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

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5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 6-8, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

5. Mirror Mirror – $11,095,140 ($36,574,022 total) {week 2}
25. The Artist – $182,410 ($43,848,900 total) {week 20}
27. Footnote – $136,895 ($817,736 total) {week 5}
28. A Separation – $129,642 ($6,685,376 total) {week 15}
30. The Iron Lady – $127,851 ($29,649,857 total) {week 15}
40. Hugo – $68,411 ($73,820,094 total) {week 20}
48. The Descendants – $47,244 ($82,523,809 total) {week 21}
61. Pina – $25,003 ($3,418,929 total) {week 16}
62. War Horse – $24,317 ($79,837,513 total) {week 16}
64. In Darkness – $23,998 ($912,713 total) {week 9}
65. Undefeated – $23,369 ($460,195 total) {week 8}
66. Chico & Rita – $20,566 ($341,612 total) {week 9}
71. W.E. – $17,390 ($519,165 total) {week 10}
74. Albert Nobbs – $11,969 ($2,962,475 total) {week 11}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Mirror Mirror – $11,387,851 ($37,538,915 total)
25. The Artist – $187,222 ($45,005,718 total)
27. Footnote – $140,507 ($839,309 total)
28. A Separation – $133,062 ($6,861,749 total)
30. The Iron Lady – $131,224 ($30,432,077 total)
40. Hugo – $70,216 ($75,767,609 total)
48. The Descendants – $48,490 ($84,700,945 total)
61. Pina – $25,663 ($3,509,127 total)
62. War Horse – $24,959 ($81,943,779 total)
64. In Darkness – $24,631 ($936,792 total)
65. Undefeated – $23,986 ($472,336 total)
66. Chico & Rita – $21,109 ($350,624 total)
71. W.E. – $17,849 ($532,862 total)
74. Albert Nobbs – $12,285 ($3,040,631 total)

Oscar Details:

• Albert Nobbs: Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Janet McTeer), Makeup
• The Artist: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Jean Dujardin) [O], Supporting Actress (Bérénice Bejo), Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design [O]
• Chico & Rita: Animated Feature
• The Descendants: Picture, Directing, Actor (George Clooney), Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing
• Footnote: Foreign Language Film
• Hugo: Picture, Directing, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• In Darkness: Foreign Language Film
• The Iron Lady: Actress (Meryl Streep) [O], Makeup [O]
• Mirror Mirror: Costume Design
• Pina: Documentary Feature
• A Separation: Original Screenplay, Foreign Language Film [O]
• Undefeated: Documentary Feature [O]
• W.E.: Costume Design
• War Horse: Picture, Original Score, Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 6-8, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

19. The Lives of Others – $590,779 ($7,427,381 total) {week 9}
31. Pan’s Labyrinth – $130,764 ($37,158,355 total) {week 15}
34. Dreamgirls – $115,990 ($103,192,980 total) {week 17}
36. Happy Feet – $111,559 ($197,756,995 total) {week 21}
37. Norbit – $104,419 ($94,772,025 total) {week 9}
43. The Queen – $72,478 ($56,222,759 total) {week 28}
44. The Last King of Scotland – $70,835 ($17,449,410 total) {week 28}
47. After the Wedding – $50,728 ($120,314 total) {week 2}
51. Letters from Iwo Jima – $37,487 ($13,704,488 total) {week 16}
58. Blood Diamond – $25,150 ($57,366,262 total) {week 18}
59. Notes on a Scandal – $24,136 ($17,436,676 total) {week 16}
60. Volver – $19,107 ($12,872,473 total) {week 23}
73. The Good German – $7,466 ($1,304,837 total) {week 17}
74. Venus – $7,385 ($3,343,528 total) {week 16}
76. Little Children – $6,951 ($5,459,824 total) {week 27}
95. The 2006 Academy Award Nominated Short Films – $2,669 ($320,003 total) {week 8}
109. Iraq in Fragments – $1,315 ($173,720 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

19. The Lives of Others – $701,550 ($8,820,015 total)
31. Pan’s Labyrinth – $155,282 ($44,125,547 total)
34. Dreamgirls – $137,738 ($122,541,664 total)
36. Happy Feet – $132,476 ($234,836,432 total)
37. Norbit – $123,998 ($112,541,780 total)
43. The Queen – $86,068 ($66,764,526 total)
44. The Last King of Scotland – $84,117 ($20,721,174 total)
47. After the Wedding – $60,240 ($142,873 total)
51. Letters from Iwo Jima – $44,516 ($16,274,080 total)
58. Blood Diamond – $29,866 ($68,122,436 total)
59. Notes on a Scandal – $28,662 ($20,706,053 total)
60. Volver – $22,690 ($15,286,062 total)
73. The Good German – $8,866 ($1,549,494 total)
74. Venus – $8,770 ($3,970,440 total)
76. Little Children – $8,254 ($6,483,541 total)
95. The 2006 Academy Award Nominated Short Films – $3,169 ($380,004 total)
109. Iraq in Fragments – $1,562 ($206,293 total)

Oscar Details:

