There are few directors as important to modern-day superhero films than Sam Raimi. The American filmmaker is responsible for the Spider-Man trilogy that spanned from 2002 to 2007 and starred Tobey Maguire as the iconic Peter Parker. Besides its place among the first modern superhero films, Raimi's Spider-Man films were full of unique flair with scenes that felt ripped out of a comic book. Since then, fans have been waiting for Sam Raimi to make his way back to superhero films.
Next year's Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness will bring the director back to Marvel, following Dr. Stephen Strange in the next phase of the MCU. With his return on the horizon, it's the perfect time to revisit or discover some of Raimi's best work outside of Spider-Man, including cult horror classics and black comedies. Here are a few films of his to tackle before Multiverse of Madness' premiere.
Evil Dead (1981)
At the top is the film that put Raimi on the map and launched him into his famous cult icon status. Also known as The Evil Dead, this 1981 horror film follows a group of college kids staying at a remote cabin in the woods. When they find a tape that releases demons and evil spirits, all but one student is possessed by demons — Ash Williams (played by frequent Sam Raimi collaborator, Bruce Campbell).
Ash has to survive the attack and the night ahead of him, filled with chaos and gore. Evil Dead remains one of the most important horror films of its time for numerous reasons. From its impressive practical makeup effects and stop-motion animations (courtesy of artist Tom Sullivan) to its ability to mix horror and hilarity, the film is a must-watch to understanding Sam Raimi's beginnings and horror roots, as well as the telltale tricks in his films.
Darkman (1990)
Sam Raimi has always had a soft spot for superheroes. This 1990 film is the result of the director not being able to secure the rights for Batman or The Shadow. Raimi created a hero who could alter his appearance. Drawing inspiration from the Universal monsters of the 1930s, Darkman was born.
The film stars Liam Neeson as Peyton Westlake, a scientist who has gained superhuman abilities after a planned attack that has left him disfigured. With his new powers, Westlake becomes the Darkman and seeks revenge against those who turned him into a monster. Scientific and thrilling, Darkman shows just how capable Raimi was to take on a hero as big as Spider-Man.
Army of Darkness (1992)
This film is another cult classic of Raimi's and showcases his flair for wacky comedy. Army of Darkness is technically in the Evil Dead series and follows Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) after he has been transported from the 1990s back to the Middle Ages. Ash ends up in the company of famous figures like King Arthur and must find a mythical book that can take him back to his time.
In typical Ash Williams fashion, he slips up along his journey and accidentally causes the dead to rise and attack his new friends. Set against the backdrop of knights and cavalry, Army of Darkness toes the line between satire and self-serious medieval epic that feels true to Raimi's style but still is out of the box for him.
Drag Me To Hell (2009)
The most recent film of the bunch, this 2009 horror was Raimi's first outing after working on his Spiderman trilogy. Drag Me To Hell focuses on Christine Brown (Allison Lohman), a loan officer who refuses to extend an elderly woman's (Lorna Raver) mortgage. In retaliation, the woman places a curse on Christine, which she initially blows off, but becomes very real. After three days of torment, the curse is completed after it brings its subject to Hell, where they will be burned for eternity.
Injected with supernatural elements, Drag Me To Hell is Sam Raimi returning to his horror roots. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was released to critical acclaim, critics loving its sometimes campy nature and deep story crafted by Sam and his brother, Ivan. While Drag Me to Hell has enough mythos and commercial success to warrant a sequel or even a film series, Sam Raimi is against continuing the story, saying the 2009 film's ending is fine just the way it is.
Crimewave (1985)
While it may not be as well known as some of the other entries, this 1985 comedy horror is an interesting part of Sam Raimi's filmography. The director's first film after the massive success of Evil Dead, Crimewave showcases Raimi and longtime collaborator Bruce Campbell with a script written with the Coen Brothers.
The film follows Victor Ajax (Reed Birney), a death row inmate before his execution. Crimewave mixes B-movie horror with film noir and even comedy to create a weird, but nonetheless entertaining ride. The film was a box office flop, with few publications agreeing to review it. Since its release, though, the film has gained a cult following among fans of Raimi and Campbell, who deem it essential watching.