First superhero movie nominated for a Best Picture Oscar

On 22 January 2019, Black Panther (USA, 2018), directed by Kevin Feige, became the first superhero movie nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Best Picture (aka Best Motion Picture of the Year). The character of T'Challa, king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (dated July 1966). The movie was nominated in seven categories at the 91st Academy Awards, and won three: Score, Costume Design and Production Design.

Superhero movies are rarely nominated in the "above the line" categories at the Oscars – that is, those awards recognizing individual achievement for a movie's overall creative direction. The three Academy Awards secured by Black Panther make it the most successful superhero movie at the Oscars, overtaking the two awards each won by The Dark Knight (USA, 2008) for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Heath Ledger) and Best Achievement in Sound Editing (Richard King) and The Incredibles (USA, 2004) for Best Achievement in Sound Editing (Michael Silvers and Randy Thom) and Best Animated Feature Film of the Year (Brad Bird).