With the SAG Actor Awards finished and March well on its way, we draw ever closer to the Oscars, where final decisions are made and only some films will take home the coveted golden trophy. Many of the nominated films, such as the high-speed F1 or darkly entertaining Sinners, were released almost a year ago, making it difficult to remember the emotions of the first watch. Hence, I have compiled a playlist of some of the most catchy, iconic and noteworthy songs from this year’s list of nominees. Whether you are only following the Oscars to root for Jacob Elordi or you have religiously watched every film competing for one of the industry’s most esteemed awards, this playlist will transport you directly into some of this season’s greatest movies.
1. HUNTR/X: “Golden”
This song from the Netflix powerhouse film KPop Demon Hunters became the anthem of 2025. Chances are, you were forced into watching KPop Demon Hunters, coming in skeptical about the name and leaving mesmerized by EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna’s vocal abilities. “Golden” easily gets stuck in your head and is the perfect song to jam out to before an Oscars ceremony watch party. Not only was KPop Demon Hunters nominated for Best Animated Feature, but “Golden” also snagged a spot on the Best Original Song nomination list, becoming the first KPop song nominated for an Oscar.
2. The Shirelles: “Soldier Boy”
Featured in Best Picture nominee One Battle After Another, this 1950s hit will remind you of love and war, while giving some much-needed girlband spunk. It’ll make you nostalgic, it’ll make you want to sway to the lovely voices of The Shirelles and it’ll blast you back to some of the most emotionally powerful scenes in One Battle After Another.
3. Don Toliver ft. Doja Cat: “Lose My Mind”
Released as the lead single on the soundtrack for F1, “Lose My Mind” places you in the driver’s seat, with a strong beat and groovy synth harmonies. Even if F1 is the underdog in the Best Picture race, this song is definitely a winner. Of all the Oscar-nominated films’ soundtrack songs, this one takes the cake for late-night drives … just be careful you don’t speed.
4. Alice Smith, Miles Caton: “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)”
This song slowly builds intensity and is sure to break hearts, as it plays at the end of a film where almost all the characters die. Spoiler alert: I’m talking about Sinners. Blending together multiple different musical genres, from the blues to rock to modern pop, “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” encapsulates the film’s theme of music weaving cultures together across time. Plus, this song will bring tears to your eyes, much like the movie it comes from.
5. Terry Callier: “Dancing Girl”
Sentimental Value is about personal connection, whether it be to a person or place. Terry Callier’s “Dancing Girl” plays in the opening scene, a sweeping shot of the central family’s home, yet it also plays in a later scene where parts of that home are being destroyed. Moving and reflective, “Dancing Girl” reflects Sentimental Value’s focus on holding on and letting go.
6. Peter Gabriel: “I Have The Touch"
Upbeat and commanding, “I Have The Touch” can be your warmup song before a high-stakes ping pong match. Hailing from crowd-favorite movie Marty Supreme, this ’80s jam is anachronistic for a film set in the 1950s but a great song for this year’s Oscars playlist. Turn the volume up, and this song is sure to pump you up.
7. Nick Cave: “Train Dreams”
We’re slowing it down with this soulful and contemplative song, which shares a name with Netflix’s Best Picture nominee Train Dreams. Nick Cave’s deep voice will leave you staring out the window, thinking about life.
8. Green Day: “Basket Case”
A song about paranoia and trying to keep a firm grasp on reality? You guessed it — “Basket Case” is from Bugonia, a dark comedy about two men who fall down the conspiracy rabbit-hole, convinced a CEO is actually an alien. Surprisingly, they turn out to be right. Hey, but at least we humans were given this peppy and dance-worthy Green Day song.
9. Shakira: “Zoo”
The Zootopia franchise never fails to supply us with a banger from Shakira — or should I say Gazelle? This colorful pop song comes from Zootopia 2, Hollywood’s highest-grossing animated film of all time and Best Animated Feature nominee at the Oscars.
10. Waldir Calmon: “Samba”
For a Brazilian political thriller, you can’t get much better than Waldir Calmon’s electrifying piano playing in the song “Samba.” Fast-paced and sure to get your adrenaline pumping, this song is featured in The Secret Agent, the second Brazilian film ever to secure a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars.
You can find the playlist here.
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.
Jane Locke is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a staff writer for the Arts & Culture department and can be reached at jlocke@cornellsun.com.
