The Amazing Spider-Man TV Series (1977)
TV SeriesOptional
Peter Parker fights mostly ordinary criminals in CBS’s live-action series. This 1978 Marvel series sits outside the MCU timeline, so you can watch it on its own without any homework. It has 13 episodes, about 10h 11m in all.
| Release date | April 5, 1978 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 13 × ~47 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
The first live-action Spider-Man series, with Nicholas Hammond.
About The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV series)
This was the first live-action Spider-Man series. Peter Parker is a university student who gets bitten by a radioactive spider, and he first uses his new powers to stop a con man who's controlling people's minds. He then takes photos for J. Jonah Jameson at the Daily Bugle. Unlike the comics, Peter rarely faces costumed supervillains; most episodes pit him against everyday crooks, played fairly straight. The second season was retitled simply Spider-Man.
CBS aired the pilot TV movie in September 1977, and the show ran until July 6, 1979, for 13 episodes across two seasons. It was produced by Charles Fries Productions and Dan Goodman Productions with Marvel and Columbia Pictures Television, and filmed mostly in Los Angeles. Nicholas Hammond stars, with Robert F. Simon as Jameson, Chip Fields as Rita Conway, and Michael Pataki and Ellen Bry in supporting roles. The pilot was a big hit, drawing CBS's highest rating of the year, but fans disliked the lack of villains, and Stan Lee called the show "too juvenile."
Good to know
- The pilot and two pairs of episodes were released in theaters outside the US as Spider-Man, Spider-Man Strikes Back and Spider-Man: The Dragon's Challenge.
- It was the first live-action production to use Spider-Man's spider-tracers.
- CBS canceled it partly because it didn't want to be seen as the "superhero network," since it already aired several other superhero series.
- A 1984 reunion film with The Incredible Hulk was planned but canceled.
How to watch it
Watch this as a time capsule rather than part of any continuity; it doesn't connect to later Spider-Man films or the MCU. It pairs well with The Incredible Hulk TV series from the same era. Start with the pilot, which was also released in theaters overseas. The real audience is longtime Spider-Man fans curious about the character's first live-action outing. Expect slow pacing and almost no supervillains.
Where to watch The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV series) in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Not currently on a US subscription service |
|---|
Where to watch The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV series) outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not included | Not available |
| Canada | Not included | Not available |
| India | Not included | Not available |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
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The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV series) FAQ
Who played Spider-Man in the 1970s TV show?
Nicholas Hammond played Peter Parker. Most of the web-swinging and wall-crawling stunts were done by stunt coordinator Fred Waugh.
Why was The Amazing Spider-Man TV series canceled?
CBS worried about being seen as a "superhero network" since it already aired other superhero shows. Fans also disliked that season 2 moved further away from comic-style stories and villains.
Was the 1977 Spider-Man shown in theaters?
Outside the US, yes. Columbia Pictures released the pilot and two re-edited pairs of episodes in theaters as Spider-Man, Spider-Man Strikes Back and Spider-Man: The Dragon's Challenge.
Can you skip The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV series)?
Yes, skip it if you like. It’s a Marvel title, but not part of the MCU timeline.
How many episodes does The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV series) have?
The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV series) has 13 episodes, around 47 minutes each.
Is The Amazing Spider-Man (1977 TV series) part of the MCU?
No. It’s Marvel, but it was made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.