Over the last few decades, more than 30 films from the Marvel and DC cinematic universes have been nominated for Academy Awards. Only a select few have taken home gold.

Comic-book adaptations that were nominated but never won Oscars include several Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, Iron Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy flicks, among many more titles over the years..

Decades ago, DC beat Marvel as the first-ever superhero movie to win an Oscar. As of 2024, though, DC and Marvel have won five each. (Marvel had the opportunity to pull ahead this year with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, though both fell short.)

Superhero flicks are usually viewed as box-office hits, not critically acclaimed awards season darlings. But these 10 Marvel and DC films proved to be both.

1. Superman (1978)

The DC superhero classic starring Christopher Reeve as the titular hero and Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor took home the Academy Award for best visual effects. It also saw nominations for best sound, editing, and score.

2. Batman (1989)

Tim Burton's Batman flick starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne and Jack Nicholson as The Joker went one-for-one at the Oscars with a win for best art and set direction.

3. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

The Tobey Maguire-led Spider-Man flick was nominated for best sound editing and best sound mixing, and won for best visual effects.

4. The Dark Knight (2008)

Christopher Nolan's sequel to Batman Begins earned nominations for best cinematography, film editing, art direction, and makeup.

Heath Ledger, who died at age 28 in 2008, before the movie was released, was posthumously awarded best actor in a supporting role.

5. Big Hero 6 (2014)

Perhaps not the first movie that would come to mind when you think of the MCU, it's based on a Marvel Comics title and produced and released by Marvel Studios owner Disney. The animated film about a robotics prodigy won for best animated feature.

6. Suicide Squad (2016)

OK, so this one didn't exactly meet critical acclaim. But the Margot Robbie-led flick, which also featured Will Smith, Viola Davis, and a very memorable performance from Jared Leto as the Joker nevertheless walked away from film's biggest night with an Academy Award for makeup and hairstyling.

7. Black Panther (2018)

Ryan Coogler's Marvel epic set multiple Oscars records--becoming not only the first Marvel movie to be nominated for best picture, but the first superhero movie as a whole. "All The Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA also received a nomination for original song.

The film won for original score, costume design (designer Ruth Carter became the first Black person to win the category), and production design (Hannah Beachler was the first Black person to be nominated and then win the category).

8. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

The imaginative animated Spider-Man adaptation took home the trophy for best animated feature.

9. Joker (2019)

The gritty Joker origin story became DC's first best picture nomination. It also saw nominations for directing, screenplay, and cinematography. But it was only star Joaquin Phoenix who walked away with a win, for best lead actor.

10. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

The follow-up to Marvel's mega-hit was no easy feat. Filmmakers were tasked with telling a story around the real-life loss of star Chadwick Boseman, who died at age 43 in 2020.

The film saw five total nominations: Angela Bassett for best supporting actress, plus best visual effects, makeup and hairstyling, and original song, for Rihanna's "Lift Me Up."

The final category again made history--Carter won for costume design, making her the only Black woman to win two Oscars in any category.