Spider-Man has swung through generations of fans, from various comic books to blockbuster films with actors Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland suiting up in the red-and-blue spandex.
The web-slinger has influenced everything from merchandise to memes, embodying a mix of daring, humor, and moral responsibility. And now, in an astonishing real-world echo of the superhero’s feats, someone has taken Spider-Man’s spirit to new heights—literally.
Alex Honnold, renowned for his free solo climbing achievements and widely known for being the subject of the 2018 biographical documentary Free Solo, has rightfully earned the nickname “real-life Spider-Man” after a live Netflix broadcast on January 25 of him scaling Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
Sporting a red outfit reminiscent of the hero (though likely unintentional), Honnold climbed all 101 stories without ropes, harnesses, or any climbing gear, relying purely on skill, balance, nerve, and chalk.
Check out some of his best (and most hair-raising moments) from Netflix below:
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The climb, featured on Netflix’s Skyscraper Live, was streamed to a global audience. Honnold’s movements were precise and deliberate, each step and handhold calculated, a testament to years of professional climbing experience.
He reached the top in record time, pausing only to exclaim, “Sick!”—a word capturing both exhilaration and relief.
Following the climb, Honnold spoke with Variety, reflecting on the physical challenge, windy conditions, and the psychological pressure of performing under a live broadcast.
Fans and media alike have celebrated the climb as a moment that blurred the line between fantasy and reality. Reddit threads have exploded with admiration, where some quickly dubbed Honnold the “real-life Spider-Man.” Pat McAfee, host of ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show, also referred to Honnold as an “actual Spider-Man”.
It remains to be seen what Honnold's next nail-biting climb will be, but it will undoubtedly (and understandably) take years for him to prepare. For those eager to see Peter Parker/Spidey himself in action on the big screen, the next MCU film Brand New Day starring Tom Holland swings into theaters on July 31 this year.
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