• The 2006 Academy Award Nominated Short Films: Animated Short Film; Live Action Short Film
• After the Wedding: Foreign Language Film
• Blood Diamond: Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Supporting Actor (Djimon Hounsou), Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Dreamgirls: Supporting Actor (Eddie Murphy), Supporting Actress (Jennifer Hudson) [O], Original Song (“Listen”, “Love You I Do”, “Patience”), Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound [O]
• The Good German: Original Score
• Happy Feet: Animated Feature [O]
• Iraq in Fragments: Documentary Feature
• The Last King of Scotland: Actor (Forest Whitaker [O])
• Letters from Iwo Jima: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Sound Editing [O]
• Little Children: Actress (Kate Winslet), Supporting Actor (Jackie Earle Haley), Adapted Screenplay
• The Lives of Others: Foreign Language Film
• Norbit: Makeup
• Notes on a Scandal: Actress (Judi Dench), Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score
• Pan’s Labyrinth: Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Makeup [O], Foreign Language Film
• The Queen: Picture, Director, Actress (Helen Mirren [O]), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Costume Design
• Venus: Actor (Peter O’Toole)
• Volver: Actress (Penelope Cruz)

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 5-7, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

3. Ice Age – $13,565,070 ($140,658,250 total) {week 4}
10. A Beautiful Mind – $2,592,030 ($164,988,611 total) {week 16}
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – $1,740,099 ($304,117,086 total) {week 16}
16. Monster’s Ball – $1,484,836 ($25,210,748 total) {week 15}
17. Y Tu Mama Tambien – $1,184,663 ($2,973,562 total) {week 4}
18. The Time Machine – $1,046,324 ($54,758,133 total) {week 5}
24. Gosford Park – $437,581 ($40,124,209 total) {week 15}
27. Amelie – $334,891 ($31,648,056 total) {week 23}
29. Iris – $260,652 ($4,914,992 total) {week 17}
30. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – $217,672 ($316,823,907 total) {week 21}
31. In the Bedroom – $191,461 ($35,486,803 total) {week 20}
33. Vanilla Sky – $168,170 ($100,391,230 total) {week 1}
35. I Am Sam – $149,090 ($40,124,566 total) {week 15}
41. The Royal Tenenbaums – $88,458 ($51,773,633 total) {week 17}
45. Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius – $75,356 ($80,865,848 total) {week 16}
47. Black Hawk Down – $59,909 ($108,585,355 total) {week 15}
48. No Man’s Land – $49,827 ($948,054 total) {week 16}
50. Monsters, Inc. – $46,879 ($252,893,416 total) {week 23}
59. Son of the Bride – $23,005 ($114,345 total) {week 3}
999. Mulholland Drive – $18,810 ($7,191,513 total) {week 26}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Ice Age – $19,075,150 ($197,793,099 total)
10. A Beautiful Mind – $3,644,903 ($232,006,360 total)
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – $2,446,921 ($427,648,295 total)
16. Monster’s Ball – $2,087,971 ($35,451,258 total)
17. Y Tu Mama Tambien – $1,665,869 ($4,181,412 total)
18. The Time Machine – $1,471,337 ($77,000,679 total)
24. Gosford Park – $615,325 ($56,422,511 total)
27. Amelie – $470,922 ($44,503,377 total)
29. Iris – $366,528 ($6,911,443 total)
30. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – $306,090 ($445,516,578 total)
31. In the Bedroom – $269,232 ($49,901,408 total)
33. Vanilla Sky – $236,480 ($141,169,767 total)
35. I Am Sam – $209,650 ($56,423,013 total)
41. The Royal Tenenbaums – $124,389 ($72,803,887 total)
45. Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius – $105,965 ($113,713,249 total)
47. Black Hawk Down – $84,244 ($152,692,315 total)
48. No Man’s Land – $70,067 ($1,333,150 total)
50. Monsters, Inc. – $65,921 ($355,617,764 total)
59. Son of the Bride – $32,350 ($160,792 total)
999. Mulholland Drive – $26,451 ($10,112,678 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amelie: Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Foreign Language Film
• A Beautiful Mind: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Russell Crowe), Supporting Actress (Jennifer Connelly) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Makeup
• Black Hawk Down: Directing, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Sound [O]
• Gosford Park: Picture, Director, Supporting Actress (Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith), Original Screenplay [O], Art Direction, Costume Design
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Original Score, Art Direction, Costume Design
• I Am Sam: Actor (Sean Penn)
• Ice Age: Animated Feature
• In the Bedroom: Picture, Actor (Tom Wilkinson), Actress (Sissy Spacek), Supporting Actress (Marisa Tomei), Adapted Screenplay
• Iris: Actress (Judi Dench), Supporting Actor (Jim Broadbent) [O], Supporting Actress (Kate Winslet)
• Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius: Animated Feature
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Ian McKellen), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score [O], Original Song (“May It Be”), Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Monster’s Ball: Actress (Halle Berry) [O], Original Screenplay
• Monsters, Inc.: Animated Feature, Original Song (If I Didn’t Have You [O]), Original Score, Sound Editing
• Mulholland Drive: Director
• No Man’s Land: Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Royal Tenenbaums: Original Screenplay
• Son of the Bride: Foreign Language Film
• The Time Machine: Makeup
• The Time Machine: Makeup
• Vanilla Sky: Original Song (“Vanilla Sky”)
• Y Tu Mama Tambien: Original Screenplay

