Every Sam Raimi Movie, Ranked

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Sam Raimi’s career is a remarkable success story. He started making films as a hobby with friends and limited resources, and eventually directed one of the biggest, most influential blockbusters of all time. It’s surprising to think the creator of the low-budget horror film The Evil Dead also directed Spider-Man, but when you look at all his work, it actually fits his unique style. That’s what makes him such a beloved filmmaker.

Sam Raimi, a director known for his playful style, creative mixing of genres, and dynamic camera work, started his career with the cult classic The Evil Dead and refined his approach with Evil Dead II. Despite being well-regarded, he remained a somewhat obscure genre filmmaker until he directed the blockbuster Spider-Man trilogy. While hugely successful, those films proved difficult to move beyond. After a couple of smaller projects, Raimi didn’t direct a feature for almost ten years, until another superhero opportunity arose in 2022. His latest film, Send Help, is a return to the low-budget, inventive filmmaking that defined his early work, and it’s a great chance to look back at his entire filmography of sixteen movies.

16.
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

The best thing you can say about Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful is that it’s interesting to imagine what he could do with 3-D. His energetic camera work and visual humor hadn’t been explored in three dimensions before, and it’s easy to see the potential. While the 3-D effect doesn’t translate well when watching at home, it’s clear Raimi wasn’t fully letting loose, and even if he had, it wouldn’t have saved the film. This is the only movie Raimi has made that feels completely lacking in passion. Several actors deliver some of their worst performances, and the CGI, despite aiming for a playful feel, comes across as hollow. This makes his success with the Spider-Man movies even more impressive. It’s not enough to simply pair Raimi with a popular story; all his other films have a genuine heart that’s missing in Oz the Great and Powerful.

15.
For the Love of the Game (1999)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=qSz1KqZZvpc

For the Love of the Game stands out as the least stylistically ‘Raimi’ film from director Sam Raimi – it feels more like a Kevin Costner project, both in front of and behind the camera. While the absence of Raimi’s usual flair isn’t necessarily a flaw – he intentionally aimed for something different – the film’s biggest weakness lies outside the baseball action. The movie spends far too much time on Costner’s character, an aging pitcher, reflecting on his life through lengthy and unengaging flashbacks. Though Raimi clearly loves baseball, and that passion shines through in the game sequences, the romantic subplot with Kelly Preston feels flat and ironically demonstrates how not to make a baseball romance. Ultimately, the film prioritizes these drawn-out personal reflections over the excitement of the perfect game he’s trying to pitch.

14.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)

It’s tough to say whether Spider-Man 3 deserves the criticism it gets. Many of the most-criticized scenes – like Peter Parker’s emo dance sequence while influenced by Venom – are also very characteristic of director Sam Raimi’s style. Looking back now, that scene is surprisingly enjoyable. Fans argue the film has a genuine emotional core and a strong understanding of the Peter and Mary Jane relationship. However, let’s be honest: Spider-Man 3 is clearly too crowded with villains and storylines. Even a great performance by Thomas Haden Church as Sandman can’t fix that. Raimi wasn’t responsible for adding Venom and Eddie Brock; producer Avi Arad insisted on them, likely because Venom was popular and there was pressure to make each superhero sequel bigger than the last. This tendency to overstuff sequels plagued many comic book movies afterward, and few had a director with a unique vision like Raimi.

13.
Crimewave (1985)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=LuOvRAPXr54

Raimi’s second film, co-written with the Coen brothers, hints at the style and storytelling we’d later come to appreciate from both of them. It’s a bit rough around the edges, which is surprising considering Raimi had already directed the impressively confident The Evil Dead. Horror films often give new directors more leeway, while this quirky crime comedy – about an ordinary guy accidentally caught up in a wildly complicated murder plot – demands a more polished touch. Raimi’s signature visual flair is definitely on display, though it feels a bit chaotic compared to his later, more refined work. Still, watching this over-the-top movie, it’s easy to see how he’d eventually be the perfect choice to direct Spider-Man. Crimewave is a lot of fun if you’re willing to overlook its moments of craziness and lack of coherence.

12.
Send Help (2026)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=R4wiXj9NmEE

As a big fan of Sam Raimi, it’s just great to see him doing a smaller, genre flick again – it’s been over fifteen years since Drag Me to Hell! You don’t often see directors who hit it big with something like Spider-Man go back to these lower-budget, more energetic projects, and even fewer manage to recapture that early magic. Raimi deserves a lot of credit for even trying to do that, and he really nailed it with Drag Me to Hell. His new film, Send Help, isn’t quite as successful. It’s got some fun, creepy moments – the story of Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien stranded on a deserted island definitely swings between Cast Away and Misery – but it feels a little too slick. It’s like Raimi couldn’t quite shake off the polish he picked up working on those big studio films, even for a January release horror movie. It’s not just the CGI, although that’s part of it. Seeing McAdams fight a weightless, computer-generated wild boar just makes you wish for the days of Bruce Campbell wrestling with his own hand using practical effects. Everything feels a little too clean and crisp when it could really use some grime. Still, it is a new Sam Raimi movie, and that’s always a welcome sight – like spotting a rescue ship when you’re stranded yourself!

