The race for the 2026 Academy Awards is heating up, and the Best Original Song category is shaping up to be a particularly fascinating one. This year’s nominees span a diverse range of genres – from K-pop to opera to blues – each with a unique and compelling backstory. What this really means is that the Oscars are showcasing the incredible breadth and depth of musical talent in the film industry.
A Veteran’s Plea for Recognition
Veteran songwriter Diane Warren has earned her 17th Oscar nomination for “Dear Me,” a song featured in the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless. The film serves as a desperate plea for the Academy to finally recognize Warren’s incredible body of work, which includes hits for artists like Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, and Cher. The bigger picture here is that Warren’s nomination highlights the Oscars’ longstanding issue of overlooking songwriters in favor of performers.
Bringing Opera to the Oscars
Another surprise nominee is “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from the documentary Viva Verdi! The song is an aria performed by acclaimed soprano Ana Maria Martinez, and it marks only the second time in Oscars history that a song from a documentary has been nominated in the Best Original Song category. The film explores the legacy of legendary composer Giuseppe Verdi and the retirement home he founded for musicians, making this nomination a testament to the enduring power of classical music.
K-Pop Storms the Oscars
In a true sign of the times, the 2026 Oscars also feature a nominee from the world of K-pop. “KPOP Demon Hunters” from the Netflix series of the same name is a high-energy track that blends traditional Korean instrumentation with pulsing electronic beats. As Collider notes, this nomination showcases the global reach and influence of K-pop, which has become a cultural juggernaut in recent years.
Ultimately, the diverse array of nominees in the Best Original Song category at the 2026 Oscars is a reflection of the richness and dynamism of the modern music landscape. These stories behind the songs remind us that the Oscars are not just about honoring cinematic achievements, but also celebrating the power of music to captivate, inspire, and transform.