Sam Raimi's films are a unique blend of horror, comedy, and heart, but where do they all stack up? When Rachel McAdams' character unleashed a CGI boar with brutal efficiency, it felt like a definitive sign: Sam Raimi is back in his element. This isn't to say the director of iconic films like The Evil Dead, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ever truly left. He's been a consistent force in filmmaking for nearly four decades. However, a true Raimi film possesses a magical alchemy – a perfect equilibrium of laughs, genuine emotion, thrilling action, and, yes, a healthy dose of gore, a feat only Raimi seems capable of achieving.
The memorable McAdams moment occurs in his latest offering, Send Help, hitting theaters on January 30th. To celebrate this cinematic event, we've embarked on the ambitious task of ranking Raimi's filmography. We've included nearly all of his directorial efforts, with the notable exceptions of his debut, Crimewave, which we haven't seen, and For the Love of the Game, a Kevin Costner baseball drama that falls outside his signature genre. So, how did the rest fare? Let's dive in.
14. Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
While not a complete misfire, Oz the Great and Powerful resides in a rather unremarkable space. It serves as an origin story for the Wizard of Oz, with James Franco stepping into the titular role. Despite its box office success, the film was met with general indifference, leading Raimi to take almost a decade before directing another feature. It's certainly not a highlight in his esteemed career.
13. Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Following the sheer brilliance of Spider-Man 2, anticipation for Raimi's final web-slinging installment was sky-high. Regrettably, the film struggled to cohere, burdened by an excess of awkward scenes, an overwhelming number of new villains, and a deficit of the emotional resonance that defined its predecessors.
12. The Quick and the Dead (1995)
This one might feel slightly out of place on a Raimi list, but given his involvement, we're including it. It's a Western centered on a woman, portrayed by Sharon Stone, who enters a high-stakes dueling tournament seeking retribution against a wicked sheriff, played by Gene Hackman. The cast is truly stellar, featuring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, yet the film largely plays out as a conventional Western, lacking that distinctive Raimi flair.
11. The Gift (2000)
My initial viewing of The Gift was met with considerable enjoyment. A compelling premise, a talented cast, and Sam Raimi at the helm – what's not to love? However, unlike many of his other works, it's not a film I've felt compelled to revisit. Perhaps a rewatch would shift its position, but for now, this is where it lands, with a full admission that my judgment might be flawed.
10. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
In his inaugural journey into the official Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sam Raimi injected a psychedelic and thrilling new direction into Doctor Strange. While it undeniably features many of the elements that make Raimi's films so captivating, the constraints of MCU continuity and rating systems prevent it from reaching the innovative or shocking heights of his best work. It's a solid and entertaining effort, but far from his most impactful.
9. Darkman (1990)
Prepare for potential disagreement! Many might consider Darkman to be among Raimi's finest achievements, and in terms of ambition and originality, it certainly holds its own. Liam Neeson stars as the titular superhero created by Raimi, a character who, for reasons I can't quite pinpoint, never fully resonated with me. The film itself is technically proficient and visually striking, but it doesn't quite achieve the cohesive magic of his other films. I anticipate many will strongly disagree with this placement.
8. Send Help (2026)
Yes, the new Raimi film earns a surprisingly high spot! This marks a true return to form for the director, who masterfully blends his signature horror-comedy style into the narrative of a CEO (Dylan O'Brien) and his employee (Rachel McAdams) stranded on a deserted island. What begins as a simple premise quickly spirals into delightfully wild and grotesque territory, a journey we thoroughly enjoyed. However, given the sheer volume of classics Raimi has gifted us over the years, it naturally finds itself in the middle of the pack.
7. Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Perhaps the marketing campaign is to blame for this ranking. When Drag Me to Hell was released, the trailers prominently featured a scene of the protagonist, played by Alison Lohman, being dragged to hell – a fitting image given the title. Yet, throughout the wonderfully creepy and surprising film, the audience is led to believe the character triumphs over the curse. Did the trailer mislead? Not exactly. It simply revealed the film's ultimate, climactic twist. Knowing this impending conclusion diminished the overall impact of the film compared to those ranked higher.
6. A Simple Plan (1998)
The strength of A Simple Plan lies in its inherent simplicity. A group of friends stumbles upon a substantial sum of money and grapples with trust issues. The film boasts exceptional performances across the board, including an Oscar-nominated turn by Billy Bob Thornton, and is brimming with suspense and unexpected plot twists. Its placement here is simply because, despite its excellence, it leans more towards a straightforward narrative when compared to some of Raimi's more overtly fantastical or genre-bending masterpieces.
5. Army of Darkness (1992)
Among all the films on this list, Army of Darkness might be my personal favorite. It's hilariously over-the-top, self-aware, and a perfect encapsulation of the Raimi-Bruce Campbell dynamic, with both artists operating at their absolute peak. However, when measured against Raimi's other works, its stronger emphasis on comedy, rather than the distinct balance of elements, nudges it down slightly. Nevertheless, our affection for it remains immense.
4. Spider-Man (2002)
Unless you experienced it firsthand in 2002, it's challenging to articulate the sheer impact of Sam Raimi bringing Spider-Man to the silver screen. While directors like Tim Burton and Bryan Singer had already delivered successful superhero films, Spider-Man elevated the entire genre with its adventurous spirit and insightful exploration of Peter Parker's dual nature. This film also propelled Raimi into a new echelon of directorial recognition.
3. The Evil Dead (1981)
The film that launched Raimi's career remains one of his most potent. The Evil Dead crackles with an raw passion, a testament to a group of young filmmakers creating something groundbreaking on a modest scale, masterfully merging humor and horror in innovative ways. Bruce Campbell delivers a revelatory performance, as he so often does, and the scares are arguably more visceral than in its later iterations.
2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
The Empire Strikes Back, Aliens, and Terminator 2 – these are just a few of the rare sequels that surpass their predecessors, and we firmly believe Spider-Man 2 deserves a place on that esteemed list. With Raimi's Peter Parker fully embracing his heroic mantle, the entire film coalesces into something truly extraordinary. The compelling portrayal of Doctor Octopus as the villain, coupled with significant emotional depth, makes this an undeniable contender for one of the greatest superhero films ever made.
1. Evil Dead II (1987)
There's something undeniably special about Raimi's follow-up films. It's as if he needs to craft the initial installment to fully unlock the potential for its successor. This was evident with Spider-Man, and it's equally true for Evil Dead II. What's remarkable about Evil Dead II is its striking similarity to the original, yet it amplifies the absurdity and gore just enough to create an even more potent concoction. It stands as a true modern masterpiece of cinematic mayhem.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Evil Dead II's brilliance solely due to its comedic escalation, or does it overshadow the raw horror that made the first film so impactful? And what about Darkman? Many consider it a cult classic; is its lower ranking a testament to personal taste, or does it truly lack the cohesive magic of Raimi's other works? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
