The Academy Award for Best Original Score, introduced in 1935 at the 7th Academy Awards, is presented annually for the best achievement in original scoring in a film from the previous year.

While the award has varied in distinction between musical and non-musical categories it is currently split between Best Original Score and Best Original Musical. However, since its re-establishment in 2000, the latter has not been awarded due to a lack of eligible films.

The current minimum requirement for original music eligibility is 35%, rising to 80% for sequels and franchise films.

Sorted Chronologically by Awards Year. Winners in BOLD. Acceptance speech linked in Notes (where available).

UPDATED: May 2026

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NOMINEES LIST | SITE MAP

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AWARD RECORDS:
Most Awards: Alfred Newman (9)
Most Nominations: John Williams (49)
Most Nominations Without a Win: Thomas Newman & Alex North (14)

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CATEGORY NAME HISTORY:
Non-Musical Scores:
1939–1941: Music (Original Score)
1942: Music (Music Score of a Dramatic Picture)
1943–1957: Music (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture)
1958: No Award Given
1959–1962: Music (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture)
1963–1966: Music (Music Score: Substantially Original)
1967–1968: Music (Original Music Score)
1969–1970: Music (Original Score for a Motion Picture [Not a Musical])
1971: Music (Original Score)
1972–1975: Music (Original Dramatic Score)
1976–1995: Music (Original Score)
1996–1999: Music (Original Dramatic Score)
2000–Present: Music (Original Score)

Musical Scores:
1935–1941: Music (Scoring)
1942–1957: Music (Scoring of a Musical Picture)
1958: Music (Scoring)
1959–1962: Music (Scoring of a Musical Picture)
1963–1968: Music (Scoring of Music: Adaptation or Treatment)
1969–1970: Music (Score of a Musical Picture: Original or Adaptation)
1971: Music (Original Song Score)
1972–1973: Music (Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score)
1974–1976: Music (Scoring: Original Song Score and Adaptation -or- Scoring: Adaptation)
1977–1978: Music (Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score)
1979: Music (Adaption Score)
1980: Music (Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score)
1981–1982: No Award Given
1983: Music (Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score)
1984: Music (Original Song Score or Adaptation Score)
1985: Music (Original Song Score)
1996–1999: Music (Original Musical or Comedy Score)
2000–Present: Music (Original Musical)