Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Underscore

The Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Underscore is an annual award given by the Motion Picture Sound Editors. It honors sound editors whose work has warranted merit in the field of film; in this case, their work in the field of music editing in theatrically released motion pictures. The awards title has gone through many incarnations since its inception, but its focus has been on honoring exemplary work of music editors. Until 2005, animated films had their own category; since then, they have been eligible for this award. In 2022, a category was presented exclusively for documentary features.

Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Underscore
CountryUnited States
Presented byMotion Picture Sound Editors
Currently held byRamiro Belgardt, Joe E. Rand, David Channing – West Side Story (2021)

Winners and nominees

1990s

YearFilmWinners/Nominees
1994The Lion KingDominick Certo, Adam Milo Smalley (supervising music editors)
Mary Shelley's FrankensteinGerard McCann (music editor)
1995Best Sound Editing - Music (Foreign & Domestic)
SevenRobert Randles (music consultant)
Jefferson in ParisGerard McCann (music editor)
Mortal KombatJoanie Diener (music editor)
Best Sound Editing - Music (Animated)
PocahontasKathleen Fogarty-Bennett (supervising music editor)
1996Motion Picture Feature Films: Music Editing
The English PatientRobert Randles (music editor)
HamletGerard McCann (music editor)
The QuestDavid Bondelevitch (music editor)
The RockBob Badami, John Finklea (music editors)
Romeo + JulietMark Jan Wlodarkiewicz (music editor)
Animated Motion Picture Feature Films: Music Editing
The Hunchback of Notre DameKathleen Fogarty-Bennett (supervising music editor); Mark Green, Charles Paley (music editors)
1997Best Sound Editing - Music (Foreign & Domestic)
TitanicJim Henrikson (supervising music editor), Joe E. Rand (music editor)
As Good as It GetsZigmund Gron (music editor)
The Full MontyGraham Lawrence (music editor)
Good Will HuntingKenneth Karman (music editor)
L.A. ConfidentialKenneth Hall (music editor)
Men in BlackEllen Segal (music editor)
The PostmanJim Weidman (supervising music editor), David Olson (music editor)
Scream 2Bill Abbott (music editor)
Best Sound Editing - Music Animation
AnastasiaBrent Brooks (music editor), Tom Villano (scoring editor)
Cats Don't DanceCraig Pettigrew (music editor)
HerculesKathleen Fogarty-Bennett, Earl Ghaffari (music editors)
1998Best Sound Editing - Music (Foreign & Domestic)
The Butcher BoyMichael Connell (music/scoring editor)
American History XRichard Ford (music editor)
ArmageddonBob Badami (music supervisor); Will Kaplan (music editor); Shannon Erbe, Mark Jan Wlodarkiewicz (additional music editors)
BulworthBob Badami (music designer/editor); Shannon Erbe, Lisa Jaime, Jennifer Nash (assistant music editors)
The Horse WhispererBill Bernstein (music editor); Jordan Corngold, Kenneth Hall, Tod Holcomb (additional music editors)
Saving Private RyanKenneth Wannberg (music editor), Kelly Mahan-Jaramillo (assistant music editor)
The Thin Red LineLee Scott, Adam Milo Smalley (music editors); Scott Rouse (assistant music editor)
Waking Ned DevineRobert Hathaway (music editor)
Best Sound Editing - Music - Animated Feature
AntzAdam Milo Smalley (supervising music editor), Brian Richards (music/scoring editor)
A Bug's LifeLori L. Eschler (supervising music editor), Bruno Coon (assistant music editor)
MulanKenneth Hall (supervising music editor); Kathleen Fogarty-Bennett, Tom Kramer (song music editors); Robert Bayless (assistant music scoring editor)
The Prince of EgyptAdam Milo Smalley (supervising music editor), Brian Richards (assistant music editor)
1999Best Sound Editing - Music (Foreign & Domestic)
American BeautyBill Bernstein (music/scoring editor), Joanie Diener (music editor), Jordan Corngold (assistant music editor), Dennis S. Sands (scoring mixer), Scott Millan (re-recording music mixer)
Anna and the KingMichael T. Ryan, Graham Sutton (music editors)
Any Given SundayBill Abbott, Johnny Caruso (music/scoring editors); Denise Okimoto (music editor)
The HurricaneThomas Milano (supervising music editor, scoring editor), Tanya Noel Hill (music/scoring editor)
The InsiderCurt Sobel (supervising music editor,scoring editor), Thomas Milano (music/scoring editor), Bob Badami (music editor)
The MatrixLori L. Eschler (music/scoring editor); Jordan Corngold, Zigmund Gron (music editors)
StigmataMike Flicker (supervising music editor, scoring editor); Kenneth Karman, Stephen Lotwis (supervising music editors); Billy Corgan (scoring editor)
The Talented Mr. RipleyRobert Randles (music/scoring editor)
Best Sound Editing - Music - Animated Feature
South Park: Bigger, Longer & UncutDaniel DiPrima (music/scoring editor); Brian Bulman (assistant music editor); Tim Boyle, Dennis S. Sands (scoring mixers)
The Iron GiantChristopher Brooks (music editor)
The King and IDouglas M. Lackey (music/scoring editor)
TarzanEarl Ghaffari (music editor)
Toy Story 2Bruno Coon (supervising music editor), Lisa Jaime (music editor)

