The Best Movies Directed by Sam Raimi

Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies Directed by Sam Raimi

Sam Raimi has pretty much checked off every box in his directorial career. From his humble beginnings working with a skeleton crew and a tiny budget to make The Evil Dead to his reinvention of the superhero film with his Spider-Man trilogy, he's made classics both big and small.

Which leads us to just one question: How do Sam Raimi's films stack up against each other? Do you prefer the ghoulish eccentricity of his Ash saga? (And if so, are you an Evil Dead II stan or is Army of Darkness more your speed?) Did he set a standard even he couldn't top with Spider-Man 2, or did Marvel's playbook bring out the best of him with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?

Beyond his small-budget horror movies and his massive-budget superhero epics, he's done everything in between, sardonically mastering the art of the modern neo-noir with A Simple Plan, turning the Old West gunslinger mythos into a bonkers live-action cartoon with The Quick and the Dead, and mapping old-school horror onto a superhero origin story template with Darkman.

He's given us a sports movie (For Love of the Game), a supernatural thriller (The Gift), and even went back to his loopy, gross-out, splattery roots with Drag Me to Hell. But which Sam Raimi movie is the best? List below are each of the films Raimi has directed, including both feature films and shorts.

Who has Sam Raimi worked with as a director? Talent includes the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Costner, and Russell Crowe. Did you have fun voting on this list of Sam Raimi movies? You might also want to vote on our lists of the best Guillermo del Toro and John Landis movies as well.

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  • Evil Dead II
    1
    Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks
    95 votes
    • Released: 1987
    • Directed by: Sam Raimi
    Evil Dead II, a sequel that straddles the line between horror and comedy, sees Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) returning to the screen. He's marooned in a cabin in the woods, besieged by demonic forces awakened by an ancient text - the Necronomicon. Joined by Annie Knowby (Sarah Berry), daughter of the cabin's owner, they grapple with relentless undead onslaughts. Director Sam Raimi uses innovative camera work and practical effects to create a uniquely terrifying yet laugh-inducing atmosphere. The film is lauded for its blend of genres, making it a cult classic in both horror and comedy circles.

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  • Spider-Man 2
    2
    Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco
    99 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Sam Raimi
    Spider-Man 2, a superhero flick directed by Sam Raimi, unravels the complex life of Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire). As Spider-Man, he battles with the duality of his existence - saving New York City while juggling college and love. His world intensifies with the emergence of Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a brilliant scientist turned villain 'Doc Ock' after a failed experiment. Amidst personal struggles and high-stakes action, Parker must find balance. This film won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, highlighting its impressive cinematic prowess.

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  • The Evil Dead
    3
    Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker
    94 votes
    • Released: 1981
    • Directed by: Sam Raimi
    Five college students, led by Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell), stumble upon an isolated cabin in the heart of a dense, eerie forest. Within its decaying walls, they discover an ancient book - The Necronomicon - and a tape recorder holding cryptic incantations. Recoiling in fascination and dread, they unwittingly unleash a horde of malevolent spirits. As the supernatural forces grow increasingly hostile, the group's bond is strained to breaking point. Directed by Sam Raimi, The Evil Dead is a visceral exploration of survival horror that has been celebrated as a cult classic within the genre since its release in 1981.

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  • Army of Darkness
    4
    Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert
    81 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Sam Raimi
    In the captivating genre-blender, Army of Darkness, Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) finds himself transported to 1300 AD. Plunged into a medieval nightmare, he must grapple with Deadites, ghoulish creatures from the underworld. His goal? Retrieve the Necronomicon, a book of dark magic, and return to his own time. Uniquely blending horror with comedy, this third installment in Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series showcases Campbell's charisma and comedic timing. A cult classic, it won the Sitges Film Festival award for Best Special Effects. Can Ash outwit his monstrous foes and make it back home?
  • Spider-Man
    5
    Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst
    79 votes
    • Released: 2002
    • Directed by: Sam Raimi
    In Spider-Man, we follow the extraordinary journey of Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), an ordinary high school student. After a bite from a genetically modified spider, Parker gains superhuman abilities and becomes Spider-Man. The film also stars Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, his love interest, and Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin, the villain. Directed by Sam Raimi, this action-packed superhero flick weaves a tale of power, responsibility, and the struggle between identity and duty. Winner of the Best Visual Effects at the BAFTA Awards, Spider-Man is a visually stunning spectacle with unforgettable characters and a compelling narrative.

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  • Drag Me to Hell
    6
    Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver
    64 votes
    • Released: 2009
    • Directed by: Sam Raimi
    In the chilling film Drag Me to Hell, loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) finds her life spiraling into a supernatural nightmare. After denying an old woman's request for an extension on her home loan, she becomes the target of a deadly curse. As Christine battles the malevolent force, her boyfriend Clay Dalton (Justin Long) stands by her side. Directed by horror maestro Sam Raimi, this movie intertwines elements of suspense and dark humor. It won the award for Best Horror Film at the 2009 Scream Awards. Vividly uncanny, it's a thrilling ride through the consequences of one morally complex decision.

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