Academy Award for Best Original Score

The Academy Award for Best Original Score is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to the best substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically for the film by the submitting composer.[1] Some pre-existing music is allowed, though, but a contending film must include a minimum of original music. This minimum since 2021 is established as 35% of the music, which is raised to 80% for sequels and franchise films.[2] Fifteen scores are shortlisted before nominations are announced.

Academy Award for Best Original Score
2023 award winner: Ludwig Göransson
CountryUnited States
Presented byAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
First awardedFebruary 27, 1935 (1935-02-27)
Most recent winnerLudwig Göransson
Oppenheimer (2023)
Most awardsAlfred Newman (9)
Most nominationsJohn Williams (48)
Websiteoscars.org

History

The Academy began awarding movies for their scores in 1935. The category was originally called Best Scoring. At the time, winners and nominees were a mix of original scores and adaptations of pre-existing material. Following the controversial win of Charles Previn for One Hundred Men and a Girl in 1938, a film without a credited composer that featured pre-existing classical music, the Academy added a Best Original Score category in 1939.[3] In 1942, the distinction between the two Scoring categories changed slightly as they were renamed to Best Music Score of a Dramatic Picture and Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.[4] This marked the first time the category was split into separate genres, a distinction that technically still lasts today, although there haven't been enough submissions for the musical category to be activated since 1985. From 1942 to 1985, musical scores had their own category, with the exception of 1958, 1981, and 1982. During that time, both categories had many name changes:

Following the wins of four Walt Disney Feature Animation films in six years from 1990 to 1995 (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King) during a period called the Disney Renaissance, it was decided to once again split the Best Original Score category by genres, this time by combining comedies and musicals together. As Alan Bergman, the chairman of the Academy's music branch said, "People were voting for the songs, not the underscores. We felt that Academy members outside the music branch didn't distinguish between the two. So when a score like The Lion King is competing against a drama like Forrest Gump, it's apples and oranges – not in the quality of the score, but in the way it functions in the movie. There's a big difference."[5] The category was therefore split into Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Musical or Comedy Score in 1996. This change proved unpopular in the other branches of the Academy as Charles Bernstein, chairman of the Academy's rules committee, noted that "no other Oscar category depended on a film's genre" and "the job of composing an underscore for a romantic comedy is not substantially different from working on a heavy drama."[5] This split was reverted in 2000.

In 2020, rules were changed to require that a film's score include a minimum of 60% original music. Franchise films and sequels must include a minimum of 80% new music.[6] In 2021, the rules were changed again, lowering the minimum percentage of original music from 60% to 35% of the total music in the film.[7]

Academy Award for Best Original Musical

The Academy Award for Best Original Musical is a category that was re-established in 2000 after the Best Original Musical or Comedy Score category was retired. It has never been awarded in its present form due to a prolonged drought of films meeting the sufficient eligibility requirements. The Music Branch Executive Committee of the Academy decides whether there are enough quality submissions to justify its activation.[8]

According to the rules, the Best Original Musical is defined as follows:

An original musical consists of not fewer than five original songs by the same writer or team of writers, either used as voiceovers or visually performed. Each of these songs must be substantively rendered, clearly audible, intelligible, and must further the storyline of the motion picture. An arbitrary group of songs unessential to the storyline will not be considered eligible.[8]

Winners and nominees

The following is the list of nominated composers organized by year, and listing both films and composers. The years shown in the following list of winners are the production years, thus a reference to 1967 means the Oscars presented in 1968 for films released in 1967.

1930s
Year Film Nominees
1934
(7th)
[note 1]		 One Night of Love Columbia Studio Music Department, Louis Silvers, head of department (Thematic music by Victor Schertzinger and Gus Kahn)
The Gay Divorcee RKO Radio Studio Music Department, Max Steiner, head of department (Score by Kenneth Webb and Sam Hoffenstein)
The Lost Patrol RKO Radio Studio Music Department, Steiner, head of department (Score by Steiner)
1935
(8th)
The Informer RKO Radio Studio Music Department, Max Steiner, head of department (Score by Steiner)
Captain Blood (write-in)[note 2][9] Warner Bros.-First National Studio Music Department, Leo F. Forbstein, head of department (Score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold)
Mutiny on the Bounty Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Music Department, Nat W. Finston, head of department (Score by Herbert Stothart)
Peter Ibbetson Paramount Studio Music Department, Irvin Talbot, head of department (Score by Ernst Toch)
1936
(9th)
Anthony Adverse Warner Bros. Studio Music Department, Leo F. Forbstein, head of department (Score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold)
The Charge of the Light Brigade Warner Bros. Studio Music Department, Forbstein, head of department (Score by Max Steiner)
The Garden of Allah Selznick International Pictures Music Department, Steiner, head of department (Score by Steiner)
The General Died at Dawn Paramount Studio Music Department, Boris Morros, head of department (Score by Werner Janssen)
Winterset RKO Radio Studio Music Department, Nathaniel Shilkret, head of department (Score by Shilkret)
1937
(10th)
[note 3]
One Hundred Men and a Girl Universal Studio Music Department, Charles Previn, head of department (no composer credit)
The Hurricane Samuel Goldwyn Studio Music Department, Alfred Newman, head of department (Score by Newman)
In Old Chicago 20th Century-Fox Studio Music Department, Louis Silvers, head of department (no composer credit)
The Life of Emile Zola Warner Bros. Studio Music Department, Leo F. Forbstein, head of department (Score by Max Steiner)
Lost Horizon Columbia Studio Music Department, Morris Stoloff, head of department (Score by Dimitri Tiomkin)
Make a Wish Principal Productions, Hugo Riesenfeld, head of department (Score by Riesenfeld)
Maytime Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Music Department, Nat W. Finston, head of department (Score by Herbert Stothart)
Portia on Trial Republic Studio Music Department, Alberto Colombo, head of department (Score by Colombo)
The Prisoner of Zenda Selznick International Pictures Music Department, Alfred Newman, head of department (Score by Newman)
Quality Street RKO Radio Studio Music Department, Roy Webb, head of department (Score by Webb)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Walt Disney Studio Music Department, Leigh Harline, head of department (Score by Frank Churchill, Harline and Paul Smith)
Something to Sing About Grand National Studio Music Department, Constantin Bakaleinikoff, head of department (Score by Victor Schertzinger)
Souls at Sea Paramount Studio Music Department, Boris Morros, head of department (Score by W. Franke Harling and Milan Roder)
Way Out West Hal Roach Studio Music Department, Marvin Hatley, head of department (Score by Hatley)
1938
(11th)
Original Score
The Adventures of Robin Hood Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Army Girl Victor Young
Block-Heads Marvin Hatley
Blockade Werner Janssen
Breaking the Ice Victor Young
The Cowboy and the Lady Alfred Newman
If I Were King Richard Hageman
Marie Antoinette Herbert Stothart
Pacific Liner Russell Bennett
Suez Louis Silvers
The Young in Heart Franz Waxman
Scoring
Alexander's Ragtime Band Alfred Newman
Carefree Victor Baravalle
Girls' School Morris Stoloff and Gregory Stone
The Goldwyn Follies Alfred Newman
Jezebel Max Steiner
Mad About Music Charles Previn and Frank Skinner
Storm Over Bengal Cy Feuer
Sweethearts Herbert Stothart
There Goes My Heart Marvin Hatley
Tropic Holiday Boris Morros
The Young in Heart Franz Waxman
1939
(12th)
Original Score
The Wizard of Oz Herbert Stothart
Dark Victory Max Steiner
Eternally Yours Werner Janssen
Golden Boy Victor Young
Gone with the Wind Max Steiner
Gulliver's Travels Victor Young
The Man in the Iron Mask Lud Gluskin and Lucien Moraweck
Man of Conquest Victor Young
Nurse Edith Cavell Anthony Collins
Of Mice and Men Aaron Copland
The Rains Came Alfred Newman
Wuthering Heights
Scoring
Stagecoach Richard Hageman, W. Franke Harling, John Leipold and Leo Shuken
Babes in Arms Roger Edens and Georgie Stoll
First Love Charles Previn
The Great Victor Herbert Phil Boutelje and Arthur Lange
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Alfred Newman
Intermezzo Louis Forbes
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Dimitri Tiomkin
Of Mice and Men Aaron Copland
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex Erich Wolfgang Korngold
She Married a Cop Cy Feuer
Swanee River Louis Silvers
They Shall Have Music Alfred Newman
Way Down South Victor Young

