Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider and gifted with
​spider-like powers, which he uses to fight crime as Spider-Man.

ACTION/SCI-FI

Spider-Man (2002)

Directed by Sam Raimi

Written by David Koepp

Starring Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst,
James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, ​
​J.K. Simmons, Elizabeth Banks, Bill Nunn

Based on characters from Marvel Comics

Oscar Nominations - Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects

---

Connor Eyzaguirre

January 23, 2015

9/10

I will always be a fan of Sam Raimi's first two Spider-Man movies. I think they are the definitive adaptation of one of my favorite comic book characters and this film starts the series off with a bang.

I personally think Tobey Maguire was a great choice to play Peter Parker. He embodies the awkwardness of the character so well and really makes Spider-Man a likable character. I also really love Willem Dafoe's excellent portrayal of the Green Goblin, my personal favorite villain of the series. But my favorite character in the movie is definitely J.K. Simmons's flawless performance as sarcastic newspaper editor J. Jonah Jameson. I laugh every time I see him.

Back when Sony knew what they were doing with the character, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man was the best comic movie yet. I still think it holds up now and it will be really hard to top.