LOS ANGELES, January 22, 2026 — The 2026 Oscar nominations were revealed today, and the competition for Best Original Song is particularly vibrant, with five tracks vying for the coveted prize.
“Golden” Shines Bright, But It’s Not the Only Hit
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The nominations reflect a diverse range of musical styles and cinematic worlds.
- “Golden,” from KPop Demon Hunters, is a frontrunner after dominating the charts.
- Ryan Coogler’s Sinners earns a nod for “I Lied to You,” a track steeped in Delta Blues tradition.
- Songwriting legend Diane Warren receives her 17th Oscar nomination for “Dear Me” from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless.
- Long live Verdi! contributes “Sweet Dreams of Joy” to the mix.
- “Train Dreams,” by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner, represents the only non-music-centric film in the category.
As many predicted, including awards editor Paul Grein, “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters is a strong contender. The song spent an impressive eight weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and an astounding 18 weeks atop the Billboard Global 200. Performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI—the voices behind Netflix’s fictional K-pop sensation—the uplifting track has achieved unprecedented chart success for a song originating from an animated film.
Blues, Ballads, and Beyond
But “Golden” isn’t the only song from a music-driven film in the running. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a film deeply rooted in the Delta Blues genre, garnered a nomination for “I Lied to You,” crafted by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson. The nomination recognizes the film’s powerful use of music to enhance its narrative.
Diane Warren: Relentless, a documentary chronicling the career of prolific songwriter Diane Warren, also secured a nomination. Warren penned “Dear Me” specifically for the film, marking her 17th Oscar nomination—a testament to her enduring influence in the industry.
Opera and Industrial Landscapes
The film Long live Verdi!, a touching story about retired opera singers, also entered the competition with Nicholas Pike’s composition, “Sweet Dreams of Joy.” Rounding out the category is “Train Dreams” from the soundtrack of the period piece Train Dreams, a film depicting the early stages of industrialization in the United States. The song is a collaboration between industry veterans Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner.
The Academy has a challenging decision ahead before the Oscars ceremony on March 15.
