The Spider-Man trilogy is a film series directed by Sam Raimi, featuring the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. The rights to further motion picture films based on Spider-Man were purchased in 1985 and moved through various production companies and studios, before being secured by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Sony hired Sam Raimi to direct Spider-Man (2002) and its sequels, Spider-Man 2 (2004), and Spider-Man 3 (2007).