11.
The Gift (2000)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=wz9-H7oTIJ0

Sam Raimi’s visual style is usually energetic, but it’s a bit more subdued in this atmospheric Southern Gothic thriller. This film feels like Raimi’s attempt to make more mature movies before he directed the Spider-Man films. Cate Blanchett stars as a mother in rural Georgia (and nails the accent!) who appears to have psychic abilities. These visions help her, but also cause problems, when she uses them to investigate a missing person. The movie has a thick, swampy atmosphere and a few of Raimi’s signature touches. The Gift often feels torn between being a simple mystery and a wilder story about a woman with ESP. It works well, but it makes you wonder what a more over-the-top version of the film could have been.

10.
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

The Marvel movies are known for often overshadowing a director’s individual style, but Multiverse of Madness actually feels like a Sam Raimi film. While it blends superhero action with Raimi’s horror roots (similar to his work on Evil Dead and Spider-Man), it doesn’t quite stand out as much as you might expect. (Raimi took over after the original director left due to creative disagreements.) The first part of the movie, where Doctor Strange travels through different realities to stop the Scarlet Witch, feels weighed down by connections to previous Marvel films and a Disney+ show – it’s well-made, but a little unremarkable. Things pick up when the Scarlet Witch gets truly violent, and a cameo from John Krasinski’s Mr. Fantastic gets a shocking twist. Even the sometimes-problematic CGI feels fitting within the overall Marvel aesthetic. Multiverse of Madness isn’t Raimi’s best work, either as a horror or superhero film, but it’s surprisingly enjoyable to see him playfully combine the two genres.

9.
Darkman (1990)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=FgBwAEROVSw

Okay, let me tell you about Darkman. Before Sam Raimi brought his signature style to Spider-Man, he was making delightfully twisted movies like this one. It feels like a glimpse into a time before superhero films had a strict rulebook. Originally, Raimi wanted to make a movie about The Shadow, but when that fell through, he created Darkman – a scientist, played by a young Liam Neeson, who’s horribly disfigured and gains superpowers. He can even use synthetic skin to become anyone he chooses, and boy, does he use it for revenge! It’s a really cool blend of superhero and classic monster movie – imagine Frankenstein’s monster or the Phantom of the Opera, but as a total badass. It’s genuinely weird, a little gnarly, and just plain fun. You can actually see the seeds of his Spider-Man style here – the same energy and creativity – but Darkman isn’t afraid to lean into the darkness and grotesqueness that Spider-Man sometimes holds back. It’s a fantastic, underappreciated film.

8.
Army of Darkness (1992)

Though it swaps a creepy cabin for a medieval adventure, Army of Darkness keeps the wild, over-the-top spirit of the earlier Evil Dead films. The movie follows Bruce Campbell’s Ash as he’s flung back to the Middle Ages with his trusty chainsaw hand and broom. Army of Darkness abandons any remaining scares from the original Evil Dead, instead turning Ash into a hilariously over-the-top hero who delivers cheesy lines while battling monsters. The creatively animated undead creatures are used for constant jokes, pushing the limits of the film’s budget. It’s a perfect ending to the first phase of director Sam Raimi’s career; he’d taken horror-comedy as far as it could go, and a new direction was needed. It’s difficult to imagine what a fourth Evil Dead film from Raimi would have been like – could he have avoided making it feel overwhelming? Ultimately, maybe it’s best that he did what the characters in the movies often fail to do: let the Deadites stay defeated.

7.
Drag Me to Hell (2009)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=PPOaxHqoYxo

Following the blockbuster Spider-Man trilogy, director Sam Raimi took a break to make something smaller and more playful: Drag Me to Hell. It’s a delightfully wicked horror film with a surprisingly innocent energy. Some viewers interpret the film as a critique of capitalism, as the protagonist, a loan officer, denies an elderly woman a loan extension, which triggers a curse. However, this doesn’t excuse the character’s actions, and the film doesn’t offer her an easy way out. Drag Me to Hell revels in tormenting her, leading to a shockingly dark and funny twist ending. While the CGI isn’t perfect and slightly diminishes some of the scares, it’s easy to overlook because Raimi clearly made this movie just for the fun of it. He should make more films like this!

