A method for packaging a semiconductor die or assembling a semiconductor device that includes a heat spreader begins with attaching the heat spreader to a film and dispensing a mold compound in granular form onto the film such that the mold compound at least partially covers the film and the heat spreader. The film with the attached heat spreader is placed in a first mold section. A substrate having a semiconductor die attached and electrically coupled to it are placed in a second mold section and then the first and second mold sections are mated such that the die is covered by the heat spreader. The granular mold compound is then melted so that the mold compound covers the die and sides of the heat spreader. The first and second mold sections then are separated. The film, which adheres to the substrate, is removed to expose a top surface of the heat spreader, and thus a semiconductor device is formed.