The Marvel and DC Superhero movies have had an impact on every aspect of the industry, including the Academy Awards. In this regard, it is difficult to imagine a movie genre that has been more successful than the superhero one. These films have grown in popularity over the years and now account for a sizable portion of the global box office.
The entertainment value of these movies is often praised, but prestigious award shows like the Oscars frequently ignore them. There are, however, some superhero films that not only hold audiences’ attention with their exhilarating action but also merit praise for their superb storytelling, ground-breaking visual effects, and talented performances.
In this regard, we will examine five superhero films from either Marvel or DC that should have received Oscars.
Also Read: Marvel’s Misfires: Exploring the 10 Worst Marvel Movies Beyond the MCU
1. The Avengers
The Avengers made history by bringing together heroes from different movies, putting them together, and making it work in a way that broke box office records. The 2012 Joss Whedon film effortlessly found the right balance of action, humor, and drama that Marvel Studios releases have since come to be known for.
The special effects were outstanding, and Whedon’s script was clever enough to merit praise. You will undoubtedly agree that the film deserves some praise given that it was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 85th Academy Awards.
The Avengers is streaming on Disney Plus.
2. Logan
There is no denying the fact that Logan provided a fantastic conclusion to Hugh Jackman‘s time playing Wolverine. It was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 90th Academy Awards, becoming the first live-action superhero film to be nominated for screenwriting.
But overall, James Mangold did a fantastic job with his movie. It was beautifully shot, and Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Dafne Keene delivered outstanding performances.
The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, which seemed to open up new opportunities for comic book adaptations to be recognized. Sadly, that has not been the case, it never won an Academy Award.
Watch Logan on Disney Plus, and FuboTV.
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldier, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, may be superior in terms of deserving a ‘Best Picture’ nomination. The movie received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects while earning $714 million worldwide, ranking seventh among 2014’s highest-grossing movies.
The action scenes, visual effects, story, and themes of the movie all received favorable reviews from critics. It was regarded by many as the best entry in the MCU franchise, and some critics even cited it as one of the best superhero movies ever made.
As a blockbuster of this caliber, this feels like this movie should have easily won an Oscar in the category for Best Picture.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is available on Disney Plus.
4. Guardians of the Galaxy
Produced by Marvel and distributed by Walt Disney Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy received Oscar nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. But it should have been considered for a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
It did not even come up against films that were equally deserving in this competition and lost. The screenplay for James Gunn‘s helmed film was better than the majority, if not all, of the 2015 Oscar nominees.
Guardians of the Galaxy can be streaming on Disney Plus.
5. The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises, the other major superhero blockbuster of 2012, did not receive even one Oscar nomination. A nomination for Special Visual Effects at the British Academy Film Awards is among the many honors the 2012 Christopher Nolan movie has received.
Although Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy both gave excellent performances, neither one became as instantly recognizable as Heath Ledger’s. Yet, nothing at the Oscars for the movie?
The Dark Knight Rises is available to stream on Netflix and Max.
Let us hope the Academy recognizes the excellence that superhero films add to the cinematic landscape as the genre continues to develop.
