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

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled the shortlist for the Original Song category for the 98th Academy Awards, highlighting a diverse range of musical styles and cinematic experiences. From high-octane blockbusters and intimate documentaries to animated spectacles, these fifteen tracks represent the year’s most impactful sonic contributions to film. Members of the Music Branch have selected these contenders from a competitive field of sixty-five eligible submissions. The final nominees will be determined by a subsequent round of voting in the coming weeks.

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

James Cameron returns to Pandora to explore new regions and cultures in this third installment of the epic science fiction franchise. The film introduces the Ash People, a more aggressive clan of Na’vi who utilize fire, contrasting sharply with the aquatic Metkayina from the previous chapter. Jake Sully and Neytiri must navigate these dangerous new alliances to protect their family from the returning human threat. The visual spectacle is matched by an immersive score that deepens the emotional resonance of the planetary conflict.

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

This poignant drama centers on a small, tight-knit community living on a remote island facing the slow encroachment of modern industry. The narrative focuses on a generational clash between traditionalists who wish to preserve their way of life and younger residents seeking economic opportunity. Rich with atmospheric cinematography, the film captures the isolation and beauty of the setting. The music plays a crucial role in storytelling, using local folk influences to underscore the fading heritage of the islanders.

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

Chronicling the raucous and near-fatal career of the punk rock icon, this documentary offers an unflinching look at Billy Idol’s life. The film combines archival footage with new interviews to detail his rise to fame, his battles with addiction, and the motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his leg. It serves as both a celebration of his musical legacy and a sober reflection on the price of excess in the rock and roll lifestyle. The featured track encapsulates the survivor spirit that defines Idol’s later years.

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

Set against the backdrop of a sun-drenched coastal town, this indie romance explores the complexities of memory and perception in a failing relationship. The story follows a couple who revisit the locations of their early courtship in a desperate attempt to rekindle their connection. Director Sarah Polley utilizes natural lighting and improvised dialogue to create a raw, authentic intimacy between the leads. The film’s soundtrack mirrors the shifting emotional landscape, moving from discordant tension to harmonious resolution.

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

This documentary provides an intimate portrait of one of the most prolific and decorated songwriters in Hollywood history. Viewers are taken inside the creative process of Diane Warren, examining her relentless work ethic and her decades-long quest for artistic perfection. The film features interviews with the countless superstars who have performed her hits, painting a picture of a singular talent dedicated entirely to her craft. The original song serves as a personal anthem, reflecting on the sacrifices made in pursuit of a legacy.

‘F1’ (2025) – “Drive” by Hans Zimmer

Director Joseph Kosinski teams up with Brad Pitt to deliver a high-speed racing drama that immerses audiences in the world of Formula 1. Pitt stars as a retired driver who returns to the grid to mentor a talented young rookie while battling his own demons. The production is notable for filming during actual Grand Prix weekends, using cutting-edge camera technology to capture the visceral speed of the sport. The driving rhythm of the soundtrack propels the adrenaline-fueled race sequences that serve as the film’s centerpiece.

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

A grimy and electric urban drama, this film follows the rapid ascent and catastrophic fall of a fictional hip-hop duo in late 90s New York. The narrative explores the toxic mix of instant fame, industry exploitation, and fractured loyalty that tears the group apart. Critics have praised the film for its period-accurate production design and the raw performances of its breakout leads. The title track acts as a narrative through-line, evolving in arrangement as the characters’ fortunes change.

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

Sony Pictures Animation delivers a vibrant musical action-comedy about a world-renowned K-Pop girl group that moonlights as an elite demon-slaying squad. Balancing grueling dance rehearsals with high-stakes supernatural battles, the members must save the world without missing a beat or a fan meet-and-greet. The animation style blends traditional 2D aesthetics with glossy 3D environments to match the colorful energy of the genre. The music is central to the action, with choreography often doubling as combat mechanics.

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

Ryan Coogler reunites with Michael B. Jordan for this supernatural thriller set in the Jim Crow-era South. The plot involves twin brothers who return to their hometown only to discover a terrifying ancient evil has taken root in the community. Blending period drama with visceral horror elements, the film explores themes of guilt, lineage, and the haunting nature of the past. The sonic landscape is eerie and atmospheric, grounding the supernatural events in a gritty historical reality.

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

This second shortlisted track from Ryan Coogler’s horror-thriller underscores the film’s most climactic and despairing sequence. As the supernatural threat closes in on the protagonists, the music shifts from suspenseful ambiance to a mournful, blues-inspired dirge. The film has been lauded for its unique take on vampire lore, using the setting to amplify the isolation and dread felt by the characters. This musical moment serves as a thematic anchor, highlighting the loss of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.

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

Based on the novella by Denis Johnson, this film stars Joel Edgerton as a day laborer in the American West at the turn of the 20th century. The story spans decades, capturing the rapid industrialization of the frontier and the profound loneliness of a man who outlives his own era. Director Clint Bentley creates a meditative, visually stunning elegy for a vanished way of life. The title song reflects the film’s haunting, ethereal tone, evoking the vast landscapes and the phantom whistle of distant locomotives.

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

The Grid expands into the real world in this visually groundbreaking continuation of the sci-fi franchise, starring Jared Leto as the sentient program Ares. The film explores the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence seeking existence beyond its digital boundaries. Nine Inch Nails provides an industrial, electronic score that bridges the gap between the synthetic sounds of the computer world and organic human emotion. This specific track highlights the film’s central theme of what it truly means to be alive.

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

Set within the historic Casa di Riposo per Musicisti in Milan, this documentary captures the lives of retired opera singers and musicians living in the home founded by Giuseppe Verdi. The film is a celebration of art, aging, and the enduring power of music to sustain the human spirit in its final chapters. It intimately follows the residents as they prepare for a gala performance, proving their passion remains undimmed by time. The original song is a stirring tribute to the legacy of Italian opera and the community within the home.

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

The second chapter of the cinematic adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon concludes the story of Elphaba and Glinda. This installment focuses on Elphaba’s transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West and the political turmoil that engulfs the Land of Oz. This track, performed by the character Glinda, explores the public persona she constructs to mask her private grief and moral conflict. The film combines spectacular fantasy visuals with deep character study, culminating in the legendary events that precede Dorothy’s arrival.

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

Closing out the saga of the witches of Oz, this powerful ballad underscores the emotional resolution of the film’s complex friendships. As the timelines of Wicked and The Wizard of Oz finally merge, the song reflects on the definitions of belonging and the cost of standing up for one’s beliefs. Cynthia Erivo’s performance brings a raw intensity to the character of Elphaba as she faces her destiny. The production design and vocal performances have cemented this two-part adaptation as a landmark in musical cinema.

Which of these songs do you think will take home the Oscar? Share your favorites and predictions in the comments!