Oscars to feature musical tributes to ‘Sinners’ and ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

The performance line-up for the 98th Academy Awards has been unveiled, revealing two major musical tributes inspired by the films “Sinners” and “KPop Demon Hunters.”

The ceremony, scheduled for March 15, 2026, will celebrate the best films and artistes of 2025. Organisers confirmed that this year’s musical segments will pay tribute to two of the most influential cinematic releases of the year.

The announcement was made by executive producer Raj Kapoor and executive producer Katy Mullan. In a statement, they said the performances were designed to highlight how music and storytelling intersect in cinema.

One of the evening’s major highlights will be a tribute to “KPop Demon Hunters”, which has become a global pop culture phenomenon. The Oscar-nominated song “Golden” from the film will be performed by the artistes behind the fictional girl group HUNTR/X, including EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. The performance is expected to open with a fusion of traditional Korean instrumentalists and dancers.

Another major segment of the night will honour “Sinners”, which has made Oscars history with 16 nominations—the most for any film in the awards’ history. The tribute will feature the nominated song “I Lied To You”, performed by Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq.

Additional performers in the segment include ballet star Misty Copeland, musicians Eric Gales, Buddy Guy and Christone Kingfish Ingram, as well as Brittany Howard, Bobby Rush, Shaboozey and Alice Smith. Actors Jayme Lawson and Li Jun Li are also expected to appear during the tribute.

The ceremony will also include appearances by Josh Groban and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

The 2026 Oscars will once again be hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien for the second consecutive year. The event will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu.