Toy Story 5 and the Legacy of Oscar-Winning Songs in Film Franchises

As Toy Story 5 makes its way into general release, awards-minded fans are already speculating on the potential for Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You”—the film’s closing credits track—to secure an Oscar nomination. Given the franchise’s storied history with the Academy, the prospects appear promising.

The Toy Story series has long been a favorite of the music branch. Legendary composer Randy Newman earned nominations for his work on each of the first four installments, including “You’ve Got a Friend In Me,” “When She Loved Me,” “We Belong Together,” and “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away.” The new track, co-written by Swift and Jack Antonoff, continues this tradition of high-profile musical contributions.

A History of Franchise Success

Should “I Knew It, I Knew You” take home the gold at the 99th Oscars on March 14, it would mark the second time a Toy Story song has won, following the success of “We Belong Together” in 2011. This would solidify the franchise’s place among a select group of film series that have achieved multiple wins in the Best Original Song category.

Notable Multi-Winner Franchises

Several iconic film series have set the standard for musical excellence at the Academy Awards:

• Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Musicals: This legendary duo dominated the 1930s, with “The Continental” (1935) and “The Way You Look Tonight” (1937) both securing wins. Their films were instrumental in providing escapism during the Great Depression.
• A Star Is Born Remakes: The story has proven to be a musical powerhouse, with Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen” winning in 1977 and Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s “Shallow” taking the prize in 2019.
• James Bond Films: The franchise hit a winning streak in the modern era, with “Skyfall” (2013), “The Writing’s on the Wall” (2016), and “No Time To Die” (2022) all earning the Academy’s top honor.

As the industry looks toward the upcoming awards season, the shortlist for Best Original Song will be revealed on December 15, followed by the final nominations on January 21. For now, the focus remains on whether the latest chapter of Toy Story can add another trophy to its impressive collection.