Spider-Man 3#Music

Three years after Otto Octavius's sacrifice,{{efn|As depicted in Spider-Man 2 (2004).}} Peter Parker plans to propose to Mary Jane Watson, who has made her Broadway musical debut. In Central Park, a meteorite lands nearby during their date, from which an extraterrestrial symbiote oozes out and follows Peter to his apartment by attaching to his motorbike. Harry Osborn, knowing Peter is Spider-Man, seeks to avenge his father's death.{{efn|As depicted in Spider-Man (2002)}} Using Norman's performance-enhancing gas and Green Goblin technology, he battles Peter to an eventual stalemate, developing partial amnesia after falling from his glider. Meanwhile, police pursue escaped convict Flint Marko, who visits his wife and sick daughter before fleeing. He falls into an experimental particle accelerator that fuses his body with the surrounding sand, and gains the ability to control and reform his body with sand, becoming Sandman.

During a festival honoring Spider-Man for saving Gwen Stacy's life, Peter kisses her to please the crowd, angering Mary Jane. Marko then robs an armored truck and escapes after a duel with Spider-Man. NYPD Captain George Stacy, Gwen's father, informs Peter and his aunt May that Marko is uncle Ben's true killer; the initial suspect was simply Marko's accomplice. While waiting for Marko to emerge from hiding, the symbiote assimilates Peter's suit as he sleeps in it. Peter awakens on top of a building, discovering that the symbiote has turned his suit black and enhanced his powers, but it also heightens his aggression.

Peter battles Marko in a subway. Finding that water weakens him, Peter opens a pipe, turning Marko into mud and washing him away. Peter's new attitude alienates Mary Jane, who kisses Harry and departs regretfully. A hallucination of his father prompts Harry to recover from amnesia and force Mary Jane to break up with Peter. Later, Harry tells Peter Mary Jane is dating him. Under the symbiote's influence, Peter fights Harry, spitefully claiming his father never loved him. As Peter leaves, Harry throws a pumpkin bomb, which Peter deflects, disfiguring Harry's face.

At the Daily Bugle, Peter exposes rival photographer Eddie Brock, whose fake photos incriminate Spider-Man. Publisher J. Jonah Jameson, outraged at Eddie's false photo and having to print a retraction, fires Brock and promotes Peter to staff photographer. Later, Peter brings Gwen to a jazz club where Mary Jane now works, in an attempt to make her jealous. Upon realizing Peter's true intentions, Gwen apologizes to Mary Jane and leaves. After assaulting the bouncers and accidentally hitting Mary Jane, Peter realizes that the symbiote is corrupting him. Retreating to a church's bell tower and discovering that the sounds of clanging metal weaken the creature, Peter removes the symbiote. Seeing the event from the pews below, Brock becomes the symbiote's new host and turns into Venom.

Brock locates a still-living Marko and convinces him to join forces to kill Spider-Man. Brock abducts Mary Jane and holds her captive from a web at a construction site, intending to kill her in revenge for Peter ruining him, while Marko keeps the police at bay. After a now scarred Harry declines to help Peter, Harry's butler reveals that Norman's death was not Spider-Man's fault. While Brock and Marko pin Peter down, Harry arrives to help Peter and save Mary Jane. Brock attempts to impale Peter with Harry's glider, but Harry jumps in and is impaled instead. While remembering the symbiote's weakness, Peter assembles a perimeter of metal pipes to create a sonic attack, weakening it and allowing Peter to separate Brock from the symbiote.

Peter activates a pumpkin bomb and throws it at the hostless symbiote. Having become addicted to its influence, Brock tries saving the symbiote, but both are vaporized. Marko explains that Ben's death was an accident that has haunted him, and that everything he has done was to help his daughter. Peter forgives Marko, allowing him to escape. Peter and Harry reconcile before the latter dies from his injuries. Some time after Harry's funeral, Peter visits Mary Jane at the jazz club, where they embrace and share a dance.

• Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker / Spider-Man:
  A superhero, a brilliant physics student at Columbia University, and photographer for the Daily Bugle. As he grows arrogant with the city starting to embrace him for the first time in his career, an alien symbiote attaches itself to Peter's costume and influences his behavior for the worse. Maguire said he relished the opportunity to play a less timid Peter in this film.
• Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson:
  Peter Parker's girlfriend and a Broadway actress, whom he has loved since childhood. Mary Jane has a string of bad luck in the film, reminiscent of Peter's misfortune in Spider-Man 2, struggling in her career because of negative reviews and losing her boyfriend when the symbiote takes him over. Mary Jane was not originally planned to be kidnapped during the climax by the villains as Raimi initially felt this would become repetitive throughout the entire trilogy; this decision was changed late in production.{{cite web |first=Jack |last=Carter |date=February 3, 2023 |title=Spider-Man 3{{'}}s Original Gwen Stacy Ending Would Have Ruined The Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/spiderman-3-gwen-stacy-original-ending-movie-ruin/ |work=Screen Rant |access-date=February 8, 2023}}
• James Franco as Harry Osborn / New Goblin:
  The son of Norman Osborn, and Peter Parker's best friend, who believes Spider-Man killed his father. After learning Peter is Spider-Man and that Norman was the Green Goblin, Harry picks up where his father left and becomes the New Goblin to battle his former friend.
• Thomas Haden Church as Flint Marko / Sandman:
  A small-time thug with an ex-wife and sick daughter, for whom he steals money to help get the treatment to cure her. He transforms into the Sandman following a freak accident and incurs Peter's wrath when Peter learns he was his Uncle Ben's killer. Church was approached for Sandman because of his award-winning performance in the film Sideways,{{cite news | author=Edward Douglas | url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4599 | title=Exclusive: Enter Sandman! | publisher=SuperHeroHype.com | date=2006-08-01 | access-date=2006-08-25 | archive-date=November 18, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118112053/http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4599 | url-status=live }} and accepted the role despite the lack of a script at the time. The film's Sandman possesses sympathy similarly exhibited by Lon Chaney Jr. in his portrayals of misunderstood creatures, as well as Frankenstein's monster, the Golem, and Andy Serkis' portrayals of Gollum and King Kong. Church worked out for 16 months to improve his physique for the role,{{cite news | author=Scott Huver | url=http://www.hollywood.com/feature/Weaving_the_Web_of_SpiderMan_3_Part_Two_Thomas_Hayden_Church_Topher_Grace_and_Bryce_Dallas_Howard/3538354 | title=Weaving the Web of 'Spider-Man 3', Part Two: Thomas Hayden Church, Topher Grace and Bryce Dallas Howard | work=Hollywood.com | access-date=2006-08-24 | archive-date=August 3, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803215207/http://www.hollywood.com/feature/Weaving_the_Web_of_SpiderMan_3_Part_Two_Thomas_Hayden_Church_Topher_Grace_and_Bryce_Dallas_Howard/3538354 | url-status=live }} gaining 28 pounds of muscle and losing 10 pounds of fat.{{cite news | author=Kevin Williamson | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004758/http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=181998&x=articles&s=showbiz| archive-date=2007-09-27 | url=http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=181998&x=articles&s=showbiz | title=Against the Grain | publisher=Calgary Sun | date=2007-05-06 | access-date=2007-05-09}} On his performance, Church expressed that "[villains] with a conscience have this sad realization of who they are, and the monster they've become — there's a sense of regret. So, at the end of these movies there's a dramatic resonance that really stays with the audience."
• Topher Grace as Edward "Eddie" Brock Jr. / Venom:
  Peter's rival at the Daily Bugle. He is exposed by Peter for creating a fake incriminating image of Spider-Man, and leaps at the opportunity to exact his revenge when he bonds with an extraterrestrial symbiote. Grace had impressed the producers with his performance in the film In Good Company. A big comic book fan who read the first Venom stories as a boy, Grace spent six months working out to prepare for the role, gaining 25 pounds of muscle.{{cite news | author=Sean Elliott | url=http://ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2071 | title=Interview: Avi Arad, Laura Ziskin, & Grant Curtis Spin Tales of 'Spider-Man 3'| publisher=iFMagazine.com | date=2007-05-03| access-date=2007-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224825/http://ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2071 | archive-date=2007-09-27}} He approached the character as someone under the influence, similar to an alcoholic or drug addict, and interpreted him as having a bad childhood, which is the key difference between him and Peter. Grace found his costume unpleasant, as it had to be constantly smeared to give a liquid-like look and feel. The costume took an hour to put on, and prosthetics took four hours to apply. Grace also wore fangs, which bruised his gums.{{cite news | author = Heather Newgen | title = Spider-Man 3 Interviews: Topher Grace | publisher = Superherohype.com | date = 2007-04-22 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5554 | access-date = 2007-04-23 | archive-date = April 26, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070426121152/http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5554 | url-status = live }}
• Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy:
  A model and Peter's lab partner, to whom Brock is attracted. Peter asks her out to embarrass Mary Jane while possessed by the symbiote. Howard said the challenge of playing the role was in reminding many fans of the good-natured character who was Peter's first love in the comics yet was "the other woman" in the film. Howard strove to create a sense that Gwen could potentially be a future girlfriend for him and that she "was not acting like some kind of man-stealing tart."{{cite news | author = Heather Newgen | title = Spider-Man 3 Interviews: Bryce Dallas Howard | publisher = Superherohype.com | date = 2007-04-22 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5543 | access-date = 2007-05-07 | archive-date = April 23, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070423125701/http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5543 | url-status = live }}
• James Cromwell as Captain George Stacy: Gwen's father and a New York City Police Department captain.
• Rosemary Harris as May Parker: The aunt of Peter Parker and the widow of Ben Parker, Peter's uncle. She gives Peter her engagement ring so he can propose to Mary Jane and gives him lessons in forgiveness.
• J. K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson: The editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle. He has a particular dislike towards Spider-Man, whom he considers a criminal and tries in every way to discredit.

Several actors reprise their roles from the previous films. Dylan Baker portrays Dr. Curt Connors, a college physics professor under whom Peter Parker studies, while Willem Dafoe portrays Norman Osborn / Green Goblin, Harry's late father, who returns as a hallucination to encourage his son to destroy Spider-Man, and Cliff Robertson appears as Ben Parker, Peter's deceased uncle in his final acting appearance before his retirement and death in 2011. Bill Nunn, Ted Raimi, Michael Papajohn, John Paxton, and Elizabeth Banks return as Joseph "Robbie" Robertson, a longtime employee at the Daily Bugle; Ted Hoffman, also a longtime employee of the Daily Bugle; Dennis "Spike" Carradine, the carjacker who was believed to have murdered Uncle Ben; Bernard Houseman, butler to the Osborn family; and Betty Brant, the receptionist at the Daily Bugle for J. Jonah Jameson, respectively. Elya Baskin additionally reprises his role as Mr. Ditkovitch, Peter's landlord while Mageina Tovah reprises her role as his daughter Ursula. Joe Manganiello reprises his role as Flash Thompson from the first film in a cameo appearance.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/spider-man-3-shocking-trivia-facts-worst/ |title=15 Things You Didn't Know About The Spider-Man 3 |last=Chapman |first=Tom |date=November 21, 2017 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127234254/https://screenrant.com/spider-man-3-shocking-trivia-facts-worst/ |url-status=dead }} Becky Ann Baker appears as Mrs. Stacy. Theresa Russell and Perla Haney-Jardine appear as Emma and Penny Marko, Sandman's wife and daughter respectively.{{cite magazine |date=April 26, 2007 |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |author-link=Todd McCarthy |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933393 |title=Review: 'Spider-Man 3' |magazine=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013082020/http://variety.com/review/VE1117933393.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |publisher=Reed Elsevier Inc. |access-date=February 2, 2022 }}

Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee has a cameo in Spider-Man 3, as he did in the previous Spider-Man films, which he referred to as his "best cameo".{{cite news | author=Sean Elliott | url=http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1595 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224757/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1595 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2007-09-27 | title=Exclusive Interview: Stan Lee Gets Superheroic Once Again For The Sci-Fi Channel | publisher=iFMagazine.com | date=2006-07-26| access-date=2006-09-24}} Actor Bruce Campbell, who had cameo roles as a wrestling ring announcer in Spider-Man and as a snooty usher in Spider-Man 2, returns in Spider-Man 3 with a new cameo as a French maître d'.{{cite web |last=Wake |first=Matt |date=October 22, 2020 |title=Bruce Campbell Talks Evil Dead, Spider-Man, Xena |url=https://www.al.com/life/2020/10/evil-dead-spider-man-xena-bruce-campbell-qa.html |website=AL.com |access-date=January 8, 2022}} Originally his character, who helps Peter try to propose, was much more antagonistic. Composer Christopher Young appears in the film as a pianist at Mary Jane's theater when she is fired, while producer Grant Curtis cameoed as the driver of an armored car that Sandman attacks.Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace and Bryce Dallas Howard, DVD audio commentary, 2007, Sony Comedian Dean Edwards played one of the newspaper readers who badmouth Spider-Man. 75-year-old newscaster Hal Fishman appears as himself anchoring the saga of Mary Jane's kidnapping by Venom; he died just fourteen weeks after the movie opened. Actress Lucy Gordon appeared as newscaster Jennifer Dugan.

