After skipping live performances for the Best Original Song category last year, the Academy Awards are bringing the music back in 2026 — but with a noticeable twist. Only Two Best Original Song Nominees Will Perform Live at the 2026 Oscars, while the remaining contenders will be showcased in a different format.
According to a letter sent to this year’s music nominees, the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony will include live onstage performances of “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters and “I Lied to You” from Sinners. The message was jointly signed by executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, along with producer Taryn Hurd.
A Different Spotlight for the Remaining Nominees
While only two songs will get the traditional live-performance moment, the other three Best Original Song nominees are far from being ignored. Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner’s “Train Dreams” from Train Dreams, Diane Warren’s “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless, and Nicholas Pike’s “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from Viva Verdi! will be introduced through specially produced segments. These pieces will blend scenes from the films with behind-the-scenes footage and will also receive additional promotion across official Oscars social media platforms.
The producers emphasized that every song nominee is being handled with equal respect and creative care. In their words, the Best Original Song contenders are receiving “the same care, storytelling focus and intention as the other awards categories — all of which will be included on the show.” They added that the nominees’ work is “an integral part of our cinematic ecosystem.”
Why the Oscars Are Limiting Live Performances
The Oscars telecast has long struggled with runtime issues, frequently stretching beyond three and a half hours. In 2025, the show eliminated Best Original Song performances entirely in an attempt to shorten the broadcast — yet it still ran about 20 minutes over its allotted time. (Some fans jokingly blamed host Conan O’Brien and his musical comedy bits.)
For 2026, the challenge is even greater. The Academy has introduced a brand-new category — Best Casting — bringing the total number of awards to 24. Producers cited the expanded lineup, strict broadcast limits, and their goal of delivering a “fast-paced, entertaining and cohesive” ceremony as the main reasons behind the selective live performances.
Why These Two Songs Made the Cut
So why KPop Demon Hunters and Sinners? According to the producers, the chosen songs played a major role in shaping each film’s global reach and emotional impact. They hinted that the ceremony will include specially designed segments highlighting how music helped these stories connect with audiences around the world.
When and Where to Watch
The 2026 Oscars will once again be hosted by Conan O’Brien, marking his second consecutive year as emcee. The ceremony is scheduled to air live on ABC and Hulu from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 15, beginning at 4 p.m. PT.
