With early cult classic blockbusters like the Evil Dead trilogy that pushed him into the top tier of directors, allowing him to go on to produce significant big-budget superhero films like Spider-Man, Sam Raimi is one of the most historic horror filmmakers currently working today. In this article, we will be discussing some of the best movies directed by Sam Raimi.
Raimi has had a continuous and devoted cult following since then. In his career, he moved on to larger things, such as the original Spider-Man trilogy, but his best films were always the smaller, more creative ones.
He’s a fantastic director who never comes across as hackish, uninspired, or manufactured in the least and any new Raimi film is virtually always greeted with rapturous applause. We have put together a list of the 10 best movies directed by Sam Raimi below.
Table of Contents
Take a look at our list of 10 best movies directed by Sam Raimi:
1. Evil Dead II (1987)
Sam Raimi’s cult-favorite Evil Dead II is the sequel to the renowned horror film Evil Dead. The sequel is a far more comic horror picture than the original, and it follows a lone survivor of a demon invasion who hides out in a cabin with a bunch of strangers while the demons resume their onslaught. Bruce Campbell reprises his renowned role as Ash Williams in the picture, which also stars Dan Hicks and Sarah Berry.
Like the previous film in the series, Evil Dead II is one of the finest comic horror films ever created and has had a huge impact on the horror genre since its premiere.
2. The Quick and the Dead (1995)
For many a Raimaniac, this was the tipping moment of their geekdom. To begin with, it was a Western during a period when the genre was battling for survival. In addition, it starred a yet-to-be-hot Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, and Sharon Stone, who is sexually inactive. Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone, Russel Crowe, and Leonardo DiCaprio featured in one of his first performances in the film Quick And The Dead. While the film was not well received by reviewers, fans consider it to be one of Sam Raimi’s greatest.
3. Darkman (1990)
Darkman is Sam Raimi’s first superhero film, and it flew under the radar for a long time. The story follows a great scientist who is abandoned and seeks vengeance on those who burnt him alive. Darkman is widely regarded as one of the finest non-Marvel and DC superhero films of all time and has since become a cult classic in the genre. Liam Neeson plays Darkman/Peyton Westlake in the film, which also stars Frances McDormand and Larry Drake.
4. A Simple Plan (1998)
A Simple Plan is another of Sam Raimi’s rare dramatic thrillers, and it’s about three blue-collar friends who come to find millions in misplaced cash and devise a plan to keep it for themselves rather than report it. Complications and mistrust within the organization, on the other hand, quickly creep into the strategy. Scott B. Smith, the author of the original novel, adapted the picture, which stars Billy Bob Thornton, Bill Paxton, and Bridget Fonda. A Simple Plan is an underappreciated fan favorite of the directors, and it is frequently considered by reviewers as one of Sam Raimi’s greatest films.
5. Army Of Darkness (1992)
The third installment in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy, Army of Darkness, is far more humorous and slapstick than the previous two films. The story follows a cynical hardware shop clerk who is sent back in time to 1300 A.D., where he must recover the Necronomicon and fight an army of the dead in order to return home. The movie is a cult classic and is one of the best movies directed by Sam Raimi.
6. Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-Man, directed by Sam Raimi, had a tremendous impact on the superhero picture genre, influencing how they are created and consumed. After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Spider-Man/Peter Parker transforms from a regular high school student into a superhero with spider-like abilities in this origin narrative. In the primary role of Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunce, and Tobey Maguire deliver legendary performances.
7. The Gift (2000)
Sam Raimi is known for making horror, thrillers, and superhero films, and The Gift falls squarely into the fantasy thriller category. The story follows a fortune teller with extrasensory perception who is called to assist in the search for a little girl who has inexplicably vanished. The Gift includes an incredible ensemble, including Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, and Keanu Reeves, as well as Cate Blanchett in one of her greatest roles. Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson wrote the screenplay, and it was released right before Raimi got the Spider-Man job.
8. The Evil Dead (1981)
The Evil Dead is Sam Raimi’s cult classic horror film and unquestionably his most recognizable work. The story revolves around five people who visit a lodge in the woods and unwittingly release flesh-eating creatures. With several sequels, reboots, television programs, and video games, The Evil Dead has spawned a whole brand. The narrative of the film has become completely legendary within the horror genre, with several films spoofing it or making minor changes to the original tale aspects.
9. Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Sam Raimi’s most recent horror film, Drag Me To Hell, is about a loan officer who evicts an elderly woman from her house and becomes the victim of a mysterious curse. As supernatural forces push her to her breaking point, she urgently seeks the aid of a seer to rescue her soul.
The film is one of Raimi’s most critically panned horror films, but the special effects and standout performances from Justin Long and Alison Lohman make it a worthwhile watch.
10. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
The very popular sequel to Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy is Spider-Man 2. When Peter Parker/Spider-Man must stop a brilliant scientist named Doctor Otto Octavius, he must manage his personal life and his obligations as a hero. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunce reprise their renowned roles in the film, which also features Alfred Molina as the infamous Spider-Man adversary. The picture was a critical and economic success, with audiences praising it.
It’s difficult to predict how Sam Raimi will be remembered. There are literally millions of admirers who are unaware that he has a history as a horror hound. He has made some cinematic classics that were loved by the audience. Some of the best movies directed by Sam Raimi are mentioned above.
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