Golden Globes: Can they predict Oscar winners?

(CBS) Can the Golden Globes Awards serve as a crystal ball for Academy Award winners? They can, but it really depends on the year.

The Globes have  predicted only one best picture Oscar winner in the last seven years with the 2008 film, "Slumdog Millionaire."

But if you look at a larger span (the last two decades), the Globes and Oscar best picture winners have matched up 11 times, and were spot-on from 1993 to 2003 with best picture winners ranging from "Forrest Gump" to "The English Patient." That streak ended in 2004 when the "Aviator" scored the Globe for best drama, but the best picture Oscar went to "Million Dollar Baby."

Remember, though, with two groups (best drama and best comedy or musical - for both motion pictures and acting categories), the Golden Globes have a couple of chances to "get it right," so to speak. And the Academy has since added several more nominees to its best picture category, which may tip the scales a bit.

When it comes to acting awards, it's a mixed bag, too. Over the last five years, the same actor took home a Golden Globe and an Oscar - with the exception of 2008 when Mickey Rourke won a Globe for his performance in "The Wrestler," and the Oscar went to Sean Penn for his portrayal of gay rights activist Harvey Milk in "Milk."

The lead actress categories have matched up 17 times (once again, there are two options for the Globes), while best director synched up six times over the past decade, most recently again with "Slumdog Millionaire."

The screenplay winners have also been linked up many times over the years. In 2011, for example, "The Social Network" won the Globe for best screenplay, as well as the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.

The 2012 Golden Globes saw "The Artist" score best musical or comedy, and George Clooney's "The Descendants" win for best drama. Clooney also took home the best dramatic actor award, while Meryl Streep walked away with dramatic actress for "The Iron Lady," her eighth win at the Globes.

So, what does that all mean for this year's Academy Awards? Unless you really are a fortune teller with a crystal ball, then it's probably not worth betting your house on the best picture Oscar winner. But maybe a friendly office poll? Be sure to get your picks in before the Oscars take place on Feb. 26.

Sound off below: Which film will snag best picture at the 2012 Oscars?