2026 Oscar Best Original Score Predictions

Tracking my evolving predictions for Original Score throughout Awards Season.
Academy Awards Oscars statuette on transparent background

Original Score

*Updated 01.16.2025

In the Spotlight

1

Sinners (Ludwig Göransson)

— 👑

2

F1: The Movie (Hans Zimmer)

▲ 2 🔒

3

One Battle After Another (Jonny Greenwood)

▼ 1 🔒

4

Frankenstein (Alexandre Desplat)

▼ 1 🔒

5

Hamnet (Max Richer)

On the Fringe

6

Train Dreams (Bryce Dessner)

▲ 2

7

Tron: Ares (Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross)

In the Mix

8

Wicked: For Good (John Powell, Stephen Schwartz)

▼ 2

9

A House of Dynamite (Volker Bertelmann)

10

Marty Supreme (Daniel Lopatin)

Long Shots

11

Diane Warren: Relentless (Lesley Barber)

12

Bugonia (Jerskin Fendrix)

13

Hedda (Hildur Guðnadóttir)

14


Sirāt
(David Kangding Ray)

15

Jay Kelly (Nicholas Briell)

16

Nuremberg (Brian Tyler)

17

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

18

Avatar: Fire and Ash (Simon Franglen)

19


Captain America: Brave New World
(Laura Karpman)

20

Truth & Treason (Aaron Zigman)

The Testament of Ann Lee (Focus Features)
Sentimental Value (NEON)
Ballad of a Small Player (Netflix)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Marvel Studios)

🪦

Shortlist scorecard showing 16 out of 20 correct predictions and 80 percent accuracy for Original Score

The table updates as the awards season shifts – my ADHD and OCD won’t let it sit still. The leaderboard below stays put; it’s the Top 7 I locked in at the start of the month.

Leaderboard graphic showing the top 7 Original Score contenders for the 2026 Oscars (Jan 2026)

Leaderboard graphic showing the top 7 Original Score contenders for the 2026 Oscars.