Tom Holland Admits Some of His Past Movies Were Sh*t

Actor Tom Holland is drawing attention for his blunt assessment of Hollywood press tours, confessing that some films in his past filmography were projects he privately believed audiences shouldn’t bother watching. Speaking during an appearance on the Dish podcast, Holland contrasted the awkwardness of those historical junkets with the genuine enthusiasm he feels for his current slate of summer releases, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

When you’re doing press for movies you’re really proud of, it’s really easy, Holland explained on the podcast, which was published on July 22. Because when they ask you questions about why should people go and watch this movie, you’re not lying to anyone. You really feel like people should go see it.

That straightforward enthusiasm stands in stark contrast to promotional cycles earlier in his career. I’ve had experiences before when people say, like, ‘Why should you see this movie?’ And in the back of your mind, you’re like, ‘You shouldn’t, because it’s shit,’ Holland added, speaking alongside podcast hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, as reported by CNN.

A Victory Lap with The Odyssey and Spider-Man

For Holland, the summer of 2026 feels entirely different. He described his current press schedule as a bit of a victory lap, fueled by his starring roles in two major blockbusters arriving within weeks of each other, TheWrap noted. The Christopher Nolan-directed epic released on July 17, casting Holland as Telemachus, the son of King Odysseus.

The adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic features Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, alongside an ensemble cast that includes Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. The scale of the production has translated directly to commercial success. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the film dominated box office charts in its opening weeks, sailing past $600 million globally by its second weekend. TheWrap reported that the film surged past a $500 million global total in that same timeframe.

“I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down with Anne Hathaway for the last three days and doing press with her. For me, that’s been an awesome learning experience. She’s such a pro.”

Tom Holland, actor

The actor’s momentum continues with his return to Marvel in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is scheduled for release in the United States on July 31. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the project marks Holland’s fourth solo outing as Peter Parker and his seventh overall appearance as the character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Personal Milestones and On-Screen Reunions

The promotional tour has also brought personal details into the spotlight. During the podcast appearance, Holland referred to my wife, according to CNN, publicly acknowledging the couple’s wedded status following rumors earlier this year. Holland and Zendaya first met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016 and confirmed their relationship in 2021.

The couple’s off-screen dynamic frequently spills into their public appearances. The actress admitted she often tells Holland, You really screwed the pooch on that one, quoting Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark character reprimanding Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

With Brand New Day arriving in cinemas on July 31, Holland’s current slate offers a stark contrast to the difficult promotional junkets of his past—proving that believing in the material makes the media circuit infinitely easier to navigate.