2000s

YearFilmWinners/Nominees
2000Best Sound Editing - Music (Foreign & Domestic)
High FidelityMichael Higham (supervising music editor); Shari Johanson, Joe Lisanti (music editors); Adrian Rhodes (re-recording mixer)
CommittedMark Jan Wlodarkiewicz (music/scoring editor)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonSteven Epstein, Wen-Zhao Pei, Emmy Tu (music producers), Richard King (music mixer)
GladiatorDashiell Rae, Marc Streitenfeld (music editors)
Remember the TitansWill Kaplan (music/scoring editor)
Turn It UpRichard A. Harrison (music/scoring editor)
Best Sound Editing - Music - Animated Feature
Chicken RunRichard Whitfield (supervising music editor)
DinosaurDavid Olson, Jim Weidman (music editors)
The Emperor's New GroovePaul Silver (music editor)
The Road to El DoradoAdam Milo Smalley (supervising music editor), Vicki Hiatt (music editor)
Titan A.E.Joshua Winget (scoring/music editor)
2001
[1][2]
Best Sound Editing - Music (Foreign & Domestic)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingNancy Allen, Suzana Peric (music editors); Andrew Dudman, Michael Price (scoring editors)
AliLisa Jaime, Kenneth Karman (music/scoring editors); Vicki Hiatt, Stephanie Lowry, Christine H. Luethje (music editor)
A Beautiful MindJim Henrikson (music editor)
Black KnightDavid Bondelevitch, Terry Wilson (music editors)
FocusJoanie Diener (music editor)
Vanilla SkyCarlton Kaller (music/scoring editor)
Best Sound Editing - Music - Animated Feature
ShrekBrian Richards (music editor)
Jimmy Neutron: Boy GeniusJim Harrison (supervising music editor)
Monsters, Inc.Bruno Coon (music editor)
2002
[3][4][5]
Best Sound Editing in a Feature - Music - Feature Film
The Mothman PropheciesMark Jan Wlodarkiewicz (music editor)
Adaptation.Adam Milo Smalley (music/scoring editor)
Catch Me If You CanKenneth Wannberg (music editor)
Confessions of a Dangerous MindStephen Lotwis, Andrew Silver (music editors)
Gangs of New YorkPatricia Carlin, Jennifer L. Dunnington, Kathy Durning, Tass Filipos (music editors)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersAndrew Dudman, Michael Fife, Becca Gatrell, Raphaël Mouterde, Michael Price, Steve Price, Jonathan Schultz, Nigel Scott, Mark Willsher (music editors)
Road to PerditionBill Bernstein (music editor)
UnfaithfulChristopher Kennedy (supervising music editor, scoring editor); Johnny Caruso, Joe Lisanti (music editor)
Best Sound Editing in Animated Features - Music
Lilo & StitchKenneth Karman (music editor)
Ice AgeRichard A. Harrison (music editor)
The Princess and the PeaDavid Bondelevitch (music editor)
Spirit: Stallion of the CimarronSlamm Andrews (music/scoring editor), Robb Boyd (music editor)
The Wild Thornberrys MovieMichael Baber (music editor)
2003
[6][7][8]
Best Sound Editing in a Feature - Music - Feature Film
Cold MountainFernand Bos, Allan Jenkins, Kirsty Whalley (music editors)
Gods and GeneralsLisa Jaime (music editor)
Jeepers Creepers 2David Bondelevitch, Victor Salva (music editors)
Kill Bill: Volume 1Jay B. Richardson (music editor)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingAndrew Dudman, Michael Fife, Becca Gatrell, Michael Price, Steve Price, Jonathan Schultz, Nigel Scott (music editors)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black PearlChristopher Brooks (music/scoring editor); Kenneth Karman, Jeanette Surga (music editors)
Something's Gotta GiveAndrew Silver (music/scoring editor); Kenneth Karman, Lee Scott (music editors)
UnderworldJoanie Diener (music/scoring editor)
Best Sound Editing in Animated Features - Music
Finding NemoBill Bernstein (music editor)
Brother BearEarl Ghaffari (music editor)
The Jungle Book 2Craig Pettigrew (music editor)
2004
[9][10]
Best Sound Editing in a Feature - Music - Feature Film
