Emmy music nominations 2025: Will Hans Zimmer finally win his first Emmy?

Hans Zimmer is a name that needs no introduction. With two Oscars and four Grammys under his belt, the legendary composer has created some of the most iconic scores in film history. However, despite his global recognition, one major award has eluded him so far: the Emmy. That could change this year, as Zimmer finds himself nominated for his work on The Americas, a nature documentary series on NBC. Sharing the nomination with composers Anže Rozman and Kara Talve, Zimmer is now in the running in the Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary category, a category he’s never previously won.

The documentary score category, where Hans Zimmer is nominated, also features strong contenders. Caroline Shaw, a Grammy-winning classical composer, has been nominated for Leonardo Da Vinci on PBS. Duncan Thum and David Bertok received a nod for their work on Chef’s Table (Netflix), while Jacob Shea and Laurentia Editha were nominated for Planet Earth: Asia (BBC America). HBO Max’s Super / Man: The Christopher Reeve Story also secured a nomination for composer Ilan Eshkeri.

Outside the traditional score categories, music direction and original song also feature heavy hitters. Kendrick Lamar could potentially win his second Emmy as the music director (alongside Tony Russell) for the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on Fox. He’s up against established names like Rickey Minor for The Kennedy Center Honors, Michael Bearden for The Oscars, and music directors from SNL 50’s two specials.

The original song category is filled with star power. Adam Sandler is nominated alongside Dan Bulla for a song in SNL 50: The Anniversary Special. Kristen Wiig also received a nomination, along with her collaborators Sean Douglas and Josh Greenbaum, for a song in the Netflix documentary Will & Harper. EGOT-winning duo Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez are in the running for “The Ballad of the Witches” from Disney+’s Agatha All Along. Also making the list are Christopher Lennertz for The Boys, and Nicholas Britell with Tony Gilroy for a powerful anthem featured in Andor.

This year’s Emmy nominations in the music categories brought more than just Hans Zimmer’s long-overdue recognition. There were several firsts and surprises, including a rare and historic father-daughter nomination. Composer Thomas Newman, known for scores like American Beauty and Finding Nemo, has been nominated alongside his daughter Julia Newman for their music on Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. It marks the first time a two-generation team from the same family has been nominated for a single score at the Emmys.


To catch the latest updates in the music world, head to Gaana.com now!