Direct Answer: Did The Martian Win Best Comedy?
The Martian did not win a major Best Comedy award. It was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards and did not win. It also received Best Science Fiction Film nominations at the 42nd Saturn Awards without a win. The film earned other recognitions, particularly for technical craft and performance. Below are verified outcomes, sources, and what counts as a comedy-award result for this film.
Key Awards Outcome Table
| Category | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Globe Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Nominated (did not win) | HFPA official nominations/results |
| Saturn Award Best Science Fiction Film | Nominated (did not win) | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films |
| Academy Award Best Picture | Nominated (did not win) | AMPAS official records |
| BAFTA Best Film | Nominated (did not win) | BAFTA official records |
| Golden Globe Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Matt Damon) | Nominated (did not win) | HFPA official records |
| Critics’ Choice Movie Award Best Comedy | Nominated (did not win) | Broadcast Film Critics Association |
Context: What Awards Count as “Best Comedy”
For a film to win Best Comedy, the win must come from an organization that explicitly designates a category named Best Comedy or Best Musical or Comedy. Major examples include the Golden Globe category and Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy. Nominations in these categories are notable, but a win is required to claim the award. Saturn Awards and similar genre-specific honors are not comedy awards, even when drama or sci-fi categories are recognized.
The Martian at the Golden Globes
The Martian was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards. It did not win; Spotlight received the award that year. This nomination is frequently mentioned because the Golden Globe comedy/musical category is the clearest mainstream Best Comedy benchmark. No other Golden Globe category for the film applies to a comedy designation.
Golden Globe Results at a Glance
- Nominated: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Nominated: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Matt Damon)
- Result: Did not win in either category
Other Notable Nominations (Not Comedy Wins)
The Martian earned several nominations that are sometimes conflated with comedy wins. These are genre or craft categories and do not count as a comedy award, even though they affirm the film’s technical and performance strengths.
| Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Saturn Awards | Best Science Fiction Film | Nominated |
| Academy Awards (Oscars) | Best Picture | Nominated |
| BAFTA Awards | Best Film | Nominated |
| Critics’ Choice | Best Comedy | Nominated |
| Grammy Awards | Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media | Nominated |
What the Film Did Win
Although it did not win Best Comedy, The Martian earned wins from organizations that highlight technical and genre filmmaking. These honors matter for legacy and marketing, but they are not comedy-specific. Recognizing these distinctions helps clarify the film’s award profile.
- National Board of Review: Best Visual Effects
- Hollywood Film Awards: Hollywood Visual Effects Award
- Various critics’ groups: Technical and effects citations
Why the Confusion Happens
Casual summaries often call The Martian a comedy because of its humor and tone, leading to claims that it won Best Comedy. In reality, nominations in comedy categories and genre-friendly publicity can blur the line. Verifying against official results prevents overstatement and preserves accuracy for readers researching awards history.
Reliable Sources and How to Verify
To confirm outcomes directly, consult primary sources such as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (Golden Globes), Broadcast Film Critics Association (Critics’ Choice), and the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (Saturn Awards). Official press kits and reputable entertainment databases also provide trustworthy records.
Bottom Line
The Martian did not win Best Comedy at any major award ceremony. It was nominated in comedy categories, most notably the Golden Globe Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, but did not secure a win. Understanding the difference between nominations, genre perception, and verified wins ensures clarity when discussing the film’s accolades.