Note: This section of Filmtracks was not revised in the site's major 2009 overhaul. The other pages in this section will render in Filmtracks' older layout until the contents can be arranged into the newer format. Look for significant changes to this section later in 2009.

Every year, fans of film music sit glued to the TV watching the Academy Awards, awaiting the opening of the envelope for the "Best Original Score" categories. And, without fail, these knowledgable scoring supporters bang their heads against the wall when they learn that the Academy has once again made the wrong choice. Sometimes, the Academy votes without any knowledge of this genre, while other times, they allow themselves to be swayed to one score over another for reasons of money, influence, or a bit of both. On a rare occasion, they actually do honor the best score!

Filmtracks, of course, has its own opinions about which scores should be nominated and awarded every year. On these pages, you'll see our choices for the "Best Original Score" categories from 1989 to the present. Beginning with the 1996 awards, Filmtracks began publishing detailed analysis of many of the yearly awards, and you can find these linked from the listings to the left as well. You can also view them separately at the Filmtracks Theme of the Month pages. To visit our review listings for individual scores by their year of composition or release, travel to the Reviews by Year section.

At the top left, you can find a listing of all Academy results (nominations and winners) from the past four decades to the present. Keep in mind the actual categories of "Best Original Score" have changed consistently over the past fourty years, so don't be caught off guard by the titles of the categories. Also to the left, you'll find recent Golden Globe results as well. On all of the Filmtracks awards pages, winners are indicated with a check mark: .