1940s
Year Film Nominees
1940
(13th)		 Original Score
Pinocchio Leigh Harline, Paul Smith and Ned Washington
Arizona Victor Young
Dark Command
The Fight for Life Louis Gruenberg
The Great Dictator Meredith Willson
The House of the Seven Gables Frank Skinner
The Howards of Virginia Richard Hageman
The Letter Max Steiner
The Long Voyage Home Richard Hageman
The Mark of Zorro Alfred Newman
My Favorite Wife Roy Webb
North West Mounted Police Victor Young
One Million B.C. Werner Heymann
Our Town Aaron Copland
Rebecca Franz Waxman
The Thief of Bagdad Miklós Rózsa
Waterloo Bridge Herbert Stothart
Scoring
Tin Pan Alley Alfred Newman
Arise, My Love Victor Young
Hit Parade of 1941 Cy Feuer
Irene Anthony Collins
Our Town Aaron Copland
The Sea Hawk Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Second Chorus Artie Shaw
Spring Parade Charles Previn
Strike Up the Band Roger Edens and Georgie Stoll
1941
(14th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
The Devil and Daniel Webster Bernard Herrmann
Back Street Frank Skinner
Ball of Fire Alfred Newman
Cheers for Miss Bishop Edward Ward
Citizen Kane Bernard Herrmann
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Franz Waxman
Hold Back the Dawn Victor Young
How Green Was My Valley Alfred Newman
King of the Zombies Edward Kay
Ladies in Retirement Morris Stoloff and Ernst Toch
The Little Foxes Meredith Willson
Lydia Miklós Rózsa
Mercy Island Cy Feuer and Walter Scharf
Sergeant York Max Steiner
So Ends Our Night Louis Gruenberg
Sundown Miklós Rózsa
Suspicion Franz Waxman
Tanks a Million Edward Ward
That Uncertain Feeling Werner Heymann
This Woman Is Mine Richard Hageman
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Dumbo Frank Churchill and Oliver Wallace
All-American Co-Ed Edward Ward
Birth of the Blues Robert E. Dolan
Buck Privates Charles Previn
The Chocolate Soldier Herbert Stothart and Bronisław Kaper
Ice-Capades Cy Feuer
The Strawberry Blonde Heinz Roemheld
Sun Valley Serenade Emil Newman
Sunny Anthony Collins
You'll Never Get Rich Morris Stoloff
1942
(15th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Now, Voyager Max Steiner
Arabian Nights Frank Skinner
Bambi Frank Churchill (p.n.) and Edward Plumb
The Black Swan Alfred Newman
The Corsican Brothers Dimitri Tiomkin
Flying Tigers Victor Young
The Gold Rush Max Terr
I Married a Witch Roy Webb
Joan of Paris
Jungle Book Miklós Rózsa
Klondike Fury Edward Kay
The Pride of the Yankees Leigh Harline
Random Harvest Herbert Stothart
The Shanghai Gesture Richard Hageman
Silver Queen Victor Young
Take a Letter, Darling
The Talk of the Town Friedrich Hollaender and Morris Stoloff
To Be or Not to Be Werner Heymann
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Yankee Doodle Dandy Ray Heindorf and Heinz Roemheld
Flying with Music Edward Ward
For Me and My Gal Roger Edens and Georgie Stoll
Holiday Inn Robert E. Dolan
It Started with Eve Hans J. Salter and Charles Previn
Johnny Doughboy Walter Scharf
My Gal Sal Alfred Newman
You Were Never Lovelier Leigh Harline
1943
(16th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
The Song of Bernadette Alfred Newman
The Amazing Mrs. Holliday Frank Skinner and Hans J. Salter
Casablanca Max Steiner
Commandos Strike at Dawn Morris Stoloff and Louis Gruenberg
The Fallen Sparrow Roy Webb and Constantin Bakaleinikoff
For Whom the Bell Tolls Victor Young
Hangmen Also Die! Hanns Eisler
Hi Diddle Diddle Phil Boutelje
In Old Oklahoma Walter Scharf
Johnny Come Lately Leigh Harline
The Kansan Gerard Carbonara
Lady of Burlesque Arthur Lange
Madame Curie Herbert Stothart
The Moon and Sixpence Dimitri Tiomkin
The North Star Aaron Copland
Victory Through Air Power Edward Plumb, Paul Smith and Oliver Wallace
Scoring of a Musical Picture
This Is the Army Ray Heindorf
Coney Island Alfred Newman
Hit Parade of 1943 Walter Scharf
Phantom of the Opera Edward Ward
Saludos Amigos Edward Plumb, Paul Smith and Charles Wolcott
The Sky's the Limit Leigh Harline
Something to Shout About Morris Stoloff
Stage Door Canteen Fred Rich
Star Spangled Rhythm Robert E. Dolan
Thousands Cheer Herbert P. Stothart
1944
(17th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Since You Went Away Max Steiner
Address Unknown Morris Stoloff and Ernst Toch
The Adventures of Mark Twain Max Steiner
The Bridge of San Luis Rey Dimitri Tiomkin
Casanova Brown Arthur Lange
Christmas Holiday Hans J. Salter
Double Indemnity Miklós Rózsa
The Fighting Seabees Walter Scharf and Roy Webb
The Hairy Ape Michel Michelet and Edward Paul
It Happened Tomorrow Robert Stolz
Jack London Fred Rich
Kismet Herbert Stothart
None but the Lonely Heart Constantin Bakaleinikoff and Hanns Eisler
The Princess and the Pirate David Rose
Summer Storm Karl Hajos
Three Russian Girls Franke Harling
Up in Mabel's Room Edward Paul
Voice in the Wind Michel Michelet
Wilson Alfred Newman
The Woman of the Town Miklós Rózsa
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Cover Girl Morris Stoloff and Carmen Dragon
Brazil Walter Scharf
Higher and Higher Constantin Bakaleinikoff
Hollywood Canteen Ray Heindorf
Irish Eyes Are Smiling Alfred Newman
Knickerbocker Holiday Werner Heymann and Kurt Weill
Lady in the Dark Robert Emmett Dolan
Lady, Let's Dance Edward Kay
Meet Me in St. Louis Georgie Stoll
The Merry Monahans Hans J. Salter
Minstrel Man Ferde Grofé and Leo Erdody
Sensations of 1945 Mahlon Merrick
Song of the Open Road Charles Previn
Up in Arms Louis Forbes and Ray Heindorf
1945
(18th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Spellbound Miklós Rózsa
The Bells of St. Mary's Robert E. Dolan
Brewster's Millions Louis Forbes
Captain Kidd Werner Janssen
The Enchanted Cottage Roy Webb
Flame of Barbary Coast Morton Scott and Dale Butts
G. I. Honeymoon Edward J. Kay
G. I. Joe Louis Applebaum and Ann Ronell
Guest in the House Werner Janssen
Guest Wife Daniele Amfitheatrof
The Keys of the Kingdom Alfred Newman
The Lost Weekend Miklós Rózsa
Love Letters Victor Young
The Man Who Walked Alone Karl Hajos
Objective, Burma! Franz Waxman
Paris Underground Alexandre Tansman
A Song to Remember Miklós Rózsa and Morris Stoloff
The Southerner Werner Janssen
This Love of Ours Hans J. Salter
The Valley of Decision Herbert Stothart
The Woman in the Window Arthur Lange and Hugo Friedhofer
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Anchors Aweigh Georgie Stoll
Belle of the Yukon Arthur Lange
Can't Help Singing Jerome Kern (p.n.) and Hans J. Salter
Hitchhike to Happiness Morton Scott
Incendiary Blonde Robert E. Dolan
Rhapsody in Blue Ray Heindorf and Max Steiner
State Fair Alfred Newman and Charles Henderson
Sunbonnet Sue Edward J. Kay
The Three Caballeros Edward Plumb, Paul Smith and Charles Wolcott
Tonight and Every Night Marlin Skiles and Morris Stoloff
Why Girls Leave Home Walter Greene
Wonder Man Louis Forbes and Ray Heindorf
1946
(19th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
The Best Years of Our Lives Hugo Friedhofer
Anna and the King of Siam Bernard Herrmann
Henry V William Walton
Humoresque Franz Waxman
The Killers Miklós Rózsa
Scoring of a Musical Picture
The Jolson Story Morris Stoloff
Blue Skies Robert Emmett Dolan
Centennial Summer Alfred Newman
The Harvey Girls Lennie Hayton
Night and Day Ray Heindorf and Max Steiner
1947
(20th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
A Double Life Miklós Rózsa
The Bishop's Wife Hugo Friedhofer
Captain from Castile Alfred Newman
Forever Amber David Raksin
Life with Father Max Steiner
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Mother Wore Tights Alfred Newman
Fiesta Johnny Green
My Wild Irish Rose Ray Heindorf and Max Steiner
Road to Rio Robert Emmett Dolan
Song of the South Daniele Amfitheatrof, Paul Smith and Charles Wolcott
1948
(21st)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
The Red Shoes Brian Easdale
Hamlet William Walton
Joan of Arc Hugo Friedhofer
Johnny Belinda Max Steiner
The Snake Pit Alfred Newman
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Easter Parade Johnny Green and Roger Edens
The Emperor Waltz Victor Young
The Pirate Lennie Hayton
Romance on the High Seas Ray Heindorf
When My Baby Smiles at Me Alfred Newman
1949
(22nd)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
The Heiress Aaron Copland
Beyond the Forest Max Steiner
Champion Dimitri Tiomkin
Scoring of a Musical Picture
On the Town Roger Edens and Lennie Hayton
Jolson Sings Again Morris Stoloff and George Duning
Look for the Silver Lining Ray Heindorf

