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Looking for something to watch this May? Check out our list of the best movie releases for 2002! From blockbusters to independents, there’s something for everyone!
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Upcoming May releases
May 3
-Spider-Man (dir. Sam Raimi)
-Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (dir. George Lucas)
May 10
-About a Boy (dir. Chris and Paul Weitz)
-Insomnia (dir. Christopher Nolan)
May 17
-Unfaithful (dir. Adrian Lyne)
Notable releases
May releases include “Spider-Man” (May 3), “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” (May 16), and “The Sum of All Fears” (May 31).
Most-anticipated releases
May is an exciting month for movie releases, with some of the most-anticipated films of the year set to hit theaters. Here are some of the highlights:
“Spider-Man” – May 3
The long-awaited adaptation of the popular comic book hits theaters, with Tobey Maguire in the title role.
“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” – May 16
The second installment in the highly anticipated “Star Wars” prequel trilogy hits theaters. Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman star.
“Scooby-Doo” – May 31
The live-action adaptation of the classic cartoon debuts, with Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar in the lead roles.
Surprise releases
Some movies are released without much fanfare or promotion, hoping to catch audiences by surprise. Here are some of the movies that were released quietly in 2002.
“The Ring” was a psychological thriller that became a box office hit despite little advance hype. The movie, about a cursed videotape that kills whoever watches it after seven days, was praised for its suspense and scares.
“Punch-Drunk Love” was a rom-com starring Adam Sandler as a man who finds himself caught up in a series of unlikely events. The movie was a departure from Sandler’s typical comedies, and it received mixed reviews from critics.
“The Pianist” is a biographical drama about Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, who survived the Holocaust by hiding in Warsaw. The movie won several awards, including the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Box office predictions
For summer blockbusters, it is not uncommon for a movie to open to over $100 million in its first weekend. Big-budgeted sequels and event films often rule the box office from Memorial Day weekend through the Fourth of July holiday. This year is no different, with a number of potential blockbusters on tap. Here are some of the movies that will be opening in May 2002.
The first big release of the summer is “Spider-Man,” which hits theaters on May 3rd. Based on the popular Marvel comic book character, “Spider-Man” has been one of the most anticipated movies of the year. The film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, a nerdy high school student who is bitten by a genetically altered spider and gains spider-like powers. Parker must use his new powers to stop the evil Green Goblin (played by Willem Dafoe) from taking over New York City. “Spider-Man” is directed by Sam Raimi (“Evil Dead,” “A Simple Plan”) and also stars Kirsten Dunst, James Franco and Cliff Robertson.
On May 10th, MGM will release “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.” Though not receiving as much advance hype as “Spider-Man,” “Episode II” is still expected to be one of the top grossing films of the summer. The film picks up ten years after the events of “The Phantom Menace,” with Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) now a young Jedi Knight. Skywalker must protect Senator Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) from bounty hunters while trying to stop a separatist movement that could lead to all-out war. “Episode II” also stars Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson, Ian McDiarmid and Christopher Lee.
Rounding out the month is Disney’s latest animated feature, “Lilo & Stitch.” The film focuses on Lilo (voiced by Daveigh Chase), a young Hawaiian girl who adopts an alien creature (voiced by Chris Sanders) that she believes is a dog. When it becomes apparent that Stitch is not like other dogs, Lilo must protect him from capture while trying to keep him out of trouble. Along with Chase and Sanders, “Lilo & Stitch” features the voices of Jason Scott Lee, David Ogden Stiers and Ving Rhames.
Critical reception
The following chart contains the top ten movies in terms of critical reception. The ratings are out of a possible 100 and are based on reviews from major critics.
#Title/Release Date/Critic Score
1. “A Beautiful Mind” (December) – 86%
2. “Gosford Park” (December) – 84%
3. “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (December) – 83%
4. “In the Bedroom” (November) – 82%
5. “Mulholland Drive” (October) – 80%
6. “The Royal Tenenbaums” (December) – 80%
7. “Training Day” (October) – 79%
8. “Y Tu Mama Tambien” (August) – 78%
9. “Monster’s Ball” (January) – 77%
10. “Shrek” (May)- 75%
Commercial reception
Box office receipts for the month of May were led by the release of “Spider-Man,” which grossed over 100 million dollars in its opening weekend. “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” and “Men in Black II” also performed well, grossing over 80 million dollars and 70 million dollars respectively. “The Bourne Identity,” “About Schmidt,” and “Insomnia” rounded out the top six films for the month.
Reception by critics was more mixed, with the majority of positive reviews going to smaller films such as “About Schmidt” and “The Pianist.” Among the commercially successful films, “Spider-Man” received the best reviews, while “Men in Black II” and “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” were both met with more mixed reactions.
Sequels and remakes
Hollywood loves a good sequel or remake, and this summer is no exception. Thanks to the success of movies like “The Mummy Returns” and “Shrek,” we can look forward to more of the same this May.
Here are some of the most anticipated releases:
-Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (May 16)
-Spider-Man (May 3)
-Insomnia (May 24)
-Catch Me If You Can (May 31)
Awards and nominations
The following is a list of awards and nominations received by the 2002 film Spider-Man.
Legacy
May 3 – “Spider-Man” – Sam Raimi returns to the director’s chair for the third time to bring one of Marvel’s most popular superheroes to the big screen.
May 10 – “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” – The long-awaited prequel finally arrives in theaters, with a new young cast joining veteran Star Wars regulars.
May 17 – “The Matrix Reloaded” – Keanu Reeves and company are back for the second installment of this popular sci-fi trilogy.
May 24 – “Bruce Almighty” – Jim Carrey stars as a man who is given God’s powers for a day in this comedy from director Tom Shadyac.
