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

None

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jan. 4-6, 2008

Weekend Box Office:

2. Juno – $15,860,744 ($51,667,586 total) {week 5}
6. Charlie Wilson’s War – $8,106,250 ($52,552,540 total) {week 3}
9. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – $5,536,538 ($38,608,100 total) {week 3}
10. Atonement – $5,064,577 ($19,155,607 total) {week 5}
14. The Golden Compass – $2,873,467 ($65,664,496 total) {week 5}
15. No Country for Old Men – $1,818,026 ($44,759,744 total) {week 9}
17. The Kite Runner – $1,647,029 ($8,669,803 total) {week 4}
18. There Will Be Blood – $1,321,144 ($1,829,285 total) {week 2}
20. The Savages – $457,343 ($2,545,266 total) {week 6}
22. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $345,685 ($1,458,913 total) {week 6}
24. American Gangster – $260,120 ($129,499,865 total) {week 10}
30. August Rush – $186,866 ($30,439,970 total) {week 7}
32. Into the Wild – $147,185 ($17,252,013 total) {week 16}
37. I’m Not There – $108,525 ($3,292,335 total) {week 7}
40. Persepolis – $76,867 ($313,640 total) {week 2}
42. Michael Clayton – $69,830 ($39,254,140 total) {week 14}
65. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $3,653 ($3,884,370 total) {week 16}
88. In the Valley of Elah – $158 ($6,765,181 total) {week 17}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Juno – $17,495,417 ($56,992,658 total)
6. Charlie Wilson’s War – $8,941,713 ($57,968,818 total)
9. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – $6,107,156 ($42,587,208 total)
10. Atonement – $5,586,553 ($21,129,862 total)
14. The Golden Compass – $3,169,618 ($72,432,146 total)
15. No Country for Old Men – $2,005,399 ($49,372,865 total)
17. The Kite Runner – $1,816,779 ($9,563,348 total)
18. There Will Be Blood – $1,457,306 ($2,017,819 total)
20. The Savages – $504,479 ($2,807,591 total)
22. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $381,313 ($1,609,275 total)
24. American Gangster – $286,929 ($142,846,648 total)
30. August Rush – $206,125 ($33,577,237 total)
32. Into the Wild – $162,354 ($19,030,076 total)
37. I’m Not There – $119,710 ($3,631,656 total)
40. Persepolis – $84,789 ($345,965 total)
42. Michael Clayton – $77,027 ($43,299,831 total)
65. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $4,029 ($4,284,709 total)
88. In the Valley of Elah – $174 ($7,462,428 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”)
• Charlie Wilson’s War: Supporting Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• The Golden Compass: Art Direction, Visual Effects [O]
• 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
• Persepolis: Animated Feature
• The Savages: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Actor (Johnny Depp), Art Direction [O], Costume Design
• There Will Be Blood: Picture, Director, Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Editing

