Comic book movies became a real force to be reckoned with in the entertainment business in the 2000s. A few movies here and there came out every year throughout the 20th century, but they were mostly seen as kid-oriented or outright disposable, seldom receiving any kind of attention from awards bodies. A few exceptions exist, of course, mainlyWarren Beatty’s 1990 neo-noirDick Tracy, which received an impressive seven Oscar nominations and ultimately won three: Art Direction, Makeup, and Original Song. However, it notably missed the big prize: Best Picture, commonly considered the Oscars' most important acknowledgment.
Indeed, throughout the Academy Awards' nearly 100-year history, only three movies have received a Best Picture nomination, and none have won. One might argue that a few other comic book movies were worthy of the recognition, especially Christopher Nolan’s game-changing 2008 crime thriller The Dark Knight. Alas, the Academy has only deigned to nominate three such movies for its biggest prize, two of which came from the last decade.This list will rank all three comic book movies nominated for Best Picture, considering their overall quality, contributions to the comic book genre, and legacy as individual artistic achievements. Everyone will have a different opinion, but when looking at the three nominees side by side, it becomes clear one is clearly superior.
3’Joker' (2019)
Directed by Todd Phillips
Todd Phillips' highly divisive psychological thrillerJokerstarsJoaquin Phoenixas Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill failed clown and aspiring stand-up comedian. He suffers from a condition that makes him laugh uncontrollably randomly, making him an outcast and subject to mistreatment by those around him. As Arthur descends into mental turmoil and nihilism, he becomes a reluctant leading figure in a cultural movement against the rich and powerful in Gotham City.Zazie Beetz,Francis Conroy, and Oscar winnerRobert De Niroco-star.
Jokeris quite the polarizing movie: you either love it or hate it, with seemingly no room for a middle ground. On the positive side,Phoenix is quite good in the role, embodying Arthur’s mental chaos with chilling conviction and earning a Best Actor Oscar for his efforts. The supporting cast is equally impressive, especially Conroy and De Niro, while the production value does a great job bringing to life a morally bankrupt and decaying version of Gotham City unlikely anything audiences have seen before. However,Jokeris also painfully derivative, to the point where itsinspiration seems like borderline imitation. Phillips isn’t shy to acknowledgethe influence ofMartin Scorsese’s workin this movie, to the point of casting De Niro. The shadow of seminal Scorsese classics likeTaxi DriverandThe King of Comedyloom largely inJoker, and the filmisn’t strong enough on its ownto stand beside them. As a showcase for Joaquin Phoenix,Jokeris quite good. However, as a distinct work of cinematic art,Jokeris ultimately emptyand withnothing interesting to say about mental health, cultural movements, or the human condition.
2’Skippy' (1931)
Directed by Norman Taurog
The 1931 pre-Code comedySkippyis based on the eponymous and immensely popular comic book strip by Percy Crosby. The lateJackie Cooperstars in the titular role, a mischievous and disobedient boy who sneaks out of his house to visit a poorer part of his town, where he befriends a single mother, her child, and their dog. When the dog is stolen by a dog catcher, Skippy and his new friends must band together to get enough money and rescue the dog from the pound.
Skippywas the first comic book movie nominated for Best Picture, remaining the only one for nearly ninety years. The film isa charming picture of childhood bliss, successfully showing Depression-era neighborhoods through the eyes of an unassuming child who just wants to evade punishment and do what he believes is right. At the center of it all isa tremendously compelling performance by Jackie Cooper, whose work made him the youngest performer nominated for the Best Actor Oscar in history. Unfortunately,Skippywas less than enjoyable for young Cooper, who was subjected to intense psychological manipulation to produce a convincing portrayal. Behind-the-scenes drama aside,Skippyisone of the all-time best depictions of childhoodever recorded on the silver screen. Few films have ever been so triumphant in their attempts to put the audience in the shoes of a child. Both bittersweet and uplifting,Skippyis a universal picture that remains poignant, despite being nearly a century old.
1’Black Panther' (2018)
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler’sBlack Pantheris the perfect example ofa comic book movie that captures the zeitgeistand becomesa true representative of its time and place, surpassing the boundaries of its usually confined genre. The late Oscar-nominatedChadwick Bosemanstars as T’Challa, the king of the fictional nation of Wakanda who also acts as its defender under the guise of the Black Panther. The plot sees him going against his estranged causing, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), an extremist who wants to open Wakanda to the world and use its vast resources to lead a revolution. Oscar winnersLupita Nyong’oandDaniel Kaluuyaand Oscar nomineeAngela Bassettstar in supporting roles alongsideLetitia Wright,Danai Gurira,Winston Duke,Andy Serkis, andMartin Freeman.
Black Pantheriseverything a great comic book movie should be. It’s thrilling and action-packed without forgetting to offer a gripping and emotionally compelling story. Visuallythe film is stunning, featuring some of the best visual effects in Marvel’s catalog. The performances are incredibly strong, especially Bassett, Gurira, and Jordan, whose Killmonger ranks amongthe all-time best MCU villains. Then, of course,there’s Boseman as T’Challa, embodying everything a hero should be, both in and out of the costume. Every detail is incredible, from the impressive production design to the lush costumes.Black Pantherreceived seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, becoming the first superhero movie to receive the acknowledgment. With three wins for Costumes, Score, and Production Design,Black Pantherbecamethe first MCU movie to win a golden statuette, cementing its place as an MCU juggernaut. More than any other comic book movie,Black Pantherwasa true cultural phenomenon and a before-and-afternot only for its genre but for mainstream representation.
NEXT:Every Marvel Studios Movie Nominated for an Oscar, Ranked