The Passion of the ChristMichael T. Ryan (music editor)
The AviatorJennifer L. Dunnington (music editor)
50 First DatesJ.J. George, Stuart Grusin (music editors)
HidalgoJim Weidman (supervising music editor), David Olson (music editor)
Kill Bill: Volume 2Jay B. Richardson (music editor)
The Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouRichard Henderson (music editor)
Ned KellyGerard McCann (music editor)
The VillageThomas S. Drescher (music editor)
2005
[11][12][13]
Best Sound Editing in Feature Film - Music
CasanovaJamie Lowry, Roy Prendergast (music editors)
Batman BeginsSteven Price (supervising music editor); Simon Changer, Gareth Cousins, Richard Robson (music editors)
Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryBill Abbott, Michael Higham, Shie Rozow (music editors)
The Constant GardenerTony Lewis (music editor)
The Great RaidJohnny Caruso (music editor)
Kingdom of HeavenMarc Streitenfeld (music editor)
King KongJim Weidman (supervising music editor), Peter Myles (music editor)
Memoirs of a GeishaRamiro Belgardt, Kenneth Karman, Kenneth Wannberg (music editors)
2006
[14][15][16]
Best Sound Editing for Music in a Feature Film
ApocalyptoDick Bernstein, Jim Henrikson (music editors)
BabelAnibal Kerpel (music editor)
BobbySally Boldt, Lisa Jaime, Stephen Lotwis, Lee Scott (music editors)
Children of MenMichael Price (music editor)
ClickJ.J. George, Stuart Grusin (music editors)
Lucky Number SlevinKevin Banks, Arthur Pingrey (music editors)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's ChestMelissa Muik (supervising music editor), Julie Pearce (music editor)
The PropositionGerard McCann (music editor)
2007
[17]
Best Sound Editing - Music in a Feature Film
Into the WildRichard Henderson (music editor)
American GangsterDel Spiva (music editor)
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert FordWilliam B. Kaplan, Gerard McCann (music editors); Jonathan Karp (additional music editor)
The Golden CompassGerard McCann (supervising music editor); Peter Clarke (music editor); Andrew Dudman, Robert Houston, Stuart Morton, Sam Okell (additional music editors)
The Great DebatersTodd Kasow (music editor)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndMelissa Muik (supervising music editor); Katie Greathouse, Barbara McDermott (music editors)
Spider-Man 3Thomas Milano (supervising music editor); Cory Milano, Shie Rozow, Michael T. Ryan (music editors)
2008
[18][19][20]
The Dark KnightAlex Gibson (supervising music editor), Daniel Pinder (music editor)
Bedtime StoriesJ.J. George (supervising music editor); Kevin Crehan, Tom Kramer (music editors)
The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonJoe E. Rand (supervising music editor); Marie Ebbing, Ren Klyce, Erik Swanson, Robert Wolff (music editors)
Hellboy II: The Golden ArmyShie Rozow (supervising music editor)
Iron ManShannon Erbe, Tanya Noel Hill, David Klotz (music editors)
Nick & Norah's Infinite PlaylistAndrew Dorfman (supervising music editor)
Slumdog MillionaireNiv Adiri (supervising music editor)
2009
[21][22][23]
AvatarJim Henrikson (supervising music editor); Michael K. Bauer, Dick Bernstein (music editor)
An EducationBen Barker (supervising music editor), Christopher Benstead (music editor)
(500) Days of SummerJen Monnar (supervising music editor)
The Informant!Missy Cohen (supervising music editor)
It's ComplicatedAndrew Silver (supervising music editor); Stephanie Lowry, Ryan Rubin (music editors)
Sherlock HolmesBob Badami (supervising music editor); Peter Oso Snell (music editor)
Star TrekStephen M. Davis (supervising music editor); Ramiro Belgardt, Alex Levy (music editors)
2012Fernand Bos (supervising music editor); Ronald J. Webb, Adrian Van Velsen (music editors)