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jan. 3-5, 2003

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $25,017,279 ($261,031,601 total) {week 3}
2. Catch Me If You Can – $21,142,434 ($97,437,621 total) {week 2}
5. About Schmidt – $8,533,162 ($12,028,464 total) {week 4}
6. Gangs of New York – $7,327,177 ($47,082,059 total) {week 3}
7. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $5,510,465 ($31,526,879 total) {week 3}
9. Chicago – $4,964,938 ($9,241,533 total) {week 2}
13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $2,661,106 ($227,898,505 total) {week 38}
17. Treasure Planet – $1,155,978 ($35,820,872 total) {week 6}
19. Adaptation. – $903,927 ($6,100,371 total) {week 5}
21. The Pianist – $744,588 ($1,000,511 total) {week 2}
23. Talk to Her – $577,127 ($2,304,186 total) {week 7}
24. Far From Heaven – $565,088 ($11,230,060 total) {week 9}
26. Frida – $473,348 ($21,289,079 total) {week 11}
27. Bowling for Columbine – $412,371 ($16,030,877 total) {week 13}
30. The Hours – $355,116 ($1,070,856 total) {week 2}
32. 8 Mile – $304,765 ($115,270,265 total) {week 9}
35. The Crime of Father Amaro – $167,951 ($4,558,301 total) {week 8}
68. Spirited Away – $24,305 ($5,462,320 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $32,858,516 ($342,847,476 total)
2. Catch Me If You Can – $27,769,167 ($127,977,771 total)
5. About Schmidt – $11,207,735 ($15,798,580 total)
6. Gangs of New York – $9,623,755 ($61,839,122 total)
7. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $7,237,626 ($41,408,438 total)
9. Chicago – $6,521,113 ($12,138,133 total)
13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $3,495,184 ($299,329,380 total)
17. Treasure Planet – $1,518,299 ($47,048,309 total)
19. Adaptation. – $1,187,247 ($8,012,428 total)
21. The Pianist – $977,966 ($1,314,104 total)
23. Talk to Her – $758,018 ($3,026,394 total)
24. Far From Heaven – $742,205 ($14,749,930 total)
26. Frida – $621,711 ($27,961,775 total)
27. Bowling for Columbine – $541,622 ($21,055,480 total)
30. The Hours – $466,421 ($1,406,497 total)
32. 8 Mile – $400,288 ($151,399,751 total)
35. The Crime of Father Amaro – $220,592 ($5,987,022 total)
68. Spirited Away – $31,923 ($7,174,390 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]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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
• The Pianist: Picture, Director [O], Actor (Adrien Brody) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography, Costume Design
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Talk to Her: Director, Original Screenplay [O]
• Treasure Planet: Animated Feature
• The Wild Thornberrys Movie: Original Song (“Father and Daughter”)

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jan. 2-4, 1998

Weekend Box Office:

1. Titanic – $33,315,278 ($157,467,971 total) {week 3}
3. As Good As It Gets – $12,217,707 ($40,722,657 total) {week 2}
6. Jackie Brown – $7,264,531 ($27,164,883 total) {week 2}
7. Amistad – $4,477,454 ($26,714,127 total) {week 4}
14. Good Will Hunting – $2,338,440 ($7,510,617 total) {week 5}
15. Anastasia – $2,125,949 ($53,042,286 total) {week 8}
16. Deconstructing Harry – $2,081,975 ($4,904,940 total) {week 4}
17. Wag the Dog – $1,195,214 ($1,427,164 total) {week 2}
999. Kundun – $66,760 ($237,415 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Titanic – $56,259,489 ($265,916,062 total)
3. As Good As It Gets – $20,632,034 ($68,768,325 total)
6. Jackie Brown – $12,267,609 ($45,873,321 total)
7. Amistad – $7,561,074 ($45,112,129 total)
14. Good Will Hunting – $3,948,922 ($12,683,174 total)
15. Anastasia – $3,590,089 ($89,572,474 total)
16. Deconstructing Harry – $3,515,830 ($8,282,969 total)
17. Wag the Dog – $2,018,357 ($2,410,051 total)
999. Kundun – $112,738 ($400,923 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
• 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
• 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
• Jackie Brown: Supporting Actor (Robert Forster)
• Kundun: Original Dramatic Score, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design
• 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]
• Wag the Dog: Actor (Dustin Hoffman), Adapted Screenplay

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jan. 1-3, 1993

Weekend Box Office:

