“Sinners” is determined to take the blues to the Oscars.
Variety exclusively reports that Warner Bros. has officially submitted two original songs from director Ryan Coogler’s genre-defying “Sinners” for consideration in the original song category at the Oscars.
The first track, “I Lied to You,” was written by Rafael Saadik and Ludwig Göransson and performed by rising star Myles Caton. The second, “Last Time (I Seen the Sun),” is a soulful duet performed by Alice Smith and Caton and co-written by Smith, Caton, and Göransson.
Although it’s still early in Oscar season, many awards prognosticators are predicting that one or both of the submissions will make the Academy’s shortlist of 15 original songs, expected in mid-December. From there, five nominees will be selected by the Academy’s music department.
According to Academy regulations, films can submit up to three original songs for consideration. All three could be shortlisted, but only two will ultimately earn a nomination. For “Sinners,” the creative team and strategists chose not to oversubmit. This involves both risk and reward. Consider the case of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” I have successfully submitted 3 songs. Oscar-winners “What Was I Made For?” Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s “I’m Just Ken” and Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” are also nominated. All three songs made the shortlist, but Lipa’s song did not make it to the final five.
Sinners is widely considered Coogler’s most personal film to date, an overarching story that weaves black history, the immigrant experience, and the director’s own lineage into a powerful cinematic tapestry. The film’s ambition, written and directed by Coogler, was received by both critics and audiences.
Cayton, who stars as young preacher Sammy Moore, also known as “Preacher Boy,” is considered a strong contender in the supporting actor category, along with co-stars Delroy Lindo and Jack O’Connell. The addition of songwriting credits puts Caton on the rare Oscar path of earning nominations for both acting and original song. This feat was achieved by Leslie Odom Jr. of “One Night in Miami” (2020) and “Speak Now” and “Mudbound” (2017) and “Mighty River”. Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga of A Star Is Born (2018) and Shallow, and Cynthia Erivo of Harriet (2019) and Stand Up. Among them, only Gaga won in the original song category.
The ensemble cast also includes Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Lee Jun Lee, Omar Miller, Jamie Lawson, and blues legend Buddy Guy.
On the technical side, “Sinners” boasts an Oscar-winning team behind the scenes. Göransson, a two-time Academy Award winner for “Black Panther” and “Oppenheimer,” is also in the running for original music. If he wins his third award in this category, he will join the ranks of legends such as Maurice Jarre and Max Steiner, and become the only composer to win three times in this category after being nominated just three times. Goransson was previously nominated for his original song “Lift Me Up,” a hit from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which he co-wrote with Coogler and Rihanna.
This film has the potential to create history in several craft fields as well. Production designer Hannah Beachler (Black Panther), the first black person to win the category, is back in the news, as is two-time costume designer Ruth E. Carter (currently the only black woman to win multiple Oscars). Another milestone is on the horizon for cinematographer Autumn Durard Arkapaw. She becomes the fourth woman ever nominated in this category, joining Rachel Morrison (Mudbound), Ari Wegner (Power of the Dog) and Mandy Walker (Elvis), and could potentially be the first to win.
The studio plans to submit “Sinners” for all major Oscar categories, including Best Picture (Gingy Coogler, Seb Ohanian and Ryan Coogler), Original Screenplay and Directing for Coogler, but Coogler in particular will be competing for spots in two categories where he remains stubbornly underrated. Only one black director has ever won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, Jordan Peele for Get Out, and no black director has ever won the Oscar for Best Director in the Academy’s 98-year history.
The song submission adds to the momentum for “Sinners,” which has been steadily garnering awards buzz since its April premiere. The film recently won Ensemble Tribute at the Gotham Awards, and Coogler was named the winner of the Best Director award at the Critics Choice Association’s Black Film & Television Celebration. Jordan will receive the American Cinematheque Award on November 21st, followed by a career celebration at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February.
If “Sinners” fulfills its campaign promise, it may become a film that will go down in Oscar history.
The complete list of “Sinners” posts is below.
SINNERS, Michael B. Jordan (both), 2025. © Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection
©Warner Bros./Courtesy of Everett Collection
Best work award
zinge coogler, pga
Seb Ohanian, professional golfer
Ryan Coogler, professional baseball player
director
ryan coogler
original script
Written by Ryan Coogler
Best Actor Award
Michael B. Jordan
supporting actor
Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Jack O’Connell
supporting actress
Eunmi Mosaku, Hailee Steinfeld, Jamie Lawson, Lee Jun Lee
ensemble cast
Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Myles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Jack O’Connell, Lee Jun Lee, Omar Miller, Jamie Lawson, Buddy Guy
casting
Francine Meisler
Cinematography
Autumn Jurald Arcapeau, ASC
movie editing
Michael P. Shober
production design
Production Designer: Hannah Beachler, Set Decorator: Monique Champagne
costume design
Ruth E. Carter
makeup and hair styling
Makeup designer: Sian Richards. Head of Makeup Department: Ken Diaz. Special Effects/Prosthetics Makeup Designer: Mike Fontaine. Hair designer: Shunika Terry
sound
Production Sound Mixer: Chris Welker; Supervising Sound Editor: Benny Burt Re-recording Mixer: Brandon Proctor, Steve Boeddeker; Music Editor: Felipe Pacheco. Conversation and ADR editor supervision: Da Vid V. Butler, MPSE
visual effects
Visual Effects Supervisors: Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter. Special Effects Coordinator: Donnie Dean
original score
Ludwig Goransson
original song
“I Lied to You” – Lyrics by Rafael Saadik and Ludwig Göransson, performed by Myles Caton
“Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” — Lyrics by Alice Smith, Miles Caton, Ludwig Göransson, Performance by Alice Smith, Miles Caton
