While its box office run seems to be drawing to a close, Disney’s Tron: Ares (reviewed here) is about to embark on another journey. Strange as it may seem, the world of awards consideration await for the much talked about October release – with musical and technical categories primed to be its sweet spot. That first area is where director Joachim Rønning’s picture has nabbed its first nominations; thanks to one awards body’s recent announcement. 

Tron: Ares’s Grammy Nominations Are Nine Inch Nails History

Now that the full list of 2026 Grammy nominations have been set, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have made history. Thanks to Nine Inch Nails’ flawless Ares soundtrack, the band has landed its first two nominations for a cinematic project under its alt-rock label. Fans are already celebrating, as both “Best Rock Song” and “Best Song Written For Visual Media” saw Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ efforts on Tron’s latest honored.

Reznor and Ross’ work on the franchise three-quel has been hyped since the moment they were announced. So while this is something to honor, it’s not a total surprise. Also, The Social Network composers have a pretty stocked pedigree in awards wins, whether credited as themselves or not. That’s still not enough to make either category an easy win, especially with one of Tron: Ares’ nominations facing some extremely stiff competition.

Nine Inch Nails’ Grammy Competition Is A Very Hard Field To Beat

I hate to say it, but the category of Best Song Written For Visual Media feels like an almost automatic loss for Tron: Ares. That’s not because I don’t love “As Alive As You Need Me To Be,” as anyone who knows me can vouch for the complete opposite. However, you try reading the full field of Best Song Written For Visual Media nominations below, and tell me it stands a chance of winning:

  • As Alive As You Need Me To Be — From “TRON: Ares”
  • Golden — From “KPop Demon Hunters”
  • I Lied to You — From “Sinners”
  • Never Too Late — From “Elton John: Never Too Late”
  • Pale, Pale Moon — From “Sinners”
  • Sinners — From “Sinners”

Three tracks from Sinners, and one of K-Pop Demon Hunters’ finest singles, are the major competition for Tron: Ares to surmount. In my opinion, this competition is going to boil down to a heated race between “Golden” and “I Lied To You,” with no clear winner. I could be wrong though, but we’ll find out when 2026 Grammy Awards take place on Sunday, February 1st – broadcast only on CBS. In the meantime, keep an eye out for all things connected to The Grid – via THS’ Tron: Ares archives! -End of Line-

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