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

42 (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Chadwick Boseman), Supporting Actor (Harrison Ford), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Production Direction, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 11, 2008

Weekend Box Office:

25. The Counterfeiters – $351,856 ($3,377,613 total) {week 8}
28. Juno – $297,415 ($143,004,923 total) {week 19}
33. In Bruges – $178,357 ($7,102,257 total) {week 10}
45. The Visitor – $86,488 ($86,488 total) {week 1}
46. Persepolis – $82,522 ($4,293,233 total) {week 16}
67. There Will Be Blood – $21,349 ($40,186,823 total) {week 16}
79. The Savages – $10,012 ($6,589,636 total) {week 20}
91. Taxi to the Dark Side – $5,868 ($242,309 total) {week 13}
103. The Kite Runner – $3,931 ($15,797,907 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

25. The Counterfeiters – $394,490 ($3,786,878 total)
28. Juno – $333,453 ($160,332,818 total)
33. In Bruges – $199,969 ($7,962,837 total)
45. The Visitor – $96,968 ($96,968 total)
46. Persepolis – $92,521 ($4,813,444 total)
67. There Will Be Blood – $23,936 ($45,056,257 total)
79. The Savages – $11,225 ($7,388,102 total)
91. Taxi to the Dark Side – $6,579 ($271,670 total)
103. The Kite Runner – $4,407 ($17,712,138 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Counterfeiters: Foreign Language Film [O]
• In Bruges: Original Screenplay
• Juno: Picture, Director, Actress (Ellen Page), Original Screenplay [O]
• The Kite Runner: Original Score
• Persepolis: Animated Feature
• The Savages: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay
• Taxi to the Dark Side: Documentary Feature [O]
• There Will Be Blood: Picture, Director, Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Editing
• The Visitor: Actor (Richard Jenkins)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 11, 2003

Weekend Box Office:

9. Chicago – $3,207,797 ($156,851,720 total) {week 16}
15. The Pianist – $1,346,838 ($28,570,917 total) {week 16}
22. Spirited Away – $414,915 ($9,575,699 total) {week 30}
25. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $340,197 ($337,013,432 total) {week 17}
27. The Quiet American – $297,586 ($11,636,558 total) {week 21}
28. Nowhere in Africa – $281,506 ($1,435,957 total) {week 6}
33. Bowling for Columbine – $169,381 ($20,536,259 total) {week 27}
34. The Hours – $167,415 ($41,054,989 total) {week 16}
35. About Schmidt – $157,749 ($64,342,083 total) {week 18}
37. Talk to Her – $135,757 ($8,868,674 total) {week 21}
40. City of God – $123,770 ($3,455,085 total) {week 13}
42. Catch Me If You Can – $119,205 ($164,304,610 total) {week 16}
47. Frida – $77,769 ($25,681,203 total) {week 25}
49. Adaptation. – $66,442 ($22,184,735 total) {week 19}
59. Gangs of New York – $41,080 ($77,679,638 total) {week 17}
83. Far From Heaven – $13,296 ($15,885,693 total) {week 23}
92. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $10,372 ($39,861,931 total) {week 17}
146. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $27 ($241,438,208 total) {week 52}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

9. Chicago – $4,282,382 ($209,395,746 total)
15. The Pianist – $1,798,018 ($38,141,937 total)
22. Spirited Away – $553,908 ($12,783,479 total)
25. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $454,160 ($449,910,137 total)
27. The Quiet American – $397,275 ($15,534,708 total)
28. Nowhere in Africa – $375,808 ($1,916,991 total)
33. Bowling for Columbine – $226,122 ($27,415,735 total)
34. The Hours – $223,498 ($54,808,070 total)
35. About Schmidt – $210,594 ($85,896,147 total)
37. Talk to Her – $181,234 ($11,839,606 total)
40. City of God – $165,232 ($4,612,510 total)
42. Catch Me If You Can – $159,138 ($219,345,292 total)
47. Frida – $103,821 ($34,284,193 total)
49. Adaptation. – $88,700 ($29,616,437 total)
59. Gangs of New York – $54,841 ($103,701,673 total)
83. Far From Heaven – $17,750 ($21,207,268 total)
92. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $13,847 ($53,215,347 total)
146. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $36 ($322,318,006 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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]
• Catch Me If You Can: Supporting Actor (Christopher Walken), Original Score
• Chicago: Picture [O], Director, Actress (Renee Zellweger), Supporting Actor (John C. Reilly), Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones [O], Queen Latifah), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“I Move On”), Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Sound [O]
• City of God: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• 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]
• Gangs of New York: Picture, Director, Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), Original Screenplay, Original Song (“The Hands That Built America”), Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound
• The Hours: Picture, Director, Actress (Nicole Kidman) [O], Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Julianne Moore), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Costume Design
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Picture, Editing, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Original Screenplay
• Nowhere in Africa: Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Pianist: Picture, Director [O], Actor (Adrien Brody) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography, Costume Design
• The Quiet American: Actor (Michael Caine)
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Talk to Her: Director, Original Screenplay [O]
• The Wild Thornberrys Movie: Original Song (“Father and Daughter”)

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 10, 1998

Weekend Box Office:

