Spider-Man 2 (2004)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
Peter Parker must balance his personal life and responsibilities as Spider-Man while facing a new, formidable threat from a scientist with mechanical tentacles.
The story
Two years after Norman Osborne's death, Peter Parker struggles to balance his personal life with his crime-fighting as Spider-Man. He juggles multiple jobs and faces overdue rent and schoolwork as his aunt May is facing eviction. While his best friend, Harry Osborn, resents him for his secret identity, Peter must also contend with the actions of Dr. Otto Octavius. Octavius, a scientist working for Oscorp, becomes involved in a dangerous experiment involving a fusion power machine. When the experiment goes wrong, Octavius becomes bonded to a set of mechanical tentacles, creating a desperate situation that forces Peter to confront the limits of his dual life.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Two years after Norman Osborne's death, Peter Parker struggles to balance his personal life with his crime-fighting as Spider-Man. He juggles multiple jobs and faces overdue rent and schoolwork as his aunt May is facing eviction. While his best friend, Harry Osborn, resents him for his secret identity, Peter must also contend with the actions of Dr. Otto Octavius. Octavius, a scientist working for Oscorp, becomes involved in a dangerous experiment involving a fusion power machine. When the experiment goes wrong, Octavius becomes bonded to a set of mechanical tentacles, creating a desperate situation that forces Peter to confront the limits of his dual life. Overwhelmed by stress, Peter's powers begin to fade, and he temporarily gives up being Spider-Man. However, after a series of events including a confrontation with Octavius and a realization about his responsibilities, his powers return. He eventually faces Octavius in a final battle atop a New York City Subway train. After a climactic confrontation where Octavius sacrifices himself to stop his machine, Peter rescues Mary Jane Watson. Though they share mutual feelings, Peter tells her he cannot be with her due to his responsibilities. The film ends with Mary Jane choosing to stay by his side despite the risk.
- First release year
- 2004
- Runtime (minutes)
- 127
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Sam Raimi
- Writers
- Alvin Sargent · screenplay; Alfred Gough · story; Miles Millar · story; Michael Chabon · story
- Cast and characters
- Tobey Maguire · Peter Parker / Spider-Man; Kirsten Dunst · Mary Jane Watson; James Franco · Harry Osborn; Alfred Molina · Dr. Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus; Rosemary Harris · May Parker; Donna Murphy · Rosalie Octavius
- Genres
- superhero; action; romance
- Themes
- Responsibility; Identity; Sacrifice
- Tone and mood
- Action; Dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- Superhero; Sequel; Sci-fi
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics
- Franchise connections
- Spider-Man
- Content notes
- Violence
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim, praised for its emotional weight, visual effects, and the performances of the lead actors.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 83 · scale: 100 · review count: 41
- Awards and nominations
- Best Visual Effects · Academy Awards · 77th · Won; Best Fantasy Film · Saturn Awards · Won; Best Director · Saturn Awards · Won; Best Special Effects · Saturn Awards · Won; Best Writer · Saturn Awards · Won
- Production trivia
- The film's title 'The Amazing Spider-Man' was a placeholder.; The character of Doctor Octopus was based on the 1967 storyline 'Spider-Man No More!'.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…