Could Netflix close the deal again?

On Tuesday, “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters made the Oscars shortlist for Best Original Song. The chart-topping song from the streamer’s most-watched movie ever is performed by HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami). Given the film and song’s following, this one poses a serious threat to the other shortlisted musical contenders.

Last year, Netflix took home the statuette for “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez, and let’s not forget the streamer has another horse in the song race too: Train Dreams. The Clint Bentley-directed film has been a rising star in several other category predictions, and Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner’s original song “Train Dreams” also made the shortlist cut here. Both “Train Dreams” and “Golden” have already been Golden Globe-nominated in Original Song.

Another one following a strong Golden Globe nominee trajectory is Miley Cyrus’ “Dream as One” from Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios), written by Cyrus, Andrew Wyatt and Mark Ronson. Although the film is yet to be released, big box office expectations on the eve of Oscar voting mean the song is one to watch.

Warner Bros came out strong today with two songs from Sinners making the shortlist: “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” performed by Alice Smith and Miles Caton, written by Smith, Caton and Ludwig Göransson; and “I Lied to You” performed by Caton and written by Raphael Saadiq & Göransson. The latter was already named Best Song at the Hollywood Music Media Awards and is Globe-nominated too.

Plus, Warner Bros has F1: The Movie with Apple Original Films. Ed Sheeran’s “Drive” made the cut, thought its other contender, “Lose My Mind” by Don Toliver featuring Doja Cat, was snubbed.

Another notable snub was Amanda Seyfried-starrer The Testament of Ann Lee, with no mention of Daniel Blumberg’s “Clothed By the Sun.”

Warner Bros’ Sinners isn’t the only double-threat on deck. In an outcome that surprised no one and again matched the Globe nominations, Universal’s Wicked: For Good snagged two spots with “The Girl in the Bubble” performed by Ariana Grande’s Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba anthem “No Place Like Home.” Both are written by Stephen Schwartz.

Sinners and Wicked tied atop the 12-category Oscar shortlists today with a total of eight mentions each.

Also on the Song shortlist to nobody’s surprise is the ever-prolific Diane Warren — this time with the song “Dear Me” performed by Kesha, from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless. If Warren is nominated in January, it would be her 17th go-round. So far she’s hasn’t won, despite being awarded an honorary Oscar in 2022. Could this finally be her year?

Oscars Original Song Shortlist

“As Alive As You Need Me To Be” – Tron: Ares
“Dear Me” – Diane Warren: Relentless
“Dream As One” – Avatar: Fire and Ash
“Drive” – F1
“Dying To Live” – Billy Idol Should Be Dead
“The Girl In The Bubble” – Wicked: For Good
“Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters
“Highest 2 Lowest” – Highest 2 Lowest
“I Lied To You” – Sinners
“Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” – Sinners
“No Place Like Home” – Wicked: For Good
“Our Love” – The Ballad of Wallis Island
“Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” – Come See Me in the Good Light
“Sweet Dreams of Joy” – “Viva Verdi!” 
“Train Dreams” – Train Dreams

The 15-strong Original Song shortlist will be whittled to a mere five with the Oscar nominations on January 2. Nominations round voting runs February 26-March 5, with the Academy Awards ceremony taking place on March 15, 2026.

The shortlist for Best Original Song was one of 12 announced Tuesday, including two new additions, Cinematography and the brand new category of Casting. To see the shortlists in all 12 categories announced, click here.