Synopsis for
Spider-Man (2002) More at IMDbPro »

Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is a nerdy high school senior in New York City. His parents are dead and he lives with his Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson) and Aunt May (Rosemary Harris). He has a crush on his next door neighbor, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), who is also one of the few classmates who is nice to him. Her boyfriend, Flash (Joe Manganiello) and his buddies pick on him. Peter's only friend is Harry Osborn (James Franco), who, though rich and good-looking, is similarly an outcast. Harry, however, is somewhat jealous of the affection his father, Norman (Willem Dafoe) shows Peter. Norman, the head of weapons contractor Oscorp, appreciates Peter's scientific aptitude and can barely conceal his desire that Peter was his own son.

Peter's science class takes a field trip to a genetics laboratory at Columbia University. The lab works on spiders and has even managed to create new species of spiders through genetic manipulation and combination. While Peter is taking photographs of Mary Jane for the school newspaper, one of these new spiders lands on his hand and bites him. Peter comes home feeling ill and immediately goes to bed. At the genetic level, the venom injected by the spider bite begins to work strange magic on Peter. Meanwhile, General Slocum (Stanley Anderson) visits Oscorp to see the results of their new super soldier formula. When one of Norman's top scientists, Dr. Stromm (Ron Perkins) warns him the formula is unstable, General Slocum threatens to pull all of the military's funding from Oscorp. Later that night, Norman exposes himself to the formula. He gains superhuman strength and agility but is driven insane. He kills Stromm and steals two other Oscorp inventions, an exoskeleton and jet glider.

Peter wakes up the next morning feeling better than ever. He also learns his scrawny physique now ripples with muscles and his eyesight is perfect. At school that day, he learns he can shoot webs out of spinnerettes in his wrists. He demonstrates his own new agility by catching Mary Jane and her food tray when she slips at lunch and then beating an enraged Flash in a fistfight. That night, he and Mary Jane casually flirt across the fence separating their backyards, although Flash breaks this up when he arrives with his new car. Peter believes he needs a car to impress Mary Jane but knows neither he nor the cash-strapped and retired Ben and May would be able to afford one.

One night he spies an advertisement in the paper. A local professional wrestling league will pay $3000 to anyone who can survive three minutes in the ring with their champion, Bone Saw (Randy "Macho Man " Savage). Peter designs a suit and heads out to the arena, telling Ben and May he is going to the library. Ben and May are worried about the changes in Peter's personality and Ben insists on driving him to the library. He tries to explain his and May's concerns. He encourages Peter not to get into any more fights; he might have the power to beat the Flash Thompsons of the world, but "with great power comes great responsibility" -- the responsibility to know when and how best to use that power. Peter reacts badly. He tells Ben he is not Peter's father and should not act like he is. Peter not only survives the wrestling match, he defeats Bone Saw in two minutes. But the promoter pays Peter only $100. Angry at being gypped, Peter stands aside as an armed robber (Michael Papajohn) holds up the promoter. However, when he gets out to the street, he discovers the robber fatally wounded Ben and stole his car. In anguish, Peter chases down the robber and beats him. The robber falls out of a window where his body is recovered by the police. That same night, a menacing figure wearing the stolen Oscorp exoskeleton and riding the jet glider attacks a weapons test at Quest Aerospace, Oscorp's chief competitor. Their prototype is destroyed and General Slocum is killed.

Peter is inspired by Ben's admonition to use his spider powers for the greater good. He designs a new costume and swings around New York, foiling petty robberies and muggings as the Amazing Spider-man, a name he borrows from the announcer at the wrestling match. This does not endear him to J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons), the editor and publisher of the Daily Bugle, New York's leading muckracking tabloid. However, when he learns Spider-man sells newspapers, he puts out a call to photographers for better photos for his front page. Peter, Harry and Mary Jane graduated from high school. They all move to Manhattan. Peter and Harry get a loft together and attend classes at Empire State. Mary Jane works as a waitress and struggles to get acting auditions. She and Harry also begin seeing one another. Harry apologizes to Peter but points out Peter was always too shy to make a move himself. Peter struggles to hold down a job. Norman offers to help him find one but respects Peter's desire to make his own way in the world. Peter sees Jameson's advertisement for good photos of Spider-man and, webbing his camera in convenient places, gets excellent photos of his own heroic actions. Although Jameson doesn't pay well, he agrees to buy more of Peter's photos.

Norman is also happy; Quest has to reorganize after the debacle that killed Slocum, Oscorp has more government contracts and the company's stock is soaring. He is crestfallen to learn the Board of Directors has chosen this moment to accept a buyout offer from Quest. His insanity manifests itself in a split personality: the driven yet confused Norman, and the murderous, scheming villain who will soon become known as the Green Goblin. As the Goblin, he attacks Oscorp's annual Unity Day street fair and kills the Board of Directors. His attack also endangers Mary Jane. Spider-man fights off the Goblin and rescues Mary Jane when she nearly falls to her death. Mary Jane finds herself falling in love with Spider-man, a feeling only reinforced when he saves her from some rapists a few days later. This time, she thanks Spider-man with a deep kiss. She doesn't know he is really Peter.

