In some years, the Best Original Song category feels like a creative desert, thin on memorable tunes or cultural impact. That is not the case for the 98th Academy Awards. The 2025 film year has delivered two pop culture juggernauts, each stacked with original music that has captivated audiences and critics alike. This year, Oscar voters are facing a musical Sophie’s Choice of their own: will the gold go to the pop culture phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters” or the critically acclaimed, sure to be Best Picture-nominated “Sinners?”
Both original films boast songs that have dominated streaming platforms and critical playlists. “KPop Demon Hunters,” in particular, has turned its fictional bands, Huntr/x /x and Saja Boys, into genuine Billboard sensations. Its flagship track, “Golden,” has become the movie’s breakout hit and the studio’s submission for Best Original Song consideration, while fan favorites like “Soda Pop” and “What It Sounds Like” have also remained near the top of the charts.
Meanwhile, “Sinners” may not have chart-toppers, but its music has been just as omnipresent, especially the stunning genre-bending “I Lied to You.” The song is one of 2025’s most breathtaking film sequences: an unbroken, time-warping tracking shot that fuses multiple musical eras and emotional beats into a single, transcendent set piece. Calling it a masterwork feels insufficient. Writer-director Ryan Coogler, star Miles Caton, and the film’s musical collaborators have created a moment that defines both the movie and the cinematic year.
So who wins in this showdown for Best Original Song? Will Oscar voters fall under the spell of “KPop Demon Hunters” and its dazzling pop spectacle, or will “Sinners” lead the congregation in victory?
The Best Original Song race is one of the few Oscar categories where animation has historically held its own against live-action cinema. Outside of the Best Animated Feature category, the Academy rarely celebrates animated storytelling with top honors, especially in the screenplay or Best Picture categories. But Best Original Song has long been the exception. As far back as the 13th Academy Awards, “Pinocchio” took home the Oscar for “When You Wish Upon a Star.” Since then, animated classics like “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “The Prince of Egypt,” “Tarzan,” “Toy Story 3,” “Frozen,” and “Coco” have all triumphed here, proving that animation’s musical achievements are impossible to ignore.
That bodes well for “KPop Demon Hunters,” which could easily claim victory over its live-action rival. Still, “Sinners” should not be underestimated. The film appears poised to dominate nominations across the board, including Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and numerous craft categories. If it becomes the year’s Academy darling, that momentum could carry “I Lied to You” to the podium.
There is also a generational divide at play. “Sinners” draws from the deep well of blues music, a form older voters know intimately. “Golden,” on the other hand, channels the high-gloss, youth-oriented energy of K-pop. This genre has taken global pop culture by storm, but remains unfamiliar mainly to the Academy’s older demographic. While “Golden” has infectious hooks that could still charm even the most traditional voters, “I Lied to You” has its roots in classic musical traditions that might resonate more deeply with them.
Currently, “Golden” holds the edge primarily due to its cultural ubiquity. Say its name, and everyone knows the song. Mention “I Lied to You,” however, and most people draw a blank until you remind them it is that showstopping sequence from “Sinners” (assuming they’ve seen the movie). Recognition could play a crucial role when ballots are cast.
Then again, “Sinners” faces the uphill battle that all horror films do at the Oscars. Despite its artistic brilliance, the movie’s vampire-infused maximalism may limit its appeal to some viewers. Animated musicals, conversely, have a proven record of capturing this particular Oscar. Still, if “Sinners” captures some major nominations, the Academy might find it hard to resist rewarding Coogler’s genre-defying triumph. Even with “KPop Demon Hunters” as the frontrunner for Best Animated Feature, a surge of love for “Sinners” from the industry could turn the tide.
Regardless of which film wins, both have already achieved something rare. In an era when recent Best Original Song winners like Sam Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall” and “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez” faded quickly from public consciousness, “Golden” and “I Lied to You” have sparked genuine enthusiasm. They have inspired dance trends, covers, and deep emotional connection, the kind of cultural footprint worthy of an Oscar race this exciting. Come March 2026, whether the statuette goes to a K-pop fantasy or a vampiric fever dream, one thing is sure: “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Sinners” have already sung their way into cinematic history.
What do you think, though? Which film are you predicting to win Best Original Song at the Oscars? Or is all of this pointless and “Wicked: For Good” is about to swoop in and take the Oscar from both of these? Please let us know in the comments section below and on our X account and check out the team’s latest Oscar predictions here.
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