The Muppets returned to theaters this year in a big way with director James Bobin’s aptly named The Muppets. While the film could have easily become a heavy-handed and groan-worthy kids movie, Bobin and Co. delivered a sweet, funny, and ultimately touching flick that is just as effective for 7-year-olds as it is for cold, cynical cinephiles. When the Oscar hosting gig was once again up for grabs earlier this year, a campaign to have our lovely Muppets take up the duties gained some significant traction. While producers ultimately went with Billy Crystal, the whole idea got us thinking: what awards could the film actually win?  Hit the jump for our take on The Muppets’ chances in this coming awards season.bret-mckenzie-the-muppetsWith regards to the Academy Awards, the film looks to have a pretty decent shot in the Best Original Song category. It would appear that the three tracks from The Muppets that have the best chances are “Life’s a Happy Song”, “Pictures in My Head”, and “Man or Muppet”. “Me Party” and “Let’s Talk About Me” would also be eligible, though it seems like the first three are the most likely to garner nominations. Besides the honor of an Oscar nomination, a nod in Best Original Song also means that we’ll be getting a performance from the Muppets themselves during the ceremony (granted the producers don’t cut this portion from the show).I think they’re all worthy numbers, but the tear-inducing “Pictures in My Head” may be the frontrunner of the group (though there’s a soft spot in my heart for “Man or Muppet”). So who would accept the trophy if one of the songs from The Muppets won? Flight of the Conchords mastermind Bret McKenzie is the credited writer on “Life’s a Happy Song” and “Man or Muppet”, while Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis, and Chen Neeman are responsible for “Pictures in My Head” (which McKenzie produced).the-muppets-kermit-banjo-imageThough much less revered, the Golden Globes are sure to play host to more than one Muppets nomination.  While it’s been a few years since a “kids movie” was recognized in the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category (The Incredibles in 2004, though last year’s Alice in Wonderland could technically fit the “kids movie” bill), it’s gonna be damn hard to overlook The Muppets’ overwhelmingly positive critical reaction.  The Disney pic stands at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, not to mention the thousands of hearts The Muppets have captured in the non-critic community.  Also noteworthy is the fact that the Golden Globes lean heavily towards popular films in their major categories, so this also works in the pic’s favor.  The film will most likely be going up against Bridesmaids so it'll be a bit of a fight, but if enough voters are feeling warm and fuzzy about the flick then it definitely has a shot. Additionally, The Muppets again has an extremely good chance of landing in the Best Original Song category at the Golden Globes for the aforementioned numbers.While The Muppets seem destined for at least some awards recognition this year, the more important thing is that Bobin, Segel, and Stoller have crafted a fantastic movie. The Muppets is a worthy entry to the long-lasting franchise that’s sure to reward audiences with repeat viewings chock-full of more laughs, tears, and above all fun.Be sure to keep an eye on the site, as we'll be running a few more Awards-themed articles taking a look at some of this year's more popular films that may not exactly fit into the "Oscar Movie" mold.kermit-the-frog-muppets-oscar-poster