1. Aladdin – $15,642,073 ($114,786,847 total) {week 8}
2. A Few Good Men – $14,033,527 ($77,162,364 total) {week 4}
4. The Bodyguard – $8,663,815 ($88,231,123 total) {week 6}
6. Hoffa – $4,875,657 ($15,521,183 total) {week 2}
10. Toys – $2,992,187 ($18,155,230 total) {week 3}
12. Malcolm X – $1,992,516 ($44,707,772 total) {week 7}
13. The Crying Game – $1,242,686 ($4,443,628 total) {week 6}
999. Chaplin – $110,185 ($272,470 total) {week 2}
999. Damage – $127,973 ($361,823 total) {week 2}
999. Lorenzo’s Oil – $79,353 ($79,353 total) {week 1}
999. Scent of a Woman – $493,815 ($1,336,655 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Aladdin – $29,923,966 ($219,592,229 total)
2. A Few Good Men – $26,846,747 ($147,614,957 total)
4. The Bodyguard – $16,574,255 ($168,789,974 total)
6. Hoffa – $9,327,344 ($29,692,698 total)
10. Toys – $5,724,184 ($34,731,744 total)
12. Malcolm X – $3,811,770 ($85,527,912 total)
13. The Crying Game – $2,377,312 ($8,500,854 total)
999. Chaplin – $210,789 ($521,247 total)
999. Damage – $244,818 ($692,183 total)
999. Lorenzo’s Oil – $151,806 ($151,806 total)
999. Scent of a Woman – $944,690 ($2,557,079 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”)
• Chaplin: Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Original Score, Art Direction
• The Crying Game: Picture, Director, Actor (Stephen Rea), Supporting Actor (Jaye Davidson), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• Damage: Actress (Miranda Richardson)
• A Few Good Men: Picture, Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson), Editing, Sound
• Hoffa: Cinematography, Makeup
• Lorenzo’s Oil: Actress (Susan Sarandon), Original Screenplay
• Malcolm X: Actor, Costume Design
• Scent of a Woman: Picture, Director, Actor (Al Pacino) [O], Adapted Screenplay
• Toys: Art Direction, Costume Design

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jan. 1-3, 1988

Weekend Box Office:

2. Throw Momma From the Train – $6,903,278 ($37,618,536 total) {week 4}
4. Broadcast News – $5,906,721 ($16,225,956 total) {week 3}
6. Wall Street – $4,454,390 ($22,467,080 total) {week 4}
9. Fatal Attraction – $3,414,417 ($129,358,990 total) {week 16}
10. Empire of the Sun – $3,183,207 ($11,977,789 total) {week 4}
15. The Last Emperor – $1,124,142 ($5,565,638 total) {week 7}
999. Good Morning, Vietnam – $221,145 ($661,248 total) {week 2}
999. Ironweed – $56,570 ($205,338 total) {week 3}
999. Moonstruck – $217,348 ($823,637 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Throw Momma From the Train – $13,302,667 ($72,491,193 total)
4. Broadcast News – $11,382,294 ($31,267,536 total)
6. Wall Street – $8,583,642 ($43,294,227 total)
9. Fatal Attraction – $6,579,606 ($249,275,718 total)
10. Empire of the Sun – $6,134,063 ($23,081,287 total)
15. The Last Emperor – $2,166,230 ($10,725,025 total)
999. Good Morning, Vietnam – $426,148 ($1,274,230 total)
999. Ironweed – $109,011 ($395,688 total)
999. Moonstruck – $418,831 ($1,587,155 total)

Oscar Details:

• Broadcast News: Picture, Actor (William Hurt), Actress (Holly Hunter), Supporting Actor (Albert Brooks), Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• 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
• Good Morning, Vietnam: Actor (Robin Williams)
• Ironweed: Actor (Jack Nicholson), Actress (Meryl Streep)
• 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]
• Moonstruck: Picture, Director, Actress (Cher) [O], Supporting Actor (Vincent Gardenia), Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis) [O], Original Screenplay
• Throw Momma From the Train: Supporting Actress (Anne Ramsey)
• Wall Street: Actor (Michael Douglas) [O]

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jan. 7-9, 1983

Weekend Box Office:

1. Tootsie – $10,553,448 ($55,155,149 total) {week 4}
3. The Verdict – $4,351,089 ($22,767,088 total) {week 5}
7. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $2,622,259 ($321,763,163 total) {week 31}
11. An Officer and a Gentleman – $1,312,008 ($111,350,878 total) {week 24}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Tootsie – $26,534,384 ($138,675,803 total)
3. The Verdict – $10,939,881 ($57,242,964 total)
7. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $6,593,108 ($809,004,524 total)
11. An Officer and a Gentleman – $3,298,763 ($279,967,922 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]
• 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
• 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
• The Verdict: Picture, Director, Actor (Paul Newman), Supporting Actor (James Mason), Adapted Screenplay