I’ve heard it argued that Oscars should be given for films from five years earlier so there can be some realistic assessment of their actual impact on culture.
My key example is The English Patient, which beat (among others) Fargo. TEP was forgotten within 6 months, Fargo’s influence is massive. (Full disclosure, I think the Coens deserve Oscar’s for at least three of their films.)
Oscars aren't about cultural impact though or Dude Where's My Car would have one.
Oscars are about industry politics.
(Also I think The English Patient is a very good film and that Oscar helped Minghuella get The Talented Mr Ripley off the ground. How's the peeping Tommy).
The often-cited example is Slumdog Millionaire winning over Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, and The Reader when The Dark Knight wasn't even nominated.
Superhero movies aren't for everyone for sure, but there is absolutely zero question that The Dark Knight was one of the most influential movies of all time. Even the academy sort of admitted it was a mistake by adjusting some of their nomination rules afterward.
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