Spider-Man: Brand New Day is already the biggest movie in the world, and that includes the Philippines. With over one billion pesos and counting grossed at the local box office, Brand New Day is the highest-grossing film of 2026 in the country in just 12 days. If the opening weekend numbers and sold-out screenings across the country are any indication, Filipinos love Spider-Man. And in the new film, that appreciation is reciprocated, or at least touched upon with small moments and shout-outs highlighting Filipino talent in the blockbuster sequel. From appearances of Filipino actors to a key song used by a Filipino-American artist, check out these Filipino-coded moments from Brand New Day.
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Peter Parker’s Filipino-American Best Friend Ned Leeds
Along with MJ, Ned Leeds appears in the film once again, portrayed by Filipino-American actor Jacob Batalon. Thanks to that memorable scene featuring Ned’s lola in No Way Home, it’s been established that he is of Filipino descent just like the actor who plays him.
While there was no moment of that scale in Brand New Day, Ned still gets his time to shine here, especially in the end when he remembers him and Peter’s secret handshake, indicating that Peter and Ned’s friendship is where Peter starts in rebuilding his life. Speaking of friendship, Tom Holland and Batalon’s real-life bond is just as strong, with Holland even recently gifting Batalon a watch.
The Half-Filipino Web Kid at the Hospital
Near the end of Brand New Day, as Peter sneaks out of the hospital, he blends into the crowd waiting outside, cheering on Spider-Man by the window, which is just Frank Castle wearing the Spider-Man mask. Along the way, Peter makes eye contact with a kid wearing a Spider-Man costume as the two do the web-slinging hand gesture to each other, making for one of the most heartfelt scenes in the entire movie.
The little boy, who is referred to as Web Kid in the credits, is played by seven-year-old half-Filipino Elvis Carlos, who is also of Burmese and Irish heritage. Carlos sent in a self-tape audition for the role, and among the many kids who auditioned, he was chosen for what was one of the most touching roles in the film and did so without uttering a single line.
It symbolized what Spider-Man means to the city and showed Peter that he isn’t alone on his journey. Adding to the sweet moment is how Carlos is sitting on the shoulders of his actual dad, Ken Carlos, a Filipino-British tattoo artist from London.
The Filipino Comic Book Artists Included in the Credits
Among the many names included in the end credits of Brand New Day are two Filipino creatives who have made an impact on the comic book scene. In the Special Thanks section are Filipino artists Leinil Francis Yu and Stephen Segovia, both of whom have worked on their fair share of Spider-Man comics and other stories in the Marvel comic universe.
For Yu, the Marvel veteran’s Spider-Man credits include working on the Spider-Man Brand New Day Yearbook released in 2008, a variant cover of The Amazing Spider-Man No. 792 and Edge of Spider-Verse No. 1, and the cover artist of Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 No. 1. He notably also helped design Marvel’s first Filipina superhero, Wave. As for Segovia, his name can be found in the credits for Spider-Man: Brand New Day Omnibus Vol. 2 and other Marvel titles such as New Avengers, Captain Marvel, X-Force, and Dark X-Men.
The Song in the End Credits From a Filipino-American Artist
Many have talked about Brand New Day’s end credits, and for good reason. After all the big-screen action of the past two and a half hours, the movie ends with a montage of real locations and real people in New York City drenched in a golden glow, soundtracked to oh yeah? by Filipino-American musician Steve Lacy.
Simple yet effective, the credits sequence serves as a love letter to NYC and highlights Spider-Man’s connection to the Big Apple’s neighborhoods. It’s even spawned recreations of other cities around the world, including Manila. Lacy may have spoiled who Sadie Sink was playing in Brand New Day, but his song at least gives the movie a fitting end.
Featured Image and Photos: COLUMBIA PICTURES, MARVEL, IMDB, LEINIL FRANCIS YU, STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Frequently Asked Questions
Filipino-American actor Jacob Batalon returns as Ned Leeds, and seven-year-old half-Filipino actor Elvis Carlos plays the “Web Kid” in a pivotal hospital scene near the film’s end, sitting on the shoulders of his real father, tattoo artist Ken Carlos.
Yes — Filipino comic artists Leinil Francis Yu and Stephen Segovia are acknowledged in the Special Thanks section of the credits. Both have extensive Spider-Man and Marvel comic book credits, with Yu having also helped design Marvel’s first Filipina superhero, Wave.
The film’s end credits feature “oh yeah?” by Filipino-American musician Steve Lacy, soundtracking a montage of real New York City locations and people, which has inspired fan recreations set in other cities, including Manila.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day surpassed one billion pesos at the Philippine box office within 12 days of release, making it the highest-grossing film of 2026 in the country so far.
Yes — Ned Leeds’ Filipino heritage was previously established in Spider-Man: No Way Home through a scene featuring his lola, aligning with actor Jacob Batalon’s own Filipino-American background.
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