Released: 2004

What makes it great: After the success of the first "Spider-Man," Sam Raimi and his cohorts could have rested on the laurels with the sequel, but instead spun a more emotional and complete work. Stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst finally found their romantic chemistry as Peter Parker and Mary Jane Parker and the scene where Parker is lifted by a subway car of New Yorker's after saving them is arguably the best in the entire series. "Spider-Man 2" asked whether our hero could find happiness. Yes, yes he could and for audiences it was a euphoric experience.

-Gregory Ellwood