- Primary Subject: Why James Gunn's Superman was not nominated for the 2026 Oscars
- Key Update: Superman was initially shortlisted for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, only to be excluded from the final list.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 23, 2026
- Quick Answer: Historically, superhero movies are rarely awarded in prestigious ceremonies like the Oscars, though past superhero movies have continued to be nominated.
Of all the Oscar-nominated films for best picture, DC fans kept a sharp eye and noticed that James Gunn's 2025 Superman was not even considered on the list.
Despite the acclaim and its successful theatrical and box office runs, how come Superman wasn't nominated for the Oscars 2026? Here's why.
Why Is There No Oscar Nomination for Superman?
For over 90 years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has only released its Oscar nominations for outstanding achievement from Best Picture to Best Costume Design. For the most part, superhero movies are generally considered to be "moneymakers" rather than award winners.
Historically, comic book adaptations are rarely received at awards shows like the Academy Awards. If a superhero movie were to be recognized at all, it would usually be for its Visual Effects, Sound Editing, and Cinematography. Anything beyond that would be a special case, which doesn't normally happen.
In the case of Superman, fans expected that the Big Blue would officially get shortlisted for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, as previously announced. That, however, didn't happen. Instead, the DC hero was unexpectedly snubbed from belonging to the list at all.
From Frankenstein to Hamnet to Sinners and One Battle After Another, this year's Oscar nominees are a collection of drama films that focus on character-driven story arcs, which may relate to Clark Kent's journey. Except that there's no denying the Oscars favor other genres over superhero movies, in general.
When Was the Last Time a Superhero Movie Received An Oscar Nod?
The first time a superhero movie was nominated for an Oscar was way back in 1941, when Max Fleischer's Superman cartoon came up against Mickey Mouse's Lend a Paw. Unfortunately, the superhero short lost to the House of Mouse for Best Animated Short Subject.
37 years later, Superman returned and earned nominations for Best Sound, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score. It lost all three categories to The Deer Hunter and Midnight Express, but Superman did earn a special achievement Oscar for the film's visual effects (which made audiences believe a man could actually fly).
In the last ten years, Marvel and DC had their share of Oscar nominations: from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Doctor Strange, and Joker, to Robert Pattinson's The Batman and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, for historically having Angela Bassett as the first MCU actress to be nominated for the Oscar award, Best Supporting Actress.
Based on the timeline thus far, superhero movies have yet to lose hope of ever winning an Oscar nod. If anything, they should be able to use this as encouragement for persevering despite the harsh genre judgment.
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