3. Titanic – $8,558,241 ($542,853,691 total) {week 17}
10. Primary Colors – $2,410,545 ($32,735,465 total) {week 4}
10. Primary Colors – $2,410,545 ($32,735,465 total) {week 4}
11. As Good As It Gets – $2,056,290 ($139,621,599 total) {week 16}
12. Good Will Hunting – $2,002,821 ($129,217,957 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Titanic – $14,689,518 ($931,763,798 total)
10. Primary Colors – $4,137,503 ($56,187,738 total)
10. Primary Colors – $4,137,503 ($56,187,738 total)
11. As Good As It Gets – $3,529,453 ($239,649,013 total)
12. Good Will Hunting – $3,437,678 ($221,792,016 total)

Oscar Details:

• As Good As It Gets: Picture, Actor (Jack Nicholson) [O], Actress (Helen Hunt) [O], Supporting Actor (Greg Kinnear), Original Screenplay, Original Musical or Comedy Score, Editing
• 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
• Primary Colors: Supporting Actress (Kathy Bates), Adapted Screenplay
• Primary Colors: Supporting Actress (Kathy Bates), Adapted Screenplay
• Titanic: Picture [O], Director [O], Actress (Kate Winslet), Supporting Actress (Gloria Stuart), Original Dramatic Score [O], Original Song (“My Heart Will Go On”) [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound [O], Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 9, 1993

Weekend Box Office:

7. The Crying Game – $2,198,427 ($54,393,001 total) {week 20}
9. Unforgiven – $2,013,242 ($88,900,163 total) {week 36}
12. The Bodyguard – $1,275,884 ($121,945,720 total) {week 13}
13. Scent of a Woman – $1,150,825 ($56,497,709 total) {week 16}
14. Aladdin – $1,004,454 ($198,505,184 total) {week 22}
999. A Few Good Men – $330,824 ($135,551,068 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. The Crying Game – $4,274,719 ($105,764,169 total)
9. Unforgiven – $3,914,637 ($172,861,428 total)
12. The Bodyguard – $2,480,886 ($237,116,678 total)
13. Scent of a Woman – $2,237,715 ($109,856,656 total)
14. Aladdin – $1,953,105 ($385,982,302 total)
999. A Few Good Men – $643,269 ($263,571,521 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”)
• 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
• Scent of a Woman: Picture, Director, Actor (Al Pacino) [O], Adapted Screenplay
• 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 April 8, 1988

Weekend Box Office:

1. Beetlejuice – $8,667,702 ($22,910,567 total) {week 2}
7. Good Morning, Vietnam – $2,371,958 ($108,858,501 total) {week 16}
9. Moonstruck – $1,820,417 ($59,709,892 total) {week 17}
15. Stand and Deliver – $923,761 ($4,811,898 total) {week 5}
16. The Last Emperor – $837,400 ($25,169,033 total) {week 21}
17. The Milagro Beanfield War – $813,420 ($2,215,708 total) {week 4}
999. Broadcast News – $377,451 ($47,924,213 total) {week 13}
999. Fatal Attraction – $529,465 ($151,563,139 total) {week 25}
999. Hope and Glory – $240,471 ($9,682,551 total) {week 11}
999. The Unbearable Lightness of Being – $488,323 ($6,011,376 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Beetlejuice – $16,976,886 ($44,873,495 total)
7. Good Morning, Vietnam – $4,645,806 ($213,214,339 total)
9. Moonstruck – $3,565,537 ($116,950,032 total)
15. Stand and Deliver – $1,809,313 ($9,424,764 total)
16. The Last Emperor – $1,640,163 ($49,297,011 total)
17. The Milagro Beanfield War – $1,593,195 ($4,339,769 total)
999. Broadcast News – $739,290 ($93,866,159 total)
999. Fatal Attraction – $1,037,030 ($296,857,243 total)
999. Hope and Glory – $470,996 ($18,964,607 total)
999. The Unbearable Lightness of Being – $956,448 ($11,774,106 total)

Oscar Details:

• Beetlejuice: Makeup [O]
• Broadcast News: Picture, Actor (William Hurt), Actress (Holly Hunter), Supporting Actor (Albert Brooks), Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• Fatal Attraction: Picture, Director, Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Anne Archer), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• Good Morning, Vietnam: Actor (Robin Williams)
• Hope and Glory: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction
• 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]
• The Milagro Beanfield War: Original Score [O]
• Moonstruck: Picture, Director, Actress (Cher) [O], Supporting Actor (Vincent Gardenia), Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis) [O], Original Screenplay
• Stand and Deliver: Actor (Edward James Olmos)
• The Unbearable Lightness of Being: Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 15, 1983

Weekend Box Office:

2. Flashdance – $4,076,124 ($4,076,124 total) {week 1}
3. Tootsie – $3,103,088 ($155,715,701 total) {week 18}
4. Gandhi – $2,891,847 ($42,512,447 total) {week 19}
9. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $1,557,590 ($344,163,877 total) {week 45}
11. Sophie’s Choice – $1,115,140 ($23,871,317 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Flashdance – $10,416,761 ($10,416,761 total)
3. Tootsie – $7,930,114 ($397,940,125 total)
4. Gandhi – $7,390,276 ($108,642,920 total)
9. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $3,980,508 ($879,529,908 total)
11. Sophie’s Choice – $2,849,802 ($61,004,477 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]
• Flashdance: Original Song (“Flashdance…What a Feeling”) [O], Original Song (“Maniac”), Editing, Cinematography
• 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
• Sophie’s Choice: Actress (Meryl Streep) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography, Costume Design
• Tootsie: Picture, Director, Actor (Dustin Hoffman), Supporting Actress (Teri Garr), Supporting Actress (Jessica Lange) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“It Might Be You”), Editing, Cinematography, Sound