6.
A Simple Plan (1998)

As a big fan of Sam Raimi’s work, I always thought A Simple Plan was a bit of a hidden gem. It came between his more overtly stylized films and when he took on Spider-Man, and it’s just…different. What struck me is how genuinely bleak it is – no monsters, no supernatural stuff, just people making terrible choices and suffering the consequences. Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton are fantastic as brothers who find a fortune in a downed plane, and their decision to keep it secret spirals into this incredibly tense and sad story. Everyone kept comparing it to Fargo (the Coens were friends with Raimi), and yeah, there are similarities, but A Simple Plan feels much more focused on the quiet desperation and tragedy of it all. It’s a surprisingly grounded film for Raimi, and honestly, he nails it – unlike the characters trying to get rich quick in the movie!

5.
The Quick and the Dead (1995)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Lo9cGqmHXhg

While not a typical ‘spaghetti western,’ Sam Raimi’s The Quick and the Dead feels like a wildly creative experiment that surprisingly works. Every over-the-top camera angle and inventive shot adds to the film’s energetic and suspenseful take on the classic Western. The movie features a fantastic cast – including Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone, a young Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russell Crowe – and centers around a fast-draw competition in the Wild West where everyone has a secret. Though the duels themselves are quick and happen often, Raimi makes each one visually unique and exciting, delivering a thrilling experience for the audience (and a painful one for the losers).

4.
Spider-Man (2002)

Sam Raimi’s films are defined by his genuine enthusiasm, even though they often feature playful or silly moments. His deep love for Spider-Man comics is why he was chosen to direct the movie, and he approached the task with sincere dedication. He embraced the colorful visuals and teenage drama of the comics, seeing them as strengths to highlight. He also had a knack for translating the energy of comic books to the screen – the action practically demanded dynamic camera angles. Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker stands out as a particularly awkward and relatable hero, a quality Raimi appreciates, even as he subjects him to intense challenges, similar to his other protagonists. Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin became so legendary that the Marvel Cinematic Universe had to bring the character back decades later. While superhero films existed before Spider-Man, like the 2000 X-Men movie, Raimi’s film established a style that the genre has consistently tried to copy, reject, and ultimately return to.

3.
Evil Dead II (1987)

If you’re surprised to see Evil Dead II at number three instead of higher, you’re not alone – many Sam Raimi fans think it’s the best. But let’s be clear: Evil Dead II is a masterpiece. It’s essentially a remake and sequel combined, a more ambitious and confident version of the original. Think of it as a live-action Looney Tunes cartoon. Raimi expertly balances slapstick comedy, gore, and dark humor, delivering nearly non-stop action. He spends the entire movie putting Ash through hell, almost completely ignoring traditional plot concerns. (Unlike the first film, Evil Dead II doesn’t hesitate to have characters read from the Necronomicon – unleashing the Deadites is where the real fun begins!) While II is a perfect film in its own right, it’s just slightly less impressive than The Evil Dead. The first film is a unique, singular achievement from Raimi, while the second manages to pack in so many jokes despite also feeling like a fully realized movie.

2.
The Evil Dead (1981)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=nA9BSh8cjDg

Sam Raimi’s first film didn’t invent the scary cabin in the woods story, but it really defined it. What makes The Evil Dead so effective is how raw and basic its horror feels, especially considering it was made with a small budget by a 20-year-old and a friend. While the movie has some over-the-top, gory moments, it efficiently introduces the characters, brings the monsters to life, and quickly eliminates them, leaving Ash as the lone survivor – a twist on the typical horror movie formula. This film is unique in the series because Ash feels like a believable person, not just a character for comedic effect or a boastful hero. Raimi’s later horror films leaned more into comedy, but this first one strikes a more disturbing balance between horror and humor. Despite the wild special effects and gore, The Evil Dead genuinely leaves you feeling uneasy.

1.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Cz-17z44F6g

For me, Spider-Man 2 isn’t just the best superhero movie ever – though The Incredibles is a close second – it’s something truly special. What I love most is how it starts, not with a huge battle, but with Peter Parker just trying to get a pizza delivered, and failing! It beautifully focuses on his everyday struggles, which actually increase after he gets his powers. And Doctor Octopus, played by Alfred Molina, is such a compelling villain – he’s not just evil, he’s a genuinely tragic figure. The way his robotic arms are slowly driving him insane isn’t a simple plot device, it is the tragedy. Honestly, that operating room scene still gives me chills – it’s probably the scariest thing Sam Raimi has ever directed! The action is incredible, especially the subway fight – nothing else in the superhero genre has matched it, in my opinion. But what really makes this movie stand out is that it’s not just about Spider-Man fighting a villain; it’s about Peter Parker struggling with what it means to be Spider-Man. It’s a superhero film that’s actually about heroism itself, and it’s both the genre and Raimi at their absolute peak.

We skipped It’s Murder!, Raimi’s first full-length (and first Bruce Campbell collaboration) that he shot on a Super 8 in high school. The list also does not include the Coen brothers film The Hudsucker Proxy, which he co-wrote and was the second-unit director for. Given the career-long friendship between Ethan, Joel, and Raimi, though, there are tons of their fingerprints all over the rest of Raimi’s movies below.

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2026-01-31 16:58