Nominations for the 2013 Academy Awards won't be released until after the New Year, but critics and film buffs are already speculation about not only what films will get nominated, but who will actually take home the gold on Oscar night.

Critics have already had a chance to screen most of the highest-profile films of the year, which includes Steven Spielberg's presidential "Lincoln," Ang Lee's adapation of the novel "Life of Pi" and Kathryn Bigelow's tense thriller about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, "Zero Dark Thirty."

But as of now, the front runner may be "Les Miserables," the latest theatrical remake of the famous French novel by Victor Hugo. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried, all of whom sing throughout the movie. Though the average moviegoer will have to wait until the film hits theaters on Christmas Day to see it, the buzz is already at an incredible high.

One prominent supporter of "Les Miserables" is Entertainment Weekly's managing editor Jess Cagle, who saw the film late last month and tweeted his enthusiastic praise for the production.

"Just saw Les Miz. fearless and original. Have never seen a movie like it and can't wait to see it again ASAP," Cagle tweeted on Nov 28.

A story published in The New York Times on Dec. 6 said that Working Title Pictures, the company that produced the film, is hanging high hopes on "Les Miserables" to bring in Academy Awards and an upsurge in financial success for the production outfit.

"The all-star movie musical could pop at the multiplex, sweep into the Academy Awards and instantly recharge the company, which has had a bumpy few years. Or 'Les Misérables' could end up like the 2004 adaptation of 'The Phantom of the Opera' - lackluster ticket sales, a few Oscar nominations, no wins," the Times reported.

Tags: les miserables Academy Awards Oscars Anne Hathaway Hugh Jackman Russell Crowe Amanda Seyfried