This category includes all past nominees with the exception of Son Lux, whose founder Ryan Lott is also up for a song from Everything Everywhere All at Once. John Williams has a staggering forty-eight career nominations in this category, with five wins, three of which – Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Schindler’s List – were for collaborations with director Steven Spielberg, like this year’s film, The Fabelmans. Justin Hurwitz, who was worked with director Damien Chazelle on all of his films, won for La La Land in 2016 and is back after picking up many precursor prizes for Babylon. BAFTA chose All Quiet on the Western Front, which marks Volker Bertelmanns’ second bid after Lion in 2016. Carter Burwell, last nominated in 2017 for working with Martin McDonagh on Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and previously cited for Carol, rounds out the list for The Banshees of Insiherin. While Bertelmann’s metallic score could surge with broad support for the film, I think this is Hurwitz’s to lose.

Should win: Babylon

Will win: Babylon

Alternate: All Quiet on the Western Front