MTV announced the categories and nominees for the MTV Movie Awards live today on MTV and MTV.com honoring the actors and films that enthralled and electrified audiences this year. Leading the pack with seven nominations each are Quentin Tarantino's sweeping American slavery Western Django Unchained and Seth MacFarlane's bromantic comedy Ted, followed by the critically acclaimed Silver Linings Playbook with six nods and the epic blockbuster conclusion to the Batman trilogy The Dark Knight Rises with five. Rounding out the most nominated films are Marvel's The Avengers, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Pitch Perfect and Skyfall with four each. Fans will have the "Power of the Popcorn" in their hands as voting begins today, Tuesday, March 5 at MovieAwards.MTV.com through Saturday, April 13.

Airing LIVE on Sunday, April 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT from the Sony Pictures Studios Lot in Culver City, CA, the "2013 MTV Movie Awards" will serve as the official kick off to the Summer Blockbuster season with its trademark irreverent celebration of the movies, actors and music that audiences love. Previously announced, rising superstar Rebel Wilson, nominated for "Best Female Performance" and "Breakthrough Performance" as Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect, will star as host and be joined by MTV's Inaugural "Comedic Genius Award" recipient Will Ferrell, who is nominated for "Best On-Screen Duo" with Zach Galifianakis for The Campaign.

Keeping with the show's tradition of celebrating current cultural memes, this year's telecast will introduce two new categories. Abdominally blessed nominees Channing Tatum (Magic Mike), Taylor Lautner (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2), Daniel Craig (Skyfall) and Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Rises) will sweat it out against fan-favorite stuffed bear Seth MacFarlane as Ted for the crown of "Best Shirtless Performance," while unforgettable moments from Les Miserables, Magic Mike, Pitch Perfect, Silver Linings Playbook and The Perks of Being a Wallflower will compete to win the inaugural "Best Musical Moment" award.

Leading lady and recent Academy Award® winner Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook and House at the End of the Street) joins fellow female front-runners Emma Watson (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect), Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) and Mila Kunis (Ted) for the chance to take home the most Golden Popcorns. At the head of the pack for the men are Seth MacFarlane as Ted (Ted), Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained), Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook) and Channing Tatum (Magic Mike). As in previous years, the category of "Movie of the Year" will remain an ongoing battle throughout the 22nd annual "2013 MTV Movie Awards" telecast. Additional presenters, performers and special award recipients will be announced at a later date.

Emma Watson ("Best Female Performance," "Best Kiss," "Best Musical Moment") had the following to say about her nominations:

"I am so excited to have been nominated for three MTV Movie Awards for Perks of Being a Wallflower! I love the show and I love this movie! I'm so thrilled."

Nominees for the "2013 MTV Movie Awards" are as follows:

The 2013 MTV Movie Awards will air April 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.