Not only can you not escape her, you can’t even contain her. Once again, Diane Warren is in Academy Award nomination contention as “Dear Me,” the appropriately titled documentary “Relentless,” made the 15-song cut. Warren is attempting to earn her 17th Oscar nomination despite winning an honorary Oscar two years ago. In better, and expected news, the smash hit “Golden,” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” also qualified.
READ MORE: “Kpop Demon Hunters”: EJAE Cried Writing The Demo For The Smash Hit ‘Golden’
Last month, “Golden” earned four Grammy nominations, including in the prestigious Song of the Year category. It was also nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media, and Best Remixed Recording (David Guetta remix). The movie’s soundtrack also earned a Compilation Soundtrack nomination.
Another shortlisted song, “I Lied to You,” from “Sinners,” also landed a Grammy nomination for Song Written for Visual Media. Two other Grammy nominees from Ryan Coogler’s acclaimed genre mashup were strategically not submitted for the Oscars. Instead, “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” was picked by Warner Bros and also made the shortlist.
The Music Branch will now determine which five of the shortlist will earn 2026 Academy Award nominations.
A complete list of this year’s shortlisted songs is as follows:
“As Alive As You Need Me To Be” from “Tron: Ares”
“Dear Me” from “Diane Warren: Relentless”
“Dream As One” from “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
“Drive” from “F1”
“Dying To Live” from “Billy Idol Should Be Dead”
“The Girl In The Bubble” from “Wicked: For Good”
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters”
“Highest 2 Lowest” from “Highest 2 Lowest”
“I Lied To You” from “Sinners”
“Last Time (I Seen The Sun)” from “Sinners”
“No Place Like Home” from “Wicked: For Good”
“Our Love” from “The Ballad of Wallis Island”
“Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” from “Come See Me in the Good Light”
“Sweet Dreams Of Joy” from “Viva Verdi!”
“Train Dreams” from “Train Dreams”
The 2026 Academy Award nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22.
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