2010s

YearFilmWinners/Nominees
2010
[24][25][26]
InceptionAlex Gibson (supervising music editor), Ryan Rubin (music editor)
Alice in WonderlandBill Abbott, Michael Higham (supervising music editors); Denise Okimoto, Curtis Roush, Ryan Rubin (music editors)
Black SwanNancy Allen (music editor)
Get LowChristopher Kennedy (music editor)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1Gerard McCann (supervising music editor); Peter Clarke, Robert Houston, Allan Jenkins, Stuart Morton, Kirsty Whalley (music editors)
Let Me InPaul Apelgren (music editor)
The LosersShie Rozow (music editor)
The Social NetworkJonathon Stevens (supervising music editor); Marie Ebbing, Ren Klyce (music editors)
2011
[27][28]
HugoJennifer L. Dunnington (supervising music editor); Jonathan Schultz (supervising scoring editor); Robert Houston (music editor); Yann McCullough, Kirsty Whalley (scoring editors)
DriveAnnette Kudrak (supervising music editor)
The Girl with the Dragon TattooJonathon Stevens (supervising music editor); Marie Ebbing, Ren Klyce (music editors)
HopJ.J. George (supervising music editor), Bryon Rickerson (music editor)
PriestThomas Milano (supervising music editor); Jaclyn Newman Dorn, Cory Milano, Steven A. Saltzman (music editors); Daniel Pinder (temp music editor)
Super 8Alex Levy (supervising music editor); Paul Apelgren, Ramiro Belgardt, Will Kaplan (music editors)
Transformers: Dark of the MoonAlex Gibson (supervising music editor), Ryan Rubin (music editor)
The Tree of LifeDick Bernstein (supervising music editor), Peter Clarke (music editors)
2012
[29][30]
Life of PiErich Stratmann (music editor), Mitch Bederman (additional music editor)
ArgoRichard Ford (supervising music editor), David Metzner (additional music editor)
The Cabin in the WoodsClint Bennett (supervising music editor); Tony Lewis, Julie Pearce (music editors)
The Dark Knight RisesAlex Gibson (supervising music editor), Ryan Rubin (music editor)
Django UnchainedRobb Boyd (music editor)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyJennifer L. Dunnington (supervising music editor); Stephen Gallagher (music/temp music editor); Michael Pärt, Nigel Scott, Mark Willsher (music editors); Robert Houston, Yann McCullough, Jonathan Schultz, Kirsty Whalley (scoring editors); James Sizemore (additional music editor)
LincolnAlex Gibson (supervising music editor), Ryan Rubin (music editor)
SkyfallDick Bernstein, Tony Lewis (supervising music editors)
2013
[31][32]
The Great GatsbyJason Ruder, Tim Ryan (supervising music editors); Craig Beckett (music editor)
American HustleSally Boldt, Philip Tallman (music editors)
47 RoninAndrew Silver (supervising music editor); Kenneth Karman, Julie Pearce, Peter Oso Snell (music editors)
GravityChristopher Benstead (supervising music editor)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of SmaugMark Willsher (supervising music editor); Stephen Gallagher, Jonathan Schultz, Nigel Scott, Kirsty Whalley (music editors)
Mandela: Long Walk to FreedomLewis Morison (supervising music editor); Michael Connell, Robert Houston, Tony Lewis, Neil Stemp (music editors)
12 Years a SlaveBob Badami, Katrina Schiller, Catherine Wilson (music editors)
World War ZJohn Finklea (supervising music editor); Kevin McKeever (music editor)
2014
[33][34]
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)Martin Hernández, Will Kaplan, Terry Wilson (music editors)
Dawn of the Planet of the ApesPaul Apelgren (music editor)
The Fault in Our StarsKatrina Schiller (music editor)
Gone GirlJonathon Stevens (supervising music editor), Ren Klyce (music editor)
Guardians of the GalaxySteve Durkee (supervising music editor); Darrell Hall, Will Kaplan (music editors)
