The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reaches a significant milestone in Oscar history with its nomination record concluding in 2025, even as excitement surges around the addition of Deadpool & Wolverine. The box office performance for this anticipated duo clearly reflects its popularity, as it secured the seventh position in the ranking of all-time highest-grossing Marvel films for 2024. This impressive standing is only surpassed by iconic titles like Black Panther, Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Avengers, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
However, critical acclaim does not always align with box office success. For example, despite being a commercial hit, Avengers: Age of Ultron occupies the twenty-seventh position in Rotten Tomatoes’ MCU rankings based on critic scores. In contrast, Iron Man, which ranks eighth in the box office for 2008, holds a prestigious third place in critical assessments nearly two decades post-release. Although Deadpool & Wolverine enjoyed favorable box office numbers, it did not resonate with critics in the same way, marking a departure from the MCU’s longstanding tradition of Oscar nominations.
Understanding the MCU’s 10-Year Oscar Nomination Streak
Marvel Studios’ Unbroken Streak of VFX Oscar Nominations Since 2017
Typically, superhero films face an uphill battle when vying for Academy Awards, often limited to visual effects categories. Yet, Marvel Studios has successfully secured at least one Oscar nomination for VFX every year since 2017. This streak includes notable films such as Doctor Strange (2016), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). Notably, there were no nominations in 2020 due to the pandemic-related delays in film releases.
| Oscar-Nominated MCU Movie | Release Year |
|---|---|
| Iron Man | 2008 |
| Iron Man 2 | 2010 |
| The Avengers | 2012 |
| Iron Man 3 | 2013 |
| Captain America: The Winter Soldier | 2014 |
| Doctor Strange | 2016 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | 2017 |
| Avengers: Infinity War | 2018 |
| Avengers: Endgame | 2019 |
| Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | 2021 |
| Spider-Man: No Way Home | 2021 |
| Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | 2022 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | 2023 |
Despite a strong performance, Marvel Studios did not receive any VFX nominations in 2015, the year marked by the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man. Prior to this, the studio enjoyed three consecutive VFX nominations, starting from The Avengers, followed by Iron Man 3 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Films like Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor, released in 2011, failed to land nominations, and no movies were released in 2009. The trend also began strong with nominations for Iron Man and Iron Man 2 during the initial phase of the MCU.
The Snub: Why Deadpool & Wolverine Missed a VFX Oscar Nomination
A Competitive Field Awaits Deadpool & Wolverine at the 2025 Academy Awards
The competition for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best Visual Effects category is intense, featuring contenders such as Alien: Romulus, Better Man, Dune: Part 2, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Wicked. Each of these films showcases cutting-edge visual effects that vividly bring to life their unique narratives. For instance, Alien: Romulus pays tribute to a revered sci-fi legacy, while both Dune: Part 2 and Wicked craft rich, immersive worlds from the ground up. Although the visual effects in Deadpool & Wolverine have improved upon previous MCU entries, they lack the groundbreaking innovation that often distinguishes nominees in this highly competitive category.
With such high expectations and fierce competition, the fate of Deadpool & Wolverine in the Oscars spotlight remains uncertain, marking a defining moment in the MCU’s illustrious journey.
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