himself and what he knows to be right that he uses that same technique to break out of his trap and flee the Spider Society. Moments like this demonstrate that Miles is the strongest Spider-Man, because his impressive displays of power always demonstrate that he's relying on both physical and mental strength.