Every week, we’ll take a look back in 5-year intervals at the box office past to explore how Oscar’s nominees were doing at the box office each weekend historically. All data is collected from Box Office Mojo. The first section under each year is the positioning of all Oscar nominees during that weekend at the box office (as well as a section looking at the inflation-adjusted numbers). The third section is an alphabetical list of those films and the categories in which they were nominated. And to start each week off, we’ll be looking at the films releasing over the weekend that have the best chance of getting Oscar nominations and specifying the categories where we think they have the best shots at this stage of the game. If you have any suggestions for more data you’d like to see, please let us know.

This Year: Potential Oscar Nominees Releasing This Weekend

Justice League (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects.

Roman J. Israel, Esq. (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actor (Denzel Washington).

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 16-18, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

2. Skyfall – $41,104,513 ($160,941,621 total) {week 2}
3. Lincoln – $21,049,406 ($22,468,242 total) {week 2}
4. Wreck-It Ralph – $18,582,937 ($121,750,227 total) {week 3}
5. Flight – $8,802,881 ($61,523,691 total) {week 3}
6. Argo – $4,046,366 ($91,998,846 total) {week 6}
13. The Sessions – $910,504 ($2,813,938 total) {week 5}
17. Silver Linings Playbook – $443,003 ($443,003 total) {week 1}
20. Anna Karenina – $320,690 ($320,690 total) {week 1}
22. Brave – $223,608 ($236,619,922 total) {week 22}
31. ParaNorman – $116,291 ($55,633,872 total) {week 14}
32. Frankenweenie – $116,091 ($34,055,348 total) {week 7}
37. Chasing Ice – $80,649 ($106,048 total) {week 1}
38. A Royal Affair – $78,284 ($138,125 total) {week 2}
40. Searching for Sugar Man – $68,832 ($2,670,917 total) {week 17}
43. The Master – $50,056 ($15,788,701 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Skyfall – $42,188,929 ($165,187,568 total)
3. Lincoln – $21,604,730 ($23,060,997 total)
4. Wreck-It Ralph – $19,073,190 ($124,962,230 total)
5. Flight – $9,035,118 ($63,146,803 total)
6. Argo – $4,153,117 ($94,425,951 total)
13. The Sessions – $934,525 ($2,888,175 total)
17. Silver Linings Playbook – $454,690 ($454,690 total)
20. Anna Karenina – $329,150 ($329,150 total)
22. Brave – $229,507 ($242,862,407 total)
31. ParaNorman – $119,359 ($57,101,600 total)
32. Frankenweenie – $119,154 ($34,953,793 total)
37. Chasing Ice – $82,777 ($108,846 total)
38. A Royal Affair – $80,349 ($141,769 total)
40. Searching for Sugar Man – $70,648 ($2,741,381 total)
43. The Master – $51,377 ($16,205,237 total)

Oscar Details:

• Anna Karenina: Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design [O]
• Argo: Picture [O], Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin), Adapted Screenlay [O], Original Score, Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Brave: Animated Feature [O]
• Chasing Ice: Original Song (“Before My Time”)
• Flight: Actor (Denzel Washington), Original Screenplay
• Frankenweenie: Animated Feature
• Lincoln: Picture, Directing, Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) [O], Supporting Actor (Tommy Lee Jones), Supporting Actress (Sally Field), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design [O], Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• The Master: Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Supporting Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Supporting Actress (Amy Adams)
• ParaNorman: Animated Feature
• A Royal Affair: Foreign Language Film
• Searching for Sugar Man: Documentary Feature [O]
• The Sessions: Actress (Helen Hunt)
• Silver Linings Playbook: Picture, Directing, Actor (Bradley Cooper), Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) [O], Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro), Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver), Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing
• Skyfall: Original Song (“Skyfall”) [O], Original Score, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing [O]
• Wreck-It Ralph: Animated Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 16-18, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

