Year: 1978
Runtime: 90 mins
Language: English
Director: Ron Satlof
At New York State University a careless tutor hands three students the components needed to build an atomic bomb. Peter Parker investigates, while police suspect him and a savvy journalist pushes for a Spider‑Man interview. Greedy millionaire Mr. White seeks the bomb for himself, forcing Spider‑Man to stop him from detonating it at the World Trade Center.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Spider-Man Strikes Back yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The film opens with a frenzied emergency response as FDNY, the NYPD, and ambulances converge on a collapsing building. A woman recently through a painful breakup stands at a breaking point, but Spider-Man [Nicholas Hammond] rescues her at the last moment, and the onlookers erupt in applause for the masked hero.
At New York State University, Dr. Baylor [Simon Scott] unveils a plan to run a plutonium experiment, a prospect that unsettles Peter and his fellow students who fear the danger such a test could unleash. Into this tense atmosphere steps Gale Hoffman [JoAnna Cameron], a determined journalist eager to secure an interview with Spider-Man after the rescue, sensing that the wall-crawler’s actions could become the stuff of a bigger story.
Chaos erupts when three students exploit the lab’s materials and steal plutonium to demonstrate the dangers of nuclear power by building an improvised bomb. Spider-Man [Nicholas Hammond] shows up to intervene, but the theft is soon noticed by security, and the scene spirals out of control. When one of the activists collapses from radiation exposure, the others abort their plan and rush the injured colleague to the hospital. The fallout is swift and severe: law enforcement pins the blame on Spider-Man, and Inspector DeCarlo [Sidney Clute] directly confronts Peter Parker, creating a web of confusion and suspicion around the teen chemist.
Meanwhile, far away in Switzerland, Mr. White [Robert Alda] reads a newspaper clipping about the theft and deduces the culprits were the students, not the hero. He hatches a more personal plan: steal the plutonium for his own ends. He heads to the United States with his fearsome henchman Angel [Lawrence P. Casey], intent on seizing the weapon for a more menacing purpose.
The chase intensifies as White targets Peter, attempting to kidnap him to uncover the plutonium’s whereabouts. Peter escapes, and the pursuit erupts into a clash with White’s followers. Spider-Man battles the henchmen and is hurled from a tall building, seemingly meeting a fatal end; he saves himself by weaving a web to catch the fall. In the ensuing confusion, White escapes with the bomb, forcing Spider-Man to confront a foe who plans to unleash chaos on major cities.
With the stakes rising, J. Jonah Jameson [Robert F. Simon], the abrasive owner of The Daily Bugle, learns that White has slipped away to Los Angeles. He sends Peter Parker and Gale Hoffman on a cross-country pursuit to track the mastermind down, hoping to avert catastrophe before he can trigger a catastrophe of his own design. The race shifts to the West Coast as the clock ticks toward a presidential speech that White intends to use as cover for a massive strike.
White’s audacious scheme targets Los Angeles, a city about to be graced by a presidential address. The authorities assume the motive is to cripple New York, but White’s true plan is to detonate the plutonium bomb during the high-profile moment in Los Angeles, testing his weapon’s reach and striking fear into millions.
In a tense, high-stakes finale, Spider-Man locates White’s lair, discovers the doomed device, and defuses the bomb at the last possible second. The narrow escape of catastrophe leaves White unceremoniously free, and he vows that the two will cross paths again. The city recovers in the aftermath, while the vigilant hero understands that the fight against nuclear danger—and the people who manipulate it—will continue.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:12
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Superheroes face a ticking clock to prevent city-wide disaster from a powerful threat.Discover movies like Spider-Man Strikes Back where superheroes embark on a fast-paced, tense mission to save their city from imminent destruction. If you enjoyed the urgent threat of a nuclear bomb and the high-stakes action, you'll find similar thrilling adventures here.
The narrative typically begins with the introduction of a formidable threat, such as a bomb or a villain's destructive scheme. The hero must investigate the conspiracy, often while facing suspicion from authorities, leading to a series of escalating confrontations and a final, decisive battle to avert catastrophe.
Movies are grouped by their shared high intensity, tense tone, and fast pacing, driven by a clear and urgent external threat. They deliver a specific type of superhero experience focused on public safety and city-level stakes, rather than deep personal trauma.
A lone figure uncovers a dangerous conspiracy and must expose it against powerful opposition.If you liked the investigative plot and tense atmosphere of Spider-Man Strikes Back, explore these conspiracy thrillers. They feature determined individuals racing to uncover the truth and stop a dangerous scheme, often while being pursued or doubted.
The story unfolds as a seemingly minor event reveals a larger, more dangerous conspiracy. The protagonist, often a journalist, an investigator, or an unlikely hero, works against the clock and powerful antagonists to connect the dots, leading to a climactic confrontation to thwart the plan.
These movies share a specific narrative structure of investigation and revelation, a tense and anxious mood, and a focus on a protagonist working alone or with few allies. The pacing is fast, driven by the urgency of the threat and the need to stay ahead of the conspirators.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Spider-Man Strikes Back in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Spider-Man Strikes Back is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Spider-Man Strikes Back with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Spider-Man Strikes Back. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Spider-Man Strikes Back that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Spider-Man Strikes Back: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Spider-Man Strikes Back that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Spider-Man Strikes Back – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Spider-Man (2002) Full Summary & Key Details
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) Movie Recap & Themes
Spider-Man 2 (2004) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) Complete Plot Breakdown
Spider-Man 3 (2007) Full Summary & Key Details
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Movie Recap & Themes
Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) Complete Plot Breakdown
Spider (2002) Full Movie Breakdown
The Green Goblin’s Last Stand (1992) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Spider-Man (1977) Full Summary & Key Details
The Spider’s Web (1938) Film Overview & Timeline
Spider-Man (1969) Plot Summary & Ending Explained