Marvel’s Thunderbolts Aims for Oscar Glory Alongside Captain America 4

Marvel Studios is broadening its aspirations for the upcoming Academy Awards by campaigning for the film Thunderbolts, alongside Captain America: Brave New World. Released in the United States in May, Thunderbolts is seeking recognition in multiple categories, including Best Picture.

Directed by Jack Schreier, who is also set to direct Marvel’s upcoming X-Men movie, Thunderbolts features a notable ensemble cast. The film stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent. Other prominent actors include Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Thunderbolts’ Oscar Campaign Details

As part of its awards push, Thunderbolts is featured on Disney’s For Your Consideration page, highlighting its bid for Best Picture. If successful, the award would be presented to Marvel’s chief creative officer, Kevin Feige. In addition to Best Picture, the film is also competing in several other categories, including Best Director for Schreier, Best Actress for Pugh, and Best Supporting Actor for both Stan and Pullman.

The film’s campaign further includes nominations for Best Supporting Actress (Louis-Dreyfus), Best Casting (Sarah Halley Finn), Best Adapted Screenplay (Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo), and technical categories like Best Cinematography (Andrew Droz Palermo) and Best Production Design (Grace Run and Gene Serdena). Other categories include Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.

The nominations for the Oscars will be revealed on January 22, 2026, with the ceremony scheduled for March 15, 2026.

Captain America: Brave New World Joins the Race

In parallel, Marvel is also advocating for Captain America: Brave New World, which is vying for awards in similar categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and several acting categories. The competition for these prestigious nominations underscores Marvel’s ongoing commitment to expanding its cinematic universe and gaining recognition in the film industry.

For audiences eager to catch up on Thunderbolts, the film is currently available for streaming on Disney+. The studio’s efforts reflect a broader trend in the film industry, where superhero movies increasingly seek critical acclaim alongside box office success.