1950s
Year Film Nominees
1950
(23rd)		 Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Sunset Boulevard Franz Waxman
All About Eve Alfred Newman
The Flame and the Arrow Max Steiner
No Sad Songs for Me George Duning
Samson and Delilah Victor Young
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Annie Get Your Gun Adolph Deutsch and Roger Edens
Cinderella Paul Smith and Oliver Wallace
I'll Get By Lionel Newman
Three Little Words André Previn
The West Point Story Ray Heindorf
1951
(24th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
A Place in the Sun Franz Waxman
David and Bathsheba Alfred Newman
Death of a Salesman Alex North
Quo Vadis Miklós Rózsa
A Streetcar Named Desire Alex North
Scoring of a Musical Picture
An American in Paris Saul Chaplin and Johnny Green
Alice in Wonderland Oliver Wallace
The Great Caruso Peter Herman Adler and Johnny Green
On the Riviera Alfred Newman
Show Boat Adolph Deutsch and Conrad Salinger
1952
(25th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
High Noon Dimitri Tiomkin
Ivanhoe Miklós Rózsa
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima Max Steiner
The Thief Herschel Burke Gilbert
Viva Zapata! Alex North
Scoring of a Musical Picture
With a Song in My Heart Alfred Newman
Hans Christian Andersen Walter Scharf
The Jazz Singer Ray Heindorf and Max Steiner
The Medium Gian Carlo Menotti
Singin' in the Rain Lennie Hayton
1953
(26th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Lili Bronisław Kaper
Above and Beyond Hugo Friedhofer
From Here to Eternity George Duning and Morris Stoloff
Julius Caesar Miklós Rózsa
This Is Cinerama Louis Forbes
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Call Me Madam Alfred Newman
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. Friedrich Hollaender and Morris Stoloff
The Band Wagon Adolph Deutsch
Calamity Jane Ray Heindorf
Kiss Me Kate Saul Chaplin and André Previn
1954
(27th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
The High and the Mighty Dimitri Tiomkin
The Caine Mutiny Max Steiner
Genevieve Larry Adler[note 4]
On the Waterfront Leonard Bernstein
The Silver Chalice Franz Waxman
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Saul Chaplin and Adolph Deutsch
Carmen Jones Herschel Burke Gilbert
The Glenn Miller Story Joseph Gershenson and Henry Mancini
A Star Is Born Ray Heindorf
There's No Business Like Show Business Alfred Newman and Lionel Newman
1955
(28th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing Alfred Newman
Battle Cry Max Steiner
The Man with the Golden Arm Elmer Bernstein
Picnic George Duning
The Rose Tattoo Alex North
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Oklahoma! Robert Russell Bennett, Jay Blackton and Adolph Deutsch
Daddy Long Legs Alfred Newman
Guys and Dolls Jay Blackton and Cyril J. Mockridge
It's Always Fair Weather André Previn
Love Me or Leave Me Percy Faith and Georgie Stoll
1956
(29th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Around the World in 80 Days Victor Young (p.r.)
Anastasia Alfred Newman
Between Heaven and Hell Hugo Friedhofer
Giant Dimitri Tiomkin
The Rainmaker Alex North
Scoring of a Musical Picture
The King and I Ken Darby and Newman
The Best Things in Life Are Free Lionel Newman
The Eddy Duchin Story George Duning and Morris Stoloff
High Society Saul Chaplin and Johnny Green
Meet Me in Las Vegas Johnny Green and Georgie Stoll
1957
(30th)
[note 5]
[10]
The Bridge on the River Kwai Malcolm Arnold
An Affair to Remember Hugo Friedhofer
Boy on a Dolphin
Perri Paul Smith
Raintree County Johnny Green
1958
(31st)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
The Old Man and the Sea Dimitri Tiomkin
The Big Country Jerome Moross
Separate Tables David Raksin
White Wilderness Oliver Wallace
The Young Lions Hugo Friedhofer
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Gigi André Previn
The Bolshoi Ballet Yuri Fayer and Gennady Rozhdestvensky
Damn Yankees Ray Heindorf
Mardi Gras Lionel Newman
South Pacific Ken Darby and Alfred Newman
1959
(32nd)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Ben-Hur Miklós Rózsa
The Diary of Anne Frank Alfred Newman
The Nun's Story Franz Waxman
On the Beach Ernest Gold
Pillow Talk Frank De Vol
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Porgy and Bess Ken Darby and André Previn
The Five Pennies Leith Stevens
Li'l Abner Joseph J. Lilley and Nelson Riddle
Say One for Me Lionel Newman
Sleeping Beauty George Bruns

