Tom Holland Calls Some of His Movies 'Sh**' - Why?

Tom Holland has never been one to sugarcoat things, but even by his own candid standards, his latest confession is a doozy. The actor, best known for swinging through New York as Spider-Man, just admitted that some of the movies he’s starred in are - his words, not ours - “sh**.” And that, he says, makes promoting them a real chore.

Speaking in a recent interview, Holland didn’t name names, but he didn’t need to. The statement landed like a web-slinging bombshell in an industry where actors usually stick to diplomatic non-answers about their own work. “There are some films I’ve done that I just think are sh**,” he said. “And when you have to go out and sell them, it’s genuinely hard. You’re smiling on a red carpet, but inside you’re thinking, ‘I wouldn’t watch this if I weren’t getting paid.’”

It’s a rare moment of raw honesty from a star who’s been in the Hollywood machine since his breakout as the friendly neighborhood webslinger in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. Since then, Holland has headlined three Spider-Man solo films, not to mention a few Avengers blockbusters, but his filmography isn’t all spandex and superheroes. He’s ventured into dramas like The Devil All the Time and Cherry, the action-thriller Uncharted, and even the psychological thriller The Crowded Room, which he also executive-produced. Not every landing has been a web-swinging success.

The Price of a Busy Career

Holland didn’t specify which films he considers duds, but the comment has sparked a guessing game among fans and critics. Is he talking about a lesser-known indie that failed to connect? Or a big-budget misfire that critics panned? Given his self-deprecating charm, it could be several. After all, even a star of his caliber can’t hit a home run every time at the box office.

“I think part of growing up in this business is realizing that not every script is gold,” he added. “You take roles for all kinds of reasons - the director, the paycheck, the people you want to work with. But when the movie comes out and it’s just not good, you’ve got to live with that. And you’ve got to show up and promote it anyway.”

That’s the part that clearly grates. Holland said he finds it “exhausting” to have to hype a project he secretly dislikes. “You’re sitting there on a talk show, and the host is like, ‘This was so amazing!’ and you’re nodding and smiling, but you’re thinking, ‘We both know this is a turkey.’ It feels dishonest.”

Spider-Man’s Shadow Looms Large

It’s impossible to talk about Tom Holland without mentioning Spider-Man - the role that made him a household name and, by extension, the one that probably isn’t part of his “sh**” list. The Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy, which also includes Far From Home and No Way Home, was a massive critical and commercial success. The latter film crossed the $1.9 billion mark globally and became a fan-favorite crossover event.

But hanging out with Spider-Man means a certain level of fame that also magnifies every misstep. Holland’s post-Spider-Man projects have been a mixed bag. Uncharted did decent business, but Cherry and The Crowded Room received more muted responses. The latter, a limited series on Apple TV+, was particularly polarizing, with some praising Holland’s performance and others calling the show bloated.

Holland seems aware of the scrutiny. “People expect you to only be in great movies because you’re Spider-Man,” he said. “But I’m still figuring it out. I’m young. I’ve made mistakes. And I’m okay saying that.”

Honesty as Strategy or Self-Sabotage?

In an era of carefully managed celebrity personas, Holland’s bluntness is refreshing but risky. Publicists usually advise stars to avoid trashing their own work - it can alienate collaborators and hurt future opportunities. Yet Holland appears unbothered. When asked if he worried about burning bridges, he shrugged. “If a director or producer hears me say one of their movies was bad, and they never want to work with me again? That’s fine. I’d rather be honest than fake.”

The internet, predictably, ate up the confession. Fans praised his authenticity, with many saying it made them like him even more. Others wondered if he was setting himself up for a Career Suicide 101 tutorial. But Holland has never been one to play it safe. He’s spoken openly about his mental health struggles, his sobriety journey, and the pressure of fame. This latest admission feels like more of the same - a refusal to perform perfection.

What’s Next for Holland?

Despite the self-deprecating remarks, Holland’s future looks bright. He’s currently attached to a slew of projects, including a rumored return to the Spider-Man suit in a fourth installment (though Marvel and Sony are keeping mum), plus a potential role in Christopher Nolan’s next film. He’s also developing more producing ventures, which gives him more control over the stories he tells.

Maybe that’s the real takeaway: a star who’s comfortable enough to admit his stinkers is a star who’s learning from them. As Holland put it, “The best thing about making a bad movie is that you know not to make another one like it.” Let’s hope the next red carpet comes with a smile he actually means.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter