“Sinners” is determined to bring the blues to the Oscars.
Warner Bros. has officially submitted two original songs from Ryan Coogler’s genre-defying “Sinners” for consideration in the original song category at the Oscars, Variety has learned exclusively.
The first track, “I Lied to You,” is written by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson and performed by rising star Miles 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.
While it’s still early in Oscar season, many awards prognosticators expect one — or both — of the submissions to make the Academy’s shortlist of 15 original songs, expected in mid-December. From there, five will be nominated, as selected by the Academy’s music branch.
Under Academy rules, a film may submit up to three original songs for consideration. While all three may be shortlisted, only two can ultimately receive nominations. For “Sinners,” the creative team and strategists have opted not to over-submit — a move that comes with both risks and rewards. Consider the case of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” which successfully submitted three songs: the Oscar-winning “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, the also-nominated “I’m Just Ken” and Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night.” All three made the shortlist, but Lipa’s track did not make the final five nominations.
“Sinners” is widely regarded as Coogler’s most personal film to date — a sweeping narrative that weaves together Black history, the migrant experience and the director’s own lineage into a powerful cinematic tapestry. Written and directed by Coogler, the film’s ambition has been embraced by both critics and audiences.
Caton, who stars as young preacher Sammie Moore — a.k.a. “Preacherboy” — is considered a strong contender in the supporting actor category, alongside co-stars Delroy Lindo and Jack O’Connell. With the addition of a songwriting credit, Caton could follow a rare Oscars pathway of earning nominations in both acting and original song. Only four people have ever achieved that feat: Leslie Odom Jr. with “One Night in Miami” (2020) and “Speak Now,” Mary J. Blige with “Mudbound” (2017) and “Mighty River,” Lady Gaga with “A Star Is Born” (2018) and “Shallow,” and Cynthia Erivo with “Harriet” (2019) and “Stand Up.” Gaga remains the only winner for original song among them.
The ensemble cast also includes Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Li Jun Li, Omar Miller, Jayme Lawson and blues legend Buddy Guy.
On the technical side, “Sinners” boasts an Oscar-winning team behind the scenes. Two-time Academy Award winner Göransson — honored for “Black Panther” and “Oppenheimer” — is also a contender for original score. A third win in the category would place him among legends such as Maurice Jarre and Max Steiner — and make him the only composer to achieve three wins from just three nominations in that category. Göransson was also previously nominated in original song for the chart-topper “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which he co-wrote with Coogler and Rihanna.
The film could also make history in several crafts categories. Production designer Hannah Beachler, the first Black person to win her category (for “Black Panther”), is again in the conversation, as is two-time costume design winner Ruth E. Carter — currently the only Black woman to win multiple Oscars. Another milestone looms for cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who could become just the fourth woman ever nominated in the category — following Rachel Morrison (“Mudbound”), Ari Wegner (“The Power of the Dog”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”) — and potentially the first to win.
The studio will submit “Sinners” in all major Oscar categories, including best picture (Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler), original screenplay and directing for Coogler — who, notably, would be vying for a spot in two categories that remain stubbornly underrepresented. Only one Black filmmaker — Jordan Peele for “Get Out” — has ever won for original screenplay, and no Black director has ever taken home the directing Oscar in the Academy’s 98-year history.
The song submissions add to the growing momentum for “Sinners,” which has been steadily building awards buzz since its premiere in April. The film recently received the Ensemble Tribute at the Gotham Awards, and Coogler was named the recipient of the Director Award at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television. Jordan will be honored with the American Cinematheque Award on Nov. 21, followed by a career tribute at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February.
If “Sinners” makes good on its campaign promise, it could make Oscars history.
The full list of “Sinners” submissions is below.
SINNERS, Michael B. Jordan (both), 2025. © Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Best Picture
Zinzi Coogler, p.g.a.
Sev Ohanian, p.g.a.
Ryan Coogler, p.g.a.
Director
Ryan Coogler
Original Screenplay
Written by Ryan Coogler
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan
Supporting Actor
Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Jack O’Connell
Supporting Actress
Wunmi Mosaku, Hailee Steinfeld, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li
Ensemble Cast
Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Jack O’Connell, Omar Miller, Jayme Lawson, Buddy Guy
Casting
Francine Maisler
Cinematography
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC
Film Editing
Michael P. Shawver
Production Design
Production designer: Hannah Beachler, Set decorator: Monique Champagne
Costume Design
Ruth E. Carter
Makeup and Hairstyling
Makeup designer: Siân Richards; Makeup department head: Ken Diaz; Special effects/prosthetic makeup designer: Mike Fontaine; Hair designer: Shunika Terry
Sound
Production sound mixer: Chris Welcker; Supervising sound editor: Benny Burtt; Re-recording mixers: Brandon Proctor, Steve Boeddeker; Music editor: Felipe Pacheco; Supervising dialogue & ADR editor: David V. Butler, MPSE
Visual Effects
Visual effects supervisors: Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter; Special effects coordinator: Donnie Dean
Original Score
Ludwig Göransson
Original Song
“I Lied to You” — Written by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson, Performed by Miles Caton
“Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” — Written by Alice Smith, Miles Caton and Ludwig Göransson, Performed by Alice Smith and Miles Caton
