The Academy Has Reveales the Best Original Song Contenders Shortlist for the 2026 Oscars

The Academy has announced the fifteen songs in contention for the Original Song Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards. These songs, pulled from a wide variety of films – including action movies, documentaries, and animated features – represent the best music of the year in cinema. Academy members who specialize in music chose these fifteen from a pool of sixty-five submissions. The final list of nominees will be revealed after another round of voting soon.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025) – “Dream As One” by The Weeknd

James Cameron revisits the world of Pandora in the latest Avatar film, venturing into previously unseen lands and introducing new Na’vi cultures. This time, we meet the Ash People, a fiery and warlike clan, different from the ocean-dwelling Metkayina we saw before. Jake Sully and Neytiri face fresh challenges as they try to keep their family safe from the returning humans, forming uneasy alliances along the way. The movie is visually stunning, and its powerful music adds even more emotion to the story of the conflict on this alien planet.

‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ (2025) – “Our Love” by The Cast

As a real cinema lover, I was completely drawn in by this film. It’s a beautifully sad story about a small island community struggling with change. It really focuses on the tension between those who want to hold onto their traditions and the younger generation chasing new opportunities. What struck me most was how the film felt – the scenery is stunning and really captures the island’s remoteness and beauty. And the music! It’s deeply moving, using local folk melodies to highlight the islanders’ disappearing way of life. It just adds so much to the story.

‘Billy Idol Should Be Dead’ (2025) – “Dying To Live” by Billy Idol

This documentary tells the wild and dramatic story of Billy Idol, one of punk rock’s biggest stars. It doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts of his life, showing his climb to fame, struggles with addiction, and a devastating motorcycle accident that almost ended his career. The film is both a tribute to his music and a realistic look at the dangers of the rock and roll lifestyle. A key song highlights Idol’s resilience and determination in his later years.

‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ (2025) – “Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” by The Lightkeepers

This indie romance unfolds in a beautiful coastal town, delving into how memory and differing perspectives strain a relationship. The film centers on a couple revisiting places from when they first fell in love, hoping to reconnect. Director Sarah Polley creates a realistic and intimate connection between the actors through natural lighting and conversations that feel unscripted. The music reflects the couple’s changing emotions, shifting from unsettling tension to a hopeful sense of peace.

‘Diane Warren: Relentless’ (2025) – “Dear Me” by Diane Warren

This documentary offers a personal look at Diane Warren, a hugely successful and award-winning songwriter in Hollywood. It explores her dedication to her work and her decades-long pursuit of creating the perfect song. Through interviews with many famous singers who have recorded her music, the film reveals a unique talent completely devoted to her craft. An original song featured in the documentary acts as a reflection on the choices she’s made while building her impressive career.

‘F1’ (2025) – “Drive” by Hans Zimmer

Director Joseph Kosinski and Brad Pitt collaborated on a thrilling racing movie set in the high-stakes world of Formula 1. Pitt plays a former driver who comes out of retirement to guide a promising young racer while confronting his personal struggles. What makes the film special is that it was shot during real Grand Prix races, and innovative camera work brings the incredible speed and excitement of the sport to life. The film’s energetic soundtrack perfectly complements the fast-paced race scenes, which are the movie’s main focus.

‘Highest 2 Lowest’ (2025) – “Highest 2 Lowest” by The Cast

This gritty and energetic film tells the story of a hip-hop duo’s rise and fall in New York City during the late 1990s. It shows how quick fame, unfair industry practices, and broken trust destroy the group. Reviewers have especially liked the film’s realistic look and feel for the time period, as well as the powerful performances from the new stars. The film’s main song mirrors the characters’ journey, changing as their luck rises and falls.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ (2025) – “Golden” by The Demon Hunters

As a huge animation fan, I was completely hooked by Sony Pictures’ latest! It’s a wildly fun movie about a super popular K-Pop group… who also happen to be secret demon hunters! Imagine trying to perfect your dance moves and save the world – the movie really plays with that tension. Visually, it’s stunning – a really cool mix of classic 2D animation with slick 3D backgrounds, which perfectly captures the energy of K-Pop. And the music isn’t just in the movie, it is the action – the choreography is literally used as part of the fighting! It’s a total blast.

‘Sinners’ (2025) – “I Lied To You” by Ludwig Göransson

Director Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan team up again for a spooky thriller set in the American South during the Jim Crow era. The story follows twin brothers who come home to find their town plagued by a terrifying, ancient evil. The film mixes historical drama with intense horror, delving into ideas of guilt, family history, and how the past can haunt us. Its sound design is unsettling and immersive, making the supernatural elements feel deeply connected to a harsh historical reality.

‘Sinners’ (2025) – “Last Time (I Seen The Sun)” by Ludwig Göransson

This piece of music from Ryan Coogler’s horror film emphasizes the most intense and hopeless scene. As the characters face a terrifying, supernatural danger, the music changes from building tension to a sad, blues-like lament. The film is known for its fresh approach to vampire stories, using its location to heighten the characters’ feelings of loneliness and fear. This musical cue is key to the film’s themes, underscoring the loss of hope as darkness descends.

‘Train Dreams’ (2025) – “Train Dreams” by The Wilderness

This film, inspired by a story from Denis Johnson, features Joel Edgerton as a worker struggling to survive in the American West around the year 1900. It follows his life over many years, showing how quickly the frontier changed with the rise of industry and the deep sense of isolation he feels as the old ways disappear. Director Clint Bentley has crafted a beautiful and thoughtful film that feels like a lament for a lost time. The film’s music perfectly captures its ghostly atmosphere, bringing to mind wide-open spaces and the sound of trains fading into the distance.

‘Tron: Ares’ (2025) – “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” by Nine Inch Nails

This new installment in the sci-fi series takes the action from the virtual world into reality, with Jared Leto playing Ares, a self-aware computer program. The film delves into big questions about artificial intelligence and its desire to exist outside of the digital realm. Featuring a powerful electronic score by Nine Inch Nails, the movie blends the sounds of technology with human feeling. One particular track perfectly captures the film’s core idea: what does it really mean to be alive?

‘Viva Verdi!’ (2025) – “Sweet Dreams Of Joy” by The Choir

This documentary, filmed at the Casa di Riposo per Musicisti in Milan – a home founded by Giuseppe Verdi for retired opera singers and musicians – offers a touching look at life, aging, and the lasting impact of music. The film follows the residents as they prepare for a special performance, demonstrating that their love for music hasn’t faded with time. It’s a celebration of their lives, their art, and the strong community they’ve built, all set to an original song honoring Italian opera.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025) – “The Girl In The Bubble” by Ariana Grande

The second film in the ‘Wicked’ series finishes the story of Elphaba and Glinda. It shows how Elphaba becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and details the growing unrest in Oz. This particular song, sung by Glinda, reveals the cheerful image she presents to the world while hiding her sadness and internal struggles. The movie blends impressive special effects with a close look at the characters, leading up to the famous events just before Dorothy lands in Oz.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025) – “No Place Like Home” by Cynthia Erivo

This moving song brings the story of the witches of Oz to a satisfying conclusion, highlighting the complicated but ultimately meaningful friendships at the heart of the film. As the stories of Wicked and The Wizard of Oz come together, the song explores what it truly means to belong and the sacrifices we make when we stand up for what we believe in. Cynthia Erivo delivers a powerful and emotional performance as Elphaba, accepting her fate. The stunning visuals and incredible singing have made this two-part movie a truly special event in musical cinema.

What song do you predict will win the Oscar? Tell us your picks and who you’re rooting for in the comments below!

2025-12-18 00:46