Rock Legends Shine at the Oscars

From Bruce Springsteen to Elton John, classic rock has found a home at the Academy Awards

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:19pm

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The 98th Academy Awards this Sunday, March 15, 2026, will feature a showdown between raw, guitar-heavy sounds as the Best Original Song category is dominated by rock and roll. While the Oscars have historically favored orchestral ballads, this year's race sees a return to a time when classic rock legends stormed the stage and claimed Hollywood's highest honor. From the gritty singer-songwriter era of the 1970s to the stadium-sized anthems of the 2010s, a look back at the 10 most essential times rock music made its mark at the Oscars.

Why it matters

The Oscars' embrace of rock music over the years has signaled a shift in how the Academy views music, no longer just as background dressing but as a core component of character development and storytelling. These wins have helped revitalize the careers of rock icons, showing a new generation of filmmakers that their voices can provide an instant sense of intellectual weight and cultural relevance to any production.

The details

The road to the 98th Academy Awards this Sunday, March 15, 2026, is paved with high-stakes tension as the 2026 contenders, like the bluesy "I Lied to You" from Sinners and the moody "Train Dreams" by rock icon Nick Cave, face off for the coveted Best Original Song trophy in a year dominated by raw, guitar-heavy sounds. While the Academy used to favor safe, orchestral ballads, this year's race feels like a return to a time when the cool kids actually got invited to the party.

  • The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place this Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • The voting for the Best Original Song category is conducted by the music branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The players

Bruce Springsteen

A legendary rock musician who won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "Streets of Philadelphia" in 1993, proving that a stadium rocker could pivot to an intimate, electronic soundscape and still maintain their soul.

Elton John

A rock icon who has won the Oscar for Best Original Song twice, most recently for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from the biopic Rocketman in 2019, celebrating his life story and long-standing songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.

Bob Dylan

A Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter who won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "Things Have Changed" from the film Wonder Boys in 2000, proving that his voice could provide an instant sense of intellectual weight to any production.

Adele

A pop superstar who won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "Skyfall" in 2012, breaking the "Bond Curse" and setting a new standard for the franchise with her dark, brassy, and orchestral rock-inspired theme.

Stevie Wonder

A legendary Motown artist who won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "I Just Called to Say I Love You" in 1984, using the global platform to make a bold political statement in support of Nelson Mandela.

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What’s next

The winners of the 98th Academy Awards, including the Best Original Song category, will be announced live on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The Oscars' embrace of rock music over the years has not only celebrated the artistry and cultural impact of legendary musicians, but has also shown that rock can be a powerful tool for storytelling, social commentary, and pushing the boundaries of what Hollywood music can be.