Sam Raimi's Filmography: A Ranking of Horror, Comedy, and Action Classics
From the Evil Dead to Spider-Man, Sam Raimi has been a household name for over four decades. With his unique blend of horror, comedy, and action, he has crafted some truly unforgettable films that continue to captivate audiences today.
At Number 14, we find Oz the Great and Powerful, a lackluster film that failed to live up to expectations. Despite its impressive cast, including James Franco as the Wizard of Oz, it was met with widespread dismissal upon release.
Moving on, we have Spider-Man 3 (2007), which, while still an enjoyable entry in the series, falls short due to uneven pacing and too many new villains. The film's attempt to balance action, comedy, and emotion is admirable, but ultimately fails to deliver.
The Quick and the Dead (1995) rounds out the bottom half of our list. This Western, starring Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman, is a solid effort, but lacks the unique Raimi flair that sets his other films apart.
Rounding out the lower end of the list are The Gift (2000), which has never been revisited, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), which, while enjoyable, feels constrained by its Marvel Cinematic Universe obligations. Darkman (1990) is another solid effort, with Liam Neeson delivering a standout performance as the titular character. However, it falls just short of perfection due to some uneven pacing.
As we ascend our list, things start to get more interesting. Send Help (2026), Raimi's latest film, takes its place at Number 8, thanks in part to its unique blend of horror and comedy. Drag Me to Hell (2009) is another standout, with its clever marketing campaign and surprising twist ending making it a fan favorite.
A Simple Plan (1998) rounds out the middle tier, with its simple yet effective premise and excellent performances across the board earning it a spot in our top 10. Army of Darkness (1992), starring Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, is a cult classic that, while comedy-forward, still ranks high on Raimi's list.
As we near the top of our list, things get really interesting. Spider-Man 2 (2004) takes its place at Number 3, thanks in part to its expertly crafted villain and emotional depth that elevates it above many other superhero films. The Evil Dead (1981), which started it all for Raimi, is a modern masterpiece of mayhem, with its perfect blend of horror and comedy making it a timeless classic.
Finally, we find our Number 2 entry: Spider-Man (2002). This film was a game-changer in the superhero genre, with Raimi bringing his unique vision to life in a way that captivated audiences worldwide. Its adventurous tone, smart exploration of Peter Parker's struggles, and memorable performances make it an unforgettable viewing experience.
And finally, at Number 1, we have Evil Dead II (1987). This film is the epitome of Raimi's filmmaking genius, with its hilarious take on the original, over-the-top action sequences, and expertly crafted blend of horror and comedy making it a true masterpiece.
From the Evil Dead to Spider-Man, Sam Raimi has been a household name for over four decades. With his unique blend of horror, comedy, and action, he has crafted some truly unforgettable films that continue to captivate audiences today.
At Number 14, we find Oz the Great and Powerful, a lackluster film that failed to live up to expectations. Despite its impressive cast, including James Franco as the Wizard of Oz, it was met with widespread dismissal upon release.
Moving on, we have Spider-Man 3 (2007), which, while still an enjoyable entry in the series, falls short due to uneven pacing and too many new villains. The film's attempt to balance action, comedy, and emotion is admirable, but ultimately fails to deliver.
The Quick and the Dead (1995) rounds out the bottom half of our list. This Western, starring Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman, is a solid effort, but lacks the unique Raimi flair that sets his other films apart.
Rounding out the lower end of the list are The Gift (2000), which has never been revisited, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), which, while enjoyable, feels constrained by its Marvel Cinematic Universe obligations. Darkman (1990) is another solid effort, with Liam Neeson delivering a standout performance as the titular character. However, it falls just short of perfection due to some uneven pacing.
As we ascend our list, things start to get more interesting. Send Help (2026), Raimi's latest film, takes its place at Number 8, thanks in part to its unique blend of horror and comedy. Drag Me to Hell (2009) is another standout, with its clever marketing campaign and surprising twist ending making it a fan favorite.
A Simple Plan (1998) rounds out the middle tier, with its simple yet effective premise and excellent performances across the board earning it a spot in our top 10. Army of Darkness (1992), starring Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, is a cult classic that, while comedy-forward, still ranks high on Raimi's list.
As we near the top of our list, things get really interesting. Spider-Man 2 (2004) takes its place at Number 3, thanks in part to its expertly crafted villain and emotional depth that elevates it above many other superhero films. The Evil Dead (1981), which started it all for Raimi, is a modern masterpiece of mayhem, with its perfect blend of horror and comedy making it a timeless classic.
Finally, we find our Number 2 entry: Spider-Man (2002). This film was a game-changer in the superhero genre, with Raimi bringing his unique vision to life in a way that captivated audiences worldwide. Its adventurous tone, smart exploration of Peter Parker's struggles, and memorable performances make it an unforgettable viewing experience.
And finally, at Number 1, we have Evil Dead II (1987). This film is the epitome of Raimi's filmmaking genius, with its hilarious take on the original, over-the-top action sequences, and expertly crafted blend of horror and comedy making it a true masterpiece.
. It's an awesome film that really showcases Raimi's ability to balance action, comedy, and drama. I mean, who can forget the Green Goblin? 
But what I find fascinating is how this film ranks below his more recent entries like Spider-Man (2002) and Evil Dead II (1987). I think it's because these newer films have a slightly different tone and atmosphere that resonated more with modern audiences 
. Plus, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has definitely changed the game for superhero movies since Raimi's time 
. Still, Spider-Man 2 is an incredible film in its own right, and it's awesome to see it getting the recognition it deserves 
.
. And Evil Dead II is defo a top fave of mine too 
️. Like, who else could make a horror-comedy film that's still this iconic and influential? It's like the ultimate party starter movie 
. I'm glad he made The Gift (2000) though – it's one of those weird films that just flew under the radar 
. Maybe people didn't know what to make of it at the time, but now it's definitely a cult classic 
.
. On the other hand, I'm glad to see Spider-Man 3 getting some recognition 
- it's still one of my faves in the series! And Darkman? Solid effort, but yeah, Liam Neeson was definitely a standout in that one 
.
. I mean, don't get me wrong, Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams is iconic 
, but it's not like this film is some kind of hidden gem or anything. It's like everyone and their grandma knows about Ash's epic battles against the dead 
. Anyway, on to Send Help - I'm intrigued by its unique blend of horror and comedy 
I'm also a big fan of Army of Darkness - Bruce Campbell is just perfection in that role. 
The way Raimi balances humor and horror is just masterful. And what's up with Drag Me to Hell? It's like he took all the creepy moments from The Evil Dead and turned them into this amazing horror-comedy film 
. Overall, I think Sam Raimi is a genius filmmaker who always knows how to push boundaries and create something truly unforgettable. 