{{Quote box|align=right|width=25em|quote="The most important thing Peter right now has to learn is that this whole concept of him as the avenger or him as the hero, he wears this red and blue outfit, with each criminal he brings to justice he's trying to pay down this debt of guilt he feels about the death of Uncle Ben. He considers himself a hero and a sinless person versus these villains that he nabs. We felt it would be a great thing for him to learn a little less black and white view of life and that he's not above these people."|source=—Sam Raimi, on how the character of Peter Parker developed in this film}}

In March 2004, with Spider-Man 2 being released the coming June, Sony announced that Spider-Man 3 was already in development for a release in summer 2007.{{cite magazine | author=Nicole Laporte | url=https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/spidey-spins-web-for-a-third-time-1117901100/ | title=Spidey spins web for a third time | magazine=Variety | date=March 2, 2004 | access-date=February 22, 2006 | archive-date=August 5, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805120827/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117901100?refCatId=13 | url-status=live }} By the release of Spider-Man 2, a release date for Spider-Man 3 had been set for May 2, 2007 before production on the sequel had begun.{{cite magazine | author=Gabriel Snyder | url=https://variety.com/2004/film/box-office/spidey-swings-to-new-heights-1117907347/ | title=Spidey swings to new heights | magazine=Variety | date=July 5, 2004 | access-date=February 22, 2022 }} The date was later changed to May 4, 2007. In January 2005, Sony Pictures completed a seven-figure deal with screenwriter Alvin Sargent, who had penned Spider-Man 2, to script Spider-Man 3 with an option to script a fourth film.{{cite magazine | author=Nicole Laporte | url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/sargent-to-spin-more-spidey-tales-1117916239/ | title=Sargent to spin more Spidey tales | magazine=Variety | date=January 12, 2005 | access-date=December 22, 2006}}

Immediately after Spider-Man 2{{'}}s release, Ivan Raimi wrote a treatment over two months,{{cite magazine |author=Steve Daly |title=World Wide Web |page=3 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422201143/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20035326_3%2C00.html |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/04/26/summer-movie-preview-whats-ahead-spidey/ |access-date=April 20, 2007 |archive-date=April 22, 2007 |url-status=live}} with Sam Raimi deciding to use the film to explore Peter learning that he is not a sinless vigilante, and that there also can be humanity in those he considers criminals.{{cite news | author = Heather Newgen | title = Spider-Man 3 Interviews: Director Sam Raimi | publisher = Superherohype.com | date = April 21, 2007 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/93443-spider-man-3-interviews-director-sam-raimi | access-date = April 21, 2007 | archive-date = October 21, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021123842/http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/93443-spider-man-3-interviews-director-sam-raimi | url-status = live }} Harry Osborn was brought back because Raimi wanted to conclude his story line. Raimi felt that Harry would not follow his father's legacy, but be instead "somewhere between."{{cite news | author=Larry Carroll | url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1537122/07252006/story.jhtml | title='Spider-Man 3' Cast Confirms Love Triangle, Death, Soul-Sucking Costume | publisher=MTV | date=July 26, 2006 | access-date=August 27, 2006 | archive-date=January 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102104706/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1537122/07252006/story.jhtml | url-status=dead }} Sandman was introduced as an antagonist, as Raimi found him a visually fascinating character. While Sandman is a petty criminal in the comics, the screenwriters created a background of the character being Uncle Ben's killer to increase Peter's guilt over his death{{cite web|author=Stax|title=IGN Interview: Avi Arad|website=IGN|date=March 5, 2007|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/770/770167p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320231057/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/770/770167p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 20, 2007|access-date=March 6, 2007}} and challenge his simplistic perception of the event. Overall, Raimi described the film as being about Peter, Mary Jane, Harry, and the Sandman,{{cite news | author=Patrick Lee | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903164630/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=41291| archive-date=September 3, 2007| url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=41291 | title=Producers Beefed Up Spidey 3 | publisher=Sci Fi Wire | date=April 27, 2007| access-date=May 4, 2007}} with Peter's journey being one of forgiveness.{{cite AV media | title = Premiere Close Up | type = TV | publisher = Sky2 |date = May 6, 2007}}

Raimi wanted another villain, and Ben Kingsley was involved in negotiations to play the Vulture before the character was cut. Vulture was considered to be an accomplice of Flint Marko in the script.{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Shirey |date=February 13, 2018 |url=https://www.joblo.com/thomas-haden-church-talks-divorce-spider-man-3-a-mystery-comic-book-role-117/ |title=Thomas Haden Church talks Divorce, Spider-Man 3 & a mystery comic book role |website=JoBlo.com |access-date=January 11, 2022}} Producer Avi Arad convinced Raimi to include Venom, a character whose perceived "lack of humanity" had initially been criticized by Sam Raimi.{{cite web | author=Richard George | url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/720/720542p1.html | title=Comic-Con 2006: Spider-Man 3 | website=IGN | date=July 23, 2006 | access-date=August 25, 2006 | archive-date=July 23, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723031207/http://comics.ign.com/articles/720/720542p1.html | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=https://collider.com/sam-raimi-interviewed-spiderman-3/ | title=Sam Raimi Interviewed – SPIDER-MAN 3 | website=Collider | date=April 22, 2007 }} Venom's alter-ego, Eddie Brock, already had a minor role in the script.{{cite news | author=Sean Elliott | url= http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2166 | title=Exclusive Interview: Out with the Vulture & in with Venom: Grant Curtis Spider-Man 3 Producer – Part 4 | publisher=iFMagazine.com | date=June 15, 2007 | access-date=October 12, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183600/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2166 | archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}} Arad felt the series had relied too much on Raimi's personal favorite Spider-Man villains, not characters that modern fans were actually interested in, so Raimi included Venom to please them, and even began to appreciate the character himself. The film's version of the character is an amalgamation of Venom stories. Edward Brock Jr., the human part of Venom, serves as a mirror to Peter Parker, with both characters having similar jobs and romantic interests. Brock's actions as a journalist in Spider-Man 3 also represent contemporary themes of paparazzi and tabloid journalism.{{cite news | author=Sheigh Crabtree | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-apr-15-ca-spiderman15-story.html | title=The inner life of the super-villain | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=April 15, 2007 | access-date=April 15, 2007 | archive-date=August 8, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808010534/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/apr/15/entertainment/ca-spiderman15 | url-status=live }} The producers also suggested adding rival love interest Gwen Stacy, filling in an "other girl" type that Raimi had already created. With so many additions, Sargent soon found his script so complex that he considered splitting it into two films, but abandoned the idea when he could not create a successful intermediate climax.

Camera crews spent 2 weeks from November 5–18, 2005 to film sequences that would involve intense visual effects so Sony Pictures Imageworks could begin work on the shots early in the project. The same steps had been taken for Spider-Man 2 to begin producing visual effects early for sequences involving the villain Doctor Octopus.{{cite news | author=Grant Curtis | url=http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/spiderman3/blog/archives/2006/07/welcome_back.php | title=Grant Curtis – Welcome back | publisher=Spider-Man 3 Movie Blog | date=July 28, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012191639/http://sonypictures.com/movies/spiderman3/blog/archives/2006/07/welcome_back.php| archive-date=October 12, 2007 | access-date=August 19, 2006}}

Principal photography for Spider-Man 3 began on January 16, 2006, and wrapped in July 2006 after over 100 days of filming. The team filmed in Los Angeles until May 19, 2006. In spring 2006, film location manager Peter Martorano brought camera crews to Cleveland, Ohio,{{cite news | author=Carolyn Jack | url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/friday/116133323731410.xml&coll=2 | title=Spider-Man's location manager knows a great city when he sees it | publisher=Cleveland.com | date=October 20, 2006 | access-date=October 20, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011145236/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Ffriday%2F116133323731410.xml&coll=2 | archive-date=October 11, 2007 | df=mdy-all}} due to the Greater Cleveland Film Commission offering production space at the city's convention center at no cost.{{cite magazine | date=April 10, 2006| author=Bashirah Muttalib | url=https://variety.com/2006/film/columns/touting-home-turf-1117941315/ | title=Touting home turf | magazine=Variety | access-date=February 22, 2022 }} In Cleveland, they shot the battle between Spider-Man and Sandman in the armored car. Afterwards, the team moved to Manhattan, where filming took place at various locations, including One Chase Manhattan Plaza, from May 26, 2006, until July 1, 2006. Shooting placed a strain on Raimi, who often had to move between several units to complete the picture. Shooting was also difficult for cinematographer Bill Pope, as the symbiote Spider-Man, Venom, and the New Goblin were costumed in black during fight scenes taking place at night.{{cite news |author=Jay Holben |title=A Complex Web |publisher=American Cinematographer |date=May 2007 |url=http://www.ascmag.com/magazine_dynamic/May2007/Spider-Man3/page1.php# |access-date=May 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508232002/http://www.ascmag.com/magazine_dynamic/May2007/Spider-Man3/page1.php |archive-date=May 8, 2007 |url-status=dead}} For the breakdancing scene, Maguire at first did not want to dance, but relented after Pomerhn Derrick showed him some Fred Astaire dance moves.[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-things-i-hate-about-you-bleachers-scene_n_5c990c60e4b057f7330e3190 Huffpost.com]

After August, pick-ups were conducted as Raimi sought to film more action scenes.{{cite web|title='Spider-Man' Cast Called Back for Reshoots|website=Internet Movie Database|date=August 28, 2006|url=https://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2006-08-28#celeb1|access-date=February 28, 2007|archive-date=September 2, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902124721/http://imdb.com/news/wenn/2006-08-28#celeb1|url-status=live}} The film then wrapped in October, although additional special effects shots were taken to finalize the production a month later.{{cite news | author=Todd Gilchrist | title=Dunst Discusses Spidey's Future | work=IGN | publisher=News Corporation | date=October 2, 2006 | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/736/736769p1.html | access-date=October 5, 2006 | archive-date=December 2, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202070905/http://movies.ign.com/articles/736/736769p1.html | url-status=live }} In early 2007, there were further pick-up shots regarding the resolution of Sandman's story, amounting to four different versions.{{cite web |author=Andy Khouri |title=Talking (Spider) Sense with Thomas Haden Church |website=Comic Book Resources |date=April 26, 2007 |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=10403 |access-date=April 27, 2007 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109111644/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=10403 |url-status=live }}

Image:Spider-Man punching Sandman in Spider-Man 3.jpg throws a punch through the chest of Sandman, portrayed by Thomas Haden Church.| alt=Spider-Man punches Sandman, and his fist is seen on the other side of his chest, with sand blowing through the hole]]

John Dykstra, who won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for his work on Spider-Man 2, declined to work on the third film as visual effects supervisor. Dykstra's colleague, Scott Stokdyk, took his place as supervisor,{{cite news | author=Sheigh Crabtree | url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000837503 | title='Spider' man Dykstra will roll 'Wheels' | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=March 14, 2005 | access-date=September 20, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813182417/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000837503 | archive-date=August 13, 2006 |url-status=dead}} leading two hundred programmers at Sony Pictures Imageworks. This group designed specific computer programs that did not exist when Spider-Man 3 began production, creating nine hundred visual effects shots.{{cite magazine | author = Hugh Hart | title = Spider-Man 3 Director Geeks Out on His Movie's Real Star: Sand | magazine = Wired | date = May 4, 2007 | url = https://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/news/2007/05/sam_raimi | access-date = May 11, 2007 | archive-date = May 14, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070514051337/http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/news/2007/05/sam_raimi | url-status = live }}

Image:Venom concept art for Spider-Man 3.jpg suit, which possesses a webbing motif, unlike the comics, in order to show the symbiote's control and represent the character as a twisted foil to Spider-Man.|alt=Concept art for Venom's costume, which is a black-white version of Spider-Man's suit, but more muscular and with an open mouth with sharp teeth]]

