The Amazing Spider-Man is a 2012 American superhero film directed by Marc Webb, serving as a reboot of the Spider-Man franchise following Sam Raimi's trilogy.
Starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, the film explores Peter's journey as he gains spider-like powers after being bitten by a genetically modified spider.
The story begins with Peter as a high school student who struggles with the mystery of his parents' disappearance when he was young. After discovering his father's briefcase, he becomes determined to uncover the truth about his past. This quest leads him to Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), a former colleague of his father who is working on a serum to regenerate lost limbs using lizard DNA. However, Connors's experiments take a dark turn when he injects himself with the serum, transforming into the monstrous Lizard.
As Spider-Man, Peter must confront Connors while balancing his personal life and burgeoning relationship with Gwen. The film emphasizes themes of responsibility, loss, and the search for identity as Peter learns to navigate his new powers and the challenges they bring.
Upon its release on July 3, 2012, The Amazing Spider-Man received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Garfield and Stone's chemistry, the film's visual effects, and its fresh take on the Spider-Man origin story. It grossed approximately $758 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2012.
Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man revitalized the franchise by offering a new perspective on the beloved character while retaining the core themes of heroism and personal sacrifice that define Spider-Man's legacy. The film was followed by a sequel, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, released in 2014.