Anica Muñoz is a writer and an aspiring film producer with a passion for media and entertainment. She strongly considers storytelling to be a powerful tool that bridges the divide between communities. Anica enjoys films that showcase a diversity of voices and brings forth empowerment for a wide group of individuals. From her writing, she believes in creating a positive impact with her analysis and reviews of films by exploring the power of human connection within these stories. Her perspective towards consuming entertainment is driven by compassion which aligns itself with the mission of The Hollywood Insider.Anica hopes to share her enthusiasm and love for cinema with others through her work.
Mar 25, 2022
Photo: Oscars
As a staple of today’s ongoing pop culture, superhero movies are box office hits that are continuing to thrive and entertain a diversity of audiences. With the recent releases of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and ‘The Batman,’ such nostalgic stories are capturing hearts with their star-studded casts and action pact storylines. From Marvel to DC, their stories are fan favorites that have become pivotal pieces in our culture. Significant characters from Iron Man to Wonder Womanhave played the part of role models that continue to inspire both children and adults.
They are currently mainstream films that the general public and fans alike still enjoy. Although this niche genre of storytelling is widely liked and is constantly earning millions, we pose the question: why do superhero movies never win Oscars? As new releases are constantly gaining popularity, the debate about theOscars is constantly questioned as superhero movies are often overlooked by the Academy. It forces us, as moviegoers, to examine the artistry of what cinema is and the nobility of these award shows.
Oscars for Superhero Movies: What Makes A Movie Oscar Worthy?
The Oscars have a particular criteriathat qualify movies to be eligible for a nomination. From the submission of credentials to having the film screened in the Los Angeles area, the eligibility process follows a formula that puts films on this platform. With around 8000 members part of The Academy, they are given ballots that allow them to nominate a variety of films. Marvel or DC movies can reach high box office numbers and are evidently qualified to be eligible for this award, but they are almost never nominated for best picture, writing, directing, and actor or actress.
Though they are oftentimes nominated for categories such as visual effects, they are overlooked in the major categories. Historically, most sci-fi or action movies are not commonly recognized by the Oscars. There is an apparent theme when it comes to the films they nominate for best picture. A lot of the movies that are deemed Oscar-caliber are critical movies that tend to explore reality, history, and/or drama.
What exactly makes superhero films so different from the ones that win on Oscar night?
There is a stigma surrounding Marvel and DC films as they are criticized as “cookie-cutter” stories that have no originality, some may even say they are repetitive. In an interviewwith the president of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige comments “I think we are always at a deficit because of the Marvel logo and because of a genre bias that certainly exists.” Despite such opinions, I believe that more than ever, superhero films have matured into stories that feel real while also providing a moment of escapism that engages an audience. Although these movies are not necessarily grounded in reality as they tend to have fights in space or otherworldly entities are seen coming down to earth, how they deal with issues surrounding humanity is constantly changing which goes beyond the critiques of originality.
Back in 2019, during the peak of Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Endgame’, notable and esteemed director, Martin Scorsese, claimed that Marvel movies are “not Cinema.” In an interviewwith Empire Magazine, he goes on to compare them to theme parks because it “isn’t the Cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.” Though his comments and his outlook on these stories can be justified whether you are a hater of Marvel movies, I do in fact truly believe that we can look at superhero movies in a perspective that examines the “psychological experience” Scorsese claims that Marvel films lack.
As a black and white story of good versus evil that is most notably depicted through the dynamic of good guys winning and bad guys losing, if we were to ultimately scratch the surface of these films, we can examine that there is a lot more to these stories that touch on the notions of humanity. Although some franchises are not necessarily about the exact human experience, the hardships and how each character reacts to struggle is as real a story can possibly get. An example is Marvel’s‘Black Panther.’It not only was the first Marvel movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars and the Golden Globes, but its revolutionary and refreshing reflection of the African diaspora also marked one of the most successful receptions within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was a story that tangled with hope and was a vital political commentary that embraced the African cultural identity.
In addition to ‘Black Panther’s’success, we similarly see it in Christopher Nolan’s superhero-centered film, ‘The Dark Knight,’ which saw the late Heath Ledger win an award with his role as the Joker for Best Supporting Actor. His role created history as he became one of the first actors who starred in a superhero film to ever win an Oscar. Although the film was snubbed of the best picture and best director nomination, the movie was recognized as a story of reality alongside the real-life struggles of Batman as both a superhero and a human being.
These films are a testament to how superhero movies are not just repeated cookie-cutter films but have the elements that explore human emotions, identity, and true vulnerability that has visibly connected with audiences. Ultimately, these stories have the means to explore the reality of individual struggle. Though we can not relate to their superhuman abilities, we are able to empathize with their challenges of morality and obligations as vital figures within society. The debate of whether or not superhero movies are Oscar-worthy boils down to the question of artistry and what Cinema really is. Movies in their entirety are subjective as there are no true criteria for what makes a movie good or bad, but what we can measure and examine is how we, as an audience, can connect to the stories that are being told. If these movies are able to bring together communities and craft meaningful connections amongst one another, then the audience experience is what ultimately defines true Cinema.
By Anica Muñoz
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV. media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
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Anica Muñoz is a writer and an aspiring film producer with a passion for media and entertainment. She strongly considers storytelling to be a powerful tool that bridges the divide between communities. Anica enjoys films that showcase a diversity of voices and brings forth empowerment for a wide group of individuals. From her writing, she believes in creating a positive impact with her analysis and reviews of films by exploring the power of human connection within these stories. Her perspective towards consuming entertainment is driven by compassion which aligns itself with the mission of The Hollywood Insider.Anica hopes to share her enthusiasm and love for cinema with others through her work.
Anica Muñoz is a writer and an aspiring film producer with a passion for media and entertainment. She strongly considers storytelling to be a powerful tool that bridges the divide between communities. Anica enjoys films that showcase a diversity of voices and brings forth empowerment for a wide group of individuals. From her writing, she believes in creating a positive impact with her analysis and reviews of films by exploring the power of human connection within these stories. Her perspective towards consuming entertainment is driven by compassion which aligns itself with the mission of The Hollywood Insider.Anica hopes to share her enthusiasm and love for cinema with others through her work.
