*Updated July 13th 2023.
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IN FRANCHISES, COMIC VALUES AND COLLECTIONS
In our article, we list 10 important Hollywood movies that successfully won an Oscar. Though blockbuster success is not the most important factor, their impact on cinema and the visual arts is undeniable. Moreover, they may have paid homage to the source material.
Below, you can read our Top 10 Hollywood comic book movies.
10. SUICIDE SQUAD (2016)
At the lowest spot, Suicide Squad (2016) deserves the list. Indeed, the film may have doomed the DC Extended Universe for its poor reviews. At the same time, its impassioned fans may have created a cultural movement with its box office success and audience engagement. In 2016, the film won an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Certainly, the fan passion gained its recognition. At ScreenRant, Andrew Dyce argue the award is due for its artistic contribution as opposed to popular engagement.
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the Oscar award, the popular movement, the artistic contribution, and the passion of the fans.
9. SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004)
To begin, the Sam Raimi trilogy helped renew interest in comic book movies and especially the supergero genre. At the time, Spider-Man (2004) 2 was a cinematic achievement that told the story of the classic Spider-Man and his love interest. With impressive action sequences and computer imagery, the film won the Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects in 2005. But, it’s not the first comic book movie to win an Oscar. Moreover, the movie gives homage to Amazing Spider-Man (2013) #50.
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the Oscar award, the influence on comic book movies and the interest in the superhero genre.
8. SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978)
Certainly, Superman: The Movie (1978) is the original superhero blockbuster. When the movie was released, general audiences were charmed by the hero’s enthralling story. Moreover, Christopher Reeve’s charismatic performance carried the movie. Importantly, the movie actually changed the Superman mythos instead of simply adapting it. In fact, the Krypton backstory was a new addition from the Donnerverse that changed its depiction in comics. Gloriouly, the film is the first comic book movie to receive an Oscar for Special Achievement In Visual Effects in 1979.
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the Oscar award, the first blockbuster comic book movie, the pop-culture impact, the charismatic Christopher Reeve performance, the re-invention of the Superman mythos and the top-notch acting.
7. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (2018)
Certainly, Miles Morales is Spider-Man for a new generation. Importantly, the animated movie popularizes the crossover event Spider-Verse (2015) as well as the Ultimate Universe. Though it is not tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is a popular achievement for fans of the alternate universe. In 2019, Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
READ our review for the animation.
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the Oscar win, the ground-breaking visual effect, the pop-culture impact and the representation of minorities.
6. BATMAN (1989)
Though it is incorrect, it is believed that Batman (1989) is the first comic book movie to win an Oscar. (SEE Number eight on the list). At the same time, it is important because it reveals the Avant-garde and Noir atmosphere of the late 1980s. Certainly, the movie heightened the Dark Knight elements of the mythos. In 1990, the cult film won an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Art Direction proving a cinematic masterpiece. Importantly, the movie gives homage to the valuable Batman (1971) #251.
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the Oscar win, the ground-breaking cinema and the Noir film.
5. ZACK SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE (2021)
Certainly, the film is important for vindicating the passionate fans’ campaign to restore the Snyderverse. Moreover, it released on HBO Max to critical acclaim despitre its four-hour runtime. In 2022, it won the Oscars Cheer Moment Twitter Sweepstakes. Importantly, the Noir movie gives homage to Final Crisis (2014).
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the Oscar win and the fan campaign on Twitter.
4. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015)
Incredibly, Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) might be among the greatest films of the decade. Though not a comic book movie in the traditional sense, the film does have a prequel comic book titled Mad Max: Fury Road: The Prelude to the Blockbuster Film! Gloriously, the film was nominated for 10 Oscars in 2016 and won six awards. Certainly, a cinematic masterpiece.
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the six Oscar wins, the cinematic masterpiece and George Miller’s influence on cinema.
3. BLACK PANTHER (2018)
Certainly, Black Panther (2018) is a cultural movement about Black culture and African culture. In fact, its importance is beyond cinema since it has had an impact on a generation’s identity as Black people. Though it only won three Oscars in 2019, its impact is significant. Importantly, it may be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most important film in recent times. Moreover, the movie does homage to the Christopher Priest run on Black Panther. Particularly, the final battle scene where T’Challa wrestles a rhino also does homage to Jungle Action (1973) #6.
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the Oscar wins, the celebration of Black culture and the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film to win an Oscar.
2. THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)
Gloriously, The Dark Knight (2008) misses the top spot on this list. At the same time, the movie is a cult classic that has passionated fans since 2008. In 2009, the film won two Oscars and may be the most celebrated of the decade.
WHY IT’S ON THIS LIST: And the movie belongs on this list for the two Oscar wins and the cinematic masterpiece.
1. JOKER (2019)
Gloriously, Joker (2019) is at the top of our list. Perhaps, the film that has most captivated audiences in recent times. Importantly, the film is not only a comic book movie but a character study on the eponymous archetypal villain. In 2020, it received 11 nominations and won two Oscars.