1960s
Year Film Nominees
1960
(33rd)		 Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Exodus Ernest Gold
The Alamo Dimitri Tiomkin
Elmer Gantry André Previn
The Magnificent Seven Elmer Bernstein
Spartacus Alex North
Scoring of a Musical Picture
Song Without End Morris Stoloff and Harry Sukman
Bells Are Ringing André Previn
Can-Can Nelson Riddle
Let's Make Love Earle Hagen and Lionel Newman
Pepe Johnny Green
1961
(34th)
Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture
Breakfast at Tiffany's Henry Mancini
El Cid Miklós Rózsa
Fanny Morris Stoloff and Harry Sukman
The Guns of Navarone Dimitri Tiomkin
Summer and Smoke Elmer Bernstein
Scoring of a Musical Picture
West Side Story Saul Chaplin, Johnny Green, Irwin Kostal and Sid Ramin
Babes in Toyland George Bruns
Flower Drum Song Alfred Newman and Ken Darby
Khovanshchina Dmitri Shostakovich
Paris Blues Duke Ellington
1962
(35th)
Music Score — Substantially Original
Lawrence of Arabia Maurice Jarre
Freud Jerry Goldsmith
Mutiny on the Bounty Bronisław Kaper
Taras Bulba Franz Waxman
To Kill a Mockingbird Elmer Bernstein
Scoring of Music — Adaptation or Treatment
The Music Man Ray Heindorf
Billy Rose's Jumbo Georgie Stoll
Gigot Michel Magne
Gypsy Frank Perkins
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm Leigh Harline
1963
(36th)
Music Score — Substantially Original
Tom Jones John Addison
55 Days at Peking Dimitri Tiomkin
Cleopatra Alex North
How the West Was Won Alfred Newman and Ken Darby
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Ernest Gold
Scoring of Music — Adaptation or Treatment
Irma la Douce André Previn
Bye Bye Birdie Johnny Green
A New Kind of Love Leith Stevens
Sundays and Cybele Maurice Jarre
The Sword in the Stone George Bruns
1964
(37th)
Music Score — Substantially Original
Mary Poppins Sherman Brothers
Becket Laurence Rosenthal
The Fall of the Roman Empire Dimitri Tiomkin
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte Frank De Vol
The Pink Panther Henry Mancini
Scoring of Music — Adaptation or Treatment
My Fair Lady André Previn
A Hard Day's Night George Martin
Mary Poppins Irwin Kostal
Robin and the 7 Hoods Nelson Riddle
The Unsinkable Molly Brown Robert Armbruster, Leo Arnaud, Jack Elliott, Jack Hayes, Calvin Jackson and Leo Shuken
1965
(38th)
Music Score — Substantially Original
Doctor Zhivago Maurice Jarre
The Agony and the Ecstasy Alex North
The Greatest Story Ever Told Alfred Newman
A Patch of Blue Jerry Goldsmith
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand
Scoring of Music — Adaptation or Treatment
The Sound of Music Irwin Kostal
Cat Ballou Frank De Vol
The Pleasure Seekers Sandy Courage and Lionel Newman
A Thousand Clowns Don Walker
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg Michel Legrand
1966
(39th)
Original Music Score
Born Free John Barry
The Bible: In the Beginning... Toshiro Mayuzumi
Hawaii Elmer Bernstein
The Sand Pebbles Jerry Goldsmith
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Alex North
Scoring of Music — Adaptation or Treatment
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Ken Thorne
The Gospel According to St. Matthew Luis Bacalov
Return of the Seven Elmer Bernstein
The Singing Nun Harry Sukman
Stop the World – I Want to Get Off Al Ham
1967
(40th)
Original Music Score
Thoroughly Modern Millie Elmer Bernstein
Cool Hand Luke Lalo Schifrin
Doctor Dolittle Leslie Bricusse
Far from the Madding Crowd Richard Rodney Bennett
In Cold Blood Quincy Jones
Scoring of Music — Adaptation or Treatment
Camelot Ken Darby and Alfred Newman
Doctor Dolittle Sandy Courage and Lionel Newman
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Frank De Vol
Thoroughly Modern Millie Joseph Gershenson and André Previn
Valley of the Dolls John Williams
1968
(41st)
Original Score — For a Motion Picture (Not a Musical)
The Lion in Winter John Barry
The Fox Lalo Schifrin
Planet of the Apes Jerry Goldsmith
The Shoes of the Fisherman Alex North
The Thomas Crown Affair Michel Legrand
Scoring of a Musical Picture — Original or Adaptation
Oliver! Johnny Green (adaptation score)
Finian's Rainbow Ray Heindorf (adaptation score)
Funny Girl Walter Scharf (adaptation score)
Star! Lennie Hayton (adaptation score)
The Young Girls of Rochefort Michel Legrand (music and adaptation score) and Jacques Demy (lyrics)
1969
(42nd)
Original Score — For a Motion Picture (Not a Musical)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Burt Bacharach
Anne of the Thousand Days Georges Delerue
The Reivers John Williams
The Secret of Santa Vittoria Ernest Gold
The Wild Bunch Jerry Fielding
Scoring of a Musical Picture — Original or Adaptation
Hello, Dolly! Lennie Hayton and Lionel Newman (adaptation score)
Goodbye, Mr. Chips Leslie Bricusse (music and lyrics) and John Williams (adaptation score)
Paint Your Wagon Nelson Riddle (adaptation score)
Sweet Charity Cy Coleman (adaptation score)
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Johnny Green and Albert Woodbury (adaptation score)