The Goblin decides he and Spider-man should be partners. He attacks the Bugle offices to lure Spider-man into a trap, then gives Spider-man a few days to think over his offer of partnership. He warns Spider-man the city will eventually turn against him, and that they should rule it together. A few days later, on Thanksgiving, Goblin stages a fire in an apartment building to get an answer from Spider-man. Spider-man refuses to join with Goblin, and the two fight. Spiderman receives a bad cut on his arm. As Norman and Peter, the Goblin and Spider-man are due at the loft for Thanksgiving dinner. They each race back separately. When Peter arrives to dinner with fresh blood from the cut on his sleeve, Norman realizes Peter is Spider-man and hastily leaves. On the way out, he insults Mary Jane and she leaves, hurt Harry didn't defend her. That night, Goblin attacks Aunt May at home, sending her to the hospital. While visiting her, Mary Jane reveals her crush on Spider-man to Peter but they wind up having an intimate moment themselves. Harry sees this and knows his relationship with Mary Jane is over.

Goblin decides to strike at Spider-man through Mary Jane. He kidnaps her, then sabotages a trolley car along the Roosevelt Bridge. When Spider-man arrives, Goblin gives him the choice of saving Mary Jane or the trolley car, then drops them both from the bridge. Spider-man manages to save both, with an assist from a passing barge and pedestrians on the bridge who pelt Goblin with debris and delay him from his attempts to kill Spider-man. Goblin instead grabs Spider-man and throws him into an abandoned building. The two fight, and the Goblin nearly wins until he makes the mistake of threatening Mary Jane. Enraged, Spider-man beats Goblin but stops when he learns Norman is the Goblin. Goblin tries to use his jet glider to kill Spider-man but Spidey leaps out of the way just in time; Goblin is impaled and killed. Spiderman takes Norman's body back to his penthouse apartment. Harry sees them and blames Spider-man for Norman's death. At the funeral, the vows revenge and thanks Peter for being such a great friend.

Peter goes to visit Uncle Ben's grave. Mary Jane finds him there and confesses her love for him. She kisses him tenderly, passionately. Peter wants to tell her the truth but can't. Instead, he tells her he can never be more than her friend. Mary Jane has an inkling that she might have kissed him before but Peter walks away, knowing both his blessing and his curse in life: "Who am I? I'm Spider-man."



Film begins with a complex opening title sequence, illustrating a journey through a series of Spider-Webs inter-cut with New York buildings. The final title shot ends with an up close look at a Spider-Web which becomes a real Spider-Web.

The Voice over narration begins. The voice says that this story is "all about a girl" and we see the beautiful young face of the famed red head, Mary-Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) as she sits on the school bus with her boyfriend Flash Thompson. The voice belongs to Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), and as the camera pans, we see the young man, a geek with thick glasses, running along side the bus. He clamors for attention, but the bus driver will not stop to pick him up until Mary Jane tells him to stop. On the bus, Peter is not given a seat, he carries a stigma, and is tripped by a bully.

On the field trip to the Genetics Laboratory at Columbia University, young Harry Osborne (James Franco) sits with his father, Norman (Willem Dafoe), idling in the back of their Rolls Royce, Harry complains that they should go around the corner, he did not want the Public School children to feel bad. Harry gets out and meets up with his unlikely friend, Peter Parker. Peter has unsuccessfully waved at Mary Jane. Norman brings his son his backpack and meets with Peter, who tells the noted scientist he has in fact, read his research and he understood what it meant. Flattered, Norman goes, while Harry and Peter go inside.

Crowded around a tour guide, she explains they have been working on genetically manipulation in Spiders. Mary Jane notes there is one Spider missing. Harry prods Peter to talk to Mary Jane, and when he declines, Harry strikes up his own conversation. When the teacher finally pulls Harry away from her, Peter takes his chance, and Camera in hand, asks to take her picture. She allows him to snap some shots playfully, and abruptly leaves with her gaggle of girls as the missing genetically modified spider dangles towards Peter. The arachnid bites Peter on the hand and scurries away.

Norman Osborn, now at work, shows an Army General the prototypes, one, a flying glider a man can ride, and discusses his work on a human performance enhancing chemical. When his assistant claims that in tests, the chemical could cause aggressive behaviour and madness, the General tells Norman he is pulling their funding, giving their contract to Quest Aerospace, their biggest competitor.

