Every week, we’ll take a look back 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years into the box office past to explore how Oscar’s nominees were doing at the box office that weekend historically. All data is taken from Box Office Mojo. The first section under each year is the positioning of all Oscar nominees during that weekend at the box office. The second 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 chance at this stage of the game. Please let us know if you like our new feature or if you want to see more information and we’ll see what we can do!

This Year: Potential Oscar Nominees Releasing This Weekend

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Original Song, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects.

Any Day Now (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Original Screenplay.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 14-16, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Golden Compass – $8,825,549 ($40,768,661 total) {week 2}
5. No Country for Old Men – $2,827,530 ($33,390,003 total) {week 6}
9. Atonement – $1,806,862 ($2,918,154 total) {week 2}
10. August Rush – $1,765,319 ($28,045,110 total) {week 4}
11. Juno – $1,427,454 ($2,153,400 total) {week 2}
14. American Gangster – $1,081,350 ($127,582,340 total) {week 7}
19. The Kite Runner – $471,713 ($471,713 total) {week 1}
23. I’m Not There – $210,764 ($2,605,781 total) {week 4}
24. Into the Wild – $207,255 ($16,533,817 total) {week 13}
28. Michael Clayton – $114,334 ($38,920,455 total) {week 11}
31. The Savages – $96,938 ($531,737 total) {week 3}
32. Gone Baby Gone – $95,850 ($20,153,993 total) {week 9}
36. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $56,565 ($257,891 total) {week 3}
54. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $13,528 ($3,854,797 total) {week 13}
66. War/Dance – $4,636 ($54,599 total) {week 6}
71. In the Valley of Elah – $4,273 ($6,763,856 total) {week 14}
73. Once – $3,424 ($9,437,933 total) {week 31}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Golden Compass – $10,159,644 ($46,931,366 total)
5. No Country for Old Men – $3,254,947 ($38,437,329 total)
9. Atonement – $2,079,992 ($3,359,270 total)
10. August Rush – $2,032,170 ($32,284,487 total)
11. Juno – $1,643,232 ($2,478,914 total)
14. American Gangster – $1,244,810 ($146,868,043 total)
19. The Kite Runner – $543,018 ($543,018 total)
23. I’m Not There – $242,624 ($2,999,678 total)
24. Into the Wild – $238,584 ($19,033,115 total)
28. Michael Clayton – $131,617 ($44,803,780 total)
31. The Savages – $111,591 ($612,116 total)
32. Gone Baby Gone – $110,339 ($23,200,527 total)
36. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $65,116 ($296,875 total)
54. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $15,573 ($4,437,499 total)
66. War/Dance – $5,337 ($62,852 total)
71. In the Valley of Elah – $4,919 ($7,786,299 total)
73. Once – $3,942 ($10,864,597 total)

Oscar Details:

• American Gangster: Supporting Actress (Ruby Dee), Art Direction
• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck), Cinematography
• Atonement: Picture, Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design
• August Rush: Original Song (“Raise It Up”)
• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• The Golden Compass: Art Direction, Visual Effects [O]
• Gone Baby Gone: Supporting Actress (Amy Ryan)
• I’m Not There: Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett)
• In the Valley of Elah: Actor (Tommy Lee Jones)
• Into the Wild: Supporting Actor (Hal Holbrook), Editing
• Juno: Picture, Director, Actress (Ellen Page), Original Screenplay [O]
• The Kite Runner: Original Score
• 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]
• The Savages: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay
• War/Dance: Documentary Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 13-15, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

9. Treasure Planet – $3,102,173 ($27,905,575 total) {week 3}
12. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $1,704,285 ($215,640,319 total) {week 35}
13. 8 Mile – $1,354,575 ($113,357,310 total) {week 6}
16. Frida – $868,088 ($18,478,584 total) {week 8}
19. Far From Heaven – $722,430 ($7,981,302 total) {week 6}
20. Bowling for Columbine – $562,410 ($13,769,089 total) {week 10}
23. The Crime of Father Amaro – $311,401 ($3,650,300 total) {week 5}
24. About Schmidt – $282,367 ($282,367 total) {week 1}
25. Adaptation. – $277,184 ($858,055 total) {week 2}
35. Talk to Her – $88,838 ($515,316 total) {week 4}
61. Spirited Away – $27,243 ($5,315,997 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

9. Treasure Planet – $4,228,780 ($38,039,958 total)
12. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $2,323,225 ($293,953,757 total)
13. 8 Mile – $1,846,512 ($154,524,939 total)
16. Frida – $1,183,349 ($25,189,395 total)
19. Far From Heaven – $984,793 ($10,879,847 total)
20. Bowling for Columbine – $766,659 ($18,769,567 total)
23. The Crime of Father Amaro – $424,492 ($4,975,968 total)
24. About Schmidt – $384,913 ($384,913 total)
25. Adaptation. – $377,848 ($1,169,672 total)
35. Talk to Her – $121,101 ($702,462 total)
61. Spirited Away – $37,137 ($7,246,591 total)

Oscar Details:

• 8 Mile: Original Song (“Lose Yourself”) [O]
• About Schmidt: Actor (Jack Nicholson), Supporting Actress (Kathy Bates)
• Adaptation.: Actor (Nicoals Cage), Supporting Actor (Chris Cooper) [O], Supporting Actress (Meryl Streep), Adapted Screenplay
• 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]
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Original Screenplay
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Talk to Her: Director, Original Screenplay [O]
• Treasure Planet: Animated Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 12-14, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