1970s
Year Film Nominees
1970
(43rd)		 Original Score
Love Story Francis Lai
Airport Alfred Newman (p.n.)
Cromwell Frank Cordell
Patton Jerry Goldsmith
Sunflower Henry Mancini
Original Song Score
Let It Be The Beatles (music and lyrics)
The Baby Maker Fred Karlin (music) and Tylwyth Kymry (lyrics)
A Boy Named Charlie Brown Rod McKuen (music and lyrics), John Scott Trotter (music), Bill Melendez, Al Shean (lyrics), Vince Guaraldi (adaptation score)
Darling Lili Henry Mancini (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics)
Scrooge Leslie Bricusse (music and lyrics), Ian Fraser and Herbert W. Spencer (adaptation score)
1971
(44th)
Original Dramatic Score
Summer of '42 Michel Legrand
Mary, Queen of Scots John Barry
Nicholas and Alexandra Richard Rodney Bennett
Shaft Isaac Hayes
Straw Dogs Jerry Fielding
Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score
Fiddler on the Roof John Williams (adaptation score)
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Sherman Brothers (song score) and Irwin Kostal (adaptation score)
The Boy Friend Peter Maxwell Davies and Peter Greenwell (adaptation score)
Tchaikovsky Dimitri Tiomkin (adaptation score)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley (song score) and Walter Scharf (adaptation score)
1972
(45th)
Original Dramatic Score
Limelight [note 6] Charlie Chaplin, Raymond Rasch (p.r.) and Larry Russell (p.r.)
The Godfather (nomination revoked)[note 7][11] Nino Rota
Images John Williams
Napoleon and Samantha Buddy Baker
The Poseidon Adventure John Williams
Sleuth John Addison
Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score
Cabaret Ralph Burns (adaptation score)
Lady Sings the Blues Gil Askey (adaptation score)
Man of La Mancha Laurence Rosenthal (adaptation score)
1973
(46th)
Original Dramatic Score
The Way We Were Marvin Hamlisch
Cinderella Liberty John Williams
The Day of the Dolphin Georges Delerue
Papillon Jerry Goldsmith
A Touch of Class John Cameron
Scoring: Original Song Score and Adaptation or Scoring: Adaptation
The Sting Marvin Hamlisch (adaptation score)
Jesus Christ Superstar André Previn, Herbert W. Spencer and Andrew Lloyd Webber (adaptation score)
Tom Sawyer Sherman Brothers (song score) and John Williams (adaptation score)
1974
(47th)
Original Dramatic Score
The Godfather Part II Nino Rota and Carmine Coppola
Chinatown Jerry Goldsmith
Murder on the Orient Express Richard Rodney Bennett
Shanks Alex North
The Towering Inferno John Williams
Scoring: Original Song Score and Adaptation or Scoring: Adaptation
The Great Gatsby Nelson Riddle (adaptation score)
The Little Prince Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe (song score), Douglas Gamley and Angela Morley (adaptation score)
Phantom of the Paradise Paul Williams (song and adaptation score) and George Tipton (adaptation score)
1975
(48th)
Original Score
Jaws John Williams
Birds Do It, Bees Do It Gerald Fried
Bite the Bullet Alex North
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Jack Nitzsche
The Wind and the Lion Jerry Goldsmith
Scoring: Original Song Score and Adaptation or Scoring: Adaptation
Barry Lyndon Leonard Rosenman (adaptation score)
Funny Lady Peter Matz (adaptation score)
Tommy Pete Townshend (adaptation score)
1976
(49th)
Original Score
The Omen Jerry Goldsmith
Obsession Bernard Herrmann (p.n.)
The Outlaw Josey Wales Jerry Fielding
Taxi Driver Bernard Herrmann (p.n.)
Voyage of the Damned Lalo Schifrin
Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score
Bound for Glory Leonard Rosenman (adaptation score)
Bugsy Malone Paul Williams (song and adaptation score)
A Star Is Born Roger Kellaway (adaptation score)
1977
(50th)
Original Score
Star Wars John Williams
Close Encounters of the Third Kind John Williams
Julia Georges Delerue
Mohammad, Messenger of God Maurice Jarre
The Spy Who Loved Me Marvin Hamlisch
Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score
A Little Night Music Jonathan Tunick (adaptation score)
Pete's Dragon Joel Hirschhorn and Al Kasha (song score) and Irwin Kostal (adaptation score)
The Slipper and the Rose Sherman Brothers (song score) and Angela Morley (adaptation score)
1978
(51st)
Original Score
Midnight Express Giorgio Moroder
The Boys from Brazil Jerry Goldsmith
Days of Heaven Ennio Morricone
Heaven Can Wait Dave Grusin
Superman John Williams
Adaptation Score
The Buddy Holly Story Joe Renzetti
Pretty Baby Jerry Wexler
The Wiz Quincy Jones
1979
(52nd)
Original Score
A Little Romance Georges Delerue
10 Henry Mancini
The Amityville Horror Lalo Schifrin
The Champ Dave Grusin
Star Trek: The Motion Picture Jerry Goldsmith
Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score
All That Jazz Ralph Burns (adaptation score)
Breaking Away Patrick Williams (adaptation score)
The Muppet Movie Paul Williams (song and adaptation score) and Kenny Ascher (song score)

