July 2002 saw the release of several highly anticipated movies, ranging from action-adventure blockbusters to romantic comedies. As we look back on this month in cinema history, we highlight some of the top picks and review their IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Additionally, we provide links to their official trailers on YouTube.
Spider-Man
Arguably the month’s biggest release was Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson. The film follows the origin story of the iconic Marvel superhero as he battles the villainous Green Goblin, played by Willem Dafoe. Spider-Man was a critical and commercial success, earning a 7.3/10 rating on IMDb and a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
Road to Perdition
Another highly acclaimed film from July 2002 was Road to Perdition, directed by Sam Mendes and starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. The crime drama follows a hitman seeking revenge against his former boss after his family is murdered.
The film was praised for its performances and cinematography, earning a 7.7/10 rating on IMDb and an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Comedy fans were delighted by the third installment in the Austin Powers franchise, Austin Powers in Goldmember, directed by Jay Roach and starring Mike Myers as the titular character. The film sees Austin team up with his father to stop the villainous Goldmember, played by Myers himself.
Although it received mixed reviews, the film was still a box office success and earned a 6.2/10 rating on IMDb and a 54% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
Stuart Little 2
Families flocked to theaters to see Stuart Little 2, directed by Rob Minkoff and featuring the voice talents of Michael J. Fox and Melanie Griffith. The sequel sees Stuart teaming up with a new friend to rescue a bird from an evil falcon. While not as critically acclaimed as some of the other releases of the month.
Stuart Little 2 still generally received positive reviews and earned a 5.5/10 rating on IMDb and a 68% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
The Country Bears
Finally, Disney released their live-action adaptation of the popular Country Bear Jamboree attraction from their theme parks. The Country Bears, directed by Peter Hastings and starring Christopher Walken, follows a young bear trying to reunite with his favorite band, the Country Bears.
Unfortunately, the film was widely panned by critics and audiences alike, earning a 4.0/10 rating on IMDb and a 31% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its trailer can be found here.
Conclusion
July 2002 provided a diverse range of movies for audiences to enjoy, from the superhero blockbuster of Spider-Man to the crime drama of Road to Perdition, the comedy of Austin Powers in Goldmember, and the family-friendly offerings of Stuart Little 2 and The Country Bears.
While some films received critical acclaim and commercial success, others fell short in the eyes of critics and audiences. However, looking back, it is clear that this month in cinema history offered something for everyone and continues to be remembered for its impact on the film industry.
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