Best Original Song Oscars Predictions (December)

Along with Warner Bros. confirming the February release of Judas and the Black Messiah, it’s also been revealed the film will feature an original song from Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. While we’re still yet to hear “Fight For You,” it jumps straight into the top five this month on pedigree alone. If it’s a rousing song in the same vein as previous winner “Glory” from Selma, we could be looking at our new frontrunner.

We’ve also had confirmation Amazon Studios are pushing “Wuhan Flu” from Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm for an Original Song nomination. While such a comedic track would be an unusual choice (and would surely ruffle many feathers), the Academy did nominate “Blame Canada” from South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut back in 1999. And it would make a headline-grabbing moment if Sasha Baron Cohen were to perform the song at the ceremony.

Recently, Netflix sent out awards screeners for Mank, which also included a separate CD single for the original song “(If Only You Could) Save Me,” written by the film’s composers, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. If the Academy goes really bananas for Mank, the song might be swept along for the ride. And it means Reznor and Ross could earn three Oscar nominations in one night.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG PREDICTIONS:
1. “lo Si (Seen)” – The Life Ahead (Netflix)
Diane Warren
2. “Speak Now” – One Night in Miami (Amazon Studios)
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth
3. “Rocket to the Moon” – Over the Moon (Netflix)
Christopher Curtis, Marjorie Duffield & Helen Park
4. “Fight For You” – Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros.)
H.E.R., Dernst Emile II and Tiara Thomas.
5. “Húsavík” – Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Netflix)
Atli Örvarsson

MAJOR CONTENDERS:
“Carried Me With You” – Onward (Disney)
Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth
“Free” – The One and Only Ivan (Disney)
Diane Warren
“Hear My Voice” – The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix)
Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyrics by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite
“(If Only You Could) Save Me” – Mank (Netflix)
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
“Just Sing” – Trolls: World Tour (DreamWorks Animation)
Justin Timberlake, Ludwig Göransson, Max Martin and Sarah Aarons
“Loyal Brave True” – Mulan (Disney+)
Jamie Hartman, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rosi Golan and Billy Crabtree
“Never Break” – Giving Voice (Netflix)
John Legend, Nasri Atweh, Benjamin Hudson McIldowie, Greg Wells
“Poverty Porn” – The Forty-Year Old Version (Netflix)
Radha Blank
“See What You’ve Done” – Belly of the Beast (Independent Lens)
Mary J. Blige, Darhyl Camper, Jr., Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney
“Turntables” – All In: The Fight for Democracy (Amazon Studios)
Janelle Monáe, Nathaniel Irvin III and George “George 2.0.” A. Peters II
“Wear Your Crown” – The Prom (Netflix)
Adam Anders, Peer Astrom, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin
“Wuhan Flu” – Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm (Amazon Studios)
Sacha Baron Cohen, Erran Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Peter Baynham, Erica Rivinoja, Dan Swimer, Jena Friedman, Jim Russell, Jerry Holleman