Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse holds a Metacritic score of 87, placing it in the “Universal Acclaim” category based on reviews from 37 professional critics. This score reflects one of the highest critical ratings for a superhero animated film in recent years, signaling both widespread approval and recognition of the film’s artistic and technical achievements.
The 87 score indicates that critics found the film to be exceptional across multiple dimensions, from storytelling to animation.
- Metacritic Rating Spider-man: Table of Contents
- How Does This Metacritic Rating Compare to Other Superhero Films?
- Understanding What Universal Acclaim Means on Metacritic
- Critical Themes That Drove the Positive Reception
- Using Metacritic Ratings to Evaluate Film Quality
- Limitations of Relying Solely on Critical Consensus Scores
- The Box Office and Cultural Impact of the Critical Acclaim
- Looking Forward: Metacritic Ratings and Franchise Expectations
- Conclusion
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Released in June 2023, the film arrived with significant anticipation as the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and it largely delivered on expectations in the eyes of professional reviewers. The Metacritic rating of 87 is considered “universal acclaim,” a designation reserved for works that demonstrate consistent quality across different critical perspectives.
For context, animated films rarely achieve ratings this high, making Across the Spider-Verse stand out within both the superhero genre and the broader animation landscape.
Table of Contents
- How Does This Metacritic Rating Compare to Other Superhero Films?
- Understanding What Universal Acclaim Means on Metacritic
- Critical Themes That Drove the Positive Reception
- Using Metacritic Ratings to Evaluate Film Quality
- Limitations of Relying Solely on Critical Consensus Scores
- The Box Office and Cultural Impact of the Critical Acclaim
- Looking Forward: Metacritic Ratings and Franchise Expectations
- Conclusion
How Does This Metacritic Rating Compare to Other Superhero Films?
The 87 metacritic score positions Across the Spider-Verse among the highest-rated superhero films ever made.
While live-action superhero films like The Dark Knight achieved similar or slightly higher scores, animated superhero films rarely reach this level of critical consensus. For comparison, the original Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse earned an 81 on Metacritic, meaning the sequel actually improved upon its predecessor in critical reception.
This represents a notable achievement, as sequels frequently see declining critical approval. When measured against other 2023 releases, Across the Spider-Verse’s 87 score places it above most blockbuster films released that year.
The score reflects that critics found something substantive in the film beyond standard action sequences—whether in its visual innovation, narrative complexity, or emotional resonance. This level of acclaim suggests the film succeeded in justifying its existence as a sequel rather than simply replicating the original’s formula.
Understanding What Universal Acclaim Means on Metacritic
A score of 87 on Metacritic qualifies as “Universal Acclaim,” the platform’s highest rating tier. This designation means that the overwhelming majority of critics rated the film favorably, with minimal dissent among professional reviewers.
However, a limitation worth noting is that Metacritic’s scoring system converts various rating scales into a 0-100 score, which can sometimes flatten nuance in critical assessment.
Some critics may have had significant reservations about specific elements while still contributing to a positive overall score. The 37 professional reviews that contributed to this score represent a substantial sample size, lending credibility to the rating’s stability.
With this many reviews, the score is unlikely to shift dramatically if additional reviews are added—a common concern with ratings based on fewer critics. That said, Metacritic’s selective inclusion of “major” outlets means independent and smaller publication reviews may not be represented, potentially skewing the consensus toward mainstream critical opinion.
Critical Themes That Drove the Positive Reception
Critics consistently praised Across the Spider-Verse for its technical animation innovations and visual storytelling. The film employed a groundbreaking approach to frame rates and animation techniques that created a distinctive visual identity while advancing the medium.
This technical acclaim formed a significant portion of the film’s critical success, with reviewers highlighting how the animation choices served the narrative rather than existing for novelty’s sake.
Beyond visuals, critics also responded positively to the film’s narrative ambition and emotional character work. The ensemble cast of Spider-People allowed the film to explore different interpretations of the Spider-Man concept, a thematic depth that elevated it above typical superhero fare.
