Spider-Mans Tom Holland on Why His MCU Character Could Beat Superman in a Fight

Tom Holland has shared his verdict on Spider-Man vs. Superman. The web-slinger has fought some of the toughest villains in the MCU. However, fans have long debated whether he could defeat Superman. While the British actor believes the Man of Steel would usually win, he shared one scenario where he could actually stand a chance.

During an interview with Heart featuring a sit-down with young fans, Holland was asked whether Spider-Man could beat the Man of Steel. Initially, he reacted with a simple “No,” with his co-stars laughing, echoing the same response. The British actor then admitted Spider-Man might have one key advantage, saying, “Maybe if he had some of the Kryptonite stuff.”

When asked if he would want another superhero ally against the Man of Steel, Holland said, “If Spider-Man and Batman teamed up, if it was me and Rob [Robert Pattinson] vs. David [Superman], I think we could beat him.” He jokingly said, “I don’t know how helpful Rob would be.”

Speaking on having Deadpool or Iron Man in his support, Holland said, “Either of those characters would be super helpful.” Even with their support, Holland thinks “Superman still clinches [the fight].”

Why Batman gives Spider-Man a fighting chance against Superman

The reason Holland picked Batman first may point to Batman’s history of using Kryptonite against Superman. Over the years, Batman has found numerous ways to challenge Superman using careful planning and Kryptonite.

Their rivalry played out on the big screen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where Batman used Kryptonite weapons to weaken Superman and nearly defeated him. That likely explains why Holland chose Batman first.

Holland also acknowledged Tony Stark‘s technology and intelligence as a major advantage. The actor agreed with Zendaya’s comments, “If anyone could locate or even create Kryptonite, it would be Iron Man.” Still, he made it clear that both heroes could still struggle against an opponent as powerful as Superman.

Holland’s next film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, arrives in theaters on July 31, 2026.