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

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (Wide)

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

April and the Extraordinary World (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Animated Feature.

I Saw the Light (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actor (Tom Hiddleston).

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 1-3, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

8. Rango – $4,505,572 ($113,728,874 total) {week 5}
13. Jane Eyre – $1,215,132 ($3,479,513 total) {week 4}
21. Tangled – $336,339 ($199,084,028 total) {week 19}
22. True Grit – $294,285 ($170,422,239 total) {week 15}
34. Black Swan – $105,270 ($106,774,597 total) {week 18}
36. Barney’s Version – $92,540 ($4,173,353 total) {week 12}
45. Tron: Legacy – $55,972 ($171,989,909 total) {week 16}
50. Biutiful – $43,674 ($4,904,723 total) {week 10}
51. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I – $36,781 ($294,980,434 total) {week 20}
53. In a Better World – $33,058 ($33,058 total) {week 1}
56. The Illusionist – $36,431 ($2,124,963 total) {week 14}
64. Blue Valentine – $18,871 ($9,667,781 total) {week 14}
67. Another Year – $16,766 ($3,162,065 total) {week 14}
77. Rabbit Hole – $12,132 ($2,221,809 total) {week 16}
81. Inside Job – $8,491 ($4,283,265 total) {week 26}
85. 127 Hours – $7,837 ($18,317,299 total) {week 22}
119. Winter’s Bone – $313 ($6,531,021 total) {week 43}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

8. Rango – $4,641,932 ($117,170,858 total)
13. Jane Eyre – $1,251,908 ($3,584,820 total)
21. Tangled – $346,518 ($205,109,270 total)
22. True Grit – $303,191 ($175,580,037 total)
34. Black Swan – $108,456 ($110,006,111 total)
36. Barney’s Version – $95,341 ($4,299,659 total)
45. Tron: Legacy – $57,666 ($177,195,152 total)
50. Biutiful – $44,996 ($5,053,164 total)
51. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I – $37,894 ($303,907,963 total)
53. In a Better World – $34,058 ($34,058 total)
56. The Illusionist – $37,534 ($2,189,275 total)
64. Blue Valentine – $19,442 ($9,960,375 total)
67. Another Year – $17,273 ($3,257,764 total)
77. Rabbit Hole – $12,499 ($2,289,052 total)
81. Inside Job – $8,748 ($4,412,897 total)
85. 127 Hours – $8,074 ($18,871,669 total)
119. Winter’s Bone – $322 ($6,728,681 total)

Oscar Details:

• 127 Hours: Picture, Actor (James Franco), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“If I Rise”), Editing
• Another Year: Original Screenplay
• Barney’s Version: Makeup
• Biutiful: Actor (Javier Bardem), Foreign Language Film
• Black Swan: Picture, Direcing, Actress (Natalie Portman) [O], Editing, Cinematography
• Blue Valentine: Actress (Michelle Williams)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I: Art Direction, Visual Effects
• The Illusionist: Animated Feature
• In a Better World: Foreign Language Film [O]
• Inside Job: Documentary Feature
• Jane Eyre: Costume Design
• Rabbit Hole: Actress (Nicole Kidman)
• Rango: Animated Feature [O]
• Tangled: Original Song (“I See the Light”)
• Tron: Legacy: Sound Editing
• True Grit: Picture, Directing, Actor (Jeff Bridges), Supporting Actress (Hailee Steinfeld), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Winter’s Bone: Picture, Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), Adapted Screenplay

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 31-Apr. 2, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

21. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – $350,327 ($291,171,963 total) {week 17}
22. Tsotsi – $295,376 ($1,639,397 total) {week 6}
26. Mrs. Henderson Presents – $169,724 ($10,599,863 total) {week 17}
32. Brokeback Mountain – $114,193 ($82,856,991 total) {week 17}
33. Syriana – $94,496 ($50,680,309 total) {week 19}
34. King Kong – $93,010 ($218,051,260 total) {week 16}
39. Transamerica – $82,681 ($8,713,873 total) {week 18}
40. Joyeux Noel – $77,157 ($690,487 total) {week 16}
44. Crash – $68,581 ($54,557,348 total) {week 48}
49. Capote – $56,818 ($28,337,516 total) {week 27}
53. Walk the Line – $49,057 ($119,402,843 total) {week 20}
55. Sophie Scholl – $41,408 ($327,381 total) {week 7}
74. The New World – $14,280 ($12,712,093 total) {week 15}
83. Days of Glory – $5,232 ($291,383 total) {week 17}
89. Darwin’s Nightmare – $6,895 ($191,004 total) {week 35}
102. Evil – $3,689 ($10,301 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

21. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – $436,973 ($363,187,013 total)
22. Tsotsi – $368,431 ($2,044,866 total)
26. Mrs. Henderson Presents – $211,702 ($13,221,509 total)
32. Brokeback Mountain – $142,436 ($103,349,865 total)
33. Syriana – $117,868 ($63,214,981 total)
34. King Kong – $116,014 ($271,981,495 total)
39. Transamerica – $103,130 ($10,869,060 total)
40. Joyeux Noel – $96,240 ($861,264 total)
44. Crash – $85,543 ($68,050,921 total)
49. Capote – $70,871 ($35,346,184 total)
53. Walk the Line – $61,190 ($148,934,539 total)
55. Sophie Scholl – $51,649 ($408,352 total)
74. The New World – $17,812 ($15,856,153 total)
83. Days of Glory – $6,526 ($363,450 total)
89. Darwin’s Nightmare – $8,600 ($238,245 total)
102. Evil – $4,601 ($12,849 total)

Oscar Details:

• Brokeback Mountain: Picture, Directing [O], Actor (Heath Ledger), Supporting Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal), Supporting Actress (Michelle Williams), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Cinematography
• Capote: Picture, Directing, Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) [O], Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener), Adapted Screenplay
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Makeup [O], Sound Mixing, Visual Effects
• Crash: Picture [O], Directing, Supporting Actor (Matt Dillon), Original Screenplay [O], Original Song (“In the Deep”), Editing [O]
• Darwin’s Nightmare: Documentary Feature
• Days of Glory: Foreign Language Film
• Evil: Foreign Language Film
• Joyeux Noel: Foreign Language Film
• King Kong: Art Direction, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Mrs. Henderson Presents: Actress (Judi Dench), Costume Design
• The New World: Cinematography
• Sophie Scholl: Foreign Language Film
• Syriana: Supporting Actor (George Clooney) [O], Original Screenplay
• Transamerica: Actress (Felicity Huffman), Original Song (“Travelin’ Thru”)
• Tsotsi: Foreign Language Film [O]
• Walk the Line: Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Actress (Reese Witherspoon) [O], Editing, Costume Design, Sound Mixing

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 30-Apr. 1, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

8. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – $4,863,011 ($113,572,015 total) {week 17}
9. Traffic – $3,832,815 ($113,474,292 total) {week 14}
11. Chocolat – $2,243,533 ($64,185,207 total) {week 16}
16. O Brother, Where Art Thou? – $1,139,451 ($38,780,068 total) {week 15}
19. Pollock – $753,925 ($6,073,239 total) {week 16}
20. Memento – $685,863 ($1,391,629 total) {week 3}
21. Cast Away – $614,261 ($230,144,288 total) {week 15}
23. Gladiator – $456,732 ($187,344,551 total) {week 48}
27. The Emperor’s New Groove – $256,370 ($87,728,229 total) {week 16}
30. You Can Count on Me – $166,421 ($8,958,833 total) {week 21}
32. Before Night Falls – $131,645 ($4,044,804 total) {week 15}
34. Billy Elliot – $119,695 ($21,652,475 total) {week 25}
37. 102 Dalmatians – $97,689 ($66,822,618 total) {week 19}
46. Amores Perros – $61,047 ($61,047 total) {week 1}
53. Shadow of the Vampire – $39,271 ($8,279,017 total) {week 14}
55. Quills – $34,941 ($6,989,278 total) {week 19}
58. The Taste of Others – $31,602 ($699,227 total) {week 29}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

8. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – $7,019,576 ($163,936,990 total)
9. Traffic – $5,532,526 ($163,795,930 total)
11. Chocolat – $3,238,457 ($92,648,965 total)
16. O Brother, Where Art Thou? – $1,644,755 ($55,977,589 total)
19. Pollock – $1,088,263 ($8,766,495 total)
20. Memento – $990,018 ($2,008,765 total)
21. Cast Away – $886,663 ($332,204,741 total)
23. Gladiator – $659,276 ($270,424,908 total)
27. The Emperor’s New Groove – $370,061 ($126,632,444 total)
30. You Can Count on Me – $240,223 ($12,931,743 total)
32. Before Night Falls – $190,025 ($5,838,525 total)
34. Billy Elliot – $172,775 ($31,254,544 total)
37. 102 Dalmatians – $141,010 ($96,455,970 total)
46. Amores Perros – $88,119 ($88,119 total)
53. Shadow of the Vampire – $56,686 ($11,950,454 total)
55. Quills – $50,436 ($10,088,763 total)
58. The Taste of Others – $45,616 ($1,009,308 total)

