'Deadpool' Is Great, But Is It Oscar Material?

Deadpool was one of the most commercially successful films of 2016, and it's been piling up lots of award nominations so far this year, too. But will it be able to pull in a nomination for the biggest, most serious movie award around? We'll know for sure in a little over a week.

Deadpool was the sixth-highest-grossing movie of 2016, taking in about $363 million domestically. It's also been a critical hit, and it's being recognized by nearly every nominating organization during this awards season. It was nominated for the Golden Globes' biggest award (which it lost to La La Land), and it received a top nomination from the Producers Guild of America this week. It's also been nominated for major awards from the Writers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America.

All of these prestigious nominations increase the possibility that Deadpool could nail a Best Picture Oscar nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. That would be a huge milestone, not just because no superhero has ever been nominated for Best Picture before, but because the movie's irreverent tone sets it apart from the other more serious contenders.

It would be an unconventional choice for Best Picture, to be sure, but Deadpool's recognition from all of Hollywood's major professional organizations will no doubt encourage many Academy Members to vote outside the box.

Oscar nominations will be announced by the Academy on January 24.