3. American Gangster – $12,875,250 ($100,650,615 total) {week 3}
7. No Country for Old Men – $3,075,722 ($4,907,572 total) {week 2}
12. Michael Clayton – $1,037,020 ($37,181,294 total) {week 7}
15. Into the Wild – $862,534 ($13,900,648 total) {week 9}
17. Gone Baby Gone – $813,036 ($18,407,770 total) {week 5}
21. Across the Universe – $565,548 ($23,317,663 total) {week 10}
23. Lars and the Real Girl – $506,556 ($4,143,274 total) {week 6}
30. The Bourne Ultimatum – $147,695 ($227,225,045 total) {week 16}
31. Elizabeth: The Golden Age – $137,735 ($16,145,560 total) {week 6}
32. Ratatouille – $135,458 ($206,114,243 total) {week 21}
37. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $77,191 ($3,708,208 total) {week 9}
69. War/Dance – $8,567 ($29,241 total) {week 2}
85. Once – $4,416 ($9,406,240 total) {week 27}
86. In the Valley of Elah – $4,195 ($6,739,157 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. American Gangster – $15,289,359 ($119,522,605 total)
7. No Country for Old Men – $3,652,420 ($5,827,742 total)
12. Michael Clayton – $1,231,461 ($44,152,787 total)
15. Into the Wild – $1,024,259 ($16,507,020 total)
17. Gone Baby Gone – $965,480 ($21,859,227 total)
21. Across the Universe – $671,588 ($27,689,725 total)
23. Lars and the Real Girl – $601,535 ($4,920,138 total)
30. The Bourne Ultimatum – $175,388 ($269,829,741 total)
31. Elizabeth: The Golden Age – $163,560 ($19,172,853 total)
32. Ratatouille – $160,856 ($244,760,664 total)
37. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $91,664 ($4,403,497 total)
69. War/Dance – $10,173 ($34,724 total)
85. Once – $5,244 ($11,169,910 total)
86. In the Valley of Elah – $4,982 ($8,002,749 total)

Oscar Details:

• Across the Universe: Costume Design
• American Gangster: Supporting Actress (Ruby Dee), Art Direction
• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck), Cinematography
• The Bourne Ultimatum: Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O]
• Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Actress (Cate Blanchett), Costume Design [O]
• Gone Baby Gone: Supporting Actress (Amy Ryan)
• In the Valley of Elah: Actor (Tommy Lee Jones)
• Into the Wild: Supporting Actor (Hal Holbrook), Editing
• Lars and the Real Girl: Original Screenplay
• Michael Clayton: Picture, Director, Actor (George Clooney), Supporting Actor (Tom Wilkinson), Supporting Actress (Tilda Swinton) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score
• No Country for Old Men: Picture [O], Director [O], Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Once: Original Song [O]
• Ratatouille: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• War/Dance: Documentary Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 15-17, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

2. 8 Mile – $19,344,025 ($84,440,250 total) {week 2}
6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $4,713,464 ($199,574,370 total) {week 31}
9. Frida – $2,914,103 ($8,661,275 total) {week 4}
11. Bowling for Columbine – $1,263,380 ($8,798,505 total) {week 6}
16. Far From Heaven – $902,667 ($1,253,231 total) {week 2}
19. The Crime of Father Amaro – $504,681 ($504,681 total) {week 1}
30. Lilo & Stitch – $144,791 ($145,655,543 total) {week 22}
32. Spirited Away – $128,418 ($5,025,619 total) {week 9}
120. Promises – $1,385 ($233,746 total) {week 36}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. 8 Mile – $27,201,495 ($118,739,560 total)
6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $6,628,055 ($280,640,723 total)
9. Frida – $4,097,801 ($12,179,452 total)
11. Bowling for Columbine – $1,776,560 ($12,372,424 total)
16. Far From Heaven – $1,269,327 ($1,762,289 total)
19. The Crime of Father Amaro – $709,681 ($709,681 total)
30. Lilo & Stitch – $203,605 ($204,820,273 total)
32. Spirited Away – $180,581 ($7,067,006 total)
120. Promises – $1,948 ($328,693 total)

Oscar Details:

• 8 Mile: Original Song (“Lose Yourself”) [O]
• Bowling for Columbine: Documentary Feature [O]
• The Crime of Father Amaro: Foreign Language Film
• Far From Heaven: Actress (Julianne Moore), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography
• Frida: Actress, Original Score [O], Original Song (“Burn It Blue”), Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup [O]
• Lilo & Stitch: Animated Feature
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Original Screenplay
• Promises: Documentary Feature
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 14-16, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

