The
Spider-Man film series consists of three superhero films based on the fictional Marvel Comics character of the same name, portrayed by Tobey Maguire. The rights to a motion picture based on Spider-Man were purchased in 1985 and moved through various production companies and studios, at one point having James Cameron to direct, before being secured by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Sony hired comic book fan
Sam Raimi to direct the films. Throughout the series, Spider-Man developed a relationship with his school crush
Mary Jane Watson (
Kirsten Dunst), and has battled the villains
Green Goblin (
Willem Dafoe),
Doctor Octopus (
Alfred Molina),
New Goblin (
James Franco),
Sandman (
Thomas Haden Church), and
Venom (
Topher Grace). While the films' central storylines have been concluded, the studio plans to develop more films, continuing Spider-Man's adventures.
The series, produced on a total budget of
US$597 million, grossed $2,496,346,518 worldwide. Each film set several box office records, with all three included in the top 20 highest-grossing domestic films as well as the top 25 highest-grossing worldwide films. Critics have given the films positive to mixed reviews. The series has been released on both DVD and Blu-ray.