Spider-Man 3 (2007)
MovieOptionalLegacy
An alien symbiote darkens Peter just as Sandman and the New Goblin come after him. This 2007 Marvel film sits outside the MCU timeline, so you can watch it on its own without any homework. It runs 2h 19m and streams on Hulu in the US.
| Directed by | Sam Raimi |
|---|---|
| Starring | Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church, James Franco |
| Release date | May 4, 2007 |
| Runtime | 2h 19m |
| Age rating | PG-13, some material may be inappropriate for under 13 |
| IMDb rating | 6.3/10 |
| Box office | $891M worldwide |
| Series | Legacy Marvel films |
| Part of | Spider-Man movies in order |
| Post-credit scene | No |
Why it matters now
Sandman and Venom’s first big-screen outing. Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman returns in No Way Home.
About Spider-Man 3
Spider-Man 3 closes out Sam Raimi's trilogy a year after Spider-Man 2. Peter Parker finally has things going his way and is planning a future with Mary Jane, but trouble piles up fast: Harry Osborn wants revenge for his father's death, escaped convict Flint Marko becomes the shape-shifting Sandman, and an alien symbiote bonds to Peter's suit, turning it black and bringing out his darker side. Rival photographer Eddie Brock rounds out the trouble.
Raimi directed and wrote it with his brother Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent for Columbia Pictures and Marvel. Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco returned, joined by Thomas Haden Church as Sandman, Topher Grace as Eddie Brock, Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy and James Cromwell as George Stacy. It opened May 4, 2007, set a US opening-weekend record of $151.1 million, and was the biggest Spider-Man film until Far From Home. Reviews were mixed, with critics often pointing to too many villains.
Good to know
- At release it was considered the most expensive film ever made, with estimates ranging from about $258 million to $350 million.
- Producer Avi Arad pushed Raimi to include Venom, a character Raimi had criticized for lacking humanity.
- Christopher Young scored the film after Danny Elfman declined to return.
- A planned Spider-Man 4 for 2011 was canceled in 2010 when Raimi withdrew, leading to the Amazing Spider-Man reboot.
Spoiler Spoilers for Spider-Man 3: tap to reveal
- Tobey Maguire and Thomas Haden Church returned as Peter Parker and Sandman in the MCU's Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).
How to watch it
Watch it right after Spider-Man (2002) and Spider-Man 2 (2004), since the Harry Osborn and Mary Jane threads pay off here. Then jump to Spider-Man: No Way Home, which rewards anyone who knows these films. The symbiote storyline and Sandman's scenes are the most memorable parts. It's a good pick for fans of the Raimi films and for anyone curious about the first big-screen Venom.
Where it fits in your watch
Spider-Man 3 FAQ
Is Spider-Man 3 connected to No Way Home?
Yes, through the multiverse. Exactly how is one of No Way Home's big surprises, so it's in the spoiler box above.
Why was Venom added to Spider-Man 3?
Producer Avi Arad pushed for the character. Raimi wasn't a fan of Venom, but Eddie Brock already had a small role in the script, and it grew from there.
Why was there no Spider-Man 4?
Sony planned a fourth film for 2011, but it was canceled in January 2010 after Raimi withdrew, and the series was rebooted with The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).
Can you skip Spider-Man 3?
Yes. It sits outside the MCU, so you’d watch it for the characters’ history, not for anything the MCU plot needs.
When was Spider-Man 3 released?
Spider-Man 3 was released on May 4, 2007.
Is Spider-Man 3 part of the MCU?
No. Spider-Man 3 is a Marvel film made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so it isn’t on Marvel Studios’ official timeline.
Does Spider-Man 3 have a post-credit scene?
No, Spider-Man 3 has no post-credit scene.
Where to watch Spider-Man 3 in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Hulu |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Spider-Man 3 outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Prime Video, NOW, Sky Go, Netflix | Rent: Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Amazon |
| Canada | Crave | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, CosmoGo |
| Australia | Binge, Foxtel Now | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon |
| India | Prime Video, Sony LIV, Lionsgate Play, Vi Movies & TV | Rent: Amazon, Apple TV |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
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