Otherworldly Talent: ‘Sinners,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and ’Wicked: For Good’ Lead Crowded Original Song Oscar Race

The upcoming Oscar race for Best Original Song showcases a remarkably varied field, with multiple narrative-driven films contributing strong contenders. Ryan Coogler's period drama "Sinners" has entered two tracks: the blues-infused "I Lied to You," a joint effort from composers Ludwig Göransson and Raphael Saadiq, and "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)," written by Göransson with Alice Smith and vocalist Miles Caton. Göransson, a two-time Oscar winner for "Black Panther" and "Oppenheimer," brings considerable awards momentum. Similarly, the musical "Wicked" offers two new plot-essential numbers from three-time Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz: Cynthia Erivo's "The Girl in the Bubble" and Ariana Grande's "No Place Like Home." Historically, songs that are woven directly into a film's storyline often fare well with the Academy's music branch, potentially giving these entries a distinct advantage.

Established pop and rock artists bring significant star power to the competition. Miley Cyrus teams with Oscar-winning songwriters Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt on "Dream as One" for "Avatar: Fire and Ash," while Shakira performs the Ed Sheeran-co-written dance track "Zoo" in "Zootopia 2." The genre shifts toward rock with submissions like "As Alive as You Need Me to Be" from "Tron: Ares," submitted by the Oscar-winning duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who previously scored Disney's "Soul." Another Sheeran-penned rock song, "Drive" from the racing film "F1," and the haunting title track "Train Dreams" by Nick Cave & Bryce Dessner further illustrate the category's eclectic range. As one veteran awards consultant noted, "A strategically placed song by a respected musician can serve as an accessible entry point for voters, cutting through a crowded field and creating an immediate emotional connection to the film."

Notable director-driven projects have also submitted compelling work. Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest" offers two contrasting entries: the title track performed by Aiyana-Lee and the hardcore hip-hop song "Trunks" by A$AP Rocky, though its explicit lyrics could limit its broader appeal among more conservative voters. Female-centric films are represented by "Stolen Tale" from "Hedda," a collaboration between Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir and director Nia DaCosta, and "Clothed by the Sun" from "The Testament of Ann Lee," a duet by Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg and star Amanda Seyfried. A potential dark horse is the indie pop track "My Baby (Got Nothing at All)" by Japanese Breakfast, created for Celine Song's "Materialists." This trend underscores how directors are increasingly using original songs not just as credits music, but as integral tools for character development and thematic resonance.

The documentary category, often a more challenging path to a nomination, features a formidable contender in perennial nominee Diane Warren. Her song "Dear Me," performed by Kesha for the film "Relentless," continues her remarkable streak; Warren has garnered 16 nominations since 1987, including one in each of the past eight years, and received an honorary Oscar in 2022 for her enduring contributions to the art form. Other documentary hopefuls include Billy Idol and J. Ralph's "Dying to Live," the operatic aria "Sweet Dreams of Joy" performed by soprano Ana María Martínez for "Viva Verdi!," and "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet" by Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile for "Come See Me in the Good Light." The voting process to determine the shortlist begins on December 8, with the results announced on December 16, setting the stage for the official Oscar nominations early next year.