The cliffhanger ending, while divisive among some viewers, was generally accepted by critics as a bold choice that justified the film’s theatrical release and complex storytelling approach.
Using Metacritic Ratings to Evaluate Film Quality
Metacritic scores provide a useful starting point for evaluating films, but they function best as one data point among many rather than the sole measure of quality. An 87 score tells you that professional critics found the film strong, but it doesn’t necessarily predict whether any individual viewer will enjoy it.
Film preferences are subjective, and a film rated “Universal Acclaim” by critics may still not resonate with every audience member, particularly those less interested in experimental animation techniques or superhero continuity.
When comparing Across the Spider-Verse’s 87 Metacritic score to other metrics, user ratings on Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb reveal important distinctions. Critics and general audiences sometimes diverge in their assessments, particularly with films that prioritize innovation or complexity over broad accessibility.
The Metacritic score of 87 reflects professional consensus, which tends to value artistic ambition and technical achievement—factors that may weigh differently in individual viewing experiences.
Limitations of Relying Solely on Critical Consensus Scores
One significant limitation is that Metacritic’s methodology doesn’t account for the intensity of critical opinion. A film receiving ten perfect scores and twenty “very good” scores produces the same rating as a film with thirty unanimous “excellent” scores, despite these representing different levels of agreement.
This means the 87 score for Across the Spider-Verse doesn’t tell you whether critics unanimously loved it or whether there was substantial variation in their assessments.
Another consideration: Metacritic’s score aggregation methodology can inadvertently favor or penalize certain types of films. Experimental or innovative films sometimes generate more polarized reviews than conventional ones, yet both scenarios can result in similar overall scores if the distribution happens to align differently.
Additionally, critics aware of a film’s hype or franchise status may unconsciously adjust their assessments, either elevating scores for culturally significant releases or, conversely, being more critical of films that exceed expectations unreasonably. Neither tendency guarantees an inaccurate score, but both represent variables influencing the final number.
The Box Office and Cultural Impact of the Critical Acclaim
Critical acclaim at the level of 87 on Metacritic doesn’t automatically translate to box office dominance, though positive reviews typically provide significant support. Across the Spider-Verse earned substantial revenue globally, though it underperformed some pre-release projections.
The critical success did support strong initial box office performance and maintained audience interest through positive word-of-mouth recommendations—a factor that Metacritic ratings influence indirectly. The 87 score also influenced how the film was positioned for awards consideration, including animated feature categories and technical achievement categories.
Critical ratings of this caliber typically bring increased industry attention and recognition opportunities, affecting how the film enters cultural memory and future discussions of animation or superhero cinema.
Looking Forward: Metacritic Ratings and Franchise Expectations
The 87 Metacritic score for Across the Spider-Verse establishes a benchmark for the franchise’s third installment. Audiences and critics now have a clear expectation: future Spider-Verse films are expected to maintain or exceed this level of critical quality.
This creates both opportunity and pressure for filmmakers, as the high bar established by critical acclaim can influence how future entries are received, even if they achieve objectively similar quality. Going forward, understanding how Metacritic ratings serve the broader film evaluation landscape helps contextualize any new releases in this franchise or genre.
The 87 score represents a snapshot of professional critical opinion at a specific moment, capturing what resonated about the film’s particular combination of technical, narrative, and artistic choices.
Conclusion
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’s Metacritic rating of 87 reflects a genuine critical consensus that the film represents a high point for superhero animation. Based on 37 professional reviews and designated as “Universal Acclaim,” this score acknowledges the film’s achievements in technical animation, narrative ambition, and thematic depth.
The rating positions the film among the most acclaimed superhero productions ever made, offering validation that the sequel justified its existence and advanced the medium in meaningful ways.
When evaluating this score, remember that Metacritic provides valuable professional consensus but functions best as one perspective among many. An 87 rating tells you that critics found the film strong and innovative, but individual viewing experiences will vary.
The score serves as a useful reference point for understanding critical reception while acknowledging that your own assessment may differ based on personal preferences regarding animation techniques, narrative structure, and superhero storytelling.
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