The Academy Has Revealed the Shortlist for the 2026 Best Original Song Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially unveiled the shortlist for the Best Original Song category at the 98th Oscars. From a competitive field of sixty-five eligible submissions, the Music Branch has selected fifteen tracks that exemplify the diverse musical landscape of this year’s cinema. This selection highlights contributions ranging from blockbuster sequels and highly anticipated animated features to intimate documentaries. The following list details the contenders moving forward in the race for the golden statuette.

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

James Cameron returns to Pandora with a focus on the Ash People in this third installment of the groundbreaking sci-fi franchise. The film expands the mythology of the Na’vi while exploring darker themes of conflict and survival within the alien world. Composer Simon Franglen continues the musical legacy of the series with atmospheric arrangements that define the soundscape of the planet. This song underscores the unity required to survive the new threats facing the Sully family and their allies.

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

Set against the backdrop of the Pacific, this drama tells the story of a community facing environmental changes and shifting cultural tides. The narrative focuses on an intimate romance that is tested by the external pressures weighing on the island’s inhabitants. “Our Love” serves as a tender acoustic theme representing the resilience of the bond between the main characters. The song emphasizes connection and hope amidst an uncertain future for their home.

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

This documentary offers an unvarnished look at the tumultuous life and enduring career of rock icon Billy Idol. It traces his journey from the early punk scene to global superstardom while addressing his near-fatal accidents and battles with addiction. The track serves as a defiant anthem that reflects his survival against the odds and his refusal to fade away. Idol delivers a vocal performance that captures the grit and resilience documented throughout the film.

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

This indie drama focuses on the complexities of modern relationships and the shifting perspectives of memory over a long romance. The narrative follows a couple attempting to reconcile their shared past as they move through different stages of their life together. The song mirrors the emotional trajectory of the characters through its evolving melody and lyrical content. Its composition captures the bittersweet nature of love that changes and matures over time.

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

Legendary songwriter Diane Warren steps into the spotlight in this documentary examining her prolific career and relentless work ethic. The film provides insight into her creative process and her historic number of Academy Award nominations without a win. Written and performed by Warren, this introspective ballad addresses her younger self and her lifelong dedication to her craft. It serves as a personal and emotional anchor for a film about professional perseverance.

‘F1’ (2025) – “Drive” by Hans Zimmer

Director Joseph Kosinski teams up with Brad Pitt for this high-octane drama set in the competitive world of Formula 1 racing. Pitt stars as a retired driver who returns to the track to mentor a younger prodigy while battling his own demons. The score by Hans Zimmer drives the adrenaline-fueled sequences on the circuit with propulsive energy. This original song complements the intensity of the racing scenes and the personal stakes for the characters.

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

This musical project explores the extreme highs and lows of the music industry through a compelling fictionalized narrative. The story centers on a band struggling to maintain their artistic integrity while chasing chart success and fame. The title track encapsulates the film’s central theme of volatility and the cost of ambition in the spotlight. Its energetic composition contrasts sharply with the darker undercurrents of the plot.

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

Sony Animation presents a vibrant action-comedy about a world-renowned K-Pop girl group that secretly hunts demons between gigs. The film blends colorful musical performances with supernatural martial arts sequences in a unique animated style. “Golden” features as a centerpiece pop anthem performed by the group during a climactic concert sequence. The song combines catchy hooks with lyrics about empowerment and fighting back against the darkness.

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

Ryan Coogler directs Michael B. Jordan in 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 evil lurking within the community. Ludwig Göransson provides a haunting soundscape that incorporates period-appropriate blues and horror elements. This track builds tension as the protagonists realize the depth of the deception surrounding them.

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

The vampire mythology central to the film is highlighted in this second shortlisted song from the ‘Sinners’ soundtrack. It plays during a pivotal sequence where the characters face the consequences of the curse that shuns the daylight. The lyrics evoke the despair and eternal darkness associated with the film’s supernatural antagonists. The moody arrangement reinforces the southern gothic atmosphere that Coogler establishes throughout the picture.

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

Clint Bentley adapts the novella by Denis Johnson in this historical drama starring Joel Edgerton. The film follows the life of a day laborer in the American West as he grapples with personal tragedy and the changing industrial landscape. The title song reflects the melancholic and rugged tone of the protagonist’s solitary journey. It captures the haunting isolation of the American frontier in the early twentieth century.

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

Jared Leto stars as Ares, a sentient program that crosses from the digital grid into the real world. Nine Inch Nails provides the sonic backdrop for this expansion of the sci-fi franchise with their signature industrial sound. The song bridges the gap between synthetic electronic sounds and organic instrumentation to match the film’s themes. It thematically addresses the blurred lines between artificial intelligence and human consciousness.

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

This documentary highlights the Casa di Riposo per Musicisti in Milan, a retirement home for opera singers founded by Giuseppe Verdi. The film captures the spirit and enduring talent of the retired residents who continue to live with music every day. This original song pays homage to the operatic tradition while offering a contemporary reflection on aging and art. It celebrates the joy that music brings even in the twilight years of life.

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

The second chapter of the film adaptation of the Broadway sensation explores the transformation of Elphaba and Glinda. This new original song focuses on Glinda’s public persona and her growing isolation within her celebrated bubble. It adds depth to her character arc as she navigates the political turmoil of Oz while maintaining her image. The track showcases the vocal range of the cast while expanding on the musical’s lore.

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

As the saga concludes, the narrative intersects with the arrival of Dorothy and the events of the original Wizard of Oz story. This song serves as a thematic bridge between the prequel’s storyline and the classic tale everyone knows. It underscores the emotional resolution for the witches of Oz as their paths diverge. The composition blends familiar motifs with a fresh melody to close out the cinematic journey.

Please verify these entries and let us know which song you think will win the Oscar in the comments.