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. 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

None

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 19-21, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

1. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $20,855,401 ($262,428,736 total) {week 3}
4. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $12,608,372 ($12,608,372 total) {week 1}
10. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th) – $4,384,511 ($14,490,254 total) {week 2}
11. Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th) – $3,946,356 ($146,877,726 total) {week 5}
12. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $2,692,811 ($3,570,498 total) {week 2}
26. Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th) – $238,207 ($4,692,462 total) {week 7}
35. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $129,143 ($363,221,166 total) {week 19}
60. The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $10,589 ($9,183,720 total) {week 21}
71. Life, Animated (2016, 89th) – $4,753 ($218,630 total) {week 8}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $22,085,026 ($277,901,413 total)
4. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $13,351,756 ($13,351,756 total)
10. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th) – $4,643,020 ($15,344,593 total)
11. Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th) – $4,179,031 ($155,537,569 total)
12. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $2,851,578 ($3,781,013 total)
26. Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th) – $252,252 ($4,969,127 total)
35. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $136,757 ($384,636,518 total)
60. The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $11,213 ($9,725,188 total)
71. Life, Animated (2016, 89th) – $5,033 ($231,520 total)

Oscar Details:

• Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th): Actor (Viggo Mortensen)
• Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th): Actress (Meryl Streep), Costume Design
• Hell or High Water (2016, 89th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing
• The Jungle Book (2016, 89th): Visual Effects [O]
• Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th): Animated Feature, Visual Effects
• Life, Animated (2016, 89th): Documentary Feature
• The Lobster (2016, 89th): Original Screenplay
• Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling
• Suicide Squad (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling [O]

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 26-28, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Help (2011, 84th) – $14,536,118 ($96,833,423 total) {week 3}
3. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $8,867,741 ($148,674,018 total) {week 4}
12. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $2,564,370 ($370,805,062 total) {week 7}
18. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $743,597 ($51,643,081 total) {week 15}
19. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, 84th) – $640,253 ($349,457,208 total) {week 9}
29. Bridesmaids (2011, 84th) – $227,555 ($168,048,760 total) {week 16}
31. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th) – $209,698 ($164,277,256 total) {week 14}
41. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $82,015 ($12,852,427 total) {week 14}
53. Beginners (2011, 84th) – $31,144 ($5,707,600 total) {week 13}
57. Rio (2011, 84th) – $22,988 ($143,597,199 total) {week 20}
68. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $11,971 ($2,040,931 total) {week 19}
70. A Better Life (2011, 84th) – $10,735 ($1,754,319 total) {week 10}
123. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $277 ($1,006,526 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Help (2011, 84th) – $16,790,774 ($111,852,983 total)
3. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $10,243,191 ($171,734,427 total)
12. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $2,962,122 ($428,319,592 total)
18. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $858,934 ($59,653,294 total)
19. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, 84th) – $739,561 ($403,660,533 total)
29. Bridesmaids (2011, 84th) – $262,850 ($194,114,331 total)
31. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th) – $242,224 ($189,757,839 total)
41. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $94,736 ($14,845,931 total)
53. Beginners (2011, 84th) – $35,975 ($6,592,890 total)
57. Rio (2011, 84th) – $26,554 ($165,870,157 total)
68. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $13,828 ($2,357,494 total)
70. A Better Life (2011, 84th) – $12,400 ($2,026,426 total)
123. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $320 ($1,162,645 total)

Oscar Details:

• Beginners (2011, 84th): Supporting Actor (Christopher Plummer) [O]
• A Better Life (2011, 84th): Actor (Demian Bichir)
• Bridesmaids (2011, 84th): Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy), Original Screenplay
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th): Art Direction, Makeup, Visual Effects
• The Help (2011, 84th): Picture, Actress (Viola Davis), Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer [O])
• In a Better World (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film [O]
• Incendies (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film
• Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th): Animated Feature
• Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay [O], Art Direction
• Rio (2011, 84th): Original Song (“Real in Rio”)
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th): Visual Effects
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, 84th): Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• The Tree of Life (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Cinematography

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 25-27, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

3. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $7,371,263 ($22,895,257 total) {week 5}
12. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $3,979,260 ($407,544,616 total) {week 8}
14. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $1,835,240 ($3,198,319 total) {week 2}
16. Monster House (2006, 79th) – $1,141,933 ($69,368,839 total) {week 6}
20. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $880,462 ($120,598,743 total) {week 9}
21. Superman Returns (2006, 79th) – $780,405 ($195,388,237 total) {week 9}
22. Cars (2006, 79th) – $734,162 ($240,555,222 total) {week 12}
26. Click (2006, 79th) – $384,517 ($135,935,073 total) {week 10}
34. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $210,762 ($389,972 total) {week 3}
35. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $194,472 ($22,770,454 total) {week 14}
82. Water (2006, 79th) – $7,314 ($3,216,985 total) {week 18}
113. My Country, My Country (2006, 79th) – $1,317 ($9,872 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $10,308,514 ($32,018,405 total)
12. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $5,564,889 ($569,940,257 total)
14. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $2,566,534 ($4,472,764 total)
16. Monster House (2006, 79th) – $1,596,963 ($97,010,468 total)
20. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $1,231,303 ($168,654,120 total)
21. Superman Returns (2006, 79th) – $1,091,376 ($273,245,229 total)
22. Cars (2006, 79th) – $1,026,706 ($336,410,051 total)
26. Click (2006, 79th) – $537,737 ($190,101,568 total)
34. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $294,745 ($545,365 total)
35. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $271,964 ($31,843,872 total)
82. Water (2006, 79th) – $10,228 ($4,498,868 total)
113. My Country, My Country (2006, 79th) – $1,842 ($13,806 total)

Oscar Details:

• Cars (2006, 79th): Animated Feature, Original Song (“Our Town”)
• Click (2006, 79th): Makeup
• The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th): Actress (Meryl Streep), Costume Design
• Half Nelson (2006, 79th): Actor (Ryan Gosling)
• The Illusionist (2006, 79th): Cinematography
• An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th): Original Song (“I Need to Wake Up” [O]), Documentary Feature [O]
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin [O]), Supporting Actress (Abigail Breslin), Original Screenplay [O]
• Monster House (2006, 79th): Animated Feature
• My Country, My Country (2006, 79th): Documentary Feature
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th): Art Direction, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• Superman Returns (2006, 79th): Visual Effects
• Water (2006, 79th): Foreign Language Film

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 24-26, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

21. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $583,262 ($261,398,217 total) {week 15}
25. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $350,125 ($2,495,064 total) {week 6}
35. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $128,480 ($55,771,542 total) {week 15}
38. Memento (2001, 74th) – $97,592 ($25,042,545 total) {week 24}
39. Sexy Beast (2001, 74th) – $87,492 ($6,357,797 total) {week 11}
41. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $75,852 ($195,456,759 total) {week 14}
60. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001, 74th) – $27,241 ($78,340,174 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

21. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $943,936 ($423,040,224 total)
25. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $566,633 ($4,037,948 total)
35. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $207,929 ($90,259,245 total)
38. Memento (2001, 74th) – $157,940 ($40,528,218 total)
39. Sexy Beast (2001, 74th) – $141,595 ($10,289,297 total)
41. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $122,757 ($316,322,246 total)
60. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001, 74th) – $44,086 ($126,783,744 total)

Oscar Details:

• A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001, 74th): Original Score, Visual Effects
• Ghost World (2001, 74th): Adapted Screenplay
• Memento (2001, 74th): Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th): Picture, Actress (Nicole Kidman), Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
• Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th): Original Song (“There You’ll Be”), Sound, Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects
• Sexy Beast (2001, 74th): Supporting Actor (Ben Kingsley)
• Shrek (2001, 74th): Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 23-25, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

6. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $4,739,170 ($274,504,698 total) {week 8}
8. Emma (1996, 69th) – $2,467,231 ($9,191,949 total) {week 4}
16. Eraser (1996, 69th) – $1,355,613 ($96,808,807 total) {week 10}
17. Twister (1996, 69th) – $1,023,005 ($237,477,230 total) {week 16}
20. Trainspotting (1996, 69th) – $911,586 ($9,277,145 total) {week 6}
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $270,066 ($129,469,600 total) {week 12}
999. Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $18,351 ($191,739,566 total) {week 40}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $9,821,447 ($568,883,039 total)
8. Emma (1996, 69th) – $5,113,085 ($19,049,378 total)
16. Eraser (1996, 69th) – $2,809,370 ($200,626,396 total)
17. Twister (1996, 69th) – $2,120,074 ($492,147,382 total)
20. Trainspotting (1996, 69th) – $1,889,169 ($19,225,939 total)
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $559,684 ($268,312,565 total)
999. Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $38,031 ($397,360,730 total)