1980s
Year Film Nominees
1980
(53rd)		 Fame Michael Gore
Altered States John Corigliano
The Elephant Man John Morris
The Empire Strikes Back John Williams
Tess Philippe Sarde
1981
(54th)
Chariots of Fire Vangelis
Dragonslayer Alex North
On Golden Pond Dave Grusin
Ragtime Randy Newman
Raiders of the Lost Ark John Williams
1982
(55th)
Original Score
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial John Williams
Gandhi George Fenton and Ravi Shankar
An Officer and a Gentleman Jack Nitzsche
Poltergeist Jerry Goldsmith
Sophie's Choice Marvin Hamlisch
Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score
Victor/Victoria Henry Mancini (song and adaptation score) and Leslie Bricusse (song score)
Annie Ralph Burns (adaptation score)
One from the Heart Tom Waits (song score)
1983
(56th)
Original Score
The Right Stuff Bill Conti
Cross Creek Leonard Rosenman
Return of the Jedi John Williams
Terms of Endearment Michael Gore
Under Fire Jerry Goldsmith
Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score
Yentl Michel Legrand (song and adaptation score) and Alan and Marilyn Bergman (song score)
The Sting II Lalo Schifrin (adaptation score)
Trading Places Elmer Bernstein (adaptation score)
1984
(57th)
Original Score
A Passage to India Maurice Jarre
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom John Williams
The Natural Randy Newman
The River John Williams
Under the Volcano Alex North
Original Song Score
Purple Rain Prince
The Muppets Take Manhattan Jeff Moss
Songwriter Kris Kristofferson
1985
(58th)
Out of Africa John Barry
Agnes of God Georges Delerue
The Color Purple Chris Boardman, Jorge Calandrelli, Andraé Crouch, Jack Hayes, Jerry Hey, Quincy Jones, Randy Kerber, Jeremy Lubbock, Joel Rosenbaum, Caiphus Semenya, Fred Steiner and Rod Temperton
Silverado Bruce Broughton
Witness Maurice Jarre
1986
(59th)
Round Midnight Herbie Hancock
Aliens James Horner
Hoosiers Jerry Goldsmith
The Mission Ennio Morricone
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Leonard Rosenman
1987
(60th)
The Last Emperor Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne and Cong Su
Cry Freedom George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa
Empire of the Sun John Williams
The Untouchables Ennio Morricone
The Witches of Eastwick John Williams
1988
(61st)
The Milagro Beanfield War Dave Grusin
The Accidental Tourist John Williams
Dangerous Liaisons George Fenton
Gorillas in the Mist Maurice Jarre
Rain Man Hans Zimmer
1989
(62nd)
The Little Mermaid Alan Menken
Born on the Fourth of July John Williams
The Fabulous Baker Boys Dave Grusin
Field of Dreams James Horner
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade John Williams

1990s
Year Film Nominees
1990
(63rd)		 Dances with Wolves John Barry
Avalon Randy Newman
Ghost Maurice Jarre
Havana Dave Grusin
Home Alone John Williams
1991
(64th)
Beauty and the Beast Alan Menken
Bugsy Ennio Morricone
The Fisher King George Fenton
JFK John Williams
The Prince of Tides James Newton Howard
1992
(65th)
Aladdin Alan Menken
Basic Instinct Jerry Goldsmith
Chaplin John Barry
Howards End Richard Robbins
A River Runs Through It Mark Isham
1993
(66th)
Schindler's List John Williams
The Age of Innocence Elmer Bernstein
The Firm Dave Grusin
The Fugitive James Newton Howard
The Remains of the Day Richard Robbins
1994
(67th)
The Lion King Hans Zimmer
Forrest Gump Alan Silvestri
Interview with the Vampire Elliot Goldenthal
Little Women Thomas Newman
The Shawshank Redemption
1995
(68th)
[note 8]
Original Dramatic Score
The Postman Luis Bacalov
Apollo 13 James Horner
Braveheart
Nixon John Williams
Sense and Sensibility Patrick Doyle
Original Musical or Comedy Score
Pocahontas Alan Menken (music and orchestral score) and Stephen Schwartz (lyrics)
The American President Marc Shaiman
Sabrina John Williams
Toy Story Randy Newman
Unstrung Heroes Thomas Newman
1996
(69th)
Original Dramatic Score
The English Patient Gabriel Yared
Hamlet Patrick Doyle
Michael Collins Elliot Goldenthal
Shine David Hirschfelder
Sleepers John Williams
Original Musical or Comedy Score
Emma Rachel Portman
The First Wives Club Marc Shaiman
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Alan Menken (music and orchestral score) and Stephen Schwartz (lyrics)
James and the Giant Peach Randy Newman
The Preacher's Wife Hans Zimmer
1997
(70th)
Original Dramatic Score
Titanic James Horner
Amistad John Williams
Good Will Hunting Danny Elfman
Kundun Philip Glass
L.A. Confidential Jerry Goldsmith
Original Musical or Comedy Score
The Full Monty Anne Dudley
Anastasia Stephen Flaherty (music), Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) and David Newman (orchestral score)
As Good as It Gets Hans Zimmer
Men in Black Danny Elfman
My Best Friend's Wedding James Newton Howard
1998
(71st)
Original Dramatic Score
Life Is Beautiful Nicola Piovani
Elizabeth David Hirschfelder
Pleasantville Randy Newman
Saving Private Ryan John Williams
The Thin Red Line Hans Zimmer
Original Musical or Comedy Score
Shakespeare in Love Stephen Warbeck
A Bug's Life Randy Newman
Mulan Matthew Wilder (music), David Zippel (lyrics) and Jerry Goldsmith (orchestral score)
Patch Adams Marc Shaiman
The Prince of Egypt Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) and Hans Zimmer (orchestral score)
1999
(72nd)
The Red Violin John Corigliano
American Beauty Thomas Newman
Angela's Ashes John Williams
The Cider House Rules Rachel Portman
The Talented Mr. Ripley Gabriel Yared

