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

Cesar Chavez (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Michael Pena), Original Screenplay.

Noah (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Russell Crowe), Supporting Actress (Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 27-29, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

12. Slumdog Millionaire – $1,164,903 ($139,341,484 total) {week 20}
19. The Reader – $308,495 ($33,484,347 total) {week 16}
20. Coraline – $305,114 ($73,929,936 total) {week 8}
22. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – $208,157 ($127,023,019 total) {week 14}
25. The Class – $181,697 ($3,064,397 total) {week 15}
30. The Wrestler – $93,910 ($25,964,913 total) {week 15}
34. Doubt – $82,339 ($33,337,239 total) {week 16}
38. Revolutionary Road – $63,113 ($22,877,808 total) {week 14}
41. Defiance – $48,982 ($28,471,672 total) {week 13}
51. Milk – $35,394 ($31,789,774 total) {week 18}
60. Waltz with Bashir – $18,420 ($2,220,157 total) {week 14}
71. 12 – $7,743 ($51,252 total) {week 4}
78. Katyn – $6,262 ($79,268 total) {week 6}
90. Rachel Getting Married – $2,649 ($12,788,219 total) {week 26}
98. The Betrayal – $703 ($35,565 total) {week 19}
101. Trouble the Water – $676 ($519,377 total) {week 32}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

12. Slumdog Millionaire – $1,262,755 ($151,046,169 total)
19. The Reader – $334,409 ($36,297,032 total)
20. Coraline – $330,744 ($80,140,051 total)
22. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – $225,642 ($137,692,953 total)
25. The Class – $196,960 ($3,321,806 total)
30. The Wrestler – $101,798 ($28,145,966 total)
34. Doubt – $89,255 ($36,137,567 total)
38. Revolutionary Road – $68,414 ($24,799,544 total)
41. Defiance – $53,096 ($30,863,292 total)
51. Milk – $38,367 ($34,460,115 total)
60. Waltz with Bashir – $19,967 ($2,406,650 total)
71. 12 – $8,393 ($55,557 total)
78. Katyn – $6,788 ($85,927 total)
90. Rachel Getting Married – $2,872 ($13,862,429 total)
98. The Betrayal – $762 ($38,552 total)
101. Trouble the Water – $733 ($563,005 total)

Oscar Details:

• 12: Foreign Language Film
• The Betrayal: Documentary Feature
• The Class: Foreign Language Film
• Coraline: Animated Feature
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Picture, Director, Actor (Brad Pitt), Supporting Actress (Taraji P. Henson), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound Mixing, Visual Effects [O]
• Defiance: Original Score
• Doubt: Actress (Meryl Streep), Supporting Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Supporting Actress (Amy Adams), Supporting Actress (Viola Davis), Adapted Screenplay
• Katyn: Foreign Language Film
• Milk: Picture, Director, Actor (Sean Penn) [O], Supporting Actor (Josh Brolin), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Costume Design
• Rachel Getting Married: Actress (Anne Hathaway)
• The Reader: Picture, Director, Actress (Kate Winslet) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography
• Revolutionary Road: Supporting Actor (Michael Shannon), Art Direction, Costume Design
• Slumdog Millionaire: Picture [O], Director [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Song (“Jai Ho”) [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing
• Trouble the Water: Documentary Feature
• Waltz with Bashir: Foreign Language Film
• The Wrestler: Actor (Mickey Rourke), Supporting Actress (Marisa Tomei)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 26-28, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Passion of the Christ – $12,593,974 ($315,152,778 total) {week 5}
10. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – $5,256,206 ($16,551,047 total) {week 2}
15. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – $705,817 ($374,556,572 total) {week 15}
21. Monster – $274,903 ($33,954,784 total) {week 14}
22. Mystic River – $244,114 ($88,768,441 total) {week 25}
28. The Triplets of Belleville – $146,226 ($6,240,774 total) {week 18}
32. Girl with a Pearl Earring – $140,253 ($11,064,769 total) {week 16}
33. Something’s Gotta Give – $118,916 ($124,590,960 total) {week 16}
34. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – $116,948 ($93,557,809 total) {week 20}
37. The Fog of War – $101,831 ($3,788,233 total) {week 15}
43. My Architect – $86,252 ($1,915,526 total) {week 20}
44. In America – $79,856 ($15,323,959 total) {week 18}
45. Cold Mountain – $77,471 ($95,206,492 total) {week 14}
49. The Last Samurai – $64,517 ($111,054,195 total) {week 17}
61. House of Sand and Fog – $40,592 ($13,005,485 total) {week 15}
64. Brother Bear – $35,957 ($85,292,962 total) {week 23}
71. City of God – $27,248 ($7,356,909 total) {week 63}
73. Big Fish – $22,309 ($66,402,088 total) {week 16}
110. The Weather Underground – $3,195 ($547,671 total) {week 43}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Passion of the Christ – $31,896,887 ($798,190,681 total)
10. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – $13,312,447 ($41,919,007 total)
15. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – $1,787,630 ($948,643,280 total)
21. Monster – $696,250 ($85,997,631 total)
22. Mystic River – $618,270 ($224,824,743 total)
28. The Triplets of Belleville – $370,348 ($15,806,072 total)
32. Girl with a Pearl Earring – $355,220 ($28,023,854 total)
33. Something’s Gotta Give – $301,180 ($315,552,805 total)
34. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – $296,195 ($236,954,825 total)
37. The Fog of War – $257,908 ($9,594,497 total)
43. My Architect – $218,451 ($4,851,472 total)
44. In America – $202,252 ($38,811,148 total)
45. Cold Mountain – $196,212 ($241,130,461 total)
49. The Last Samurai – $163,403 ($281,268,101 total)
61. House of Sand and Fog – $102,808 ($32,939,126 total)
64. Brother Bear – $91,069 ($216,022,362 total)
71. City of God – $69,011 ($18,632,919 total)
73. Big Fish – $56,502 ($168,177,251 total)
110. The Weather Underground – $8,092 ($1,387,092 total)