At Peter's home, his Uncle and Aunt, Ben (Cliff Robertson) and May (Rosemary Harris), discuss their financial problems. Peter walks into the home, visibly ill, saying he was not hungry for dinner, "already had a bite." He walks to his room, and disrobes, looking gaunt and terribly sick, collapsing on his floor, passing out.

Peter has haunting dreams.

At Oscorp, Norman and his assistant, Dr. Stromm (Ron Perkins), attempt a human trial with the formula. Norman quiets Stromm's protests as he inhales the vapors. The change is almost immediate, as a crazed and super-powered Norman Osborne breaks through the glass barrier and kills Stromm.

Peter awakes in the morning, not feeling bad. His vision has improved as he looks through the thick lenses. He looks at himself in a mirror, and somehow his body has taken a much more muscular form. Rushing to school, he only for a moment sees into Mary Jane's Room. She really is the girl next door.

Downstairs, Uncle Ben tells him he needs his help in repainting the kitchen. Peter leaves the house and can hear terrible yelling from the Watston residence, and after a slammed door, Mary Jane rushes out. Walking several steps behind her, Peter practices lines he would say to her. She is quickly picked up by a group of her friends in a car and Peter again has to run for the bus. With no intention of stopping, Peter slams his open hand against the side of the bus. The paper banner sticks to his hand and he rips it from the side.

At school, Peter sits in the cafeteria. Mary Jane walks by him, and slips on a puddle of juice. Time slows for Peter as his reflexes catch Mary Jane in mid air and he saves her food. A short conversation ensues and Mary Jane moves back to her friends at the more popular table. Peter notices a fork has stuck to his hand. Trying to remove the fork, a strand of webbing shoots out organically from his wrist, snagging a tray of food. Jerking the web back, his webbing springs and the cafeteria tray spills food all over Flash Thompson (Joe Manganiello). The bully catches a glimpse of Peter as he exits the cafeteria.

At his locker, moments later, time slows once more. His quickened reaction time helps Peter avoid an oncoming right hook from Flash Thompson. Kids gather about them as Peter Parker fights. Harry and Mary Jane try to stop it, but Peter shows tremendous flexibility and strength as he punches Flash square in the chest. Scared, Peter flees the school.

He notices tiny hairs on his finger tips, moves to an alley and he tests a theory. He puts his hands on a wall and climbs, slowly. He jumps and runs across the rooftops, feeling powerful. He stops at a ledge and tests another theory, moving his hands in various ways until he manages to whip out another organic web. His first attempt at swinging puts him into a billboard.

Peter arrives at home and it is night time. The house is quiet, he has let his Uncle down by not helping him paint the kitchen. Taking out the garbage, Peter is privy to yet another screaming match from the Watson residence. Mary Jane moves to the back yard and has a tender conversation with Peter. They share goals and Peter comes close to revealing his feelings as Flash Thompson honks the horn of his new sexy sports car. Mary Jane joins him and Peter remarks that he has a "cool car."

Several scenes showing Peter practicing with his new abilities in his room. He designs a costume. The next day, as Peter heads out, his Uncle offers him a ride. Peter has a talk with him in the car, Uncle Ben expresses concern for him and says, "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility", but Peter does not listen, and having lied to his Uncle saying he would go to the library, Peter instead goes to a Wrestling match, in an attempt to win the 3000 dollar purse to buy a car and impress Mary Jane.

Signing up as a masked Wrestler, the Announcer (Bruce Campbell), incorrectly names him "The Amazing Spider-Man." Peter has a two minute confrontation with the large Bone Saw (Randy Savage). Peter comes out on top and wins the match. The Promoter stiffs him on the full amount, instead giving him one hundred dollars. Moments later a crook steals the night's receipts and pistol whips the promoter. Instead of doing something to stop the criminal, Peter instead steps aside as the robber gets on the elevator.

Peter is on the street and sees commotion, people are gathered around an old man who has been shot, Uncle Ben is dying on the concrete. Peter holds him for the last few moments and is enraged as he hears his Uncle's car has been spotted and the murderer is fleeing the cops. Peter puts on his thrown-together Spider-Man costume and climbs up walls, situating himself for webslinging action. He manages to whip from one building to another, and lands on top of the car, avoiding bullets as the car crashes into the side of a building. Peter corners the crook and finally gets a good look at him, recognizing him as the robber from earlier in the night. The robber makes a misstep and falls through a window, dying.

Later that night, a Quest Aerospace testing ground has a crew watching a demonstration of a flying robotic exoskeleton. The festivities are ended by an act of terrorism that destroys everyone present. A cut to graduation leads to a scene where Peter and Harry discuss their upcoming college plans. Mary Jane breaks up with her boyfriend. Norman Osborne has a talk with Peter and is impressed by his science award, also expresses sadness for Peter's loss.

