The highly-anticipated Academy Awards are just around the corner, meaning it is time to start filling out your ballots. While some may just tune in on Feb. 22 to see the numerous Hollywood stars, others may be interested in the actors and movies that have the best chances at taking home the coveted Oscar trophies. Here is a list of the nominees in the major categories, and who I think will win:

Best Actor

The Contenders:

Richard Jenkins, The Visitor

Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon

Sean Penn, Milk

Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Best Bet: Sean Penn, Milk

Penn walked away with the Screen Actors Guild Award in this category last month. His turn as Harvey Milk was inspiring and has received great critical reactions. Also, Academy voters love to honor actors in biopics (think Jamie Foxx in Ray and Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Capote), so expect Penn to take home his second Oscar.

Watch out for: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Rourke is the comeback story of the year. He gives a riveting and emotional performance as a down-on-his-luck wrestler. He received the Golden Globe, and could steal the Oscar from Penn.

Best Supporting Actor

The Contenders:

Josh Brolin, Milk

Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

Best Bet: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

The one sure thing about this year’s Oscars is Heath Ledger will win this category. The late actor is the sympathetic favorite and deservingly so. He has won all of the major awards up to this point.

Watch out for: Josh Brolin, Milk

Brolin is great as Harvey Milk’s rival, but he doesn’t stand a chance against Ledger. 

Best Actress

The Contenders:

Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married

Angelina Jolie, Changeling

Melissa Leo, Frozen River

Meryl Streep, Doubt

Kate Winslet, The Reader

Best Bet: Meryl Streep, Doubt

It is difficult to go against Streep, who has received a total of fifteen Oscar nominations. Her portrayal of a strict nun stands out among an all-star cast in Doubt. She has gained momentum after winning the SAG award.

Watch out for: Kate Winslet, The Reader

This is Winslet’s sixth nomination and it may be her time to finally win. Streep may have fifteen nominations, but she has only won twice.

Best Supporting Actress

The Contenders:

Amy Adams, Doubt

Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Viola Davis, Doubt

Tariji B. Henson,The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

Best Bet: Viola Davis, Doubt

Davis is only in Doubt for one scene, but it is the most critical part of the movie. She may be considered the underdog for this reason, but she is well-respected by other actors, and could take home the prize.

Watch out for: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

She was the early frontrunner in this race, and although her momentum has slowed, she has strong chance of winning her first Oscar.

Best Picture

The Contenders:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Frost/Nixon

 Milk

The Reader

Slumdog Millionaire

Best Bet: Slumdog Millionaire

Millionaire is the clear leader in this race, particularly after dominating the previous award shows. It is a feel-good story that has captured the hearts of its viewers, and the Academy should award it with the best picture Oscar.

Watch out for: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

One can not overlook Button, which leads all films with a total of thirteen nominations. The fantasy bears a striking resemblance to a previous Best Picture winner, Forrest Gump.

Best Director

The Contenders:

David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon

Gus Van Sant, Milk

Stephen Daldry, The Reader

Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Bet: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

He is the favorite to win his first Oscar after being named the best director by the Directors Guild of America.

Watch out for: Gus Van Sant, Milk