Oscars Best Original Score predictions focus on Ludwig Göransson and Daniel Pemberton
Variety updates Oscar Best Original Score predictions on November 10, 2026, highlighting Ludwig Göransson and Daniel Pemberton as top contenders.
Current Oscar score standings
Ludwig Göransson enters the race with three previous wins for Black Panther, Oppenheimer and Sinners. Hans Zimmer aims for another win after developing new cues for Dune Part Two. John Williams holds a record 54 nominations while collaborating on Disclosure Day with Steven Spielberg. Daniel Pemberton contributes music to six films including Project Hail Mary this season.
Historical award patterns emerge
The original score category often serves as a consolation prize for Best Picture contenders in past years. Films like Atonement and Babel received nominations without winning major picture awards during their respective seasons. Pemberton previously earned a songwriter nomination for The Trial of the Chicago 7 in 2020. His recent work on Spider-Verse titles remains largely unrewarded by the Academy despite critical acclaim.
Festival honors boost profile
Pemberton recently received the Distinguished Composer Award at the Middleburg Film Festival earlier this season. He performed live with a full orchestra at the Salamander Resort during that event. Project Hail Mary faces competition from Dune Part Three and The Odyssey for major nominations. All predictions remain fluid subject to changing buzz and events throughout the awards cycle.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.