At home, an emotionally exhausted Peter and Aunt May have a talk about what Ben meant to them. Peter pulls out the picture of his drawing. The Spider-Man costume, and a series of exploits are shown, Spider-Man barely seen, coming to the aid of those in trouble, stopping bad guys. Spider-Man is now New York's newest, cutest hero.

Peter, looking for a job, spots Mary Jane coming out a diner. She claims she is acting, but her small lie is extinguished by her boss. They talk about Harry, and Mary Jane reveals she has been dating him, something Peter did not know about. At their swanky apartment, Harry and Peter talk, but Peter does not reveal he knows about Harry and Mary Jane. A visiting Norman Osborne knows of Peter's need for a job, and claims he can help him, but having seen a Daily Bugle Newspaper offering money for Spider-Man photos, says he wants a job in photography.

Saving some armored car guards, Peter snaps several photos of himself. At the Daily Bugle, cigar chomping J. Jonah Jameson, offers to buy the photos. And Peter finds a temprorary job with the Bugle, sure to capture more photos of himself.

At a board meeting, Norman Osborne is told by his board members that they are selling the company to Quest Aerospace. Norman shows his colors and gets furious with his board. At the World Unity Festival, an excited Harry is going to show off his girlfriend to his father, but Norman is a no show. From down below, Peter is taking places and sees his two friends coupled together. Harry sees him in the crowd and they move to go inside as something from a distance flies toward them. Clad in green armor, and riding a glider, The Green Goblin launches a pumpkin bomb at the terrace of the building hosting his board members. He disintegrates his board members. Peter springs into action, and has a fight with the Green Goblin. Peter disables the Glider and rescues a falling Mary Jane, swinging halfway across the city before setting her down on a rooftop. Harry and Mary Jane's relationship are discussed and Peter knows there are more important things out there, with a Supervillain wreaking havoc.

At the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson is attacked by the Green Goblin, demanding to find the one that takes the pictures. Peter nearby, changes into the Spider-Man, but the fight is quick and Peter is made unconscious by the Goblin, who steals him away. On a rooftop, the megalomaniac offers a truce, wanting Spider-Man at his side. Spider-Man refuses.

Peter meets Mary Jane outside of her last audition and walks with her some, trying to make a date. He is rejected and walks away as he notices some neighborhood toughs moving toward Mary Jane. It starts to rain as they corner her, and Spider-Man appears, taking all of them down. Mary Jane gives him a lasting kiss, careful just to uncover his lips. He zips away.

A fire is burning in a building early in the morning. Spider-Man jumps in and saves a woman's baby. He goes back in, hearing a scream, but finds the Green Goblin standing in front of him. They battle and Spider-Man is cut on his wrist. He escapes as the building burns down around the angry Goblin.

Norman is in a normal suit, visiting his son's apartment for Thanksgiving. He meets May and MJ, and they are all waiting for a late Peter. There is a commotion in the upstairs bedroom. Norman walks in, and above him, unseen, Peter clings to the ceiling, in full costume except for his face. A droplet of blood falls to the ground and Norman is startled, looking everywhere, but Spider-Man is gone.

Peter enters in streetclothes, and they sit to eat. Aunt May notices his wound and Peter lies about a bike messenger. Norman adds two and two together and dodges out, not before putting down MJ. MJ is angry at Harry's lack of fight for her and leaves as well.

Norman fights with his inner demon about what to do with Peter, whom he had respected like his own son. Aunt May prays at her bedside, but the Green Goblin breaks through her Queens home and attacks her. Peter goes to the hospital where his Aunt screams, "those horrible yellow eyes." Now knowing that Goblin knows who he is, he settles in beside his aunt. The next day, MJ goes to visit Peter and his aunt. Peter reveals his feelings for her, in a concealed way. Harry witnesses their intimacy. Harry goes home and tells his father about his troubles, how he has lost MJ to Peter.

Aunt May wakes up and talks to Peter, telling him everyone knows how he feels about MJ. Peter becomes worried about MJ and gives her a call. The Goblin picks up and tells Spider-Man to meet him. On the Queensboro bridge, Mary Jane stands, evading attacks. Spider-Man arrives and Goblin plays a game with him. He holds MJ on one hand and a skyline trolley on the other, he drops them both. In a graceful motion, Spider-Man saves them both. He fights the Goblin into a trashed warehouse at waters edge, and Norman Osborne reveals his face to Peter. Norman distracts Peter, but all the while readying his glider to kill him. Peter leaps out of the way as the glider impales the Goblin. Norman's last words, "Don't tell Harry."

Peter drops off Norman's body on his bed, but Harry sees him, pulling out a gun. Peter is gone.

At Norman's funeral Harry vows he will not rest until he makes Spider-Man pay. Peter and MJ talk, she reveals her own feelings for him. They share a kiss, but Peter tells her he does not love her. And leaves her to ponder the kiss.

The voice over comes back and Peter repeats the mantra that "with great power comes responsiblity." The movie fades out.