The Spider-Man franchise is one of the most storied, not just in the world of superheroes but in film history. While Sony gets a lot of criticism for handling the Spider-Man rights, it has delivered more hits than not with the Peter Parker and Miles Morales installments. Spider-Man films continue to take bold risks to keep the franchise alive with Spider-Man: No Way Home and Across the Spider-Verse, and the results have been widely successful. No Way Home is the highest-grossing Spider-Man film to date, and the Spider-Verse series has received countless acclaim.

The Spider-Man franchise might be stronger than any other superhero series, but it wouldn't be where it is if it wasn't for Spider-Man 2, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary. While some believe the sequel has become dated, instead, it has transcended into a classic, joining the likes of Superman: The Movie and others at the top of the genre for a few reasons.

The Action Sequences Are Still Top-Notch

In the early 2000s, before superhero movies started to earn more respect, they were judged more for their action than for drama. Spider-Man 2 was one of the few to nail both during that time. Special effects have also evolved since Spider-Man 2 hit theaters in 2004, but the action sequences still feature some of the best in superhero cinema. The standout action sequence in the film is the train battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus, which results in the iconic save at the end with an unmasked Peter. The action also hits hard because it has several layers, from the battle's start on the clock tower to it eventually leading to and around the train. The sequence also occurs right after Peter returns as Spider-Man, giving audiences added excitement to see him back in action.

Raimi was also inventive with Doctor Octopus's murders at the hospital, channeling his horror roots to deliver something terrifying. Comic book films now incorporate many genres, and Raimi was ahead of his time, with Spider-Man 2 as a clear example. The first encounter with Doctor Octopus and Spider-Man at the bank and the final battle are also satisfying. The first Spider-Man film featured excellent action sequences, yet Spider-Man 2 was able to up the ante and still contains some of the genre's best.

The Story Remains a Unique One for Superhero Movies

• Spider-Man 2 takes inspiration from Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man #51, which sees Peter Parker give up the Spider-Man persona after people lose respect for his duty.
• Instead of Doctor Octopus, Kingpin rises to power in New York City in Spider-Man's absence in the comic.
• Marvel published the issue in June 1967.

With the first film getting the origin story out of the way, Spider-Man 2 could focus on Peter living his duel life and struggling to live it in classic Spider-Man fashion. This results in Peter losing his powers and giving up on the responsibility in the middle of the film, leading to the recreation of the iconic Spider-Man No More! cover from the comics. Many comic book films have recreated visuals from the comics. Spider-Man 2 stands as one of the best executions of it to this day.

Not many comic book movies have gone the route of its hero giving up either. Spider-Man 2 follows on its successful first film by challenging its hero. Deconstructing the superhero genre has led to mixed results. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a prime example of one that struggled, but Spider-Man 2 questions the wall crawler's existence so well because of what it leads to. When Spider-Man returns to the film, the satisfaction sparks euphoria and perfectly illustrates the importance of being a hero, with Peter initially trying to save a girl from a burning building without the suit.

Doctor Octopus Lives Up to His Comic Book Counterpart

• Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe would eventually reprise their villain roles from the Sam Raimi films in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
• Spider-Man 2 marked Doctor Octopus's first live-action appearance, and no other actor has played him since.

Willem Dafoe delivered an all-time comic book movie performance as the Green Goblin, and following that up was no easy task for Raimi. Alfred Molina accomplishes as much with his portrayal as Doctor Octopus. While the film follows a familiar territory with Dr. Otto Octavius working for Oscorp and knowing Peter before his accident, the film does enough to make him stand apart from Dafoe's psychotic Green Goblin.

Doctor Octopus's origin story in Spider-Man 2 is tragic with the death of his wife since the film establishes the strong love between the two before he loses her. Molina's performance is also terrifying, with his arms becoming characters as he works through his motivation for going bad. Some consider Doctor Octopus to be Spider-Man's greatest foe, and Spider-Man 2 makes a strong case for why that is.

The Film Sets Up Its Sequel Perfectly

• Spider-Man 3 would introduce Venom and Sandman and fulfill the New Goblin storyline teased in the previous installment with James Franco's Harry Osborn.
• Spider-Man 2 follows the comics, with Harry Osborn taking on the Green Goblin mantle after his father's death.
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2 skipped over Norman Osborn's version of the Green Goblin in favor of Harry, played by Dane DeHaan.

Post-credits scenes have become a staple of the modern superhero film, setting up what's to come in future installments thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many superhero films in the early 2000s teased sequels toward the end of the films instead of during the credits. Spider-Man 2 is a major example of that, yet the tease at the end remains one of the greatest because of its implications and execution.

One of Spider-Man 2's final scenes teases Harry Osborn's transformation into the Green Goblin. The scene first finds Harry reunited with his father with a cameo from Dafoe in the mirror, just as he speaks with his Green Goblin personality in the first film. The scene ends with Harry discovering the Goblin lair, complete with the serum, pumpkin bombs, glider, and armor. While Spider-Man 3 ultimately failed to deliver on Harry's potential as Green Goblin, the tease in Spider-Man 2 is still pitch-perfect and one of the best in any superhero film.

As Spider-Man 2 continues to age, certain aspects of the film, such as technology and fashion, date it, but its core remains timeless. Spider-Man films have now become grander with the inclusion of the multiverse. Spider-Man 2 is a much more grounded story that is focused on Peter and his struggles as a superhero and a 20-year-old guy living in New York City. His life in the film ages well with the young audience that saw the film in theaters 20 years ago.

Cinematic universes have changed the superhero genre forever and have delivered incredible moments. Spider-Man 2 shows that a standalone story featuring an iconic superhero can be just as satisfying with its narrative, breathtaking action, and tone. Some argue those who still hold Spider-Man 2 in high regard due to nostalgia and memes, but the 2004 sequel is still a groundbreaking piece of superhero cinema. It should continue to be a blueprint as future superhero stories continue to be released.