2000s
Year Film Nominees
2000
(73rd)		 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Tan Dun
Chocolat Rachel Portman
Gladiator Hans Zimmer[note 9]
Malèna Ennio Morricone
The Patriot John Williams
2001
(74th)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Howard Shore
A.I. Artificial Intelligence John Williams
A Beautiful Mind James Horner
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone John Williams
Monsters, Inc. Randy Newman
2002
(75th)
Frida Elliot Goldenthal
Catch Me If You Can John Williams
Far from Heaven Elmer Bernstein
The Hours Philip Glass
Road to Perdition Thomas Newman
2003
(76th)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Howard Shore
Big Fish Danny Elfman
Cold Mountain Gabriel Yared
Finding Nemo Thomas Newman
House of Sand and Fog James Horner
2004
(77th)
Finding Neverland Jan A. P. Kaczmarek
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban John Williams
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Thomas Newman
The Passion of the Christ John Debney
The Village James Newton Howard
2005
(78th)
Brokeback Mountain Gustavo Santaolalla
The Constant Gardener Alberto Iglesias
Memoirs of a Geisha John Williams
Munich
Pride & Prejudice Dario Marianelli
2006
(79th)
Babel Gustavo Santaolalla
The Good German Thomas Newman
Notes on a Scandal Philip Glass
Pan's Labyrinth Javier Navarrete
The Queen Alexandre Desplat
2007
(80th)
Atonement Dario Marianelli
3:10 to Yuma Marco Beltrami
The Kite Runner Alberto Iglesias
Michael Clayton James Newton Howard
Ratatouille Michael Giacchino
2008
(81st)
Slumdog Millionaire A. R. Rahman
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Alexandre Desplat
Defiance James Newton Howard
Milk Danny Elfman
WALL-E Thomas Newman
2009
(82nd)
Up Michael Giacchino
Avatar James Horner
Fantastic Mr. Fox Alexandre Desplat
The Hurt Locker Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
Sherlock Holmes Hans Zimmer

2010s
Year Film Nominees
2010
(83rd)		 The Social Network Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
127 Hours A. R. Rahman
How to Train Your Dragon John Powell
Inception Hans Zimmer
The King's Speech Alexandre Desplat
2011
(84th)
The Artist Ludovic Bource
The Adventures of Tintin John Williams
Hugo Howard Shore
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Alberto Iglesias
War Horse John Williams
2012
(85th)
Life of Pi Mychael Danna
Anna Karenina Dario Marianelli
Argo Alexandre Desplat
Lincoln John Williams
Skyfall Thomas Newman
2013
(86th)
Gravity Steven Price
The Book Thief John Williams
Her Will Butler and Owen Pallett
Philomena Alexandre Desplat
Saving Mr. Banks Thomas Newman
2014
(87th)
The Grand Budapest Hotel Alexandre Desplat
The Imitation Game Alexandre Desplat
Interstellar Hans Zimmer
Mr. Turner Gary Yershon
The Theory of Everything Jóhann Jóhannsson
2015
(88th)
The Hateful Eight Ennio Morricone
Bridge of Spies Thomas Newman
Carol Carter Burwell
Sicario Jóhann Jóhannsson
Star Wars: The Force Awakens John Williams
2016
(89th)
[12]
La La Land Justin Hurwitz
Jackie Micachu
Lion Dustin O'Halloran and Hauschka
Moonlight Nicholas Britell
Passengers Thomas Newman
2017
(90th)
The Shape of Water Alexandre Desplat
Dunkirk Hans Zimmer
Phantom Thread Jonny Greenwood
Star Wars: The Last Jedi John Williams
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Carter Burwell
2018
(91st)
Black Panther Ludwig Göransson
BlacKkKlansman Terence Blanchard
If Beale Street Could Talk Nicholas Britell
Isle of Dogs Alexandre Desplat
Mary Poppins Returns Marc Shaiman
2019
(92nd)
Joker Hildur Guðnadóttir
Little Women Alexandre Desplat
Marriage Story Randy Newman
1917 Thomas Newman
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker John Williams

2020s
Year Film Nominees
2020/21

[note 10]
(93rd)

 Soul Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste
Da 5 Bloods Terence Blanchard
Mank Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Minari Emile Mosseri
News of the World James Newton Howard
2021
(94th)
Dune Hans Zimmer
Don't Look Up Nicholas Britell
Encanto Germaine Franco
Parallel Mothers Alberto Iglesias
The Power of the Dog Jonny Greenwood
2022
(95th)
All Quiet on the Western Front Hauschka[note 11]
Babylon Justin Hurwitz
The Banshees of Inisherin Carter Burwell
Everything Everywhere All at Once Son Lux
The Fabelmans John Williams
2023
(96th)
Oppenheimer Ludwig Göransson
American Fiction Laura Karpman
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny John Williams
Killers of the Flower Moon Robbie Robertson (p.n.)
Poor Things Jerskin Fendrix

Notes
  1. From 1934 until 1937, nominated films were represented by the head of the film studio's music department rather than the composer. Each film's actual composer(s) are listed in parentheses.
  2. Captain Blood was not officially nominated for this award, but appears in Academy records because it placed third in voting as a write-in candidate in 1935.
  3. From 1937 until 1945, film studios could submit one eligible film of their choosing, guaranteeing it a nomination.
  4. Blacklisted composer Larry Adler's name was removed from American prints of the British-made Genevieve. The film's arranger and orchestrator Muir Mathieson was credited instead and received an Oscar nomination. In 1986, the Academy's Board of Governors removed Mathieson's name from the nomination and gave it to Adler.
  5. In 1957, dramatic and comedy films competed with musicals in a combined category called Music – Scoring. Fifteen scores were shortlisted with ten from dramatic and comedy films and five from musicals. Voting resulted in no musical nominees.
  6. Limelight was originally released in 1952, but had never screened theatrically in Los Angeles until 1972, at which point it became eligible for Oscar consideration.
  7. Nino Rota was nominated for The Godfather in 1972, but the nomination was revoked after it was discovered Rota had reused music from the 1958 Italian film Fortunella. The Academy's entire music branch revoted for a fifth nominee. They could either renominate Rota for The Godfather or select one of the five other shortlisted scores: Ben by Walter Scharf, Fellini's Roma by Rota, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean by Maurice Jarre, The Other by Jerry Goldsmith, or Sleuth by John Addison. Sleuth received the most votes and became the fifth nominee.
  8. From 1995 until 1998, Best Original Score was split into Original Dramatic Score and Original Musical or Comedy Score. For musicals and comedies, songwriters and lyricists along with orchestral underscore composers were eligible for nomination.
  9. Lisa Gerrard and Klaus Badelt also received screen credit for the Gladiator score, but only Zimmer was deemed eligible for the nomination.
  10. The eligibility period for the 93rd ceremony was exceptionally extended through to February 28, 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  11. The ceremony addressed him as Volker Bertelmann.