In addition to the innovative visual effects for the film, Stokdyk created a miniature of a skyscraper section at 1:16 scale with New Deal Studios' Ian Hunter and David Sanger. Stokdyk chose to design the miniature instead of using computer-generated imagery so damage done to the building could be portrayed realistically and timely without guesswork involving computer models.{{cite news | author=Grant Curtis | url=http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/spiderman3/blog/archives/2006/10/grants_trivia_questions_answer.php | title=Grant's Trivia Questions Answered! | publisher=Spider-Man 3 Official Movie Blog | date=October 21, 2006 | access-date=October 23, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106181653/http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/spiderman3/blog/archives/2006/10/grants_trivia_questions_answer.php | archive-date=November 6, 2006 | df=mdy-all}} In addition to Sony Pictures Imageworks, Cafe FX provided visual effects for the crane disaster scene when Spider-Man rescues Gwen Stacy, as well as shots in the climactic battle.{{cite news | url=http://www.awn.com/news/anime/cafefx-creates-crane-disaster-spider-man-3 | title=CafeFX Creates Crane Disaster for Spider-Man 3 | publisher=VFXWorld | date=May 23, 2007 | access-date=October 12, 2007 | archive-date=June 11, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611104901/http://www.awn.com/news/anime/cafefx-creates-crane-disaster-spider-man-3 | url-status=live }}

To understand the effects of sand for the Sandman, experiments were done with twelve types of sand, such as splashing, launching it at stuntmen, and pouring it over ledges. The results were mimicked on the computer to create the visual effects for Sandman. For scenes involving visual effects, Thomas Haden Church was super-imposed onto the screen, where computer-generated imagery was then applied.{{cite news | author=Edward Douglas | url=http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/91649-exclusive-enter-sandman | title=Exclusive: Enter Sandman! | publisher=SuperHeroHype.com | date=August 1, 2006 | access-date=August 25, 2006 | archive-date=August 7, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807174355/http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/91649-exclusive-enter-sandman | url-status=live }} With sand as a possible hazard in scenes that buried actors, ground-up corn-cobs were used as a substitute instead.{{cite magazine | author=Tom Roston | url=http://beta.premiere.com/Feature/The-Secrets-of-Spider-Man-3/The-Secrets-of-Spider-Man-34 | title=The Secrets of Spider-Man 3 | magazine=Premiere | date=January–February 2007 | access-date=December 14, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803215510/http://beta.premiere.com/Feature/The-Secrets-of-Spider-Man-3/The-Secrets-of-Spider-Man-34 |archive-date = August 3, 2009}} Because of its resemblance to the substance, sand from Arizona was used as the model for the CGI sand. In a fight where Spider-Man punches through Sandman's chest, amputee martial arts expert Baxter Humby took Tobey Maguire's place in filming the scene. Humby, whose right hand was amputated at birth, helped deliver the intended effect of punching through Sandman's chest.{{cite news | url=http://www.canmag.com/news/4/3/4851 | title=An Exclusive interview with Spider-Man! | publisher=Bad Taste | date=August 23, 2006 | access-date=August 25, 2006 | archive-date=February 12, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212125920/http://www.canmag.com/news/4/3/4851 | url-status=usurped }} Producer Laura Ziskin said the visual effects budget alone was approximately 30% more than the previous film.

Whereas the symbiote suit worn in the comics by Spider-Man was a plain black affair with a large white spider on the front and back, the design was changed for the film to become a black version of Spider-Man's traditional costume, complete with webbing motif. As a consequence of this, the suit Topher Grace wore as Venom also bore the webbing motif; as producer Grant Curtis noted, "it's the Spider-Man suit, but twisted and mangled in its own right."{{cite news | author=Sean Elliott | url=http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2151 | title=Exclusive Interview: Producer Grant Curtis & Why Symbiotes Don't Have A Fashion Sense In 'Spider-Man 3' – PART 3 | publisher=iFMagazine.com | date=June 11, 2007 | access-date=October 12, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181444/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2151 | archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}} Additionally, the motif gave a sense of life to the symbiote, giving it the appearance of gripping onto the character's body.{{cite news|title=E.J. Krisor – Illustrator |publisher=Spider-Man 3 Official Movie Blog |date=March 29, 2007 |url=http://www.spidermanmovieblog.com/archives/2007/03/ej_krisor_illustrator.php |access-date=March 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403050801/http://www.spidermanmovieblog.com/archives/2007/03/ej_krisor_illustrator.php |archive-date=April 3, 2007}} When animating the symbiote, Raimi did not want it to resemble a spider or an octopus, and to give it a sense of character. The CGI model is made of many separate strands.{{cite news | author=Bill Desowitz | url=http://www.awn.com/articles/production/ispider-man-3i-going-deeper-goovenom | title=Spider-Man 3: Going Deeper into Goo/Venom | publisher=VFXWorld | date=May 23, 2007 | access-date=October 13, 2007 | archive-date=October 19, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019114744/http://www.awn.com/articles/production/ispider-man-3i-going-deeper-goovenom | url-status=live }} When animating Venom himself, animators observed footage of big cats such as lions and cheetahs for the character's agile movements.{{cite news | last= Seymour | first= Mike | url= http://www.fxguide.com/featured/Spiderman_-_The_Technical_Web_we_Weave/ | title= Spiderman – The Technical Web we Weave | publisher= fxguide | date= May 5, 2007 | access-date= October 13, 2007 | archive-date= February 6, 2012 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120206002145/http://www.fxguide.com/featured/Spiderman_-_The_Technical_Web_we_Weave/ | url-status= live }}

When interviewed at the film's Tokyo premiere on April 16, 2007, Topher Grace said to Access Hollywood that despite liking how the film turned out, he expressed interest in having the rest of his scenes as both Eddie Brock and Venom being restored someday; later adding, "You know what? Spider-Man 3.5, or however they release it. You know, with the extra scenes".{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnyT3yVK433U |title="Spider-Man 3" Premiere - Cast Reactions {{!}} Access Hollywood |type=video |via=YouTube |date=April 18, 2007 |access-date= September 24, 2021}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} Following the release of the film, fan research compiled deleted scenes and archival footage, showing Adrian Lester in the role of Dr. Wallace, a molecular biologist working on a cure for Marko's daughter, and an alternate death scene for Venom attempting to reattach itself to Parker, who in turn would have destroyed the symbiote by yanking down a sling of steel rods and creating a sonic attack (although this was depicted in the film's novelization).{{cite web |last=Outlaw |first=Kofi |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/spider-man-3-deleted-alternate-extended-scenes-venom-sony-changes/ |title=Marvel Fan Collects All The Deleted, Alternate & Extended Scenes From Spider-Man 3 |publisher=ComicBook |date=January 3, 2020}}

{{Main|Spider-Man 3 (soundtrack)}}

Danny Elfman, the composer for the previous installments, chose not to return for the third installment of Spider-Man because of difficulties with director Sam Raimi. Elfman said that he had a "miserable experience" working with Raimi on Spider-Man 2 and could not comfortably adapt his music.{{cite news | author=Fred Topel | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051130161400/http://actionadventure.about.com/od/spiderman3/f/aaspidey3faq5.htm |archive-date=November 30, 2005 | url=http://actionadventure.about.com/od/spiderman3/f/aaspidey3faq5.htm| title=Q. Why won't Danny Elfman write the musical score for Spider-Man 3? | publisher=About.com | date=September 13, 2005 |access-date=August 19, 2006}} Christopher Young was then announced to score Spider-Man 3 in Elfman's absence.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=17540 | title=Tune Spinner | magazine=Empire | date=November 18, 2005 | access-date=July 25, 2006 | archive-date=April 19, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060419140523/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=17540 | url-status=dead }} Instead, Elfman chose to work on the 2006 live-action remake of Charlotte's Web.{{cite web|url=https://www.superherohype.com/features/89115-danny-elfman-not-scoring-spider-man-3|title=Danny Elfman Not Scoring Spider-Man 3|date=July 11, 2005 }} A few years later, he reunited with Raimi to compose the score for Oz the Great and Powerful (2013).{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/06/danny-elfman-makes-peace-with-sam-raimi-to-score-oz-the-great-and-powerful-117942/|title=Danny Elfman Makes Peace With Sam Raimi To Score 'Oz The Great and Powerful'|date=June 20, 2011 }}

According to Young, Sandman's theme uses "two contrabass saxophones, two contrabass clarinets, two contrabass bassoons and eight very low French horns" in order to sound "low, aggressive and heavy". Young described Venom's theme as "Vicious, my instructions on that one were that he's the devil personified. His theme is much more demonic sounding."{{cite news | url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/32911 | title=ScoreKeeper With Composer Christopher Young Re: The Challenges Of Scoring Spider-Man 3, Omitted Music From The Film, And More!! | publisher=Ain't It Cool News | date=June 7, 2007 | access-date=October 12, 2007 | archive-date=October 12, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012202908/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32911 | url-status=live }} Venom's theme uses eight French horns.{{cite news | author=Daniel Schweiger | url=http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2095 | title=E-notes: Swinging with the Composer of Spider-Man 3 | publisher=iFMagazine.com | date=May 15, 2007| access-date=October 12, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183530/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2095 | archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}} Raimi approved the new themes during their first performance, but rejected the initial music to the birth of Sandman, finding it too monstrous and not tragic enough. Young had to recompose much of his score at a later stage, as the producers felt there were not enough themes from the previous films. Ultimately, new themes for the love story, Aunt May, and Mary Jane were dropped.

{{Further|Spider-Man 3 (video game)}}

On June 28, 2006, the first Spider-Man 3 teaser trailer premiered in theaters with Superman Returns.{{cite web|last=George|first=Richard|title=Spider-Man 3 Premiere Trailer Analysis|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/06/27/spider-man-3-premiere-trailer-analysis|publisher=IGN|access-date=March 8, 2022|date=June 27, 2006}} The first trailer was released in theaters on November 17, 2006, with the debut of Casino Royale and Happy Feet.{{cite web |last=IGN staff |date=August 25, 2006 |title=New Spidey Trailer Details |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/25/new-spidey-trailer-details |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207021412/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/25/new-spidey-trailer-details |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=March 8, 2022 |website=IGN |df=mdy-all}} This was followed by a second trailer, which was unveiled on March 9, 2007, being attached to the screenings of 300.{{cite web|url=https://www.themovieblog.com/2007/03/300-will-feature-spiderman-3-trailer/|title=300 Will Feature Spiderman 3 Trailer|date=March 3, 2007 }} The home video releases of Click and Monster House also contained trailers for Spider-Man 3.{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdmg.com/click.shtml|title=Click (2006) - DVD Movie Guide}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdmg.com/monsterhouse.shtml|title=Monster House (2006) - DVD Movie Guide}} In New York City, the hometown of Spider-Man's fictional universe, tourist attractions arranged events and exhibits on April 30, 2007, to lead up to the release of Spider-Man 3. The unique campaign included a spider exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, workshops on baby spider plants at the New York Botanical Garden, a Green Goblin mask-making workshop at the Children's Museum of Manhattan, and a scavenger hunt and bug show at the Central Park Zoo.{{cite news | author=Scott Bowles | author2=Edna Gundersen | author3=Gary Strauss | url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/2007-03-29-coming-attractions_N.htm | title=Coming attractions: NYC's spidey sense is tingling | work=USA Today | date=March 29, 2007 | access-date=March 30, 2007 | archive-date=February 10, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210061518/http://www.usatoday.com/life/2007-03-29-coming-attractions_N.htm | url-status=live }}

Promotional tie-in partners include Burger King, 7-Eleven, General Mills, Kraft Foods, and Comcast.{{Cite web |last1=Schiller |first1=Gail |agency=AP |date=2007-04-27 |title='Spidey' spins tangled web of tie-ins |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/spidey-spins-tangled-web-tie-135017/ |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} Hasbro, which holds the license for Marvel characters, released several toys to tie-in with the film. They include a deluxe spinning web blaster, along with several lines of action figures aimed at both children and collectors.{{cite web | url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=5140 | title=Spider-Man 3 web blaster | publisher=SuperHeroHype.com | date=January 25, 2007 | access-date=January 26, 2007 | archive-date=February 19, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219012644/http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=5140 | url-status=live }} Toys of the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus from the first two films have been rereleased to match the smaller scale of the new figures, as have been toys of the Lizard, the Scorpion, Kraven the Hunter, and Rhino in a style reminiscent of the films.{{cite web|title=Spider-Man (docockscorpion) |publisher=Comingsoon.net |date=February 10, 2007 |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Toy_Fair_2007/Spider-Man&image=docockscorpion.jpg&img=&tt= |access-date=February 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930044018/http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Toy_Fair_2007%2FSpider-Man&image=docockscorpion.jpg&img=&tt= |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Spider-Man (rhino) |publisher=Comingsoon.net |date=February 10, 2007 |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Toy_Fair_2007/Spider-Man&image=rhino.jpg&img=&tt= |access-date=February 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930043957/http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Toy_Fair_2007%2FSpider-Man&image=rhino.jpg&img=&tt= |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}} Techno Source created interactive toys, including a "hand-held Battle Tronics device that straps to the inside of a player's wrist and mimics Spidey's web-slinging motions".{{cite magazine | author=Cliff Annicelli | author2=Tina Benitez | author3=Karyn M. Peterson | url=http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6384224.html | title=Show biz: Fall Toy Show | magazine=Playthings.com | date=October 26, 2006 | access-date=October 27, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105012648/http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6384224.html | archive-date=November 5, 2006 | df=mdy-all}} Japanese Medicom Toy Corporation produced collectables, which Sideshow Collectibles distributed in the U.S.{{cite news | author=Sideshow Collectibles | url=http://superherohype.com/news/spider-mannews.php?id=5068 | title=Sideshow Making Spider-Man 3 Collectibles | publisher=SuperHeroHype.com | date=January 5, 2007 | access-date=January 24, 2007 | archive-date=March 5, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305010200/http://www.superherohype.com/news/spider-mannews.php?id=5068 | url-status=live }} A prequel comic was released in June 2007 and another comic called Spider-Man 3: The Black, which expands the birth of Venom, was released in November 2007.

