Every week, we’ll take a look back in 5-year intervals in the box office past to explore how Oscar’s nominees were doing at the box office that 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 chance 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

Black Mass (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Johnny Depp), Supporting Actor (Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Editing.

Everest(Limited)

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

Sicario (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actress (Emily Blunt), Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin), Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 17-19, 2010

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Town – $23,808,032 ($23,808,032 total) {week 1}
9. Inception – $1,967,137 ($285,129,855 total) {week 10}
21. Toy Story 3 – $469,638 ($410,640,665 total) {week 14}
23. Salt – $310,966 ($116,974,426 total) {week 9}
35. The Kids Are All Right – $159,353 ($20,507,876 total) {week 11}
45. Winter’s Bone – $90,052 ($5,954,173 total) {week 15}
47. Animal Kingdom – $53,720 ($817,134 total) {week 6}
50. I Am Love – $42,633 ($4,838,301 total) {week 14}
70. Restrepo – $18,296 ($1,254,306 total) {week 13}
88. The Secret in Their Eyes – $6,279 ($6,374,789 total) {week 23}
91. Exit Through the Gift Shop – $6,101 ($3,250,664 total) {week 23}
103. Gasland – $2,641 ($9,169 total) {week 1}
119. The Milk of Sorrow – $986 ($9,849 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Town – $24,652,930 ($24,652,930 total)
9. Inception – $2,036,947 ($295,248,532 total)
21. Toy Story 3 – $486,304 ($425,213,464 total)
23. Salt – $322,002 ($121,125,610 total)
35. The Kids Are All Right – $165,008 ($21,235,659 total)
45. Winter’s Bone – $93,248 ($6,165,474 total)
47. Animal Kingdom – $55,626 ($846,132 total)
50. I Am Love – $44,146 ($5,010,002 total)
70. Restrepo – $18,945 ($1,298,819 total)
88. The Secret in Their Eyes – $6,502 ($6,601,017 total)
91. Exit Through the Gift Shop – $6,318 ($3,366,023 total)
103. Gasland – $2,735 ($9,494 total)
119. The Milk of Sorrow – $1,021 ($10,199 total)

Oscar Details:

• Animal Kingdom: Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver)
• Exit Through the Gift Shop: Documentary Feature
• Gasland: Documentary Feature
• I Am Love: Costume Design
• Inception: Picture, Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Kids Are All Right: Picture, Actress (Annette Bening), Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Original Screenplay
• The Milk of Sorrow : Foreign Language Film
• Restrepo: Documentary Feature
• Salt: Sound Mixing
• The Secret in Their Eyes: Foreign Language Film
• The Town: Supporting Actor (Jeremy Renner)
• Toy Story 3: Picture, Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“We Belong Together”) [O], Sound Editing
• Winter’s Bone: Picture, Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), Adapted Screenplay

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 23-25, 2005

Weekend Box Office:

2. Corpse Bride – $19,145,480 ($19,656,451 total) {week 2}
8. The Constant Gardener – $2,324,326 ($27,662,007 total) {week 4}
11. March of the Penguins – $1,747,832 ($72,846,145 total) {week 14}
18. A History of Violence – $515,992 ($515,992 total) {week 1}
22. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – $380,023 ($204,100,877 total) {week 11}
30. Junebug – $209,492 ($2,046,061 total) {week 8}
31. Batman Begins – $171,417 ($204,910,076 total) {week 15}
45. War of the Worlds – $87,068 ($233,250,863 total) {week 13}
51. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith – $45,204 ($380,176,196 total) {week 19}
67. Hustle & Flow – $20,142 ($22,163,463 total) {week 10}
74. Murderball – $12,108 ($1,510,506 total) {week 12}
101. Howl’s Moving Castle – $4,265 ($4,705,184 total) {week 16}
107. Cinderella Man – $3,120 ($61,603,410 total) {week 17}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Corpse Bride – $24,402,273 ($25,053,542 total)
8. The Constant Gardener – $2,962,518 ($35,257,191 total)
11. March of the Penguins – $2,227,736 ($92,847,583 total)
18. A History of Violence – $657,668 ($657,668 total)
22. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – $484,366 ($260,141,055 total)
30. Junebug – $267,012 ($2,607,850 total)
31. Batman Begins – $218,483 ($261,172,437 total)
45. War of the Worlds – $110,974 ($297,294,782 total)
51. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith – $57,616 ($484,561,548 total)
67. Hustle & Flow – $25,672 ($28,248,907 total)
74. Murderball – $15,433 ($1,925,247 total)
101. Howl’s Moving Castle – $5,436 ($5,997,091 total)
107. Cinderella Man – $3,977 ($78,517,919 total)

Oscar Details:

• Batman Begins: Cinematography
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Costume Design
• Cinderella Man: Supporting Actor (Paul Giamatti), Editing, Makeup
• The Constant Gardener: Supporting Actress (Rachel Weisz) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Origianl Score, Editing
• Corpse Bride: Animated Feature
• A History of Violence: Supporting Actor (William Hurt), Adapted Screenplay
• Howl’s Moving Castle: Animated Feature
• Hustle & Flow: Actor (Terrence Howard), Original Song (“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp”) [O]
• Junebug: Supporting Actress (Amy Adams)
• March of the Penguins: Documentary Feature [O]
• Murderball: Documentary Feature
• Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith: Makeup
• War of the Worlds: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 22-24, 2000

Weekend Box Office:

3. Almost Famous – $6,926,467 ($10,147,759 total) {week 2}
9. Space Cowboys – $2,156,506 ($85,072,147 total) {week 8}
11. The Cell – $1,604,220 ($57,434,557 total) {week 6}
22. The Perfect Storm – $520,795 ($180,113,336 total) {week 13}
26. Gladiator – $408,297 ($185,635,772 total) {week 21}
29. Hollow Man – $280,168 ($72,476,315 total) {week 8}
30. The Patriot – $278,410 ($112,758,326 total) {week 13}
46. Dancer in the Dark – $91,612 ($91,612 total) {week 1}
64. Solomon and Gaenor – $38,580 ($165,485 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Almost Famous – $10,498,930 ($15,381,668 total)
9. Space Cowboys – $3,268,767 ($128,949,804 total)
11. The Cell – $2,431,628 ($87,057,575 total)
22. The Perfect Storm – $789,405 ($273,010,381 total)
26. Gladiator – $618,884 ($281,381,124 total)
29. Hollow Man – $424,670 ($109,857,420 total)
30. The Patriot – $422,006 ($170,915,682 total)
46. Dancer in the Dark – $138,863 ($138,863 total)
64. Solomon and Gaenor – $58,478 ($250,837 total)

Oscar Details:

• Almost Famous: Supporting Actress (Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• The Cell: Makeup
• Dancer in the Dark: Original Song (“I’ve Seen It All”)
• Gladiator: Picture [O], Directing, Actor (Russell Crowe) [O], Supporting Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Hollow Man: Visual Effects
• The Patriot: Original Score, Cinematography, Sound
• The Perfect Storm: Sound, Visual Effects
• Solomon and Gaenor: Foreign Language Film
• Space Cowboys: Sound Editing

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 22-24, 1995

Weekend Box Office:

1. Seven – $13,949,807 ($13,949,807 total) {week 1}
6. Unstrung Heroes – $2,476,236 ($2,729,818 total) {week 2}
7. The Usual Suspects – $1,973,072 ($15,420,196 total) {week 6}
9. Babe – $1,488,980 ($50,006,555 total) {week 8}
10. Braveheart – $1,420,244 ($64,723,249 total) {week 18}
14. Apollo 13 – $829,855 ($166,550,725 total) {week 13}
999. Batman Forever – $272,055 ($182,935,928 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Seven – $26,199,982 ($26,199,982 total)
6. Unstrung Heroes – $4,650,770 ($5,127,037 total)
7. The Usual Suspects – $3,705,747 ($28,961,609 total)
9. Babe – $2,796,544 ($93,920,357 total)
10. Braveheart – $2,667,447 ($121,560,677 total)
14. Apollo 13 – $1,558,601 ($312,809,063 total)
999. Batman Forever – $510,963 ($343,583,111 total)

Oscar Details:

• Apollo 13: Picture, Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Kathleen Quinlan), Adapted Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing [O], Art Direction, Sound [O], Visual Effects
• Babe: Picture, Directing, Supporting Actor (James Cromwell), Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Art Direction, Visual Effects [O]
• Batman Forever: Cinematography, Sound, Sound Effects Editing
• Braveheart: Picture [O], Directing [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing, Cinematography [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Sound Effects Editing [O]
• Seven: Editing
• Unstrung Heroes: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• The Usual Suspects: Supporting Actor (Kevin Spacey) [O], Original Screenplay [O]

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 21-23, 1990

Weekend Box Office:

1. Good Fellas – $6,368,901 ($6,368,901 total) {week 1}
2. Postcards from the Edge – $6,325,009 ($17,180,707 total) {week 2}
3. Ghost – $5,100,861 ($148,347,199 total) {week 11}
7. Flatliners – $2,189,090 ($51,290,634 total) {week 7}
12. Young Guns II – $900,851 ($39,101,740 total) {week 8}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Good Fellas – $12,301,163 ($12,301,163 total)
2. Postcards from the Edge – $12,216,389 ($33,183,540 total)
3. Ghost – $9,852,018 ($286,524,023 total)
7. Flatliners – $4,228,101 ($99,064,889 total)
12. Young Guns II – $1,739,942 ($75,522,746 total)

Oscar Details:

• Flatliners: Sound Effects Editing
• Ghost: Picture, Supporting Actress (Whoopi Goldberg) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing
• Good Fellas: Picture, Directing, Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci), Supporting Actres (Lorraine Bracco), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• Postcards from the Edge: Actress (Meryl Streep), Original Song (“I’m Checkin’ Out”)
• Young Guns II: Original Song (“Blaze of Glory”)

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 20-22, 1985

Weekend Box Office:

1. Back to the Future – $3,924,156 ($150,110,865 total) {week 12}
6. Cocoon – $1,052,241 ($73,960,535 total) {week 14}
7. Rambo: First Blood Part II – $841,114 ($148,712,210 total) {week 18}
10. The Kiss of the Spider Woman – $762,387 ($4,735,211 total) {week 9}
11. Silverado – $741,840 ($31,368,056 total) {week 11}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Back to the Future – $9,031,086 ($345,466,413 total)
6. Cocoon – $2,421,636 ($170,213,400 total)
7. Rambo: First Blood Part II – $1,935,747 ($342,247,537 total)
10. The Kiss of the Spider Woman – $1,754,564 ($10,897,655 total)
11. Silverado – $1,707,277 ($72,190,709 total)

Oscar Details:

• Back to the Future: Original Screenplay, Original Song (“The Power of Love’), Sound, Sound Effects Editing [O]
• Cocoon: Supporting Actor (Don Ameche) [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Kiss of the Spider Woman: Picture, Directing, Actor (William Hurt) [O], Adapted Screenplay
• Rambo: First Blood Part II: Sound Effects Editing
• Silverado: Original Score, Sound

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 19-21, 1980

Weekend Box Office:

999. Ordinary People – $170,335 ($170,335 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

999. Ordinary People – $517,337 ($517,337 total)

Oscar Details:

• Ordinary People: Picture [O], Directing, Actress (Mary Tyler Moore), Supporting Actor (Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton [O])