InterstellarAlex Gibson (supervising music editor), Ryan Rubin (music editor)
SelmaClint Bennett, Julie Pearce (music editors)
2015
[35][36]
Star Wars: The Force AwakensRamiro Belgardt (supervising music editor), Paul Apelgren (music editor)
CreedRonald J. Webb (music editor)
Jupiter AscendingPaul Apelgren (supervising music editor); Alex Levy, Daniel Pinder (music editors)
Jurassic WorldPaul Apelgren, Alex Levy (music editors)
Mad Max: Fury RoadBob Badami (supervising music editor); Alex Gibson, Ryan Rubin, Katrina Schiller (music editors)
The MartianTony Lewis, Richard Whitfield (music editors)
Mission: Impossible – Rogue NationJohn Finklea (supervising music editor); Simon Changer, Michael Higham (music editors)
The RevenantJoseph S. DeBeasi, Martin Hernández, Richard Henderson, Steven A. Saltzman, Curt Sobel, Terry Wilson (music editors)
2016
[37][38]
WarcraftMichael K. Bauer, Peter Myles (music editors)
ArrivalClint Bennett (music editor)
Doctor StrangeSteve Durkee (supervising music editor); Warren Brown, Stephen M. Davis, Anele Onyekwere, Nashia Wachsman (music editors)
Don't BreatheMaarten Hofmeijer (music editor)
Hacksaw RidgeMatt Friedman, Andy Patterson (music editors)
Rogue One: A Star Wars StoryJohn Finklea (supervising music editor); Warren Brown, Stephen M. Davis (music editors)
Star Trek BeyondWarren Brown, Stephen M. Davis, Paul Rabjohns (music editors)
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of BenghaziAlex Gibson (supervising music editor); Lee Scott, Nate Underkuffler (music editors)
2017
[39][40]
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing - Music Score for Feature Film
DunkirkAlex Gibson (supervising music editor), Ryan Rubin (music editor)
Baby DriverJulian Slater (supervising music editor), Bradley Farmer (music editor)
Blade Runner 2049Clint Bennett (supervising music editor); Ryan Rubin, Del Spiva (music editors)
King Arthur: Legend of the SwordSimon Changer (supervising music editor), Ben Smithers (music editor)
The Lost City of ZKatherine Gordon Miller (music editor)
The Shape of WaterDustin Harris, Rob Hegedus, Cam McLauchlin (music editors)
Transformers: The Last KnightAlex Gibson (supervising music editor); Daniel DiPrima, Darrell Hall, Bryan Lawson, Dane Leon, Jason Ruder, Jeanette Surga, Philip Tallman (music editors)
Wonder WomanChristopher Benstead, Simon Changer, J.J. George, Gerard McCann (music editors)
2018
[41][42]
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseKatie Greathouse, Catherine Wilson (music editors)
AquamanJ.J. George, Paul Rabjohns (music editors)
The Ballad of Buster ScruggsTodd Kasow (music editor)
Black PantherSteve Durkee (supervising music editor); Anele Onyekwere, Nashia Wachsman, Ronald J. Webb (music editors)
First ManJason Ruder (supervising music editor), Lena Glikson (music editor)
Isle of DogsYann McCullough (supervising music editor)
Mission: Impossible – FalloutCecile Tournesac (music editor)
A Quiet PlaceJim Schultz (supervising music editor), Del Spiva (music editor)
RomaAlitzel Díaz Rueda Flores, Caleb Townsend (music editors)
2019
[43][44]
Jojo RabbitPaul Apelgren (music editor)
Ad AstraJason Ruder, Katrina Schiller (supervising music editors); Lena Glikson, Darrell Hall, Will Kaplan, Philip Tallman (music editors); Sam Zeines, Richard Ziegler (scoring editors)
Dolemite Is My NamePhilip Tallman (music editor)
JokerJason Ruder (supervising music editor); Lena Glikson, Daniel Waldman (music editors)
Little WomenSuzana Peric (music editor), Xavier Forcioli (scoring editor)
Once Upon a Time in HollywoodJim Schultz (music editor)
Queen & SlimJoseph S. DeBeasi (music editor)
WavesSally Boldt, Johnnie Burn, Trey Edward Shults (music editors)

