Introduction
Superhero movies are iconic pieces of entertainment, combining captivating action, intriguing storytelling, and dazzling special effects to recreate plots based on some of the world’s best-known figures. Superhero movies have continued to grow in popularity over the years, but unfortunately, they rarely manage to break into the more prestigious awards circles, such as the Academy Awards. This article sets out to explore why superheroes rarely win Oscars and examines the issues around this topic.
Reasons for Failure to Win Oscars
One of the main reasons superhero movies don’t win Oscars is because they don’t fit neatly into the Academy’s criteria for awarding. Oscars tend to favour serious dramas with a focus on social issues, or movies that explore important historical events. Superhero movies don’t usually touch on relevant social or historical issues in the same way, making them less likely to succeed in the awards arena. Major franchises such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe tend to focus on entertainment and marketing over meaningful statements. Oscar-winning films, on the other hand, are often driven by depth and artistic flair, qualities that are rarer in superhero movies.
Furthermore, superhero movies tend to target a wider audience than Academy Award contenders. As a result, potential contenders will often struggle to gain the support of serious film critics, and stand less chance of being nominated by the Academy. Superhero movies might also be seen as too mainstream for the awards circuit, which particularly favours independent films.
Creating Oscar-Worthy Superhero Movies
It is possible for superhero movies to win Oscars, as long as filmmakers and producers ensure the movie meets the Academy’s specific criteria. For instance, in 2019, the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay went to Josh Singer and the film ‘Spotlight’, which was based on the true story of The Boston Globe’s investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic priests.
The success of ‘Spotlight’ indicates that to win Oscars, superhero movies will likely have to demonstrate real-world connections and depth that are often missing from characters in the comics. This could be achieved through adapting stories based on true events, or by delving into the psychological and emotional complexities of characters and the internal conflict they face.
Historical Superhero Oscar Moment
Arguably, the only true cinematic superhero to ever win an Oscar is Heath Ledger for his portrayal of the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008). Ledger won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance, which was widely praised for its creativity and chilling effect. This serves as a reminder that if superheroes can be portrayed in ways that make audiences think, or address important social issues, then even mainstream movies can be Oscar contenders.
Critics’ Opinion
Film critics are generally very vocal about their feelings towards superhero movies, and many lament their lack of success in the awards circuit.
According to some critics, the lack of recognition for superhero movies is not entirely due to their content, but rather the genre’s domination of the box office. Despite this, some critics remain unconvinced that superhero movies can ever win Oscars, claiming they are ‘too simple’ to meet the Academy’s requirements.
Reception by Audience
Despite the criticism, audiences have a good reception towards superhero movies, with some of the most popular and commercially successful films originating from this genre. From the box office success of Avengers: Endgame, to the buzz surrounding the upcoming release of Marvel’s Black Widow movie, it is clear that viewers enjoy superhero movies, and anticipate their release.
At the same time, audiences are not shy of expressing their unhappiness with the Academy’s lack of appreciation for superhero movies. While there has been an increased appreciation for comic book movies, with the genre gradually moving away from its roots of light entertainment, audiences want to see these films recognised for their innovation, creativity and wider social impact.
Award-Winning Potential?
Ultimately, superhero movies have the potential to achieve far more than stylistic box office hits. If filmmakers can create movies with meaningful content that feature well-developed characters, superhero movies could break into the realms of serious award contenders. For now, we look forward to anticipation of the next cinematic rendition of a superhero, knowing that with the right direction these films have the potential to win Oscars and major awards.
Gender Representation
There is also the issue of gender representation in superhero movies. For years, male superheroes have been at the forefront of the genre, leaving female superheroes in the background or omitted entirely. This is thankfully changing as more female superhero movies are made, with films like Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey representing a progressive shift in Hollywood.
Representation of gender and minorities in superhero movies is an important issue for both filmmakers and the Academy, as it plays a large part in determining whether something is artistically successful and how it plays out at the box office. Therefore, it could be argued that if filmmakers address and challenge gender stereotypes, superhero movies could be on the brink of being serious award contenders.
Political Representation
Finally, there is the issue of political representation in superhero movies. It has been argued that superhero movies are often simply too ‘American’ to appeal to international audiences, and this could be a factor in why superheroes struggle to be recognised at prestigious award ceremonies such as the Oscars.
These films, which typically take place in the US and feature mainly white protagonists, can be seen as somewhat dated and even imperialist. In order for superhero movies to win Oscars, filmmakers will have to find ways to make them more global and connect with wider international audiences.