Oscar Details:

• Big Fish: Original Score
• Brother Bear: Animated Feature
• City of God: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• Cold Mountain: Actor (Jude Law), Supporting Actress (Renee Zellweger) [O], Original Song (“Scarlet Tide”), Original Song (“You Will Be My Ain True Love”), Original Score, Editing, Cinematography
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Actress (Kate Winslet), Original Screenplay [O]
• The Fog of War: Documentary Feature [O]
• Girl with a Pearl Earring: Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design
• House of Sand and Fog: Actor (Ben Kingsley), Supporting Actress (Shohreh Aghdashloo), Original Score
• In America: Supporting Actress (Samantha Morton), Supporting Actor (Djimon Hounsou), Original Screenplay
• The Last Samurai: Supporting Actor (Ken Watanabe), Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Picture [O], Director [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Song (“Into the West”) [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound Mixing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Picture, Director, Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects
• Monster: Actress (Charlize Theron) [O]
• My Architect: Documentary Feature
• Mystic River: Picture, Director, Actor (Sean Penn) [O], Supporting Actor (Tim Robbins) [O], Supporting Actress (Marcia Gay Harden), Adapted Screenplay
• The Passion of the Christ : Original Score, Cinematography, Makeup
• Something’s Gotta Give: Actress (Diane Keaton)
• The Triplets of Belleville: Animated Feature, Original Song (“Belleville Rendez-vous”)
• The Weather Underground: Documentary Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 26-28, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

6. Shakespeare in Love – $4,284,169 ($79,286,275 total) {week 16}
8. Life Is Beautiful – $3,244,284 ($40,685,400 total) {week 23}
18. Saving Private Ryan – $970,435 ($211,697,803 total) {week 36}
21. A Bug’s Life – $529,461 ($160,543,623 total) {week 19}
22. Elizabeth – $464,009 ($28,571,549 total) {week 21}
23. Patch Adams – $444,310 ($133,254,845 total) {week 14}
27. The Prince of Egypt – $378,443 ($98,851,843 total) {week 15}
29. Affliction – $349,967 ($5,261,777 total) {week 13}
30. Gods and Monsters – $342,793 ($5,144,371 total) {week 21}
34. Central Station – $208,357 ($4,949,119 total) {week 19}
39. Tango – $158,698 ($1,045,214 total) {week 10}
44. Mighty Joe Young – $93,372 ($50,500,530 total) {week 14}
49. Hilary and Jackie – $74,221 ($4,692,592 total) {week 13}
50. The Thin Red Line – $65,470 ($36,066,881 total) {week 14}
53. Children of Heaven – $58,425 ($626,564 total) {week 10}
57. Pleasantville – $41,543 ($40,568,025 total) {week 23}
59. A Simple Plan – $37,591 ($15,915,352 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Shakespeare in Love – $6,856,357 ($126,889,255 total)
8. Life Is Beautiful – $5,192,132 ($65,112,658 total)
18. Saving Private Ryan – $1,553,078 ($338,799,830 total)
21. A Bug’s Life – $847,346 ($256,933,003 total)
22. Elizabeth – $742,597 ($45,725,727 total)
23. Patch Adams – $711,071 ($213,260,215 total)
27. The Prince of Egypt – $605,658 ($158,201,867 total)
29. Affliction – $560,085 ($8,420,915 total)
30. Gods and Monsters – $548,604 ($8,233,019 total)
34. Central Station – $333,453 ($7,920,539 total)
39. Tango – $253,979 ($1,672,754 total)
44. Mighty Joe Young – $149,432 ($80,820,730 total)
49. Hilary and Jackie – $118,783 ($7,509,995 total)
50. The Thin Red Line – $104,778 ($57,721,209 total)
53. Children of Heaven – $93,503 ($1,002,749 total)
57. Pleasantville – $66,485 ($64,924,812 total)
59. A Simple Plan – $60,160 ($25,470,829 total)

Oscar Details:

• Affliction: Actor (Nick Nolte), Supporting Actor (James Coburn) [O]
• A Bug’s Life: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Central Station: Actress (Fernanda Montenegro), Foreign Language Film
• Children of Heaven: Foreign Language Film
• Elizabeth: Picture, Actress (Cate Blanchett), Original Dramatic Score, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup
• Gods and Monsters: Actor (Ian McKellen), Supporting Actress (Lynn Redgrave), Adapted Screenplay [O]
• Hilary and Jackie: Actress (Emily Watson), Supporting Actress (Rachel Griffiths)
• Life Is Beautiful: Picture, Director, Actor (Roberto Benigni) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score [O], Editing, Foreign Language Film [O]
• Mighty Joe Young: Visual Effects
• Patch Adams: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Pleasantville: Original Dramatic Score, Art Direction, Costume Design
• The Prince of Egypt: Original Song (“When You Believe”) [O], Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Saving Private Ryan: Picture, Director [O], Actor (Tom Hanks), Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Makeup, Sound [O], Sound Effects [O]
• Shakespeare in Love: Picture [O], Director, Actress (Gwyneth Paltrow) [O], Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Supporting Actress (Judi Dench) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Musical or Comedy Score [O], Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
• A Simple Plan: Supporting Actor (Billy Bob Thornton), Adapted Screenplay
• Tango: Foreign Language Film
• The Thin Red Line: Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing, Cinematography, Sound

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 1-3, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Paper – $5,604,720 ($12,861,015 total) {week 3}
5. Schindler’s List – $3,800,505 ($74,704,348 total) {week 16}
9. Four Weddings and a Funeral – $2,035,679 ($2,600,142 total) {week 4}
12. Mrs. Doubtfire – $1,675,859 ($210,320,008 total) {week 19}
15. Philadelphia – $1,329,247 ($68,151,169 total) {week 15}
999. Jurassic Park – $200,075 ($345,595,470 total) {week 43}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Paper – $10,901,046 ($25,014,366 total)
5. Schindler’s List – $7,391,891 ($145,298,170 total)
9. Four Weddings and a Funeral – $3,959,347 ($5,057,214 total)
12. Mrs. Doubtfire – $3,259,506 ($409,067,384 total)
15. Philadelphia – $2,585,354 ($132,552,393 total)
999. Jurassic Park – $389,141 ($672,174,921 total)

Oscar Details:

• Four Weddings and a Funeral: Picture, Original Screenplay
• Jurassic Park: Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Mrs. Doubtfire: Makeup [O]
• The Paper : Original Song (“Make Up Your Mind”)
• Philadelphia: Actor (Tom Hanks) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Philadelphia”), Original Song (“Streets of Philadelphia”) [O]
• Schindler’s List: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Liam Neeson), Supporting Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Makeup, Sound

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 31-Apr. 2, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

1. Rain Man – $5,537,165 ($142,319,201 total) {week 16}
9. Chances Are – $1,750,825 ($13,044,692 total) {week 4}
10. Dangerous Liaisons – $1,680,681 ($27,452,502 total) {week 15}
12. Working Girl – $1,327,963 ($58,701,758 total) {week 15}
999. The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen – $549,274 ($3,198,063 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Rain Man – $11,339,333 ($291,449,648 total)
9. Chances Are – $3,585,443 ($26,713,689 total)
10. Dangerous Liaisons – $3,441,798 ($56,218,852 total)
12. Working Girl – $2,719,481 ($120,212,920 total)
999. The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen – $1,124,836 ($6,549,182 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen : Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Visual Effects
• Chances Are: Original Score (“After All”)
• Dangerous Liaisons: Picture, Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Michelle Pfeiffer), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O]
• Rain Man: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Dustin Hoffman) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction
• Working Girl: Picture, Director, Actress (Melanie Griffith), Supporting Actress (Joan Cusack), Supporting Actress (Sigourney Weaver), Original Song (“Let the River Run”) [O]

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Mar. 30-Apr. 2, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

2. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes – $6,517,732 ($6,517,732 total) {week 1}
3. Splash – $5,584,853 ($31,461,937 total) {week 4}
4. Romancing the Stone – $5,105,741 ($5,105,741 total) {week 1}
5. Footloose – $4,166,896 ($49,528,265 total) {week 7}
6. Against All Odds – $1,668,891 ($17,541,162 total) {week 5}
12. Terms of Endearment – $899,275 ($93,044,379 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes – $15,770,584 ($15,770,584 total)
3. Splash – $13,513,350 ($76,126,651 total)
4. Romancing the Stone – $12,354,070 ($12,354,070 total)
5. Footloose – $10,082,400 ($119,840,713 total)
6. Against All Odds – $4,038,120 ($42,443,347 total)
12. Terms of Endearment – $2,175,924 ($225,134,167 total)

Oscar Details:

• Against All Odds: Original Song (“Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”)
• Footloose: Original Song (“Footloose”, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy”)
• Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes: Supporting Actor (Ralph Richardson), Adapted Screenplay, Makeup
• Romancing the Stone: Editing
• Splash: Original Screenplay
• Terms of Endearment: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actress (Shirley MacLaine) [O], Actress (Debra Winger), Supporting Actor (John Lithgow), Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Art Direction, Sound