Predicting the Oscars is no longer reserved for the three or our months leading up to the ceremony. It's a year-long task. After all, studios bankroll many films because they are "Oscar bait," which means they are certainly thinking about the Oscars long before the nominees are announced.

The following is a list of films that may be able to win big at the next Oscar ceremony:

Sunshine Cleaning
Release Date: March 13 (limited)
Distributor: Overture

The Academy is officially in love Cleaning star Amy Adams. Even if the film itself fails to be a hit, Adams could easily walk away with some awards recognition. Check out our review here.

The Soloist
Release Date: April 24
Distributor: Paramount

While it's certainly not promising that Paramount decided to bump this drama from its November 2008 release date, the fact that it stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx means that awards talk will still be inevitable.

Away We Go
Release Date: June 5
Distributor: Focus

After the serious melodrama that was Revolutionary Road, director Sam Mendes will tackle a lighter comedy in 2009. Ever since American Beauty, any Mendes film comes with Oscar buzz attached. John Krasinski, Toni Collette and Maya Rudolph lead the ensemble cast.

Public Enemies
Release Date: July 1
Distributor: Universal

This 1930's gangster flick boasts an incredible cast which is lead by Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. After stumbling with Miami Vice, critical darling Michael Mann should be able to knock this out of the park.

Julie & Julia
Release Date: August 7
Distributor: Sony

Amy Adams and Meryl Streep will team up once again after appearing together in Doubt. At this point in her career, it's a surprise if Streep isn't nominated for an Oscar.

Taking Woodstock
Release Date: August 14
Distributor: Focus

The eclectic Ang Lee will tackle the story of one of the most infamous concerts of all time. Lee is another director that comes with automatic Oscar buzz.

Inglorious Basterds
Release Date: August 21
Distributor: Universal/The Weinstein Company

If Quentin Tarantino can deliver an unorthodox World War II flick, then the Academy could go nuts for him once again. Either way, Brad Pitt could easily snag as acting nomination.

The Informant
Release Date: September 18
Distributor: Warner Bros.

Steven Soderbergh and Matt Damon have teamed up for a drama about an FBI whistleblower. Many people feel that Soderbergh's Che was unfairly ignored this year, so recognizing The Informant could ultimately be a form of penance.

Shutter Island
Release Date: October 2
Distributor: Paramount

Considering that the pairing of Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio has resulted in three Best Picture nominations (Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed, which won) it's safe to say that their latest film will be instantly in contention.

A Serious Man
Release Date: October 2
Distributor: Focus

Even though the latest Coen Brothers film doesn't boast any major stars, they are often a favorite of Academy voters.

Fantastic Mr. Fox
Release Date: November 6
Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Wes Anderson makes the jump into the world of animation, and he's brought George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman with him. This one should be a lock for a Best Animated Feature nomination.

The Lovely Bones
Release Date: December 11
Distributor: Paramount

Peter Jackson take a break from epic filmmaking in order to adapt the best-selling novel about a murdered girl who watches over family -- and her killer -- from heaven. The presence of Oscar darlings such as Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz and Susan Surandon means that Bones should be able to at least snag an acting nod or two.

Avatar
Release Date: December 18
Distributor: 20th Century Fox

James Cameron returns to the world of fiction filmmaking with what many are predicting will be a landmark 3D film. This is bound to do some serious damage in the technical Oscar categories.