Image:Tobey Maguire greets fans at Spiderman 3 by David Shankbone.jpg greets fans at the premiere in Queens, New York.| alt=Tobey Maguire, in a suit, greets fans behind a security barrier. Most of the attendants hold cameras.]]

Spider-Man 3 had its world premiere at Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills in Tokyo on April 16, 2007.{{cite magazine | author=Mark Schilling | author2=Dave McNary | author-link2=Dave McNary | url=https://variety.com/2007/film/news/spider-man-3-to-premiere-may-1-2-1117960513/ | title=Spider-Man 3 to premiere May 1 | magazine=Variety | date=March 4, 2007| access-date=March 5, 2007}}{{cite news | author=Sophie Hardach | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spider-man-idUSL168091620070416 | title="Spider-Man 3" shows soul-searching superhero | work=Reuters | date=April 16, 2007 | access-date=April 16, 2007 | archive-date=June 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604055652/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/04/16/us-spider-man-idUSL168091620070416 | url-status=live }} The film held its UK premiere on April 23, 2007, at the Odeon Leicester Square,{{cite web | url=http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/events/forthcoming.cfm | title=Forthcoming events in Westminster | publisher=City of Westminster | access-date=April 11, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070329111607/http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/events/forthcoming.cfm | archive-date=March 29, 2007}} and the U.S. premiere took place at the Tribeca Film Festival in Queens on April 30, 2007.{{cite news | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=19736 | title=Spider-Man 3 Premiere to Take Place in Queens | publisher=ComingSoon.net | date=April 4, 2007 | access-date=April 4, 2007 | archive-date=April 9, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409132842/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=19736 | url-status=live }}

Spider-Man 3 was commercially released in sixteen territories on May 1, 2007.{{cite news | author=Hy Hollinger | url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ie79eb9c25e60fe83f9045ee173ac7606 | title='Spider-Man 3' snares web of first-day records | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=May 2, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504025507/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ie79eb9c25e60fe83f9045ee173ac7606 | archive-date=May 4, 2007 |url-status= dead | author-link= Hy Hollinger}} The film was released in Japan on May 1, 2007, three days prior to the American commercial release, to coincide with Japan's Golden Week. Spider-Man 3 was also released in China on May 3, 2007, to circumvent market growth of unlicensed copies of the film. The studio's release of a film in China before its domestic release was a first for Sony Pictures Releasing International.{{cite news | author=Jonathan Landreth | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i22037d0ef60ab69b21e425ed4b2de544 | title='Spider-Man 3' will land in China before N. America | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=March 30, 2007 | access-date=March 30, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427030109/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i22037d0ef60ab69b21e425ed4b2de544 | archive-date=April 27, 2007 |url-status= dead}} By May 6, 2007, Spider-Man 3 had opened in 107 countries around the world.

The film was commercially released in the United States on May 4, 2007, in a North American record total of 4,253 theaters,{{cite magazine | author=Ian Mohr | url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/spider-man-3-sets-records-2-1117964093/ | title='Spider-Man 3' sets records | magazine=Variety | date=May 1, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106155841/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964093?refCatId=13 | archive-date=November 6, 2012 | url-status=live}} including fifty-three IMAX theaters.{{cite news | author=Peter Sciretta | url=https://www.slashfilm.com/spider-man-3-to-break-records-then-fail-miserably/ | title=Spider-Man 3 to Break Records, Then Fail Miserably? | publisher=/Film | date=May 1, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2007 | archive-date=July 17, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717095516/http://www.slashfilm.com/spider-man-3-to-break-records-then-fail-miserably/ | url-status=live }} The record number of theaters was later beaten by Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, which was released in 4,362 theaters in the United States—109 more than Spider-Man 3.{{cite news | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20628 | title=Pirates Opens in Record # of Theaters | publisher=ComingSoon.net | date=March 24, 2007 | access-date=July 8, 2007 | archive-date=October 1, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001064756/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20628 | url-status=live }} It was the ninth film to play in more than 4,000 theaters upon opening, just after Shrek 2, Spider-Man 2, Shark Tale, Madagascar, Mission: Impossible III, Over the Hedge, Superman Returns and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Tracking data a month before the U.S. release reflected over 90% awareness and over 20% first choice among moviegoers, statistics that estimated an opening weekend of over $100 million for Spider-Man 3.{{cite news | author=Nikki Finke | author-link=Nikki Finke | url=http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/spider-man-3-tracking-thru-the-roof-black-spidey-looks-bigger-than-1-2/ | title='Spider-Man 3' Tracking "Thru The Roof"! Black Spidey Looks Bigger Than 1 And 2 | website=Deadline Hollywood | date=April 12, 2007 | access-date=April 16, 2007 | archive-date=April 15, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415113623/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/spider-man-3-tracking-thru-the-roof-black-spidey-looks-bigger-than-1-2/ | url-status=live }} Online tickets for Spider-Man 3 were reported on April 23, 2007, to have been purchased at a faster rate—three times at Movietickets.com and four times at Fandango—than online ticket sales for Spider-Man 2.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spiderman-ticketsales-idUSN2329770520070424|title="Spider-Man 3" Web ticket sales top predecessor|work=Reuters|date=April 23, 2007|access-date=April 24, 2007|archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022160502/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/04/24/us-spiderman-ticketsales-idUSN2329770520070424|url-status=live}} On May 2, 2007, Fandango reported the sales rate as six times greater than the rate for Spider-Man 2. The strong ticket sales caused theaters to add 3:00 AM showings following the May 4, 2007 midnight showing to accommodate the demand.{{cite news|url=http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/93563-spider-man-3-snares-94-of-fandango-sales|title=Spider-Man 3 Snares 94% of Fandango Sales|publisher=SuperHeroHype.com|date=May 2, 2007|access-date=May 2, 2007|archive-date=August 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825230642/http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/93563-spider-man-3-snares-94-of-fandango-sales|url-status=live}}

The FX channel signed a five-year deal for the television rights to Spider-Man 3, which they began airing in 2009. The price was based on the film's box office performance, with an option for three opportunities for Sony to sell the rights to one or more other broadcast networks.{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2007/05/09/fx_ensnares_spiderman_3_09_tv_runs|title=FX ensnares "Spider-Man 3" '09 TV runs|publisher=UPI|date=May 9, 2007|access-date=May 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527235653/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2007/05/09/fx_ensnares_spiderman_3_09_tv_runs/ |archive-date=May 27, 2007}}

In March 2024, Sony announced that all of their live-action Spider-Man films would be re-released in theaters as part of Columbia Pictures' 100th anniversary celebration. Spider-Man 3 was re-released on April 29, 2024.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=March 10, 2024 |title=All 8 'Spider-Man' Movies Returning to Theaters This Year for Sony 100 |url=https://collider.com/spider-man-movies-theatrical-rerelease-tom-holland-toby-maguire-andrew-garfield/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318165414/https://collider.com/spider-man-movies-theatrical-rerelease-tom-holland-toby-maguire-andrew-garfield/ |archive-date=March 18, 2024 |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=Collider}}

Spider-Man 3 was released on Region 4 DVD (anamorphic widescreen) in Australia on September 18, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/new_rel.zml|title=Region 4 DVD release|publisher=EzyDVD|access-date=September 23, 2007|archive-date=October 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001152305/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/new_rel.zml|url-status=live}} For Region 2 in the United Kingdom, the film was released on October 15, 2007.{{cite news|author=Chris Gould|title=Spider-Man 3|publisher=DVD Active|date=August 30, 2007|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/spider-man-32.html|access-date=October 17, 2007|archive-date=December 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208190645/http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/spider-man-32.html|url-status=live}} Spider-Man 3 was released on DVD in Region 1 territories on October 30, 2007. The film is available in one-disc and two-disc editions, on both standard and Blu-ray formats, as well as packages with the previous films and a PSP release.{{cite magazine|author=Susanne Ault|title='Spider-Man 3' spins Blu-ray debut|magazine=Variety|date=August 3, 2007|url=https://variety.com/2007/digital/features/spider-man-3-spins-blu-ray-debut-1117969655/|access-date=August 3, 2007|archive-date=August 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823093502/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969655.html?categoryId=20&cs=1|url-status=live}} Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Grant Curtis are among those who contributed to the audio commentaries.

Sony announced plans to create "one of the largest" marketing campaigns in Hollywood for the October 30, 2007 release of the DVD. Beginning with a partnership with Papa John's, Sony printed close to 8.5 billion impressions for pizza boxes, television, radio, and online ads. Sony also worked with Pringles Potato Crisp, Blu Tack, Jolly Time Pop Corn, and Nutella. Sony's Vice President of Marketing, Jennifer Anderson, stated the studio spent approximately 15% to 25% of its marketing budget on digital ad campaigns; from this, Papa John's sent text messages to mobile phones with ads. Anderson stated that there would be three sweepstakes held for consumers, where they would be able to win prizes from Sony and its promotional partners.{{cite news|author=Marcy Magiera |url=http://videobusiness.com/article/CA6478546.html |title=Sony lines up giant Spider-Man 3 campaign |publisher=Video Business |date=September 17, 2007 |access-date=September 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011024543/http://videobusiness.com/article/CA6478546.html |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}

In the United States, the film grossed more than {{US$|125 million|long=no}} in DVD sales.{{Cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2007/SPID3-DVD.php |title=Spider-Man 3 - DVD Sales - The Numbers |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=October 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007040804/http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2007/SPID3-DVD.php |url-status=live }} It also grossed more than $43.76 million on DVD/Home Video Rentals in 11 weeks.{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=homevideo&id=spiderman3.htm |title=Spider-Man 3 (2007) |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=July 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718152328/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=homevideo&id=spiderman3.htm |url-status=live }} However, the DVD sales' results of this film did not meet industry expectations.[https://variety.com/2007/digital/features/can-dvds-find-holiday-spirit-1117976168/ Can DVDs find holiday spirit?], Variety November 16, 2007 It was ranked in third place on the sales chart, behind I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry and Ratatouille.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/ratatouille-decorates-top-sales-spot-155048/|title='Ratatouille' decorates top sales spot|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 15, 2007}} The film's DVD sales were limited due to Sony's decision to bundle the Blu-ray version of the film with its new PlayStation 3 game console and Blu-ray player.{{cite book |last1=Buckland |first1=Warren |title=Film Theory and Contemporary Hollywood Movies |date=2009 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781135895747 |page=46 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X0WSAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT46 |access-date=November 25, 2018 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626065353/https://books.google.com/books?id=X0WSAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT46 |url-status=live }} Nevertheless, it sold 130,000 Blu-ray units within its first week of release, surpassing Casino Royale for not only being Sony's best-selling Blu-ray title, but also having the highest first week sales on that format.{{cite web|url=https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Sony/Disc_Sales/Disc_Sales_Spider-Man_3_Spins_Record_First_Week_for_Sony/1155|title=Disc Sales: 'Spider-Man 3' Spins Record First Week for Sony}} Spider-Man 3 was included in The Spider-Man Legacy Collection which includes five major Spider-Man films in a 4K UHD Blu-Ray collection which was released on October 17, 2017.{{citation|title=Spider-Man Legacy Collection 4K Blu-ray|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Spider-Man-Legacy-Collection-4K-Blu-ray/186849/|access-date=May 21, 2018|archive-date=May 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520124112/http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Spider-Man-Legacy-Collection-4K-Blu-ray/186849/|url-status=live}}