Records

Superlatives

These are only for nominations in the Scoring categories. Nominations in other categories, such as the Original Song category, are not included.

Category Name Superlative Notes
Most Awards Alfred Newman 9 awards Awards resulted from 41 nominations
Most Nominations John Williams 49 nominations Nominations resulted in 5 awards
Most Nominations without an Award Thomas Newman / Alex North 14 nominations

Age superlatives
Record Composer Film Age
Oldest winner Ennio Morricone The Hateful Eight 87 years, 110 days
Oldest nominee John Williams Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny 91 years, 349 days
Youngest winner Prince Purple Rain 26 years, 291 days
Youngest nominee 26 years, 244 days

Only one composer has won two Scoring Oscars the same year: in 1973, Marvin Hamlisch won Original Dramatic Score for The Way We Were and Best Adaptation Score, for The Sting. Hamlisch also won Best Song that year for The Way We Were, making him the only composer to win three music Oscars in the same year.

Only one composer has won Oscars three years in a row: Roger Edens won for Easter Parade (1948), On the Town (1949) and Annie Get Your Gun (1950).

Eight composers have won Oscars two years in a row:

  1. Ray Heindorf won for Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and This Is the Army (1943).
  2. Franz Waxman won for Sunset Boulevard (1950) and A Place in the Sun (1951).
  3. Alfred Newman won for With a Song in My Heart (1952) and Call Me Madam (1953). He won again two years in a row for Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955) and The King and I (1956).
  4. Adolph Deutsch won for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) and Oklahoma! (1955).
  5. André Previn won for Gigi (1958) and Porgy and Bess (1959). He won again two years in a row for Irma la Douce (1963) and My Fair Lady (1964).
  6. Leonard Rosenman won for Barry Lyndon (1975) and Bound for Glory (1976).
  7. Alan Menken won for Beauty and The Beast (1991) and Aladdin (1992).
  8. Gustavo Santaolalla won for Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Babel (2006).

Female nominees

As of 2023, only 10 women have been nominated in music score categories: Ann Ronell, Tylwyth Kymry aka Meg Karlin, Angela Morley, Marilyn Bergman, Rachel Portman, Anne Dudley, Lynn Ahrens, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Germaine Franco, and Laura Karpman. Kymry, Bergman, and Ahrens were nominated for their contribution as lyricists.

Four women have won in the scoring categories. Three are composers: Rachel Portman, who won for Emma (1996); Anne Dudley, who won for The Full Monty (1997); and Hildur Guðnadóttir, who won for Joker (2019). The fourth is lyricist Marilyn Bergman, who won for Yentl (1983) in the Original Song Score category, sharing the award with co-lyricist Alan Bergman (her husband) and composer Michel Legrand. Guðnadóttir is the only woman to win the award under no qualifications; Bergman won for Best Song Score while Portman and Dudley won for Best Musical or Comedy Score.

The female composers nominated for multiple Scoring Oscars are Rachel Portman, who was nominated for Emma (1996) (for which she won for Best Musical or Comedy Score), The Cider House Rules (1999), and Chocolat (2000); and Angela Morley, who was nominated twice in the Original Song Score or Adaptation Score category for The Little Prince (1974) and The Slipper and the Rose (1976).

Notable nominees

Dmitri Shostakovich and Duke Ellington were both nominated the same year but lost to the arrangers of West Side Story.

The scores of Midnight Express by Giorgio Moroder in 1979, Slumdog Millionaire by A. R. Rahman in 2009, and The Social Network by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross in 2011 are the only scores with electronic-based music ever to win the award. In addition, the electronic-based scores of Witness by Maurice Jarre in 1986, Rain Man by Hans Zimmer in 1989, and Her by William Butler, and Owen Pallett in 2014 have also been nominated.

Noted nominated composers known for their music mostly outside the film world include: Aaron Copland, Kurt Weill, Gian Carlo Menotti, Philip Glass, John Corigliano, Peter Maxwell Davies, Randy Newman, Richard Rodney Bennett, Stephen Schwartz, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Artie Shaw, Trent Reznor, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, and Jonny Greenwood.

Rock musicians and pop stars are most often nominated in the songwriting category. These popular performers were nominated in the Scoring categories: The Beatles, Prince, Pete Townshend, Rod McKuen, Isaac Hayes, Kris Kristofferson, Quincy Jones, Randy Newman, Anthony Newley, Paul Williams, Tom Waits, David Byrne, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Trent Reznor, and Matthew Wilder.

Record producers George Martin (The Beatles) and Jerry Wexler (Atlantic Records) also received nominations in the Scoring categories.

Multiple nominations

The following is a list of composers nominated more than once and winning at least one Academy Award (in this category). This list is sorted by number of awards, with the number of total nominations listed in parentheses. These do not include nominations (or awards) in the Best Original Song category.

The following composers have been nominated for a Best Original Score Oscar more than once but have yet to garner one. The number of nominations is listed in parentheses. These do not include nominations (or awards) in the Best Original Song category.

Deceased


Living

See also

Notes
  1. Also received 5 nominations for Best Original Song, which brings his total to 53 - the most nominated person in all of the music categories combined, and the most nominated living individual in any Oscars category

References
  1. "Rule Sixteen: Special Rules for the Best Picture of the Year Award | Rules for the 85th Academy Awards | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences". Oscars.org. 2012-08-24. Archived from the original on 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2014-05-15.
  2. "94th Oscars Rules. Complete Rules. Rule Fifteen, Special Rules for the Music Awards" (PDF). Oscars.org. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 2021-06-30. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-06-30.
  3. Lochner, Jim (18 May 2010). "1934: The Year Oscar Scored". filmscoreclicktrack.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-24.
  4. "1944". Oscars.org. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  5. Elias, Justine (12 March 2000). "OSCAR FILMS/OSCAR FILMS/THE RULES; Squeezing Music Into Pigeonholes". New York Times.
  6. Hammond, Pete (April 28, 2020). "Oscars Keeping Show Date But Make Big News As Academy Lightens Eligibility Rules, Combines Sound Categories, Ends DVD Screeners and More". Deadline Hollywood.
  7. "Award rules and campaign regulations approved for 94th Oscars". oscars.org. 30 June 2021.
  8. "Rules & Eligibility". Oscars.org - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 28 July 2014.
  9. "The Official Academy Awards Database". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  10. "1957 Academy Award Voting Rules". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 1957. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  11. "Vote Settles Oscar Tunes". Billboard. March 17, 1973. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  12. "Academy Awards 2017: Complete list of Oscar winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. February 26, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
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