History of Sam Raimi in Timeline

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Sam Raimi

Sam Raimi is a highly successful American filmmaker recognized for his distinctive directorial style, blending horror, action, and dark humor. He gained initial recognition for writing and directing the iconic Evil Dead trilogy, which established his reputation in the horror genre. Raimi achieved mainstream success with the Spider-Man trilogy, showcasing his ability to handle large-scale superhero productions. Beyond these, he has directed a diverse range of films, including Darkman, A Simple Plan, and Drag Me to Hell, demonstrating his versatility. Raimi's more recent work includes Oz the Great and Powerful and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

17 hours ago : Sam Raimi's Horror Thriller 'Send Help' Gets Hulu Release Date in April 2026.

Sam Raimi's horror thriller 'Send Help' is set to premiere on Hulu and Disney+ in April 2026. The film promises suspenseful thrills for horror fans.

1926: Birth of Leonard Ronald Raimi

In 1926, Leonard Ronald Raimi, Sam Raimi's father, was born.

1929: Birth of Celia Barbara (née Abrams)

In 1929, Celia Barbara (née Abrams), Sam Raimi's mother, was born.

October 23, 1959: Samuel Raimi's Birth

On October 23, 1959, Samuel M. Raimi was born. He is an American filmmaker known for directing the Evil Dead and Spider-Man trilogies.

1975: Meeting Bruce Campbell

In 1975, Sam Raimi met Bruce Campbell, who became a long-time friend and collaborator.

1979: Renaissance Pictures Founded

In 1979, Sam Raimi founded the production company Renaissance Pictures.

1979: Shooting Within the Woods and Clockwork

In 1979, Sam Raimi, in collaboration with Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell, shot Within the Woods, and he also shot Clockwork.

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1981: Release of The Evil Dead

In 1981, Sam Raimi financed and released The Evil Dead, which became a cult hit and launched his career.

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1985: Work on Crimewave

In 1985, Sam Raimi began work on Crimewave, co-writing it with the Coen brothers.

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1989: Writing Easy Wheels

In 1989, Sam Raimi, with his brother Ivan Raimi, wrote Easy Wheels.

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1990: Release of Darkman

In 1990, Sam Raimi directed Darkman, marking his move into superhero films.

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1992: Release of Evil Dead trilogy

In 1992, Sam Raimi finished the Evil Dead trilogy, solidifying his status as a horror film director.

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1993: Marriage to Gillian Greene

In 1993, Sam Raimi married Gillian Greene, the daughter of Canadian actor Lorne Greene.

1995: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Premiere

In 1995, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, a television series produced by Sam Raimi, premiered.

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1995: Release of The Quick and the Dead

In 1995, Sam Raimi directed The Quick and the Dead, venturing into the western genre.

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1995: Donation to Arlen Specter's Campaign

In 1995, Sam Raimi donated $450 to the campaign of then-Republican Senator Arlen Specter.

1997: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys end

In 1997, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, a television series produced by Sam Raimi, ended.

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1998: Release of A Simple Plan

In 1998, Sam Raimi directed A Simple Plan, a critically acclaimed crime thriller starring Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton.

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1999: Release of For Love of the Game

In 1999, Sam Raimi directed For Love of the Game, a romantic drama starring Kevin Costner.

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2000: Release of The Gift

In 2000, Sam Raimi directed The Gift, further expanding his repertoire.

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2001: Xena: Warrior Princess Concludes

In 2001, Xena: Warrior Princess, a spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys produced by Sam Raimi, concluded.

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2002: Release of Spider-Man

In 2002, Sam Raimi achieved great critical and commercial success with the release of Spider-Man, adapted from the comic book series.

2002: Donation to Barbara Boxer's Campaign

In 2002, Sam Raimi donated $1,000 to Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer.

2002: Ghost House Pictures Founded

In 2002, Sam Raimi founded Ghost House Pictures.

2004: Donation to George W. Bush's Campaign

During the 2004 election cycle, Sam Raimi donated $1,000 to Republican President George W. Bush.

December 11, 2006: New Shadow film announced

On December 11, 2006, it was reported that Sam Raimi and Michael Uslan would co-produce a new film version of The Shadow for Columbia Pictures.

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October 16, 2007: Raimi Discusses The Shadow

On October 16, 2007, Sam Raimi stated that he and Josh Donen had the rights to The Shadow and were trying to develop a story that would do justice to the character.

