Courtesy of Oscars Press Kit
This week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the shortlists for Original Score and Original Song, the two music-focused categories, drawn from a much larger pool of eligible films released in 2025.
In the Original Score lineup, 20 films remain in consideration, selected from 132 eligible submissions. The shortlist spans blockbusters, dramas, and franchise expansions, including “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Tron: Ares,” “Wicked: For Good,” “Frankenstein,” “F1,” and “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” among others creating an eclectic mix that reflects how wide the field has become in recent years.
Over in Original Song, 15 tracks are still on the docket out of 65 eligible submissions. The list includes multiple songs from “Wicked: For Good” and “Sinners,” alongside songs tied to “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Tron: Ares,” “F1,” and “Diane Warren: Relentless.” The category once again blends a unique variety of tracks that span from theatrical to pop and everything in between.
These shortlists are an important step on the road to nominations. Final voting for Oscar nominations runs from January 12 to January 16, with the official nominees set to be announced on January 22, 2026. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and soon, the nominees. The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and will be televised.
The shortlisted scores and songs prove to be diverse, making the Oscar season all the more interesting.
For details on all other categories and the full eligibility list, the Academy has published the complete breakdown.
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