17 Superhero Movies That Were Nominated For Oscars

8. Iron Man

Tony Stark Letter
Marvel Studios

Nominated For: Best Achievement In Visual Effects & Best Sound Editing

Iron Man opened 2 May 2008 in the United States, just six weeks before The Incredible Hulk, which it promptly slayed at the box office as well as at awards ceremonies. In addition to two Oscar nominations, Iron Man won awards from the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy And Horror Films USA, the AFI, the Central Ohio Film Critics Association and the Hollywood Film Awards.

Meanwhile, The Incredible Hulk got to prove that it's not the winning, it's the taking part. Can you say "Ginger-haired stepchild"?

Another award Iron Man picked up was Biggest Surprise Of The Year at the Golden Schmoes, and that's a pretty apt description. Who would've expected a movie directed by the lawyer from Daredevil (2003) and starring some guy who hadn't had a hit in forever to launch a multi-billion dollar franchise?

Contributor

Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'