Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Name: Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Director: Sam Raimi
Genre: action, comedy, fantasy, scifi
Released: 2004-07-19
Duration: 2 hr 21 min
Rating: 8
Cast: Alfred Molina, Cliff Robertson, J. K. Simmons, James Franco, Kirsten Dunst

Marvel

2 hr 21 min

2004

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Trailer

Spider-Man 2 (2004) Storyline

Directed by Sam Raimi, Spider-Man 2 is widely regarded as one of the greatest superhero sequels ever made. Picking up two years after the events of the first film, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) struggles to balance his life as a college student, his job, his feelings for Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), and his responsibilities as Spider-Man.

His life becomes even more complicated when brilliant scientist Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) — a mentor figure to Peter — becomes the villainous Doctor Octopus after a failed experiment fuses mechanical tentacles to his spine. As Doc Ock’s obsession with completing his dangerous fusion reactor grows, Peter faces not only a physical battle but also an emotional crisis, questioning whether he can truly live as both Peter Parker and Spider-Man.

The film blends thrilling action, emotional depth, and iconic moments — none more famous than the train sequence, where Spider-Man’s heroism and vulnerability shine.

Director Sam Raimi

Release date 16/07/2004

Genres

action comedy fantasy scifi

Content rating 12

Duration 2 hr 21 min

Last Updated 15/08/2025

Cast

Alfred Molina Cliff Robertson J. K. Simmons James Franco Kirsten Dunst Rosemary Harris Stan Lee Tobey Maguire Willem Dafoe

Spider-Man 2 (2004) Cast & Crew

Tobey Maguire

Kirsten Dunst

Alfred Molina

Cliff Robertson

J. K. Simmons

James Franco

Rosemary Harris

Stan Lee

Willem Dafoe

Spider-Man 2 (2004) Review - 8/10 Rating

We’re giving Spider-Man 2 a 8/10 — a fantastic follow-up that builds on the first movie with higher stakes, a more complex villain, and one of the most memorable action scenes in superhero cinema.

What we loved most was how it humanised Peter Parker. His struggles with finances, relationships, and self-doubt made him feel real and relatable. The chemistry between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst continued to anchor the emotional beats, while Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus stole the show with a tragic backstory and an intimidating on-screen presence.

And of course — the train scene. Watching New Yorkers protect Spider-Man after seeing his unmasked, exhausted face is a moment that resonates to this day. It’s a reminder that even heroes need help and that their sacrifices don’t go unnoticed.

While pacing issues and some melodramatic moments stop it from getting a higher score from us, Spider-Man 2 remains one of the most heartfelt superhero stories ever told.

Spider-Man 2 (2004) Trivia

Did You Know?

Alfred Molina researched his role by reading comic books and watching nature documentaries on octopuses to understand Doc Ock’s movements.
The train fight scene took around three weeks to film and was a mix of practical effects, miniatures, and CGI.
Tobey Maguire almost didn’t return due to back injuries; Jake Gyllenhaal was considered as a replacement.
The mechanical tentacles used for Doc Ock were partly practical puppets — each weighing over 100 pounds and requiring a team to operate.
This was the first Spider-Man film to win an Academy Award — Best Visual Effects.
Sam Raimi included several horror-inspired shots, especially in the hospital scene where Doc Ock’s tentacles come to life, paying homage to his Evil Dead roots.
The pizza delivery sequence at the start became a meme decades later (“Pizza Time”).
Kirsten Dunst performed her own stunts in some of the web-swinging rescue scenes.
The scene where Peter stops the train was inspired by the Amazing Spider-Man #33 comic.
The movie grossed over $789 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2004.