Oscars: Hollywood's prom night

Oscar night is Hollywood's hottest date night.

For celebrities, going to the Academy Awards together is the equivalent of going to your high school prom. It says you are serious. And it's also a great way to telegraph the status of your relationship, for better or worse.

For instance, Leonardo DiCaprio finally left his mom home and brought Giselle Bundchen to the Oscars in 2005, signaling their reconcilation. But now that their love has faded, everyone's wondering if Leo will make his relationship with model Bar Rafael official by showing her off on Sunday.

Ben Affleck looked downright suicidal at the Oscars in 2003, escorting his fiancee Jennifer Lopez. But at the recent Golden Globes WB/Instyle bash, he was positively giddy with wife Jennifer Garner.

Long-term couples like Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford, Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Warren and Annette are rock-steady carpet couples.

But others, like Tom Cruise, have a checkered carpet-dating past that includes Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.

Many celeb scene-watchers predict that it may be Katie Holmes' year to accompany Tom to the Oscars and/or several post-parties. Hey, she didn't jet to Paris to stock up on Armani couture for nutting, you know.

Click here, for a fun look back at the red carpet dating history of Hollywood hottest couples.

And, take a click-through look at a few of the frostiest too.