Sinners,’ ‘Wicked: For Good,’ and ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Advance on Oscars Shortlists

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released its annual shortlists in 12 Oscar categories, placing several prominent films a step closer to nomination. Among the strongest performers were Ryan Coogler’s genre-blending thriller Sinners, the big-screen musical Wicked: For Good, and Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, all of which appeared repeatedly across key craft categories.

The shortlists, announced Tuesday, cover areas including original song, original score, international feature, documentary feature, cinematography, sound, visual effects, and casting. Final nominations will be announced on January 22, ahead of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony in March.

Leading films dominate multiple categories

Sinners and Wicked: For Good led all films with eight mentions each across the shortlists. Both titles were recognized in a range of technical and creative fields, including makeup and hairstyling, sound, visual effects, cinematography, original score, and the Academy’s newly introduced award for casting.

Each film also advanced two original songs. For Wicked: For Good, Stephen Schwartz earned recognition for “The Girl in the Bubble” and “No Place Like Home.” Sinners was shortlisted for “Last Time (I Seen the Sun),” written by Ludwig Göransson, Miles Caton, and Alice Smith, as well as “I Lied to You,” by Göransson and Raphael Saadiq.

The breadth of recognition positions both films as strong contenders in below-the-line categories, which often signal broader industry support even before top nominations are announced.

Original song category highlights established artists

The original song shortlist featured a mix of veteran songwriters and contemporary pop artists. Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters advanced with “Golden,” written by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick, continuing the film’s strong awards-season momentum.

Other shortlisted songs included Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner’s contribution to Train Dreams; “Drive,” from F1, written by John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, and Blake Slatkin; and “Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” from Come See Me in the Good Light, by Sara Bareilles, Brandi Carlile, and Andrea Gibson.

Miley Cyrus also appeared on the shortlist alongside Simon Franglen, Mark Ronson, and Andrew Wyatt for “Dream as One” from Avatar: Fire and Ash. Diane Warren, a frequent Academy nominee, advanced with “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless, putting her in contention for what would be her 17th Oscar nomination.

International feature race reflects global diversity

The shortlist for best international feature film included 15 titles representing a wide range of countries and storytelling traditions. Among those advancing were Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirāt (Spain), No Other Choice (South Korea), The Secret Agent (Brazil), and It Was Just an Accident (France).

Additional shortlisted films included Sound of Falling (Germany), The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), and The President’s Cake (Iraq), underscoring the Academy’s continued emphasis on global cinema and regional perspectives.

Documentaries spotlight conflict and social issues

The documentary feature shortlist also included 15 films, many focused on political conflict, social justice, and personal testimony. Notable titles included My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow, The Perfect Neighbor, The Alabama Solution, and Come See Me in the Good Light.

Mstyslav Chernov’s 2000 Meters to Andriivka was also shortlisted. The film is a co-production between The Associated Press and PBS Frontline and documents frontline reporting from Ukraine, reflecting the Academy’s continued recognition of journalism-driven documentaries.

New casting award takes shape

This year marks the introduction of the Academy’s first Oscar for casting, a category designed to recognize excellence in assembling on-screen ensembles. Ten films were shortlisted for the new award, including Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Weapons, Sirāt, Sentimental Value, The Secret Agent, Sinners, and Wicked: For Good.

Notably absent from the shortlist were Jay Kelly and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, both of which had been considered potential contenders.

Best score shortlist features major composers

Several prominent composers advanced in the shortlist for original score. Ludwig Göransson was recognized for Sinners, while Jonny Greenwood advanced for One Battle After Another. Max Richter (Hamnet), Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), and Kangding Ray (Sirāt) were also among the composers in contention.

Music categories often provide early insight into broader awards momentum, particularly for films with strong artistic identities.

Craft categories spotlight unexpected titles

As in previous years, many of the shortlists focus on below-the-line craft categories, highlighting technical achievements that may not align with critical reception. The Alto Knights received recognition for makeup and hairstyling, while Tron: Ares and The Electric State advanced in visual effects despite mixed or negative reviews.

Tron: Ares also appeared on the shortlists for original score and original song, with Nine Inch Nails’ “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” earning recognition.

Shortlists are determined by members of individual Academy branches, though selection processes vary. Some categories rely on committees, while others require minimum viewing thresholds before voting eligibility.

What comes next

The shortlists will be narrowed to five nominees per category when final nominations are announced on January 22. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be hosted by Conan O’Brien and broadcast live on ABC on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET.

With several films now showing strong support across technical and creative fields, the shortlists offer an early snapshot of where industry momentum may be heading as awards season enters its final phase.