The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Well-received reboot for the Marvel Comics screen franchise casts Andrew Garfield as gifted but troubled teenager Peter Parker, imbued with a spider’s abilities in the wake of a laboratory accident. Using his newfound powers to fight crime and probe the long-ago disappearance of his parents, he runs afoul of genetic researcher Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), whose self-experimentation leads to his becoming the monstrous Lizard. Emma Stone, Denis Leary, Sally Field, Martin Sheen also star. 136 min. C/Rtg: PG-13

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Marvel Comics’ web-slinging superhero returns in this exciting sequel. This time, Spidey (Andrew Garfield) goes up against the super-charged villain Electro (Jamie Foxx) and faces childhood pal Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan)--who is transformed into the hideous Green Goblin--all while trying to hold to a promise to keep the lovely Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) safe by staying away from her. With Sally Field, Campbell Scott, and Paul Giamatti as the Rhino. 141 min. C/Rtg: PG-13