The key to an iconic superhero rivalry lies in the relationship between the rivals. Green Goblin is not just another random villain for Spider-Man to thwart with a thwip. Green Goblin has a personal relationship with Spider-Man. They know each other beyond their masked identities.
When Stan Lee wrote Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 #39, "How Green Was My Goblin!" the Green Goblin discovers Spider-Man's secret identity as Peter Parker. Lee then unmasks the Goblin, revealing Norman Osborn, father of Peter Parker's best friend Harry Osborn. Stakes were raised. This turning point for Green Goblin and Spider-Man informed every fight they had moving forward. Here are the 10 best Spider-Man vs. Green Goblin battles.
10 Sam Raimi Impresses: Spider-Man (2002)
Not all fights between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin happened on the page. In 2002, Director Sam Raimi gave us Spider-Man, which cemented that superhero films were here to stay. The scene where Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man faces off against Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin marks the first live-action encounter between the rivals. From pumpkin bomb explosions to fist-fights to Spidey running from a bullet spraying glider, this action sequence reveals that Spider-Man has met his match. To quote the Green Goblin from this scene when he catches Spidey's first punch, "Impressive."
9 "The Grotesque Adventure of the Green Goblin" Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 #14 (1964)
This issue marks the first appearance of the Green Goblin. Maybe Stan Lee already knew in 1964 Spider-Man was destined for a life on the big screen. The storyline involves Green Goblin enlisting the help of a film director and a villainous group called the Enforcers to lure Spider-Man by pretending to make a Hollywood film. Really he wants to fight Spider-Man using his new flying broomstick gadget.
The fight with Green Goblin and the Enforcers takes Spidey into a cave, coincidentally the Incredible Hulk's hiding spot. Spider-Man is forced to fight the Hulk while Green Goblin makes his escape. This battle served as a proving ground for the Green Goblin. He managed to take on Spider-Man, then escape to fight another day.
8 "Death of Spider-Man: Part 5 of 5" Ultimate Spider-Man #160 (2011)
The end of this 5-part story arc in Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1 also marked the end of the series. A final confrontation between Green Goblin and Spider-Man. A confrontation that ended both of their lives. In an action-packed issue of Spider-Man trading blows with a monstrous version of Green Goblin, Peter relies on the help of his family and friends to pull him through.
Right when it looks like all is lost for Spider-Man, Mary Jane rescues him by ramming a truck into the Green Goblin. This allows Peter to rise up and put the finishing blows on the Goblin, culminating with Peter throwing the truck on top of Osborn. The truck blows up, resulting in Peter's heart-wrenching death. Peter dies with a smile, knowing that while he couldn't save his Uncle Ben, he still managed to save his Aunt May.
7 Spider-Man Vs. Green Goblin: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse gave us a scene where the protagonist Miles Morales happens upon a battle between his universe's Spider-Man and Green Goblin. Morales witnesses a preview of the destructive life that a Spider-Man will endure. A hulking version of Green Goblin hurls pumpkin bombs at Spider-Man, forcing Miles to run for his life. When Miles missteps, falling to his probable death, Spider-Man rescues him. With Miles out of harm's way, Spider-Man notices Miles' shoes are untied. Spider-Man remarks he wears a onesie, so he doesn't have to worry about that.
6 "The Night Of The Goblin!" Spider-Man Vol. 1 #75 (1996)
Peter Parker finds himself kidnapped by the Green Goblin. He wakes in a dark room. A gas emitting from a pumpkin bomb keeps him disoriented. Out of the shadows steps the Green Goblin. At first, Peter believes it's Harry Osborn wearing the costume but then Norman Osborn reveals himself. Peter knows this is impossible as Norman is dead, impaled by his glider after killing Peter's love Gwen Stacy. Norman then rips his shirt off revealing a glider-shaped scar on his chest.
An epic battle ensues. After avoiding pumpkin bombs and razor bats, Spider-Man kicks Green Goblin off his glider, then pulls both their masks off, stating this isn't just a war between Spider-Man and Green Goblin but a war between Peter Parker and Norman Osborn.
5 "The Green Goblin Lives Again!" Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 #136 (1974)
You can't keep a good villain down. This issue of Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 features the first appearance of Harry Osborn as the Green Goblin. Harry takes up his father's mantle looking to avenge his death. When Spider-Man confronts Harry as the Green Goblin, he decides to pull his punches, not wanting to hurt his friend. This allows the Goblin to gain an edge. He attempts to kill Spidey with an electro-blast but he overloads the power source in his gloves, allowing Spidey to recover. Harry Goblin flees, vowing to eliminate Spider-Man another day.
4 "Enter the Green Goblin" Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1996)
There's an episode of the '90s animated series where Spider-Man has to rescue his friends once again from a trap set by Green Goblin. What makes this fight interesting is the message behind it. After defeating the Green Goblin, Spider-Man holds up the Goblin mask to Norman stating that the mask represents the evil ugly side of his life and that he doesn't need it. He pleads with Norman to let it go. Naturally, Norman is too crazy listen but that's what makes Spider-Man a hero. He never gives up trying to save not only his friends but also his worst enemies.
3 "The Goblin Lives!" Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine Vol. 1 #2 (1968)
The '60s were a crazy time for drug culture and in this particular battle, the Green Goblin uses psychedelics to overpower Spider-Man. After regaining his lost memories of being the Green Goblin, Norman, of course, loses his grip, staging an attack on Spider-Man at Aunt May's house.
Green Goblin uses a psychedelic bomb on Spider-Man that causes Spidey to hallucinate. Spidey overcomes the drugs, turns the bomb's effects back on the Green Goblin, hypnotizing Osborn into forgetting all about being the Green Goblin and Spider-Man's true identity. Spidey drops nutty Norman off at the hospital, hoping the Green Goblin doesn't return...again...and again...and again. Fingers crossed, Spidey.
2 "A Death In The Family: Part 3" Peter Parker: Spider-Man Vol. 2 #46 (2002)
Norman Osborn knows how to push Peter Parker's buttons. After one too many threats, Peter challenges Norman to a final fight. Norman accepts the challenge, arranging the fight to take place at Osborn's chemical warehouse. What makes this fight so juicy is actually the moment before the slugfest begins.
When Spider-Man arrives at the warehouse, he finds the Green Goblin playing with action figures reenacting the death of Gwen Stacy. This comical dig charges the ensuing melee with emotional depth. The continuous threats from Osborn are all meant to torture Peter, leading him to his moral edge. It's revealed that the Green Goblin's motive was to push Peter into killing him. Peter resists the urge, staying true to his values as a hero.
1 "The Night Gwen Stacy Died!" Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 #121 (1973)
Not only is this the greatest fight between Spider-Man and Green Goblin but probably the greatest superhero story of all time. Gwen Stacy has been kidnapped by the Green Goblin. Spidey finds the Goblin on top of the George Washington Bridge, waiting with an unconscious Gwen Stacy. Spider-Man attempts to rescue Gwen, fighting Green Goblin with everything he's got.
In one fateful moment, the Green Goblin swoops down on his glider, knocking Gwen Stacy off the bridge. Spider-Man shoots a web to save her. The web catches her leg but Gwen's neck snaps in the whiplash...or did it? This controversial moment has led to much debate. In the 1986 edition of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, Gwen's death is attributed to the fall, not Spider-Man's webbing. However, Stan Lee once stated in an interview that her neck did indeed snap due to the use of the webbing. So, who are you going to believe, True Believer? Marvel or the father of Spider-Man?