Oscar Details:

• Emma (1996, 69th): Original Musical or Comedy Score [O], Costume Design
• Eraser (1996, 69th): Sound Effects Film Editing
• Independence Day (1996, 69th): Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• The Rock (1996, 69th): Sound
• Toy Story (1995, 68th): Original Screenplay, Original Song (“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”), Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Trainspotting (1996, 69th): Adapted Screenplay
• Twister (1996, 69th): Sound, Visual Effects

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 23-25, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $4,089,720 ($175,583,219 total) {week 8}
8. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th) – $2,066,880 ($146,225,133 total) {week 11}
12. Boyz N the Hood (1991, 64th) – $1,535,180 ($46,885,158 total) {week 7}
13. City Slickers (1991, 64th) – $1,423,623 ($110,045,131 total) {week 12}
999. Barton Fink (1991, 64th) – $268,561 ($268,561 total) {week 1}
999. The Commitments (1991, 64th) – $268,653 ($775,824 total) {week 2}
999. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $105,523 ($129,953,413 total) {week 28}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $8,898,298 ($382,029,047 total)
8. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th) – $4,497,060 ($318,152,546 total)
12. Boyz N the Hood (1991, 64th) – $3,340,202 ($102,011,413 total)
13. City Slickers (1991, 64th) – $3,097,479 ($239,433,112 total)
999. Barton Fink (1991, 64th) – $584,327 ($584,327 total)
999. The Commitments (1991, 64th) – $584,528 ($1,688,016 total)
999. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $229,594 ($282,748,994 total)

Oscar Details:

• Barton Fink (1991, 64th): Supporting Actor (Michael Lerner), Art Direction, Costume Design
• Boyz N the Hood (1991, 64th): Directing, Original Screenplay
• City Slickers (1991, 64th): Supporting Actor (Jack Palance) [O]
• The Commitments (1991, 64th): Film Editing
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th): Original Song (“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You”)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th): Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Anthony Hopkins) [O], Actress (Jodie Foster) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Sound
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th): Film Editing, Cinematography, Makeup [O], Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 22-24, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Fly (1986, 59th) – $4,725,970 ($15,681,173 total) {week 2}
2. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $3,812,093 ($4,684,502 total) {week 3}
3. Aliens (1986, 59th) – $3,371,670 ($60,977,693 total) {week 6}
4. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $3,326,355 ($124,440,927 total) {week 15}
6. The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th) – $52,807,701 ($93,653,926 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Fly (1986, 59th) – $11,668,433 ($38,716,858 total)
2. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $9,412,068 ($11,566,048 total)
3. Aliens (1986, 59th) – $8,324,662 ($150,554,088 total)
4. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $8,212,779 ($307,244,984 total)
6. The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th) – $130,382,356 ($231,231,796 total)

Oscar Details:

• Aliens (1986, 59th): Actress (Sigourney Weaver), Original Score, Film Editing, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Fly (1986, 59th): Makeup [O]
• The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Glory of Love”)
• Stand By Me (1986, 59th): Adapted Screenplay
• Top Gun (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Take My Breath Away” [O]), Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects

40 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 21-23, 1981

Weekend Box Office:

1. An American Werewolf in London (1981, 54th) – $3,786,512 ($3,786,512 total) {week 1}
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $4,183,784 ($110,733,608 total) {week 11}
3. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $3,088,798 ($26,724,137 total) {week 6}
3. Prince of the City (1981, 54th) – $64,713 ($64,713 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. An American Werewolf in London (1981, 54th) – $12,476,421 ($12,476,421 total)
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $13,785,418 ($364,863,255 total)
3. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $10,177,478 ($88,055,070 total)
3. Prince of the City (1981, 54th) – $213,227 ($213,227 total)

Oscar Details:

• An American Werewolf in London (1981, 54th): Makeup [O]
• Arthur (1981, 54th): Actor (Dudley Moore), Supporting Actor (John Gielgud) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”) [O]
• Prince of the City (1981, 54th): Adapted Screenplay
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th): Picture, Director, Original Score, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O], Special Achievement Award (Sound Effects Film Editing) [O]