Oscars Eligibility Overview
- Sonic 3 and Madame Web do not meet the Academy’s criteria for Best Picture.
- Despite ineligibility for Best Picture, both films can compete for other Oscars.
- Neither Sonic 3 nor Madame Web is viewed as strong contenders for serious Oscar recognition.
Madame Web and Sonic 3 share a notable distinction during this awards season, as confirmed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Both films, despite their varying degrees of critical and commercial success, fall short of qualifying for the prestigious Best Picture nomination.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 released during the holiday season to favorable reviews and strong box office performance, even outperforming Disney’s upcoming The Lion King prequel, Mufasa, for consecutive weekends. In contrast, Madame Web debuted to significantly harsher critical feedback and lackluster financial results, resulting in a noticeable disparity in their reception.
As the Academy prepares for this year’s ceremony, it revealed that 323 films are eligible for Oscar consideration (source: The Wrap). However, a substantial portion—116 films or 36%—do not qualify for the Best Picture category. This list includes both Sonic 3 and Madame Web, with the latter notably being the sole superhero film of 2024 that does not qualify for this top honor. Interestingly, other titles that have drawn criticism, such as Kraven the Hunter, still maintain eligibility, adhering to the Academy’s eligibility rule stating:
Feature films must have a running time of more than 40 minutes.
The specific reasons for the disqualification of Sonic 3 and Madame Web remain unclear, especially since both films meet the basic runtime requirement. It is plausible that the pair did not satisfy the Academy’s new Representation and Inclusion Standards. These standards, now enforced for the second successive year, necessitate that Best Picture candidates fulfill additional criteria concerning diversity and inclusion. Given this context, neither Sonic 3 nor Madame Web was ever regarded as genuine contenders for the coveted Best Picture award. Past attempts, such as Warner Bros.’ efforts to champion Wonder Woman 1984 for a Best Picture nod, illustrate the uphill battle faced by such mainstream blockbusters.
Historically, the Oscars have occasionally recognized blockbuster films—especially since expanding the nominee count to ten. Nonetheless, Sonic 3, while appreciated, does not reach the critical acclaim of blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick or Barbie. Even among fans, Sonic 3 may not carry the weight of being considered “Oscar-worthy”for Best Picture. As discussions around the Oscars’ relevance continue, the exclusion of Madame Web suggests the Academy’s alignment with a broader audience perception rather than disconnection.
Currently, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is available in theaters, while Madame Web is accessible on various digital platforms.
Source: The Wrap
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