The Spectacular Spider-Man is an American animated superhero television series developed by Victor Cook and Greg Weisman, based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. In terms of overall tone and style, the series is based primarily on the Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and John Romita Sr. era of The Amazing Spider-Man comics, with a similar balance of action, drama, and comedy, as well as a high school setting. However, it also blends material from all eras of the comic's run up to that point in addition to other sources, such as Brian Michael Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man comics (2000–2011) and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film trilogy (2002–2007).

Produced by Marvel Entertainment, Culver Entertainment, Adelaide Productions and Sony Pictures Television, the series aired its first season on The CW starting on March 8, 2008 and ended on June 14 later that year. Its second season premiered on Disney XD in the United States on June 2, 2009 and ended its run on November 18 of that year. The entire series was broadcast in Canada on Teletoon. Although a total of 5 seasons consisting of 65 episodes (with the addition of direct-to-DVD films also planned to release between each season) was initially intended, only 2 seasons consisting of 26 episodes were produced after the series was canceled due to The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment in December 2009, with the television rights of Spider-Man reverting to Marvel in exchange for Sony Pictures retaining ownership of the character's film rights.

Despite its short run, The Spectacular Spider-Man has received widespread acclaim since its initial airing and is considered to be the character's finest adaptation, with praise being given for its mature writing, unique art style, modernized faithfulness to the original comics, and the voice performances of the characters, particularly Josh Keaton's voice performance as the titular character. While there's been massive demand from viewers and fans who have continued to petition for the show to receive a revival following its cancellation, the series' iteration of Spider-Man did however make an appearance in the 2023 feature film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, with Keaton reprising his role.

The series follows Peter Parker, a student at Midtown Manhattan Magnet High School who struggles to balance his responsibilities as the costumed hero Spider-Man with the problems of his personal life. Each season takes place over a semester, with season one running from September to November and season two from December to March.

Producer Greg Weisman has stated that the series' theme is "The Education of Peter Parker", and each of the show's arcs is named after a course of study: season one's arcs are Biology 101, Economics 101, Chemistry 101, and Psychology 101; while season two's arcs are Engineering 101, Human Development 101, Criminology 101, and Drama 101.

The first season opens with Peter entering his junior year, having only been bitten by a genetically-enhanced spider and acquired his powers in recent months. In addition to fighting crime, Peter must navigate his romantic affections for Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson; maintain his friendships with Harry Osborn and Eddie Brock; deal with being bullied by football star Flash Thompson; keep his internship position as a lab assistant to Curt Connors at Empire State University; and help to support his Aunt May by working as a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle. The Bugle is owned by J. Jonah Jameson, who leads a smear campaign against Spider-Man.

Spider-Man's fight against crime attracts the attention of Tombstone, the "Big Man" in New York City. With the help of Norman Osborn, Otto Octavius, and Hammerhead, Tombstone orchestrates the creation of various criminals to distract Spider-Man from interfering with his empire. Among the supervillains that Spider-Man is forced to contend with are the Vulture, Electro, Lizard, Shocker, Sandman, Rhino, Doctor Octopus, Chameleon, and Black Cat. Tombstone's plans are complicated when the Green Goblin surfaces and attempts to take control of the criminal underworld. After the Goblin is seemingly vanquished, Spider-Man overcomes an alien symbiote who possessed his body, which ultimately leads to Eddie Brock's transformation into Venom.

The second season sees Peter's life become significantly more complicated as he finds himself torn between Gwen and Liz Allan, both of whom have confessed their feelings for him. Harry returns to school after a leave of absence, while his father Norman becomes Peter's mentor and helps him reacquire his position as Curt Connors' lab assistant.