Spider-Man 2 (2004) Continuity
Spider-Man 2 (2004) is the second film in the Spider-Man trilogy by director Sam Raimi. It directly continues the story of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. The film is extremely well-regarded and many consider it to be the best Spider-Man movie, with some contending it may be one of the best superhero movies of all time.
We’re exploring the continuity details surrounding this film. We’re looking at what to watch before watching Spider-Man 2, what to watch after watching Spider-Man 2, and any other relevant details that may enhance the watching experience.
What to watch before Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 (2004) picks up where Spider-Man (2002) left off. It returns to Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man shortly after the events of the first film. This directly continues the narrative stretching through this series.
Theoretically, one could jump into Spider-Man 2 without watching Spider-Man first. The conflict between Spider-Man and the movie’s main villain stands well on its own. However, the events of Spider-Man are heavily referenced throughout Spider-Man 2, with one character’s motivation throughout the film based entirely on what happened in the first film. In addition, the character growth experienced in the first film helps explain a lot about what characters are doing and why they are doing it in the second film. Because of this, we highly recommend watching Spider-Man before watching Spider-Man 2.
What to watch after Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 (2004) is directly followed by Spider-Man 3 (2007), the next film in the trilogy. Spider-Man 3, once again, continues the overall narrative running through this film series. It explores the next chapter in each characters’ life while also introducing new characters and conflicts.
For continuity details about Spider-Man 3, see ComicBookWire’s Spider-Man 3 continuity exploration.
When is Stan Lee’s Cameo in Spider-Man 2?
Warning: This section contains spoilers.
Like most other Marvel movies, Stan Lee makes a cameo in Spider-Man 2. As Doc Ock is attacking Spider-Man, pieces of the building begin to fall into the street below. Stan Lee can be seen moving someone out of the way of the debris.