Could Fantastic Four: First Steps Help The MCU Finally Break An Unfortunate Oscars Streak?

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I’m really hoping Fantastic Four: First Steps can break the streak of Marvel movies getting overlooked by the Oscars. Everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy it when it came out in theaters and then again on Disney+, but sadly it hasn’t been getting much buzz during awards season – which, let’s be honest, is pretty common for superhero films at this time of year.

Despite its challenges, the film still has a chance at Oscar recognition. It’s very possible the Academy will acknowledge the skilled work that went into making it, potentially earning nominations in technical categories like sound, editing, or visual effects. But with so many strong contenders this year, that might not be enough to overcome the historical pattern of Marvel Cinematic Universe films rarely winning major awards.

Fantastic Four: First Step’s Oscar Hopes, Explained

While Fantastic Four: First Steps boasts impressive visuals and filmmaking techniques that could potentially earn it some Oscar nominations, it’s uncertain whether that will be enough to make it the first MCU film outside of Black Panther to win an Academy Award. The film was well-received by both critics and audiences upon its release this summer, proving to be a generally strong entry.

Although Fantastic Four: First Steps and Thunderbolts didn’t break box office records, they appear to be improving how critics and audiences view the franchise, especially after many people started feeling tired of superhero movies. First Steps was particularly praised for its production design, which successfully captured a classic 1960s science fiction aesthetic.

The film’s dedication to a classic sci-fi look was appealing and set it apart, potentially earning it recognition from the Academy. The visual effects were also a significant step up for the series, particularly in the depiction of characters like Galactus and Silver Surfer, which vividly brought Marvel’s original superhero team to the screen.

The film’s score, composed by Michael Giacchino, is likely to earn him another Oscar nomination – potentially his third. The music skillfully blends nostalgic themes with the epic scale of the story. Additionally, the film could also be recognized in the new Best Casting category, thanks to the strong performances from the entire cast.

Although Fantastic Four: First Steps likely won’t receive nominations for acting or win Best Picture, it has a good chance of being recognized for its technical achievements at the Oscars. Receiving nominations for the film wouldn’t be unexpected.

Could Fantastic Four Break An Unfortunate MCU Oscars Streak?

While many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films have been nominated for Academy Awards, a win for Fantastic Four: First Steps would be a significant achievement. It would mark the first time a sub-franchise other than Black Panther has won an Oscar. Since Iron Man premiered in 2008, the MCU has received a total of 27 Oscar nominations.

Despite being nominated many times, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has only won four Oscars: for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score for Black Panther (2018), and again for Best Costume Design for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). No other MCU film has ever won an Academy Award, though other Marvel-related projects, such as Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, have won the Best Animated Feature Oscar.

While First Steps has a good chance of receiving awards for technical aspects like sound and editing – similar to other Marvel Cinematic Universe films – its appealing style might not be enough. The new Fantastic Four movie is well-made, but it could be overshadowed by strong competition from other films.

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is visually stunning, with exceptional production design, costumes, and music. It’s currently the favorite to win awards in those categories. The Academy has long admired del Toro’s work, and the film’s positive reviews have strengthened its chances of winning.

Beyond Frankenstein, popular and upcoming films like Sinners and Wicked: For Good are also expected to compete for the same technical awards that First Steps might receive. Because of this, the Academy might favor these well-regarded movies over the newest Marvel film.

Popular films like Hamnet or One Battle After Another are likely to dominate the awards conversation, which could make it difficult for First Steps to stand out. While all these films deserve consideration, the competition is tough, and First Steps may not gain enough attention to become a nominee.

The movie Fantastic Four: First Steps is enjoyable and a good fit for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, it doesn’t have the same level of public excitement that boosted Black Panther‘s success. While it’s likely to receive some Oscar nominations, which it deserves, it probably won’t change the MCU’s history of not winning many Academy Awards.

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2025-11-07 00:39