In April 2021, Disney and Sony Pictures reached a multi-year deal to let Sony's titles, including past Spider-Man franchises and SSU content to stream on Hulu and Disney+. A significant number of Sony titles began streaming on Hulu starting in June 2021.{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=2021-04-21 |title=Sony Films Will Move to Disney After Netflix Window Expires |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/disney-nabs-post-pay-1-rights-for-sonys-feature-films-4170479/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} It includes films from 2022 onwards. While the deal only concerns the United States, titles from Sony Pictures begun to also be added to Disney+ in regions outside of the U.S., as early as June 2022, starting with the majority of the Spider-Man films.{{Cite web |title=The Spider-Man franchise is swinging onto Disney+ |url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/spider-man-franchise-swinging-onto-102820401.html |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=uk.movies.yahoo.com |date=June 14, 2022 |language=en-GB}} Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy was released on Disney+ on April 21, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Patches |first=Matt |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Spider-Man and Venom movies finally hit Disney Plus this month |url=https://www.polygon.com/23691271/spider-man-movies-watch-disney-plus-streaming-venom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420175007/https://www.polygon.com/23691271/spider-man-movies-watch-disney-plus-streaming-venom |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Polygon}}

In 2017, Sony released an "editor's cut" of Spider-Man 3 that coincided with the film's 10th anniversary, which was included in the Spider-Man Limited Edition Blu-ray collection released on June 13, 2017. The film features unused music from Christopher Young and is two minutes shorter than the theatrical cut. Some scenes are shifted around or have been completely removed, and the film includes 3 new scenes, 3 alternate climax sequences, and 1 extended scene. Spider-Man 3: Editor's Cut was later re-released with the Spider-Man Legacy Collection 4K Blu-ray Box Set.{{Cite web | last= Moore |first = Rose |date= August 26, 2017 |url=https://screenrant.com/spider-man-legacy-collection-blu-ray-details/ |title= Sony Unveils Spider-Man Legacy Collection 4K Blu-ray Box Set |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601171726/https://screenrant.com/spider-man-legacy-collection-blu-ray-details/ |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |work=Screen Rant}}

Spider-Man 3 earned $336.5 million in North America and $554.3 million in other countries for a worldwide total of $890.9 million.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spiderman3.htm |title=Spider-Man 3 (2007)|website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=December 15, 2024 |archive-date=February 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201023252/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spiderman3.htm |url-status=live }} Worldwide, it is the third-highest-grossing film of 2007, the highest-grossing film of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, and was the highest-grossing film distributed by Sony/Columbia until 2012's Skyfall.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=97911|title=Box Office Results: Skyfall Becomes 20th Century Fox's Highest-Grossing Film Ever|publisher=CraveOnline|date=December 17, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2012|archive-date=December 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212174842/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=97911|url-status=live}} The film set a worldwide single-day record ($104 million) on its first Friday and broke its own record again on Saturday ($117.6 million).{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2307&p=.htm|title='Spider-Man 3' Breaks Opening Day Record|website=Box Office Mojo|date=May 7, 2007|access-date=June 28, 2012|archive-date=August 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801210400/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2307&p=.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|author=Ian Mohr|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/box-office/spider-man-3-spins-worldwide-web-1117964415/|title='Spider-Man 3' spins worldwide web|magazine=Variety|date=May 7, 2007|access-date=May 7, 2007|archive-date=October 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012004009/http://variety.com/article/VR1117964415.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|url-status=live}} It also set a worldwide opening-weekend record with $381.7 million, beating Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-07-fi-boxoffice7-story.html|title=Spidey sets a new standard for movie openings: rule the world|website=Los Angeles Times|date=May 7, 2007}} Spider-Man 3 would hold that record until Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince took it in 2009.{{cite news |first=Dean |last=Goodman |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSN1953272020090719 |title=UPDATE 2-'Harry Potter' movie sets worldwide record |publisher=Reuters |date=19 July 2009 |access-date=7 November 2010}} The film's IMAX screenings reached $20 million in 30 days, faster than any other 2D film remastered in the format.{{cite news|author=IMAX Corporation|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5807|title=Spider-Man 3 IMAX Grosses Over $20 Million|publisher=Superherohype.com|date=June 5, 2007|access-date=June 6, 2007|author-link=IMAX Corporation|archive-date=June 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608124101/http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5807|url-status=live}}

In North America, Spider-Man 3 is the 58th-highest-grossing film, the third-highest-grossing film of the Spider-Man series, the third-highest-grossing film distributed by Sony/Columbia, and the highest-grossing 2007 film.{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2007&p=.htm |title=2007 Yearly Box Office Results |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508222105/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2007&p=.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/studio/chart/?view2=allmovies&view=company&studio=tristar.htm |title=Sony/Columbia All Time Box Office Results |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626065414/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/chart/?view2=allmovies&view=company&studio=tristar.htm |url-status=live }} The film sold an estimated 48,914,300 tickets.{{cite web|access-date=July 13, 2016|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spiderman3.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|title=Spider-Man 3 (2007)|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817084637/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spiderman3.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|url-status=live}} It was released in 4,252 theaters (about 10,300 screens) on Friday, May 4, 2007.{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/counts/chart/?yr=2007&wk=18&p=.htm |title=Theater Counts for Week 18 of 2007 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626065404/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/counts/chart/?yr=2007&wk=18&p=.htm |url-status=live }} This broke the previous record held by Shrek 2 for having the largest number of screenings.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/arts/06iht-spider.4.5587906.html|title='Spider-Man 3' smashes box-office records|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 7, 2007}} It set an opening- and single-day record with $59.8 million (both were first surpassed by The Dark Knight). This included $10 million from midnight showings.{{cite web|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5624|title=Spider-Man 3 sets new records|publisher=SuperHeroHype.com|date=May 5, 2007|access-date=May 5, 2007|archive-date=May 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508054623/http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5624|url-status=live}} Spider-Man 3 then set an opening-weekend record with $151.1 million (first surpassed by The Dark Knight), a record for the weekend per-theater average with $35,540 per theater (first surpassed by Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert),{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/theateravg.htm?page=THTRWAVG&p=.htm |title=Top Weekend Theater Averages for Wide Releases |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022122046/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/theateravg.htm?page=THTRWAVG&p=.htm |url-status=live }} and an IMAX opening-weekend record with $4.8 million (first surpassed by The Dark Knight).{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2308&p=.htm|title='Spider-Man 3' Soars Into Record Books|publisher=Box Office|date=May 7, 2007|access-date=June 18, 2012|archive-date=October 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026042617/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2308&p=.htm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2504&p=.htm |title='Dark Knight' Begins Smashingly |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709040941/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2504&p=.htm |url-status=live }} It would hold the record for having the highest opening weekend for any film featuring Spider-Man until it was surpassed by Captain America: Civil War less than a decade later in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/05/09/box-office-captain-america-civil-war-opens-with-only-179-14m-weekend/?sh=1ed4f33725b4|title=Box Office: 'Captain America: Civil War' Opens With 'Only' $179.14M Weekend|website=Forbes }} Then in 2022, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness dethroned Spider-Man 3 for having the largest opening weekend for a Sam Raimi film.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-strange-2-box-office-raimi-spiderman-comparison/|title=Doctor Strange 2 Box Office Opens Higher Than Raimi's Spider-Man Movies|website=Screen Rant |date=May 10, 2022 }} The film set record Friday{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/f-th.htm?page=Fri&p=.htm |title=Single Day Records: Highest Grossing Fridays at the Box Office |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526124813/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/f-th.htm?page=Fri&p=.htm |url-status=live }} and Sunday grosses{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/f-th.htm?page=Sun&p=.htm |title=Single Day Records: Highest Grossing Sundays at the Box Office |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616195350/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/f-th.htm?page=Sun&p=.htm |url-status=live }} and achieved the largest cumulative gross through its second, third, and fourth day of release (all were first surpassed by The Dark Knight).{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/grossbydays.htm?days=3&p=.htm |title=Top Movies Opening Grosses After 3-Days in Release |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502215930/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/grossbydays.htm?days=3&p=.htm |url-status=live }} It also set a record Saturday gross (surpassed by Marvel's The Avengers).{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/f-th.htm?page=Sat&p=.htm |title=Single Day Records: Highest Grossing Saturdays at the Box Office |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616195353/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/f-th.htm?page=Sat&p=.htm |url-status=live }} When the film was released, it was ranked in first place at the box office, just ahead of Disturbia and Lucky You. It would also dominate films that were released during the 2007 spring season, such as Meet the Robinsons, Fracture and Blades of Glory.{{cite web|url=https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/spidey-shatters-records-148m/531-236bfd34-30f6-41b2-a5f4-8eeeb234e314|title=Spidey shatters records with $148M|date=May 7, 2007}} When Shrek the Third opened on its third weekend, Spider-Man 3 dropped into second place.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1560060/shrek-the-third-knocks-spider-man-3-out-of-first/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115072843/http://www.mtv.com/news/1560060/shrek-the-third-knocks-spider-man-3-out-of-first/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2020|title='Shrek The Third' Knocks 'Spider-Man 3' Out Of First|website=MTV}}

Outside North America, it is the 23rd-highest-grossing film, the highest-grossing film of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, and the third-highest-grossing film distributed by Sony/Columbia.{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/?pagenum=1&sort=osgross&order=DESC&p=.htm |title=All Time Overseas Box Office Grosses |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104213159/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/?pagenum=1&sort=osgross&order=DESC&p=.htm |url-status=live }} On its opening day (Tuesday, May 1, 2007), Spider-Man 3 grossed $29.2 million from 16 territories, an 86% increase from the intake of Spider-Man 2 on its first day of release. In 10 of the 16 territories, Spider-Man 3 set new opening-day records. These territories are Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, France,{{cite magazine|author=Nick Vivarelli|author2=Ian Mohr|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/box-office/spider-man-3-breaks-euro-records-1117964127/|title='Spider-Man 3' breaks Euro records|magazine=Variety|date=May 2, 2007|access-date=May 2, 2007|archive-date=May 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505020140/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964127.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|url-status=live}} and Italy.{{cite magazine|author=Nick Vivarelli|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/box-office/spider-man-3-breaks-euro-records-1117964127/|title='Spider-Man 3' breaks Italy's first day box office record|magazine=Variety|date=May 2, 2007|access-date=May 2, 2007|archive-date=May 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505020140/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964127.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|url-status=live}} In Germany, the film surpassed the opening day gross of Spider-Man 2. It also crushed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire{{'}}s record for scoring the biggest opening day in France, earning $6.8 million. Spider-Man 3 had the third-highest opening of any film in Austria, after The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Its Japanese opening generated a total of $3.7 million, making it the country's highest Tuesday gross of any film, breaking the former record held by Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/spider-man-3-makes-record-breaking-opening/4032154.article|title=Spider-Man 3 makes record-breaking opening}} Meanwhile, in the UK, the film had the third-highest opening of any film in the country, trailing only behind Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/may/07/film.filmnews|title=Spider-Man 3's record|website=TheGuardian.com|date=May 6, 2007}} During its six-day opening weekend (through its first Sunday), the film earned $230.5 million from 107 markets, finishing #1 in all of them. Spider-Man 3 set opening-weekend records in 29 markets including Italy, China, South Korea (the latter was first surpassed by Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End),{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2322&p=.htm|title=Around the World Roundup: 'At World's End' Massive in Beginning|date=May 30, 2007|first=Conor|last=Bresnan|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=July 4, 2012|archive-date=July 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709044443/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2322&p=.htm|url-status=live}} India, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru. However, many of these records were achieved thanks to its six-day opening, while previous record-holders in some countries opened over the traditional three-day weekend (traditional two-, four-, or five-day weekend in other countries). In India, it grossed $16.4 million and was the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2007 there.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/india/yearly/?yr=2007&p=.htm|title=Highest grossing films of 2007 in India|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626065410/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/india/yearly/?yr=2007&p=.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2309&p=.htm|title=Around the World Roundup: 'Spider-Man 3' Dominates Globe|date=May 7, 2007|first=Conor|last=Bresnan|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=July 4, 2012|archive-date=July 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709045228/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2309&p=.htm|url-status=live}} Russia and Ukraine both earned $7.4 million from 671 screens, dethroning The Da Vinci Code. Moreover, five Asian countries had overturned a ten-year record that was held by The Lost World: Jurassic Park. As for South Korea, Spider-Man 3 crossed over The Matrix Reloaded for a local currency mark for a Hollywood release, as well as surpassing The Host. In Japan, it earned a total of $26.5 million, kicking the previous record held by The Matrix Reloaded.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/spider-man-shatters-records-with-375m-global-opening/4032220.article|title=Spider-Man shatters records with $375m global opening}} It was ranked in first place at the box office outside North America for three consecutive weekends.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2313&p=.htm|title=Around the World Roundup: 'Spider-Man 3' Spins More Gold|date=May 14, 2007|first=Conor|last=Bresnan|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=July 4, 2012|archive-date=July 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709045233/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2313&p=.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2316&p=.htm|title=Around the World Roundup: 'Spider-Man 3' Sticks to the Top|date=May 21, 2007|first=Conor|last=Bresnan|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=July 4, 2012|archive-date=July 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709045239/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2316&p=.htm|url-status=live}}

