25 Best Reviewed Franchise Films Of The 21st Century (According To Metacritic)

12. Spider-Man 2 (83)

Spiderman 2
Sony Pictures

Widely considered the benchmark for modern superhero cinema once upon a time - and still widely respected to this day - Sam Rami's follow-up to his original webslinging effort proved that comic-book genre fare could be as good as any when it came to genuine drama and weight.

Critics agreed by and large too, hailing it as the finest cape-and-cowl work of big-screen entertainment since Superman II over twenty years prior, with Tobey Maguire further growing into his signature role - and Alfred Molina matching him with a tragic villain turn for the ages.

Contributor

Something of a culture vulture, Mr Steel can historically be found in three places; the local cinema, the local stadium or the local chip shop. He is an avowed fan of franchise films, amateur cricket and power-chords.