2. Starship Troopers – $10,034,337 ($39,193,193 total) {week 2}
9. Boogie Nights – $2,577,634 ($18,575,435 total) {week 6}
12. Men in Black – $2,117,200 ($247,659,078 total) {week 20}
16. The Full Monty – $1,072,100 ($30,104,685 total) {week 14}
999. Anastasia – $120,541 ($120,541 total) {week 1}
999. The Wings of the Dove – $781,197 ($978,819 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Starship Troopers – $17,860,683 ($69,762,176 total)
9. Boogie Nights – $4,588,076 ($33,063,465 total)
12. Men in Black – $3,768,524 ($440,822,368 total)
16. The Full Monty – $1,908,291 ($53,585,028 total)
999. Anastasia – $214,558 ($214,558 total)
999. The Wings of the Dove – $1,390,497 ($1,742,255 total)

Oscar Details:

• Anastasia: Original Song (“Journey to the Past”), Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Boogie Nights: Supporting Actor (Burt Reynolds), Supporting Actress (Julianne Moore), Original Screenplay
• The Full Monty: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Musical or Comedy Score [O]
• Men in Black: Original Musical or Comedy Score, Art Direction, Makeup [O]
• Starship Troopers: Visual Effects
• The Wings of the Dove: Actress (Helena Bonham Carter), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 13-15, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

1. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – $30,521,679 ($30,521,679 total) {week 1}
3. A River Runs Through It – $3,924,103 ($19,712,277 total) {week 6}
4. Under Siege – $3,707,480 ($65,133,341 total) {week 6}
6. The Last of the Mohicans – $2,611,777 ($63,117,283 total) {week 8}
999. Aladdin – $196,664 ($196,664 total) {week 1}
999. The Lover – $306,007 ($831,030 total) {week 3}
999. The Lover – $306,007 ($831,030 total) {week 1}
999. Unforgiven – $71,026 ($74,681,912 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – $60,087,257 ($60,087,257 total)
3. A River Runs Through It – $7,725,282 ($38,807,061 total)
4. Under Siege – $7,298,822 ($128,226,360 total)
6. The Last of the Mohicans – $5,141,739 ($124,257,398 total)
999. Aladdin – $387,167 ($387,167 total)
999. The Lover – $602,428 ($1,636,028 total)
999. The Lover – $602,428 ($1,636,028 total)
999. Unforgiven – $139,827 ($147,024,391 total)

Oscar Details:

• Aladdin: Original Song (“A Whole New World” [O], “Friend Like Me”), Original Score [O], Sound, Sound Effects
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound Effects
• The Last of the Mohicans: Sound [O]
• The Lover: Foreign Language Film
• The Lover: Cinematography
• A River Runs Through It: Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography [O]
• Under Siege: Sound, Sound Effects
• Unforgiven: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Clint Eastwood), Supporting Actor (Gene Hackman) [O], Original Screenplay, Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 13-15, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

2. Fatal Attraction – $6,324,493 ($94,602,880 total) {week 9}
8. Dirty Dancing – $1,700,823 ($43,871,705 total) {week 13}
9. The Princess Bride – $1,638,474 ($21,277,649 total) {week 8}
999. Cry Freedom – $284,853 ($738,412 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Fatal Attraction – $13,215,117 ($197,674,048 total)
8. Dirty Dancing – $3,553,894 ($91,670,545 total)
9. The Princess Bride – $3,423,614 ($44,459,947 total)
999. Cry Freedom – $595,204 ($1,542,922 total)

Oscar Details:

• Cry Freedom: Supporting Actor (Denzel Washington), Original Song (“Cry Freedom”), Original Score
• Dirty Dancing: Original Song (“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”) [O]
• Fatal Attraction: Picture, Director, Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Anne Archer), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• The Princess Bride: Original Song (“Storybook Love”)

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 12-14, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

3. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $2,945,472 ($286,709,095 total) {week 23}
4. An Officer and a Gentleman – $2,701,412 ($90,730,296 total) {week 16}
7. My Favorite Year – $1,105,683 ($13,124,571 total) {week 6}
11. Poltergeist – $223,190 ($73,876,020 total) {week 24}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $8,185,206 ($796,739,220 total)
4. An Officer and a Gentleman – $7,506,985 ($252,131,469 total)
7. My Favorite Year – $3,072,595 ($36,472,022 total)
11. Poltergeist – $620,225 ($205,294,926 total)

Oscar Details:

• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Editing, Cinematography, Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• My Favorite Year: Actor (Peter O’Toole)
• An Officer and a Gentleman: Actress (Debra Winger), Supporting Actor (Louis Gossett Jr.) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Up Where We Belong”) [O], Original Score, Film Editing
• Poltergeist: Original Score, Sound Editing, Visual Effects