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Spider-Man 3 holds {{a or an|{{RT data|score}}}} approval rating based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critics consensus reads, "Though there are more characters and plotlines, and the action sequences still dazzle, Spider-Man 3 nonetheless isn't quite as refined as the first two."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spiderman_3|title=Spider-Man 3 (2007)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109091002/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spiderman_3|archive-date=January 9, 2022|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 59 out of 100 based on 40 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/spiderman-3|title=Spider-Man 3 (2007)|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=June 24, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemascore.com|title=CinemaScore|website=CinemaScore|access-date=June 24, 2019|archive-date=February 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224175009/https://www.cinemascore.com/|url-status=live}}

Manohla Dargis of The New York Times deplored the film's pacing as "mostly just plods" and said it lacked humor.{{cite news|first=Manohla|last=Dargis|url=http://movies2.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/movies/04spid.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508194835/http://movies2.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/movies/04spid.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2007|title=Superhero Sandbagged|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 4, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2007}} Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a two out of four stars, feeling, "for every slam-bang action sequence, there are far too many sluggish scenes".{{cite news|author=Richard Roeper |url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/roeper/365719,05010spider.article |title=Spidey spins shaky web |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=May 2, 2007 |access-date=May 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504015525/http://www.suntimes.com/news/roeper/365719%2C05010spider.article |archive-date=May 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |author-link=Richard Roeper}} David Edelstein of New York magazine misses the "centrifugal threat" of Alfred Molina's character, adding that "the three villains here don't add up to one Doc Ock"{{cite magazine|author=David Edelstein|url=https://nymag.com/movies/reviews/31270/|title=Web 3.0|magazine=New York|date=May 7, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2007|archive-date=May 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504044349/http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/31270/|url-status=live}} (referring to Molina's portrayal of the character in Spider-Man 2). James Berardinelli felt director Sam Raimi "overreached his grasp" by allowing so many villains, specifically saying, "Venom is one bad guy too many".{{cite news|author=James Berardinelli|url=http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/spider-man3.html|title=Berardinelli reviews Spider-Man 3|publisher=ReelViews|access-date=May 7, 2007|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626065404/http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/spider-man3.html|url-status=live}} Roger Ebert, who gave Spider-Man 2 a glowing review,{{cite news|last1=Ebert|first1=Roger|title=Spider-Man 2 Movie Review & Film Summary (2004)|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/spider-man-2-2004|access-date=February 6, 2017|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=June 29, 2004|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202004340/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/spider-man-2-2004|url-status=live}} gave the sequel two out of four stars and thought Church never expressed how Sandman felt about his new powers, something Molina, as Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2, did "with a vengeance"; he said the film was "a mess," with too many villains, subplots, romantic misunderstandings, conversations and "street crowds looking high into the air and shouting 'oooh!' this way, then swiveling and shouting 'aaah!' that way".{{cite news|author=Roger Ebert|title=Ebert reviews Spider-Man 3|publisher=RogerEbert.com|date=November 16, 2007|access-date=August 7, 2023|author-link=Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/spider-man-3-2007}} The New Yorker{{'}}s Anthony Lane, who gave Spider-Man 2 a favorable review,{{cite magazine | author=Anthony Lane | url=https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/07/12/040712crci_cinema | title=Swing Easy | magazine=The New Yorker | date=July 12, 2004 | access-date=May 29, 2007 | author-link=Anthony Lane | archive-date=September 29, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929153849/http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/07/12/040712crci_cinema | url-status=live }} gave the film a negative review, characterizing the film as a "shambles" which "makes the rules up as it goes along".{{cite magazine | author=Anthony Lane | url=https://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2007/05/07/070507crci_cinema_lane | title=Acting Out | magazine=The New Yorker | date=May 7, 2007 | access-date=May 29, 2007 | author-link=Anthony Lane | archive-date=September 29, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929153949/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2007/05/07/070507crci_cinema_lane | url-status=live }}

Roger Friedman of Fox News called the film a "4-star opera", noting that while long, there was plenty of humor and action.{{cite news|author=Roger Friedman|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/spider-man-3-is-a-4-star-opera|title='Spider-Man 3' Is a 4-Star Opera|publisher=FOXNews.com|date=April 25, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2007|archive-date=May 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509024152/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,268262,00.html|url-status=live}} Andy Khouri of Comic Book Resources praised the film as "easily the most complex and deftly orchestrated superhero epic ever filmed{{nbsp}}... despite the enormous amount of characters, action and sci-fi superhero plot going on in this film, Spider-Man 3 never feels weighted down, tedious or boring".{{cite web|author=Andy Khouri|title="SPIDER-MAN 3" – THE CBR REVIEW|website=Comic Book Resources|date=May 4, 2007|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=10472|access-date=May 4, 2007|archive-date=June 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617063245/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&old=1&id=10472|url-status=live}} Robert Wilonsky of Dallas Observer described the film as "overstuffed (three villains), overlong (at more than two hours and 20 minutes) and undercooked (plot points include amnesia and alien goo)."{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/film/spider-bites-6376275|title=Spider Bites}} Jonathan Ross, a big fan of the comic books, felt the film was the best of the trilogy.{{cite episode|title=Jonathan Ross chats to Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst|series=Friday Night with Jonathan Ross|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/04_april/25/ross_dunst.shtml|publisher=BBC One|date=April 27, 2007|access-date=May 15, 2019|archive-date=June 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611225834/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/04_april/25/ross_dunst.shtml|url-status=live}} Richard Corliss of Time commended the filmmakers for their ability to "dramatize feelings of angst and personal betrayal worthy of an Ingmar Bergman film, and then to dress them up in gaudy comic-book colors".{{cite magazine|author=Richard Corliss|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1617207-1,00.html|title=Spider-Man Gets Sensitive|magazine=Time|date=May 3, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2007|archive-date=May 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505053441/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1617207-1,00.html|url-status=dead}} Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe, who gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, wrote that it was a well-made, fresh film, but would leave the viewer "overfulfilled".{{cite news|author=Wesley Morris|url=https://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=8877|title=Spider-Man 3 Movie Review: Secret identity crisis|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=May 2, 2007|access-date=May 8, 2007|archive-date=May 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505021239/http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=8877|url-status=live}} Jonathan Dean of Total Film felt the film's complex plot helped the film's pacing, in that, "it rarely feels disjointed or loose{{nbsp}}... Spider-Man cements its shelf-life".{{cite magazine|author=Jonathan Dean|title=Spider-Man 3|magazine=Total Film|url=http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/spider-man-3|access-date=May 21, 2007|archive-date=August 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805013701/http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/spider-man-3|url-status=live}} IGN critic Todd Gilchrist felt that the film served as a satisfying conclusion to the series, and ultimately rated it with eight stars out of ten.{{cite web |first=Todd |last=Gilchrist |date=October 22, 2020 |orig-date=April 20, 2007 |title=Spider-Man 3 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/20/advance-review-spider-man-3?amp=D1 |website=IGN |access-date=September 29, 2021}} Entertainment Weekly named the Sandman as the eighth best computer-generated film character.{{cite magazine|title=Our 10 Favorite CG Characters|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20041669_20041686_20046918_3,00.html|access-date=July 30, 2007|archive-date=August 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809175954/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20041669_20041686_20046918_3,00.html|url-status=dead}}

John Hartl of MSNBC gave Spider-Man 3 a positive review, but stated that it has some flaws such as having "too many storylines".{{cite news|author=John Hartl|url=http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-critic-reviews/spider-man-3/|title='Spider-Man 3' a Tangled Web|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=May 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726232146/http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-critic-reviews/spider-man-3/|archive-date=July 26, 2008|url-status=dead}} His opinion is echoed by Houston Chronicle{{'}}s Amy Biancolli who complained that "the script is busy with so many supporting characters and plot detours that the series' charming idiosyncrasy is sometimes lost in the noise".{{cite news|author=Amy Biancolli|url=https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/reviews/4719543.html|title=It's long, but if you're a geek, that's great|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=May 3, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2007|archive-date=May 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508023158/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/reviews/4719543.html|url-status=live}} Jack Matthews of Daily News thought the film was too devoted to the "quiet conversations" of Peter and Mary Jane, but that fans would not be disappointed by the action.{{cite news|author=Jack Matthews|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2007/05/01/2007-05-01_headspinning_action__villains__but_some_-2.html|title=Head-spinning action & villains – but some bugs|newspaper=Daily News|date=May 1, 2007|access-date=May 7, 2007|archive-date=May 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504024434/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2007/05/01/2007-05-01_headspinning_action__villains__but_some_-2.html|url-status=live}} Finally, Sean Burns of Philadelphia Weekly felt that the director "substituted scope and scale for the warmth and wit that made those two previous pictures so memorable".{{cite news|author=Sean Burns|url=http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/screen/less_than_hero-38426309.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909103010/http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/screen/less_than_hero-38426309.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 9, 2012|title=Less Than Hero|newspaper=Philadelphia Weekly|date=May 4, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2007}}

Raimi himself would later call the film "awful" during a 2014 interview.{{cite web |date=January 1, 2015 |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |title=Sam Raimi Is Also Not Crazy About SPIDER-MAN 3 |url=https://collider.com/spider-man-3-sam-raimi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004225802/http://collider.com/spider-man-3-sam-raimi/ |archive-date=October 4, 2018 |website=Collider |access-date=February 4, 2022 }}{{cite podcast |date=December 29, 2014|first1=Katie |last1=Levine |title=NERDIST PODCAST: SAM RAIMI |url=https://nerdist.com/pepisode/nerdist-podcast-sam-raimi/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231164832/https://nerdist.com/pepisode/nerdist-podcast-sam-raimi/ |archive-date=2014-12-31 |url-status=dead }} In 2018, Avi Arad accepted responsibility for pushing Raimi to include Venom in the film, and how the result had disappointed many fans of the character, saying "I think we learned that Venom is not a sideshow. In all fairness, I'll take the guilt because of what Sam Raimi used to say in all of these interviews feeling guilty that I forced him into it".{{cite web |date=September 28, 2018 |last=Cotter |first=Padraig |title=Exclusive: Avi Arad Takes The Blame For Venom in Spider-Man 3 |url=https://screenrant.com/spider-man-3-venom-bad-blame-avi-arad/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=October 4, 2018 |archive-date=October 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004185648/https://screenrant.com/spider-man-3-venom-bad-blame-avi-arad/ |url-status=live }} In 2021, Raimi acknowledged that the negative internet reaction to Spider-Man 3 at the time felt "awful" and had been difficult for him to take, but when his agent told him that he was being considered by Marvel Studios to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), although initially hesitant about doing another superhero film, he ultimately decided to take the role.{{cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Gregory |title=Sam Raimi Gets Candid on Why He'd Make 'Doctor Strange 2' After "Awful" Reaction to 'Spider-Man 3' |url=https://collider.com/doctor-strange-2-director-sam-raimi-comments-spider-man-3/ |website=Collider |date=September 30, 2021 |access-date=February 22, 2022 }}

