Spider-Noir lands on Prime Video with Nicolas Cage leading all 8 episodes
Nicolas Cage's first live-action lead role in a TV series is now streaming. Spider-Noir premiered globally on Prime Video on May 27, with all eight episodes available at once. The show is a Sony and Amazon co-production set in 1930s New York, and it arrives as one of the more distinctive entries in a crowded superhero landscape.
The setup
Cage plays Ben Reilly, a washed-up private detective during the Great Depression — the only superhero in a city drowning in crime. The tagline flips the franchise's most famous line: "With no power comes no responsibility." Reilly faces a gallery of Spider-Man villains reimagined for the era: Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson), Sandman (Jack Huston), Tombstone (Abraham Popoola), and Megawatt (Andrew Lewis Caldwell). The show keeps each villain's signature traits — Tombstone's bulletproof physicality, Megawatt's electric attacks — while digging into their backstories and motivations in ways the comics rarely explored.
Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly in Spider-Noir, now streaming on Prime Video.
Two versions, one subscription
The release comes in two distinct formats: "Authentic Black and White" and "True-Hue Full Color." Both are included under a standard Prime Video subscription — no extra charge. Cage has spoken publicly about the black-and-white cut as the intended way to appreciate the show's noir aesthetic, which critics largely agree is the series' greatest strength.
What critics say
The Rotten Tomatoes roundup puts the show at 89% from critics (56 reviews), with a 7.6/10 average. Cage's performance draws near-universal praise for its commitment and texture. The atmosphere — rain-slicked streets, period-accurate gloom — is consistently called out as a visual achievement. The Variety review offers the sharpest counterpoint, arguing the series plays it "far too safe" narratively despite the bold presentation. It's a fair criticism: the show's biggest risk is its look, not its story.
Worth watching?
If you're burnt out on standard superhero fare, Spider-Noir is a genuine change of pace. Cage is compelling, the period detail is strong, and the dual-format release is a neat touch. Just don't expect the plotting to match the visuals. All eight episodes are on Prime Video now.
