Oscars 2026: ‘Sinners’ and ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Set to Shine

The 98th Academy Awards, set to take place on March 15, 2026, will feature prominent musical tributes to two standout films of the year: “Sinners” and “KPop Demon Hunters.” Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan have announced that these performances will be more than just song presentations; they will be cinematic tributes celebrating the intersection of music and storytelling.

Celebrating Cultural Phenomena

“This year, our music performances are inspired by two of the most powerful cultural phenomena in film: ‘Sinners,’ the most nominated film in Oscars history and ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ a global pop culture sensation,” Kapoor and Mullan stated in a joint statement. The producers emphasized the intention to showcase how these films deeply resonated with audiences worldwide.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ – A Fusion of Tradition and Pop

The segment dedicated to Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” will begin with a blend of traditional Korean instrumental music and dance, paying homage to the folklore and cultural foundations of the animated blockbuster. EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Reri Ami – the voices of HUNTR/X in the film – will perform “Golden,” the film’s Oscar-nominated original song according to Variety.

‘Sinners’ – A Historic Musical Integration

“Sinners” has garnered a record number of nominations, contributing to the decision to include “I Lied to You” in the present’s musical lineup. Kapoor explained that the production team collaborated closely with the film’s creators to craft the performance, which will reference a pivotal scene in “Sinners” involving Preacherboy (Miles Caton) as reported by Yahoo Entertainment. The performance will incorporate choreography by Aakomon Jones and costume design by Ruth Carter, further enhancing the cinematic tribute.

Limited Song Performances This Year

Despite five songs being nominated for awards at the 2026 Academy Awards, only “I Lied to You” from “Sinners” and “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” will be performed during the ceremony as noted by Yahoo Entertainment. This approach differs from past ceremonies where all nominated songs were traditionally performed. Last year, the Oscars featured an opening performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and a James Bond music montage, foregoing performances of the nominated songs.