Following its initial mixed reception, Spider-Man 3 has gained widespread meme popularity on social media,{{cite web |first=Bri |last=Constantino |url=https://epicstream.com/videos/BriConstantino/Spider-Man-3s-Bully-Maguire-Replaces-Luke-Skywalker-in-Wacky-The-Mandalorian-Finale-Video |title=Spider-Man 3's 'Bully Maguire' Replaces Luke Skywalker in Wacky the Mandalorian Finale Video |website=EpicStream |date=January 21, 2021 |quote= Tobey's Spider-Man 3 character has become a meme sensation over the years and he's been part of several hilarious deepfake videos. |access-date=February 2, 2022 }}{{cite web |last=Kenneally |first=Tim |date=January 23, 2018 |title=It's National Pie Day: Here Are 5 Infamous Pie Scenes to Sink Your Teeth Into (Video) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/national-pie-day-pie-scenes-american-pie-spiderman-3-the-help-stand-by-me-twin-peaks/ |website=TheWrap |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615151102/https://www.thewrap.com/national-pie-day-pie-scenes-american-pie-spiderman-3-the-help-stand-by-me-twin-peaks/ |url-status=live |quote=The scene where Osborn declared his pie to be "so good" might have been brief, but it has enjoyed an enduring run as an internet meme |access-date=February 2, 2022 }} becoming the subject of some fan reappraisal as well.{{cite web |first=Danny |last=Peterson |date=Aug 4, 2022 |title=Spider-Man 3 becomes the latest divisive comic book movie to be put back under the microscope |url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/spider-man-3-becomes-the-latest-divisive-comic-book-movie-to-be-put-back-under-the-microscope/ |website=We Got This Covered |access-date=January 24, 2023}} Peter Parker's corrupted personality under the Venom symbiote has been nicknamed "Bully Maguire" or "Emo Peter Parker" and has helped increase the popularity of the film.{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Jo |date=December 22, 2021 |title=Who is Bully Maguire? Emo Peter Parker meme explained |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/12/22/who-is-bully-maguire-emo-peter-parker-meme-explained/ |access-date=March 19, 2022 |website=HITC |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510215642/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/12/22/who-is-bully-maguire-emo-peter-parker-meme-explained/ |url-status=dead }} During a Reddit AMA when promoting Babylon, Maguire acknowledged the memes, finding it a "funny discovery."{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/comics/tobey-maguire-explains-feels-bully-maguire-meme-trend|title=Tobey Maguire explains how he feels about Bully Maguire meme trend|website=Sportskeeda.com|date=December 26, 2022|access-date=May 10, 2025}}{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/spiderman-tobey-maguire-bully-maguire-memes-response/ | title=Spider-Man's Tobey Maguire Breaks Silence on Viral Bully Maguire Memes | website=Screen Rant | date=December 24, 2022 }}

Several media outlets have re-evaluated Spider-Man 3 over the years since its 2007 release.Attributed to several sources:

• {{cite magazine |first=Jordan |last=Hoffman |date=June 2, 2023 |title=Spider-Man 3 Isn't Just Better Than You Remember: It's Actually Good |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/06/spider-man-3-defense |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=March 9, 2024}}
• {{cite web |first=Milo |last=Clark |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Dear Sam Raimi: Yes, Fans Find Spider-Man 3 Truly Delightful |url=https://www.cbr.com/sam-raimi-spider-man-3-good/ |work=Comic Book Resources |access-date=March 9, 2024}}
• {{cite web |first=Richard |last=Schertzer |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://movieweb.com/best-sam-raimi-films/ |title=The Best Sam Raimi Films, Ranked |website=MovieWeb |access-date=January 15, 2023 |quote=Spider-Man 3 is better than its predecessors and finds the director at the top of his game.}}
• {{cite web |first=Phil |last=Hornshaw |date=January 4, 2022 |title=PSA: Snag the Spider-Man 3 Dance In Destiny 2 for Free This Week |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/infamous-spider-man-3-dance-is-back-in-destiny-2-for-free-this-week/1100-6499340/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=January 25, 2022 |quote=... Spider-Man 3 is good, actually.}} Em Casalena of Screen Rant reassessed it as the fifth most underrated superhero film ever made.{{cite web |last=Casalena |first=Em |date=June 4, 2017 |title=15 Most Underrated Superhero Movies Ever, Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/most-underrated-superhero-movies-ever-ranked/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=January 4, 2022 }} MovieWeb called it the best film that Sam Raimi directed,{{cite web |first=Richard |last=Schertzer |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://movieweb.com/best-sam-raimi-films/ |title=The Best Sam Raimi Films, Ranked |website=MovieWeb |access-date=January 15, 2023}} while Paste ranked it the 63rd best superhero movie of all time.{{cite magazine |first1=Michael |last1=Burgin |first2=Dom |last2=Sinacola |first3=Jim |last3=Vorel |first4=Scott |last4=Wold |first5=Paste |last5=staff |date=March 10, 2019 |title=The 100 Best Superhero Movies of All Time |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/superhero-movies/the-100-best-superhero-movies-of-all-time/ |magazine=Paste |access-date=January 28, 2023}} The character of Sandman has been particularly praised.{{cite web |first=Melody |last=Macready |date=January 10, 2021 |url=https://screenrant.com/spider-man-trilogy-sandman-doctor-octopus-best-villain/amp |title=Spider-Man: 5 Ways Sandman Was The Best Villain Of The Trilogy (& 5 Ways It Will Always Be Doc Ock) |website=Screen Rant |access-date=September 15, 2021}}{{cite news |first1=David |last1=Betancourt |first2=Michael |last2=Cavna |date=December 20, 2021 |title=The Top 6 Spider-Man Movie Villains, Ranked |url=

https://www.washingtonpost.com/comics/2021/12/20/spiderman-villains-ranking-electro-green-goblin/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 8, 2022}}

{{main|List of accolades received by the 2002–2007 Spider-Man film series}}

Both the 35th Annie Awards and 61st British Academy Film Awards gave this movie one nomination, the former for Best Animated Effects and the latter for Best Special Visual Effects. Spider-Man 3 did not win any of the four Visual Effects Society Awards nominations it received. Dunst's and Maguire's performances earned them each one nomination from the National Movie Awards. She also received another nomination for Favorite Movie Actress from the 2008 Kids' Choice Awards ceremony. The movie fared better at the Teen Choice Awards, amounting a total of seven nominations, varying from Choice Movie Villain (for Grace) to Choice Movie Dance (for Maguire) and Choice Movie Liplock (shared between Maguire and Dunst).

{{Anchor|Sequel|Sequels}}

In 2007, Spider-Man 4 entered development for release on May 6, 2011, with Raimi attached to direct and Maguire, Dunst and other cast members set to reprise their roles. Both a fourth and a fifth film were planned, and at one time, the idea of shooting the two sequels concurrently was under consideration. Raimi said in March 2009 that only the fourth film was in development at that time and that if there were fifth and sixth films, they would be a continuation of each other.{{cite news|first=Shawn |last=Adler |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1594231/20080905/story.jhtml |title=Tobey Maguire, Sam Raimi Sign On For 'Spider-Man 4': Report |publisher=MTV News |date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=October 9, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326181854/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1594231/20080905/story.jhtml |archive-date=March 26, 2010}}{{cite news|first=Larry |last=Carroll |title=Sam Raimi Talks 'Spider-Man' Sequel Double-Shoot, Futures of Kirsten Dunst & The Lizard |publisher=MTV News |date=October 16, 2008 |url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/16/raimi-talks-spider-man-sequel-double-shoot-futures-of-dunst-the-lizard/ |access-date=October 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220143203/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/16/raimi-talks-spider-man-sequel-double-shoot-futures-of-dunst-the-lizard/ |archive-date=February 20, 2009}}{{cite news|first=John|last=Harlow|title=Spider-Man Tobey Maguire spins deal for fatherhood|work=The Sunday Times|date=September 14, 2008|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article4749016.ece|access-date=September 16, 2008|location=London|archive-date=September 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918214730/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article4749016.ece|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Sam Raimi 'Can't Imagine' Doing 'Spider-Man 4' Without Kirsten Dunst, Only Working On Fourth Film |publisher=MTV News |date=March 15, 2009 |url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/15/exclusive-sam-raimi-cant-imagine-doing-spider-man-4-without-kirsten-dunst-only-working-on-fourth-film/ |access-date=March 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317222846/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/15/exclusive-sam-raimi-cant-imagine-doing-spider-man-4-without-kirsten-dunst-only-working-on-fourth-film/ |archive-date=March 17, 2009}} Raimi said that he was unhappy with Spider-Man 3 and wanted Spider-Man 4 to be "the best of all of them and end on a very high note".{{cite web | url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/03/sam-raimi-on-oz-and-two-huge-films-he-never-made.html | title=Sam Raimi on Oz, the Avengers, and Two Huge Movies He Never Made | date=March 5, 2013 }} James Vanderbilt was hired in October 2007 to pen the screenplay after initial reports in January 2007 that Sony Pictures was in contact with David Koepp, who wrote the first Spider-Man film.{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Fleming | url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/columbia-koepp-talk-spider-man-1117957843/ | title=Columbia, Koepp talk 'Spider-Man' | work=Variety | date=January 21, 2007 | access-date=January 24, 2007 | archive-date=October 7, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007054514/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957843.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/sony-sets-writer-to-spin-spider-man-1118007333/ |title=Sony sets writer to spin 'Spider-Man' |last=Fleming |first=Michael |date=August 16, 2009 |work=Variety |access-date=October 9, 2009 |archive-date=August 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821023112/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007333.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |url-status=live }} The script was subsequently rewritten by Pulitzer-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire in November 2008 and rewritten again by Gary Ross in October 2009.{{cite news|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/10/09/exclusive-sam-raimi-hopes-to-start-shooting-spider-man-4-in-march-2010/ |title=Sam Raimi Hopes To Start Shooting 'Spider-Man 4' In March 2010 |first=Eric |last=Ditzian |date=October 9, 2009 |publisher=MTV News |access-date=October 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823184644/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/10/09/exclusive-sam-raimi-hopes-to-start-shooting-spider-man-4-in-march-2010/ |archive-date=August 23, 2011}} Sony also engaged Vanderbilt to write scripts for Spider-Man 5 and Spider-Man 6. A spin-off featuring Spider-Man 3{{'}}s version of the Venom character was also planned;{{Cite web |last=Zeitchik |first=Steven |date=2008-07-31 |title=Sony may spin Spidey foe 'Venom' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sony-may-spin-spidey-foe-116623/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} this never materialized, though a Venom film featuring a different version of the character was eventually produced and released in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2016-03-04 |title='Spider-Man' Spinoff 'Venom' Revived at Sony (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spider-man-spinoff-venom-revived-872844/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Weintraub |first=Steve |date=2018-09-13 |title=Venom Movie Rating and Runtime Revealed |url=https://collider.com/venom-movie-rating-runtime/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Collider |language=en}}

In 2007, Raimi expressed interest in portraying the transformation of Dr. Curt Connors into his villainous alter ego, the Lizard, a villain who had been teased since Spider-Man 2; the character's actor Dylan Baker and producer Grant Curtis were also enthusiastic about the idea.{{cite news|first=Eric |last=Goldman |title=Exclusive: Lizard Leapin' Into Spidey 4? |work=IGN |date=January 23, 2007 |url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/757/757729p1.html |access-date=May 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230040122/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/757/757729p1.html |archive-date=December 30, 2008}}{{cite news | first = Sean |last=Elliott | title = Exclusive Interview: 'Spider-Man 3' Producer Grant Curtis talks about villains for 'Spidey 4' + His own origins – Part 1 | work = iF Magazine | date = May 29, 2007 | url = http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2127 | access-date = May 29, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224542/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2127 | archive-date = September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news | first = Larry | last = Carroll | title = Sam Raimi May Not Helm 'Spider-Man 4'; Wants Carnage, Vulture As Villains If He Does | publisher = MTV news | date = June 26, 2007 | url = http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1563359/20070625/story.jhtml?rsspartner=rssYahooNewscrawler | access-date = July 24, 2011 | archive-date = August 23, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110823185144/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1563359/sam-raimi-might-not-direct-spidey-4.jhtml?rsspartner=rssYahooNewscrawler | url-status = dead }} By December 2009, John Malkovich was in negotiations to play Vulture and Anne Hathaway would play Felicia Hardy, though she would not have transformed into the Black Cat as in the comics but a new superpowered figure, the Vulturess.{{cite web|url=http://www.movieline.com/2009/12/exclusive-spider-man-4-circling-john-malkovich-anne-hathaway.php?page=all|title=Exclusive: Spider-Man 4 Circling John Malkovich, Anne Hathaway|publisher=MoveLine.com|date=December 8, 2009|access-date=December 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002043940/http://www.movieline.com/2009/12/exclusive-spider-man-4-circling-john-malkovich-anne-hathaway.php?page=all |archive-date=October 2, 2011}} Raimi later clarified in a 2013 interview that Hathaway would have portrayed Black Cat if Spider-Man 4 had been made.{{cite web |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/175363-sam-raimi-confirms-that-anne-hathaway-would-have-been-his-black-cat-in-spider-man-4 |title=Sam Raimi Confirms That Anne Hathaway Would Have Been His Black Cat in 'Spider-Man 4' |website=SuperHeroHype.com |date= March 5, 2013 |access-date=September 29, 2021}}

Sony Pictures announced in January 2010 that plans for Spider-Man 4 had been canceled due to Raimi's withdrawal from the project. Raimi reportedly ended his participation due to his doubt that he could meet the planned May 6, 2011 release date, while upholding the film creatively. Raimi purportedly went through four iterations of the script with different screenwriters and still "hated it".{{cite news |last1=Finke |first1=Nikki |last2=Fleming |first2=Mike |author-link1=Nikki Finke |url=https://deadline.com/2010/01/urgent-spider-man-4-scrapped-as-is-raimi-and-cast-out-franchise-reboot-planned-21993/ |title='Spider-Man 4' Scrapped; Sam Rami & Tobey Maguire & Cast Out; Franchise Reboot for 2012 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 11, 2010 |access-date=January 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804174841/http://www.deadline.com/2010/01/urgent-spider-man-4-scrapped-as-is-raimi-and-cast-out-franchise-reboot-planned/ |archive-date=August 4, 2011 |url-status=live}} Raimi would later say that he couldn't get the script in time and that due to his fallings, he told Sony to go ahead with its reboot.