2020s

YearFilmWinners/Nominees
2020
[45][46]
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Underscore
TenetAlex Gibson (supervising music editor), Nicholas Fitzgerald (music artist)
The Invisible ManBrett “Snacky” Pierce (supervising music editor), Devaughn Watts (sound editor)
The Midnight SkyMichael Alexander (supervising music editor), Peter Clarke (scoring editor)
News of the WorldArabella Winter (supervising music editor); David Olson, Jim Weidman (music editors)
Sound of MetalCarolina Santana (supervising music editor); Nicolas Becker, Abraham Marder (scoring editors)
The Trial of the Chicago 7Allegra de Souza (music editor)
Wonder Woman 1984Gerard McCann, Ryan Rubin (supervising music editors); Michael Connell, Timeri Duplat (music editors); Chris Barrett, Adam Miller, Alfredo Pasquel (scoring editors)
2021
[47][48]
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Music
West Side StoryRamiro Belgardt, Joe E. Rand (music editors); David Channing (scoring editor)
DuneClint Bennett, Ryan Rubin (supervising music editors); Peter Myles (music editor)
Ghostbusters: AfterlifeCurt Sobel (supervising music editor)
In the HeightsJim Bruening, Jennifer Dunnington, Ben Holiday (music editors)
The Matrix ResurrectionsGabriel Isaac Mounsey (supervising music editor); Hans Hafner, Jonathan Levi Shanes (music editors)
Nightmare AlleyClint Bennett, Kevin Banks (supervising music editors); Cecile Tournesac (scoring editors)
A Quiet Place Part IINancy Allen, Ramiro Belgardt, Jim Schultz, Del Spiva (music editors)
tick, tick... BOOM!Nancy Allen, John Davis, Bri Holland (music editors)
2022
[49][50]
Outstanding Achievement in Music Editing – Feature Motion Picture
ElvisEvan McHugh (music editor); Jamieson Shaw (supervising music editor); Chris Barrett (scoring editor)
Everything Everywhere All at OnceDean Menta, Luke Wilder, Katherine Gordon Miller (music editors)
Guillermo del Toro's PinocchioLewis Morison, Eric Caudieux (music editors); Chris Barret (scoring editor)
TárGerard McCann (supervising music editor)
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with SomebodyJames Shirley, Victor Chaga (music editors); John Warhurst (supervising music editor); Nina Hartstone (supervising sound editor)
Outstanding Achievement in Music Editing – Documentary
Moonage DaydreamBrett Morgen (music editor); John Warhurst (supervising music editor)
Louis Armstrong's Black and BluesLouie Schultz, Jordan Wiggins, Alex Carr-Engler (music editors)
My Life as a Rolling Stone: Mick JaggerBen Newth, Nick Ashe (supervising music editors)
The Way Down: "Revelations"Richard David Brown (supervising music editor)

References