5. Amistad – $4,573,523 ($4,661,866 total) {week 1}
8. Anastasia – $3,031,625 ($41,943,900 total) {week 5}
999. Deconstructing Harry – $356,476 ($356,476 total) {week 1}
999. Good Will Hunting – $229,823 ($629,475 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Amistad – $7,891,569 ($8,044,004 total)
8. Anastasia – $5,231,039 ($72,373,788 total)
999. Deconstructing Harry – $615,096 ($615,096 total)
999. Good Will Hunting – $396,557 ($1,086,153 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amistad: Supporting Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Original Score, Cinematography, Costume Design
• Anastasia: Original Song (“Journey to the Past”), Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Deconstructing Harry: Original Screenplay
• Good Will Hunting: Picture, Director, Actor (Matt Damon), Supporting Actor (Robin Williams) [O], Supporting Actress (Minnie Driver), Original Screenplay [O], Original Dramatic Score, Original Song (“Miss Misery”), Editing

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 11-13, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

1. A Few Good Men – $15,517,468 ($15,517,468 total) {week 1}
3. The Bodyguard – $7,427,230 ($51,313,778 total) {week 3}
4. Aladdin – $7,408,776 ($50,334,739 total) {week 5}
7. Malcolm X – $1,819,072 ($35,730,153 total) {week 4}
8. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – $1,605,595 ($78,142,084 total) {week 5}
10. A River Runs Through It – $732,378 ($31,504,183 total) {week 10}
11. Under Siege – $715,469 ($75,412,823 total) {week 10}
12. The Last of the Mohicans – $415,001 ($69,854,374 total) {week 12}
999. The Crying Game – $120,185 ($537,825 total) {week 3}
999. Passion Fish – $14,385 ($18,780 total) {week 1}
999. Unforgiven – $23,055 ($75,000,108 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. A Few Good Men – $29,614,059 ($29,614,059 total)
3. The Bodyguard – $14,174,376 ($97,928,945 total)
4. Aladdin – $14,139,158 ($96,060,514 total)
7. Malcolm X – $3,471,578 ($68,188,629 total)
8. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – $3,064,172 ($149,128,989 total)
10. A River Runs Through It – $1,397,695 ($60,123,646 total)
11. Under Siege – $1,365,425 ($143,920,375 total)
12. The Last of the Mohicans – $792,002 ($133,312,444 total)
999. The Crying Game – $229,365 ($1,026,403 total)
999. Passion Fish – $27,453 ($35,840 total)
999. Unforgiven – $43,999 ($143,132,736 total)

Oscar Details:

• Aladdin: Original Song (“A Whole New World” [O], “Friend Like Me”), Original Score [O], Sound, Sound Effects Editing
• The Bodyguard: Original Song (“I Have Nothing”, “Run to You”)
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound Effects Editing
• The Crying Game: Picture, Director, Actor (Stephen Rea), Supporting Actor (Jaye Davidson), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• A Few Good Men: Picture, Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson), Editing, Sound
• The Last of the Mohicans: Sound [O]
• Malcolm X: Actor, Costume Design
• Passion Fish: Actress (Mary McDonnell), Original Screenplay
• 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

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 11-13, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

1. Throw Momma From the Train – $7,318,878 ($7,318,878 total) {week 1}
3. Wall Street – $4,104,611 ($4,104,611 total) {week 1}
5. Fatal Attraction – $2,017,291 ($117,235,848 total) {week 13}
9. Empire of the Sun – $1,314,509 ($1,314,509 total) {week 1}
10. Dirty Dancing – $844,229 ($51,480,865 total) {week 17}
13. The Last Emperor – $402,257 ($1,327,493 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Throw Momma From the Train – $14,824,940 ($14,824,940 total)
3. Wall Street – $8,314,199 ($8,314,199 total)
5. Fatal Attraction – $4,086,175 ($237,470,055 total)
9. Empire of the Sun – $2,662,637 ($2,662,637 total)
10. Dirty Dancing – $1,710,050 ($104,278,376 total)
13. The Last Emperor – $814,802 ($2,688,937 total)

Oscar Details:

• Dirty Dancing: Original Song (“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”) [O]
• Empire of the Sun: Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound
• Fatal Attraction: Picture, Director, Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Anne Archer), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• The Last Emperor: Picture [O], Director [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Sound [O]
• Throw Momma From the Train: Supporting Actress (Anne Ramsey)
• Wall Street: Actor (Michael Douglas) [O]

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 10-12, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

4. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $2,035,699 ($301,455,400 total) {week 27}
5. An Officer and a Gentleman – $1,163,336 ($104,138,525 total) {week 20}
10. My Favorite Year – $359,691 ($17,458,105 total) {week 10}
12. Sophie’s Choice – $202,131 ($202,131 total) {week 1}
999. Gandhi – $131,153 ($131,153 total) {week 1}
999. The Verdict – $100,982 ($100,982 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $5,483,924 ($812,083,935 total)
5. An Officer and a Gentleman – $3,133,885 ($280,536,435 total)
10. My Favorite Year – $968,964 ($47,029,997 total)
12. Sophie’s Choice – $544,516 ($544,516 total)
999. Gandhi – $353,310 ($353,310 total)
999. The Verdict – $272,033 ($272,033 total)

Oscar Details:

• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Editing, Cinematography, Sound [O], Sound Effects Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Gandhi: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Ben Kingsley) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
• 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
• Sophie’s Choice: Actress (Meryl Streep) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography, Costume Design
• The Verdict: Picture, Director, Actor (Paul Newman), Supporting Actor (James Mason), Adapted Screenplay