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 4-6, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

11. The English Patient – $2,029,724 ($71,058,188 total) {week 21}
14. Sling Blade – $1,522,436 ($18,260,734 total) {week 18}
15. Jerry Maguire – $1,244,495 ($147,251,273 total) {week 17}
999. Evita – $155,761 ($49,458,767 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

11. The English Patient – $3,612,820 ($126,480,478 total)
14. Sling Blade – $2,709,870 ($32,503,311 total)
15. Jerry Maguire – $2,215,147 ($262,100,850 total)
999. Evita – $277,248 ($88,034,450 total)

Oscar Details:

• The English Patient: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Actress (Kristin Scott Thomas), Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche [O]), Adapted Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Sound [O]
• Evita: Original Song (“You Must Love Me”) [O], Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound
• Jerry Maguire: Picture, Actor (Tom Cruise), Supporting Actor (Cuba Gooding Jr.) [O], Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• Sling Blade: Actor (Billy Bob Thornton), Adapted Screenplay [O]

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 3-5, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

2. Basic Instinct – $10,115,406 ($49,116,146 total) {week 3}
7. My Cousin Vinny – $3,940,779 ($30,731,338 total) {week 4}
11. Beauty and the Beast – $1,965,717 ($128,136,098 total) {week 21}
12. Fried Green Tomatoes – $1,657,810 ($67,903,424 total) {week 15}
999. Hook – $307,824 ($116,761,154 total) {week 17}
999. Howards End – $46,112 ($306,934 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Basic Instinct – $19,913,944 ($96,693,714 total)
7. My Cousin Vinny – $7,758,112 ($60,500,008 total)
11. Beauty and the Beast – $3,869,857 ($252,258,294 total)
12. Fried Green Tomatoes – $3,263,689 ($133,679,753 total)
999. Hook – $606,005 ($229,864,730 total)
999. Howards End – $90,780 ($604,253 total)

Oscar Details:

• Basic Instinct: Original Score, Editing
• Beauty and the Beast: Picture, Original Song (“Be Our Guest”, “Beauty and the Beast” [O], “Belle”), Original Score [O], Sound
• Fried Green Tomatoes: Supporting Actress (Jessica Tandy), Adapted Screenplay
• Hook: Original Song (“When You’re Alone”), Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Visual Effects
• Howards End: Picture, Director, Actress (Emma Thompson) [O], Supporting Actress (Vanessa Redgrave), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design
• My Cousin Vinny: Supporting Actress (Marisa Tomei) [O]

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 3-5, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

3. Platoon – $4,737,808 ($109,933,502 total) {week 16}
4. Lethal Weapon – $4,074,088 ($39,287,935 total) {week 5}
8. Hoosiers – $1,583,202 ($22,519,502 total) {week 15}
9. Mannequin – $1,348,296 ($31,443,949 total) {week 8}
12. Crocodile Dundee – $1,143,850 ($160,542,223 total) {week 28}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Platoon – $9,899,716 ($229,707,599 total)
4. Lethal Weapon – $8,512,864 ($82,092,693 total)
8. Hoosiers – $3,308,123 ($47,054,816 total)
9. Mannequin – $2,817,283 ($65,702,574 total)
12. Crocodile Dundee – $2,390,091 ($335,455,233 total)

Oscar Details:

• Crocodile Dundee: Original Screenplay
• Hoosiers: Supporting Actor (Dennis Hopper), Original Score
• Lethal Weapon: Sound
• Mannequin: Original Song (“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”)
• Platoon: Picture [O], Director [O], Supporting Actor (Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe), Original Screenplay, Editing [O], Cinematography, Sound [O]

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 2-4, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

3. On Golden Pond – $3,805,370 ($84,020,712 total) {week 18}
5. Chariots of Fire – $3,280,675 ($29,874,443 total) {week 27}
7. Victor/Victoria – $2,102,208 ($2,531,000 total) {week 3}
9. Quest for Fire – $1,994,565 ($11,825,911 total) {week 8}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. On Golden Pond – $10,574,787 ($233,486,128 total)
5. Chariots of Fire – $9,116,706 ($83,018,435 total)
7. Victor/Victoria – $5,841,850 ($7,033,425 total)
9. Quest for Fire – $5,542,720 ($32,863,161 total)

Oscar Details:

• Chariots of Fire: Picture [O], Director, Supporting Actor (Ian Holm), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing, Costume Design [O]
• On Golden Pond: Picture, Director, Actor (Henry Fonda) [O], Actress (Katharine Hepburn) [O], Supporting Actress (Jane Fonda), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Sound
• Quest for Fire: Makeup [O]
• Victor/Victoria: Actress (Julie Andrews), Supporting Actor (Robert Preston), Supporting Actress (Lesley Ann Warren), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song Score [O], Art Direction, Costume Design