The Best Picture category has always been one of the most predictable categories as the precursor awards dictate what the Academy will do when picking its top films of the year. However, the one thing that is unpredictable is how many films will be nominated in the category. Since the Academy decided to allow five to 10 films it has been very hard to guess how many films will be nominated for Best Picture.

One of the earliest contenders is undoubtedly "The Grand Budapest Hotel." Not only did the movie receive great reviews in May and win the Berlin Festival second place prize, but it also became a huge box office hit. The movie made $57.8 million and became the seventh highest grossing film for Fox Searchlight. It was also able to connect with mainstream audiences. However, the March release could affect the movie's chances since the Academy usually forgets that the first three months ever happened.

"Boyhood" was also hailed as an early Oscar contender. The Richard Linklater picture opened at the Sundance Film Festival where it scored rave reviews and later went to the Berlin Film Festival where it won Best Director. The movie has been receiving a huge marketing push and is being lauded as a historical film that took 12 years to make. However, the Academy has never been generous to Linklater, and the fact that IFC Films is releasing it could be a bad sign. IFC never campaigns, and even if "Boyhood" is great, the Academy could eventually ignore it.

Meanwhile "Foxcatcher" is most likely a lock after its Cannes premiere. After having a lot of buzz for last year's Oscars, the film was pushed back to November. The Oscar buzz, however, was confirmed when it opened at the Cannes Film Festival because critics immediately pinned it as a lock for Best Picture. Unlike "Boyhood," "Foxcatcher" will be released by Sony Pictures Classics, which is known for getting a number of Best Picture nominations.      

If Fox Searchlight fails with "The Grand Budapest Hotel," the company could be nominated for "Birdman." Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's next film is slated for October, which is in the midst of Oscar season and during the same time as Searchlight released Oscar winner "12 Years a Slave." The movie has a lot of buzz especially given its juicy cast, which includes Naomi Watts, Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton. Additionally every single one of Inarritu's films has been nominated for some type of Oscar, and "Birdman" is unlikely to be an exception.

Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar" could also be in the conversation. Ever since 2009, the Academy has nominated a special effects driven film for best picture, and "Interstellar" looks like it could be the best bet for this, especially with its intriguing plot. Nolan's previous movie "Inception" received a Best Picture nomination, and while he did not get the director nod, the film still won four Oscars. With Paramount releasing the movie, the company will likely put all its forces behind this picture.

"A Most Violent Year" is garnering a lot of buzz especially with J.C Chandor directing. Chandor has become one of the most sought after directors after his work on "Margin Call" and "All is Lost." "A Most Violent Year' is his most ambitious project to date and with his stature as a director rising, pundits have high expectations that this film will be incredible.

David Fincher could also be back in the Oscar game with "Gone Girl." The director has had two Best Picture nominations but has failed to win either. This year the Fox release could prove a bit trickier since it is a crime thriller, and it is said to be very dark. It is important to note that every time Fincher makes a thriller the Academy fails to pay attention. For example even though "Zodiac," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "Fight Club" all received great reviews, the content did not excite the Academy. "Gone Girl" could prove a big challenge for Sony, but if the studio plays its cards well and only promotes this film as its main Oscar contender, then perhaps the movie will break into the Best Picture category.

Weinstein Co. has a number of contenders this year, including Tim Burton's "Big Eyes" and "The Imitation Game." "Big Eyes" has been a huge contender for a while, especially with Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz being part of the cast. However as of late, Burton has been a hit or miss with his films, and as a result, it is hard to predict how the film will turn out. Meanwhile "The Imitation Game" obtained buzz after it was purchased for $7 million at the Berlin International Film Festival. While the early previews were a bit disappointing, the November release points to a solid movie that will compete for Oscars.

Warner Bros. will most likely compete with Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice." The movie not only has a stunning cast, but Anderson is one of the most sought after directors of current times; however, he has yet to win an Oscar. While the movie is set for December, it is likely the studio will take to it to the festival circuit where it will garner early buzz.

Other contenders include "Theory of Everything," "Wild," "Unbroken," "Into the Woods" and "Mr. Turner."