Following the appearance of Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home, a fan campaign has been trending on Twitter under the name #MakeRaimiSpiderMan4, calling for Sony to make a fourth film in the Spider-Man series directed by Sam Raimi with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.{{Cite web |last=Arvedon |first=Jon |date=January 7, 2022 |title=Spider-Man Fans Target Sony With #MakeRaimiSpiderMan4 Campaign |url=https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-4-sony-sam-raimi-fan-campaign/ |access-date=January 7, 2022 |website=Comic Book Resources}} Raimi later expressed interest in doing so in April 2022, noting that another sequel to his Spider-Man trilogy was possible after the introduction of the Multiverse in Spider-Man: No Way Home and his MCU film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).{{cite web |title=Spider-Man 4 mit Tobey Maguire & Doctor Strange 2: Yves trifft Sam Raimi {{!}} Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xp5uYzeK_s&t=455s |website=Youtube | date=April 28, 2022 |access-date=28 April 2022}}{{Cite web |title='Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness' Director Sam Raimi Reveals New Details About His First MCU Film |url=https://www.fandango.com/movie-news/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-director-sam-raimi-reveals-new-details-about-his-first-mcu-film-754540 |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=Fandango |date=April 6, 2022 |language=en}} He stated the next month that he had no plans to direct Spider-Man 4 but would do so if offered the opportunity to direct a story he approved of.{{Cite web |last=Agar |first=Chris |date=May 2, 2022 |title=Sam Raimi Has Disappointing Update On Tobey Maguire Spider-Man 4 Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/spiderman-4-movie-updates-tobey-maguire-sam-raimi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502200025/https://screenrant.com/spiderman-4-movie-updates-tobey-maguire-sam-raimi/ |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2022 |website=Screen Rant}}{{Cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=2022-04-30 |title=From 'Spider-Man' to 'Doctor Strange': How Sam Raimi Conquered the Superhero Multiverse (Again) |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/sam-raimi-multiverse-of-madness-doctor-strange-interview-spider-man-1344342/ |access-date=2022-07-07 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}

{{Main|The Amazing Spider-Man (film)|The Amazing Spider-Man 2}}

A reboot of the series titled The Amazing Spider-Man was released on July 3, 2012, with Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.{{cite news |last1=Finke |first1=Nikki |last2=Fleming |first2=Mike |author-link1=Nikki Finke |url=https://deadline.com/2010/01/urgent-spider-man-4-scrapped-as-is-raimi-and-cast-out-franchise-reboot-planned-21993/ |title=Exclusive: 'Spider-Man 4' Scrapped; Sam Rami & Tobey Maguire & Cast Out; Franchise Reboot for 2012 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 11, 2010 |access-date=January 11, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804174841/http://www.deadline.com/2010/01/urgent-spider-man-4-scrapped-as-is-raimi-and-cast-out-franchise-reboot-planned/ |archive-date=August 4, 2011}} A sequel, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, was released on May 2, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/the-amazing-spiderman-2-release-date/|title=Sony Schedules 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' Release Date|work=Screen Rant|last=Kendrick|first=Ben|date=August 5, 2011|access-date=January 25, 2024}}

Following the 2014 Sony Pictures hack,{{Cite web |last=Kahn |first=Juliet |date=June 12, 2019 |title=The real reason Andrew Garfield was let go from the Spider-Man series |url=https://www.looper.com/155345/the-real-reason-andrew-garfield-was-let-go-from-the-spider-man-series/ |access-date=August 10, 2020 |website=Looper.com }} leaked information from the hack indicated that prior to the cancellation of future The Amazing Spider-Man films, Sony was in talks with Sam Raimi about having him direct Spider-Man vs. The Amazing Spider-Man, a multiversal crossover film featuring Garfield's Spider-Man encounter Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man (with Maguire reprising his role), as well as a new film trilogy starring Maguire (following Garfield's firing) as a middle-aged Spider-Man years after the events of Spider-Man 3;{{cite web |date=December 10, 2014 |last=Fritz |first=Ben |title=Sony, Marvel Discussed Spider-Man Movie Crossover |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/12/09/sony-marvel-discussed-spider-man-movie-crossover/ |website=Wall Street Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218200339/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/12/09/sony-marvel-discussed-spider-man-movie-crossover/ |archive-date=2015-02-18 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/spider-man-animated-comedy-marvel-crossover/ |title=Sony Leak Reveals Studio Considering Lord/Miller Spider-Man Comedy, Marvel Crossover |last=Han |first=Angie |publisher=/Film |date=December 9, 2014 }} these plans were ultimately scrapped in favor of a Marvel Studios-produced reboot set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), beginning with Captain America: Civil War (2016), with Tom Holland cast as Spider-Man.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/details-spider-man-appear-in-sony-and-marvel-movies-1201429039/ | title=Spider-Man: How Sony, Marvel Will Benefit from Unique Deal (Exclusive) | work=Variety | date=February 10, 2015 | access-date=June 24, 2015}}{{cite web |last=Iacobucci |first=Jordan |title=10 Facts About The Canceled Amazing Spider-Man 3 Film |url=https://screenrant.com/amazing-spider-man-3-canceled-facts/ |website=Screen Rant |date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=17 November 2021 |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123000440/https://screenrant.com/amazing-spider-man-3-canceled-facts/ |quote=there were at one point considerations for the Raimi and Webb versions of the character, played by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield respectively, to meet on the big screen as far back as 2014. }}

Sam Raimi directed the Marvel Studios film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) which sparked renewed interest from fans in making his unproduced Spider-Man 4, a reality.{{cite web | url=https://in.mashable.com/entertainment/29873/sam-raimi-is-ready-for-tobey-maguires-spider-man-4-i-love-tobey | title=Sam Raimi is Ready for Tobey Maguire's 'Spider-Man 4'; "I Love Tobey" | date=April 7, 2022 }}

{{Main|Spider-Man: Homecoming|Spider-Man: Far From Home|Spider-Man: No Way Home}}

Following the underwhelming critical and commercial reception of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Sony and Marvel Studios announced in February 2015 that a new iteration of Spider-Man would appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the character appearing in Captain America: Civil War.{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/10/sinister-six-delayed-at-sony-spider-man-to-appear-in-captain-america-civil-war | title=Sinister Six Delayed at Sony, Spider-Man to Appear in Captain America: Civil War | publisher=IGN.com | date=February 10, 2015 | access-date=February 10, 2015 | archive-date=February 11, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211063501/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/10/sinister-six-delayed-at-sony-spider-man-to-appear-in-captain-america-civil-war | url-status=live }} As part of the agreement, Sony Pictures continued to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control of the Spider-Man films. Marvel Studios and Sony will explore opportunities to integrate other characters of the MCU into future Spider-Man films.{{cite web | url=http://marvel.com/news/movies/24062/sony_pictures_entertainment_brings_marvel_studios_into_the_amazing_world_of_spider-man | title=Sony Pictures Entertainment Brings Marvel Studios Into The Amazing World Of Spider-Man | publisher=Marvel | date=February 9, 2015 | access-date=February 10, 2015 | archive-date=October 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015222804/http://marvel.com/news/movies/24062/sony_pictures_entertainment_brings_marvel_studios_into_the_amazing_world_of_spider-man | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://masterherald.com/marvel-studios-confirms-cancellation-of-amazing-spider-man-3-as-pre-production-work-begins-for-spider-man-reboot/17621/|title=Marvel Studios Confirms Cancellation of 'Amazing Spider-Man 3' as Pre-Production Work Begins for 'Spider-Man' Reboot|publisher=Master Herald|work=Kazem Sedighzadeh|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118062723/http://masterherald.com/marvel-studios-confirms-cancellation-of-amazing-spider-man-3-as-pre-production-work-begins-for-spider-man-reboot/17621/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/amazing-spider-man-3-cancelled-as-spider-man-joins-the-marvel-universe-134293/|title='Amazing Spider-Man 3' Release Date Cancelled as Spider-Man Joins Marvel Movies|publisher=The Christian Post|work=Liezl Dunuan|date=February 20, 2015|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118061213/http://www.christianpost.com/news/amazing-spider-man-3-cancelled-as-spider-man-joins-the-marvel-universe-134293/|url-status=live}} Sony released a standalone film titled Spider-Man: Homecoming, produced by Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal, on July 7, 2017, with Tom Holland starring as the new Spider-Man.{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/spider-man-finds-tom-holland-794761 | title='Spider-Man' Finds Tom Holland to Star as New Web-Slinger | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=June 23, 2015 | access-date=June 24, 2015 | archive-date=June 23, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623231049/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/spider-man-finds-tom-holland-794761 | url-status=live }}

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) continues the story arc of the MCU's iteration of Spider-Man in addition to using the multiverse to link the Marvel Studios films with Sony Pictures' preceding Spider-Man film franchises from Sam Raimi and Marc Webb. Maguire, Dafoe and Church all reprised their respective roles as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Norman Osborn / Green Goblin and Flint Marko / Sandman from Spider-Man 3, appearing in supporting roles alongside other actors from previous films based on the characters outside the MCU's cast, including the Sam Raimi trilogy's version of Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus from Spider-Man 2, reprised by Alfred Molina. They are joined by Andrew Garfield, Jamie Foxx and Rhys Ifans, who reprise their respective roles as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Maxwell Dillon / Electro and Curt Connors / Lizard from Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man films.{{Cite news |last=Coggan |first=Devan |date=November 16, 2021 |title=New Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer swings headfirst into the multiverse |url=https://ew.com/movies/spider-man-no-way-home-new-trailer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117024812/https://ew.com/movies/spider-man-no-way-home-new-trailer/ |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=January 6, 2022 |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly}}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | author =Peter David |title=Spider-Man 3 |others=Novelization of the film |type=Mass Market Paperback |date=March 2007 |publisher=Pocket Star |isbn=978-1-4165-2721-3 |author-link=Peter David}}
• {{cite book | author =Grant Curtis |title=The Spider-Man Chronicles: The Art and Making of Spider-Man 3 |type=Hardcover |date=April 26, 2007| publisher=Chronicle Books |isbn=978-0-8118-5777-2 |author-link=Grant Curtis}}

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Category:Films set in 2002

Category:Films set in 2005

Category:Films set in New York City

Category:Films set in Columbia University

Category:Films shot in Cleveland

Category:Films shot in Los Angeles

Category:Films shot in New York City

Category:IMAX films

Category:Spider-Man films

Category:Teen superhero films

Category:Films with screenplays by Alvin Sargent

Category:Films with screenplays by Ivan Raimi

Category:Films with screenplays by Sam Raimi

Category:Film and television memes

Category:Internet memes introduced in 2007

Category:Spider-Man (2002 film series)

Category:Superhero drama films

Category:Green Goblin

Category:Live-action films based on Marvel Comics