The 98th Academy Awards nominations were revealed this week, and while films like Sinners and One Battle After Another dominated overall attention, the music categories delivered one of the most dynamic lineups in recent years. The Oscars spotlight on music is as varied as cinema itself — from cutting‑edge pop anthems to sweeping orchestral scores.
In the Best Original Song category, five tracks from major films earned nominations. Standouts include “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters, a song that has not only broken chart records but also attracted significant awards attention after its Golden Globe success. Other contenders include Diane Warren’s “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless, “I Lied to You” from Sinners (co‑written by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson), “Sweet Dreams of Joy” (Viva Verdi!), and “Train Dreams” performed by Nick Cave for Train Dreams.
On the Best Original Score side, legendary composers and genre‑bending talents compete for the Academy’s top honor. Nominees include Jerskin Fendrix (Bugonia), Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), Max Richter (Hamnet), Jonny Greenwood (One Battle After Another), and Ludwig Göransson (Sinners). This lineup blends classical composition with avant‑garde sensibilities and international resonance, showcasing the power of music in shaping cinematic storytelling.
Music industry observers note that this year’s nominations highlight global and cross‑genre creativity — from pop and R&B influences to orchestral and experimental soundscapes. Several nominated songs, especially “Golden” and “I Lied to You”, are already featured across streaming platforms and playlists, driving widespread listener engagement months ahead of the March 15 ceremony.
As the awards season intensifies, fans and critics alike are closely watching these musical contenders, many of which have chart success and cultural impact beyond the films they represent. The Oscars 2026 ceremony promises to be a celebration not just of movies, but of the soundtracks and songs that define them.
Best Picture
Bugonia
F1
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
The Secret Agent
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Train Dreams
Best Director
Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
Best Actress
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
Emma Stone – Bugonia
Best Actor
Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
Best Supporting Actress
Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
Amy Madigan – Weapons
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Actor
Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
Delroy Lindo – Sinners
Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Best Original Screenplay
Blue Moon
Sinners
Sentimental Value
Marty Supreme
It Was Just An Accident
Best Adapted Screenplay
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
Train Dreams
Best Original Song
“Dear Me” (Diane Warren: Relentless)
“Golden” (KPop Demon Hunters)
“I Lied to You” (Sinners)
“Sweet Dreams of Joy” (Viva Verdi!)
“Train Dreams” (Train Dreams)
Best Original Score
Bugonia – Jerskin Fendrix
Frankenstein – Alexandre Desplat
Hamnet – Max Richter
One Battle After Another – Jonny Greenwood
Sinners – Ludwig Göransson
Best Cinematography
Frankenstein
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Train Dreams
Best Film Editing
F1
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Best Production Design
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Best Sound
F1
Frankenstein
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Sirât
Best Visual Effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash
F1
Jurassic World Rebirth
The Lost Bus
Sinners
Best Costume Design
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
Sinners
Best Documentary Feature
The Alabama Solution
Come See Me in the Good Light
Cutting Through Rocks
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
The Perfect Neighbor
Best Live Action Short Film
Butcher’s Stain
A Friend of Dorothy
Jane Austen’s Period Drama
The Singers
Two People Exchanging Saliva
Best Animated Short Film
Butterfly
Forevergreen
The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Retirement Plan
The Three Sisters
Best International Feature Film
The Secret Agent (Brazil)
It Was Just An Accident (France)
Sentimental Value (Norway)
Sirāt (Spain)
The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia)