Samuel L. Jackson Wants 'Most Popular Movie' Oscar Category for Films Like 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'

"That's what the business is about," he said

Published on March 3, 2022 10:21 AM

Samuel L. Jackson thinks Spider-Man: No Way Home deserves awards attention.

The Oscar-nominated actor, 73, recently told the U.K.'s Sunday Times that the blockbuster Marvel sequel — which continues to break box office records in theaters — and other popular movies should warrant a new category at the Academy Awards recognizing mainstream hits.

"They should have an Oscar for the most popular movie. Because that's what the business is about. They should! It did what movies did forever — it got people to a big dark room," Jackson said of No Way Home.

Aside from starring in major franchises like Star Wars, Incredibles, Jurassic Park and more, Jackson is perhaps best known for playing Avengers leader Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He told the outlet he disagrees with those who diminish superhero movies as less than deserving of attention.

"All movies are valid. Some go to the cinema to be moved dearly. Some like superheroes," he explained. "If somebody has more butts on seats it just means your audience is not as broad. There are people who have had successful careers but nobody can recite one line of their parts. I'm the guy who says shit that's on a T-shirt."

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Spider-Man: No Way Home was nominated for one Oscar: Best Visual Effects.

This year, the Academy introduced a new fan-voted category to choose the #OscarsFanFavorite movie of the year, with votes made on Twitter. The winner will be revealed during the March 27 broadcast. On Monday, the Academy revealed the current leaderboards for the poll, with movies like Army of the Dead, Malignant, Sing 2 and yes, Spider-Man: No Way Home among the frontrunners so far.