Oscar Details:

• 102 Dalmatians: Costume Design
• Amores Perros: Foreign Language Film
• Before Night Falls: Actor (Javier Bardem)
• Billy Elliot: Directing, Supporting Actress (Julie Walters), Original Screenplay
• Cast Away: Actor (Tom Hanks), Sound
• Chocolat: Picture, Actress (Juliette Binoche), Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Picture, Directing, Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“A Love Before Time”), Original Score [O], Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Emperor’s New Groove: Original Song (“My Funny Friend and Me”)
• 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]
• Memento: Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• O Brother, Where Art Thou?: Cinematography
• Pollock: Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Marcia Gay Harden) [O]
• Quills: Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Art Direction, Costume Design
• Shadow of the Vampire: Supporting Actor (Willem Dafoe), Makeup
• The Taste of Others: Foreign Language Film
• Traffic: Picture, Directing [O], Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Editing [O]
• You Can Count on Me: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 29-31, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Birdcage – $10,106,414 ($74,627,943 total) {week 4}
7. Up Close and Personal – $2,789,353 ($39,951,955 total) {week 5}
8. Fargo – $2,704,652 ($8,703,542 total) {week 4}
11. Dead Man Walking – $1,519,008 ($32,460,188 total) {week 14}
13. Mr. Holland’s Opus – $1,284,122 ($74,867,748 total) {week 14}
999. Braveheart – $587,103 ($74,099,229 total) {week 45}
999. Toy Story – $77,103 ($184,704,860 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Birdcage – $18,680,860 ($137,943,506 total)
7. Up Close and Personal – $5,155,886 ($73,847,844 total)
8. Fargo – $4,999,323 ($16,087,769 total)
11. Dead Man Walking – $2,807,759 ($59,999,940 total)
13. Mr. Holland’s Opus – $2,373,592 ($138,386,765 total)
999. Braveheart – $1,085,211 ($136,966,222 total)
999. Toy Story – $142,518 ($341,411,472 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Birdcage: Art Direction
• Braveheart: Picture [O], Directing [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing, Cinematography [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Sound Effects Editing [O]
• Dead Man Walking: Directing, Actor (Sean Penn), Actress (Susan Sarandon) [O], Original Song (“Dead Man Walkin’”)
• Fargo: Picture, Director, Actress (Frances McDormand) [O], Supporting Actor (William H Macy), Original Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography
• Mr. Holland’s Opus: Actor (Richard Dreyfuss)
• Toy Story: Original Screenplay, Original Song (“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”), Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Up Close and Personal: Original Song (“Because You Loved Me”)

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 29-31, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

2. The Silence of the Lambs – $5,780,994 ($87,119,351 total) {week 7}
3. Dances With Wolves – $5,406,366 ($144,513,302 total) {week 21}
8. Home Alone – $2,433,479 ($256,778,093 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. The Silence of the Lambs – $11,218,699 ($169,065,344 total)
3. Dances With Wolves – $10,491,689 ($280,445,054 total)
8. Home Alone – $4,722,452 ($498,308,081 total)

Oscar Details:

• Dances With Wolves: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Kevin Costner), Supporting Actor (Graham Greene), Supporting Actress (Mary McDonnell), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound [O]
• Home Alone: Original Song (“Somewhere in My Memory”), Original Score
• The Silence of the Lambs: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Anthony Hopkins) [O], Actress (Jodie Foster) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Sound

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 28-30, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

6. The Color Purple – $2,004,556 ($80,961,290 total) {week 15}
7. Out of Africa – $2,002,200 ($74,465,286 total) {week 15}
10. Hannah and Her Sisters – $1,612,132 ($22,749,931 total) {week 8}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. The Color Purple – $4,414,346 ($178,289,418 total)
7. Out of Africa – $4,409,157 ($163,984,201 total)
10. Hannah and Her Sisters – $3,550,167 ($50,098,905 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Color Purple: Picture, Actress (Whoopi Goldberg), Supporting Actress (Margaret Avery, Oprah Winfrey), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)”)
• Hannah and Her Sisters: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Michael Caine) [O], Supporting Actress (Dianne Wiest) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Art Direction
• Out of Africa: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actress (Meryl Streep), Supporting Actor (Klaus Maria Brandauer), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Sound [O]