We're currently in the midst of awards season, but it's not shaping up to be a particularly good year for superheroes.
While Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Angela Bassett is scoring her fair share of "Best Supporting Actress" nominations and wins, the genre has been frozen out for the most part. That's not overly surprising after a year that saw the release of movies like Thor: Love and Thunder and Black Adam, but we've grown used to comic book movies being overlooked.
While the likes of The Dark Knight, Black Panther, and Joker have been recognised at major awards shows, there are a number of titles we think have been unfairly overlooked. That's a reference to the Oscars and beyond, and we've now singled out some of our favourites that should have been acknowledged...and perhaps even won "Best Picture."
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5. The Avengers
The Avengers picked up the expected VFX nominations, but it feels like this movie's impact wasn't appreciated anywhere near as much as it should have been.
Marvel Studios launched a number of solo superhero franchises at a time comic book movies were primarily bad. They then successfully brought those characters together - in the midst of being acquired by Disney - in a blockbuster helmed by someone best known for their television work. And it was magnificent.
Grossing over $1 billion at a time that number was a rarity, The Avengers was, in many ways, the true opening chapter of the MCU as we know it. While we're not saying the cast should have been on stage accepting a "Best Picture" Oscar in 2013 - was Argo really that much better? - this was a special movie.
It may be small in scale compared to Avengers: Endgame, but if you were there on opening day, you know what we're talking about.
4. Spider-Man 2
An Oscar-winner for its VFX, Spider-Man 2 is a perfect example of how superhero movies are typically only recognised in technical categories. This groundbreaking sequel from filmmaker Sam Raimi was released way back in 2004, but is still widely considered one of the best comic book adaptations to ever grace the silver screen.
Yes, the main character was clad in spandex, but how many other 2004 movies spring to mind that offered the experience of swinging through New York City. Million Dollar Baby?!
That was obviously a fantastic film in its own right. However, between Alfred Molina's terrific performance as Doctor Octopus, a strong story about love and friendship, and visuals unlike anything we'd seen on screen before, Spider-Man 2 is a movie that serves as a compelling reminder of why blockbusters deserve to be acknowledged as well.
The legacy this sequel has really does speak for itself.
3. Watchmen
Well, this one is going to be controversial, isn't it?
The removal of the squid aside (which actually wasn't in any way a detriment to the story being told), Watchmen did a fantastic job of adapting Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon's iconic graphic novel. While it's true Zack Snyder's style isn't for everyone - that "Hallelujah" scene was quite something, alright - this movie was undeniably visually stunning.
We're not necessarily saying Watchmen is Oscar-worthy, but it feels like the movie was overlooked solely because the story isn't overly easy to digest. It's dense, sometimes a tad too complicated and convoluted, and brutally violent, but it all comes together in a way that just...works.
Snyder successfully adapted a comic book many believed could never be brought to the big screen, and he did so by bringing those panels to life on screen. That was a phenomenal achievement and this is a film you should consider revisiting.
2. Avengers: Endgame
We feel like we're beating a dead horse here, but Avengers: Endgame absolutely should have received a greater number of "Best Picture" nominations. This three-hour epic works in every respect, telling a powerful, moving story that culminates by celebrating the most successful franchise of all time.
Whether it's that breathtaking Portals scene or the death of Iron Man, there were moments here we will never forget, and how many Oscar-winners that created such a visceral emotional reaction within you spring to mind as quickly as this movie does?
Avengers: Endgame wasn't just a movie; it was an experience.
Robert Downey Jr. definitely deserved more recognition, as did Josh Brolin for his layered, fascinating portrayal of Thanos. Of course, both were covered in visual effects, so it was easy for the 2019 movie to be overlooked and, in many cases, ignored.
1. The Batman
What the hell happened here?
The Batman opened to overwhelmingly positive reviews last March, but in the months that followed, it was largely forgotten. We're not sure whether to blame short attention spans or a level of familiarity with this character that meant the movie all too quickly blurred into the background.
Either way, the fact it isn't getting any real love during awards season is legitimately shocking, though perhaps not as infuriating as the fact Michael Giacchino's score has been largely ignored. That's beyond baffling.
Given its adult tone, a compelling detective story, and fantastic performances from top to bottom, we see no reason why The Batman isn't front and centre at shows like the Golden Globes and Oscars. Perhaps Warner Bros. Discovery didn't have enough money to push it when "For Your Consideration" time rolled around, but the Batverse definitely deserves better.