Tom Holland Says Some Movies Are 'Sh**', Hard to Promote

Tom Holland, the actor best known for playing Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has never been shy about speaking his mind. But in a recent candid moment, the star took self-deprecation to a new level, admitting that he considers some of his own films to be "sh**" - a brutal assessment that he says makes promoting them a particular kind of challenge.

The remarks, delivered during a conversation about the realities of press tours, landed with the force of an unexpected punchline. Holland, who has headlined blockbusters and smaller indies alike, didn't name specific titles, but the honesty was unmistakable. For an actor who has spent years charming audiences as the friendly neighborhood web-slinger, the admission feels like a rare glimpse behind the carefully managed veneer of Hollywood promotion.

A Reluctant Salesman

Holland acknowledged that when he genuinely dislikes a project, the standard promotional playbook becomes uncomfortable. "Some of my movies are sh**," he said, according to the report that sparked this week's conversation. "And when you know it's sh**, it's really hard to go out there and sell it." The statement cuts against the grain of an industry built on polished talking points and relentless positivity. Most stars, even when privately dissatisfied, stick to variations of "I'm proud of the work" or "the experience was incredible." Holland's willingness to call it as he sees it - even at the risk of alienating collaborators or studios - marks a departure from the norm.

His track record includes a mix of critical darlings and commercial successes. The Spider-Man: Homecoming series has been a massive hit for Sony and Marvel, and Holland has earned praise for his youthful energy and emotional depth in the role. But he has also appeared in films that received lukewarm receptions - projects where, by his own admission, the final product didn't match the ambition. By calling out those misfires publicly, he injects a dose of realism into an often-fantastical world.

The Price of Candor

Such bluntness carries risks. Publicists and studio executives typically prefer their talent to stay on message, especially during the crucial weeks before a release. Negative comments from a lead actor can depress opening weekend numbers and strain relationships with producers. Yet Holland seems undeterred. His career, still relatively young, has given him enough leverage - and audience goodwill - to speak freely without immediate backlash. Fans tend to appreciate authenticity over canned enthusiasm, and his comments have already sparked debate online about which films he might be referring to.

Speculation is inevitable, but Holland has not elaborated. He may be pointing to early-career roles where he had less creative control, or perhaps to a specific genre experiment that didn't land. Either way, his admission underscores a broader truth: even stars at the top of the call sheet sometimes find themselves attached to projects they don't love. The difference is that most never say so out loud.

A Changing Promotional Landscape

Holland's remarks also reflect a shift in how celebrities engage with the public. Social media has eroded the old barriers between star and audience, and fans increasingly expect honesty rather than polished performance. When an actor like Holland admits to disliking some of his own work, it humanizes him - and paradoxically, might make his endorsements of other films more credible. If he says this one is good, the logic goes, he must really mean it.

The actor has always carried a certain Everyman quality, even while swinging through Manhattan skyscrapers. His willingness to criticize his own output aligns with that persona. It also raises the bar for his future projects: now, when he steps onto a press junket, audiences will be listening for the difference between genuine enthusiasm and dutiful obligation.

What Comes Next

For now, Holland remains one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood, with multiple projects in development. His next major release will inevitably be scrutinized through the lens of his recent comments. Will he praise it unreservedly? Or will there be a hint of that same unsettling honesty? Either way, he has made clear that he intends to keep his integrity intact, even when the job requires selling something he doesn't believe in.

That might make for awkward interviews. But for the fans watching at home, it makes for compelling - and refreshingly real - entertainment.

Source: Hollywood Reporter