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2007: Release of Spider-Man 3

In 2007, Sam Raimi directed Spider-Man 3, the final film in the Spider-Man trilogy directed by him.

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2008: Executive Production of Legend of the Seeker

In 2008, Sam Raimi executive-produced Legend of the Seeker, a syndicated TV series based on Terry Goodkind's The Sword of Truth fantasy series.

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2008: Raimi considered for directing roles

In 2008, it was reported that Sam Raimi expressed an interest in directing The Hobbit, and might direct By Any Means Necessary. Disney also approached him to direct W.I.T.C.H.: The Movie.

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July 22, 2009: Raimi to Direct Warcraft Film

On July 22, 2009, Blizzard Entertainment announced that Sam Raimi would be directing a film adaptation of the Warcraft video game series.

2009: Release of Drag Me to Hell

In 2009, Sam Raimi directed Drag Me to Hell, returning to the horror genre.

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2009: Raimi to Produce Refuge and The Substitute

In 2009, it was reported that Sam Raimi would produce Refuge and The Substitute under his Spooky Pictures label.

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2010: Raimi to Produce Burst 3D

In 2010, it was reported that Sam Raimi would produce the British thriller flick Burst 3D with his company Ghost House Pictures.

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2012: Raimi Steps Down from Warcraft Film

At the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con, it was revealed that Sam Raimi would not be directing the Warcraft film.

March 8, 2013: Release of Oz the Great and Powerful

On March 8, 2013, Sam Raimi's Oz the Great and Powerful was released by Walt Disney Pictures.

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2013: Release of Oz the Great and Powerful

In 2013, Sam Raimi directed Oz the Great and Powerful, a fantasy film.

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2013: Release of Evil Dead Remake

In 2013, Sam Raimi, along with Bruce Campbell and Rob Tapert, produced Evil Dead, a remake of Raimi's original film.

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2014: Army of Darkness 2 Cancellation

In 2014, Bruce Campbell announced that Army of Darkness 2 is not happening, dispelling internet rumors.

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2015: Premiere of Ash vs Evil Dead

In 2015, Ash vs Evil Dead, a television series starring Bruce Campbell and produced by Sam Raimi, premiered.

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February 26, 2016: Raimi to Direct World War 3

On February 26, 2016, it was confirmed that Sam Raimi was attached to direct the upcoming film World War 3 for Warner Bros.

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2016: Donation to Hillary Clinton's Campaign

Early in the 2016 election cycle, Sam Raimi donated $2,950 to Hillary Clinton's campaign.

2016: Death of Celia Barbara (née Abrams)

In 2016, Celia Barbara (née Abrams), Sam Raimi's mother, passed away.

February 16, 2017: Raimi to Direct Bermuda Triangle Thriller

On February 16, 2017, it was reported that Sam Raimi would be directing a thriller about the Bermuda Triangle for Skydance Media.

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January 29, 2018: Raimi to Direct The Name of the Wind

By January 29, 2018, Sam Raimi was set to direct the first movie adaptation of Patrick Rothfuss's Kingkiller Chronicle series, The Name of the Wind.

2018: Ash vs Evil Dead Concludes

In 2018, Ash vs Evil Dead, a television series starring Bruce Campbell and produced by Sam Raimi, concluded.

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February 5, 2020: Raimi in Talks for Doctor Strange 2

On February 5, 2020, it was announced that Sam Raimi was in talks with Marvel Studios to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

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April 2020: Raimi Confirms Doctor Strange 2 Involvement

In April 2020, Sam Raimi confirmed his involvement in directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

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2021: Death of Leonard Ronald Raimi

In 2021, Leonard Ronald Raimi, Sam Raimi's father, passed away.

2022: Release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

In 2022, Sam Raimi directed Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, marking his return to superhero films after Spider-Man 3.

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2022: Raimi reflects on Spider-Man 3

In 2022, Sam Raimi reflected on Spider-Man 3, describing it as a painful experience and expressing his desire to redeem himself with the aborted Spider-Man 4.

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May 8, 2024: Gillian Greene Files for Divorce

On May 8, 2024, Gillian Greene filed for divorce from Sam Raimi, citing irreconcilable differences.

January 30, 2026: Release of Send Help

On January 30, 2026, Sam Raimi's horror-thriller film Send Help, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, was released in theaters.

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2026: Release of Send Help

In 2026, Sam Raimi is set to direct Send Help.

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