Oscar in Box Office History (Week 14, 2021)

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. 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

Godzilla vs. Kong (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Sound, Visual Effects.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 1-3, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

Zootopia (2016, 89th) – $19,325,291 ($275,264,601 total) {week 5}
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th) – $681,629 ($934,898,148 total) {week 16}
The Revenant (2015, 88th) – $295,625 ($182,599,867 total) {week 15}
Spotlight (2015, 88th) – $151,034 ($44,571,689 total) {week 22}
Embrace of the Serpent (2015, 88th) – $78,461 ($1,082,896 total) {week 7}
The Big Short (2015, 88th) – $57,704 ($70,235,322 total) {week 17}
The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $39,899 ($127,309 total) {week 2}
Brooklyn (2015, 88th) – $36,939 ($38,153,369 total) {week 22}
45 Years (2015, 88th) – $14,529 ($4,250,507 total) {week 15}
The Hateful Eight (2015, 88th) – $12,383 ($54,020,527 total) {week 15}
Son of Saul (2015, 88th) – $4,925 ($1,758,647 total) {week 16}
Spectre (2015, 88th) – $4,600 ($200,074,175 total) {week 22}
Room (2015, 88th) – $4,382 ($14,662,988 total) {week 25}
Mustang (2015, 88th) – $2,525 ($828,077 total) {week 20}
A War (2015, 88th) – $1,205 ($117,580 total) {week 8}
Theeb (2015, 88th) – $298 ($277,620 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Zootopia (2016, 89th) – $20,464,701 ($291,494,075 total)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th) – $721,818 ($990,019,310 total)
The Revenant (2015, 88th) – $313,055 ($193,365,871 total)
Spotlight (2015, 88th) – $159,939 ($47,199,615 total)
Embrace of the Serpent (2015, 88th) – $83,087 ($1,146,743 total)
The Big Short (2015, 88th) – $61,106 ($74,376,364 total)
The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $42,251 ($134,815 total)
Brooklyn (2015, 88th) – $39,117 ($40,402,874 total)
45 Years (2015, 88th) – $15,386 ($4,501,115 total)
The Hateful Eight (2015, 88th) – $13,113 ($57,205,552 total)
Son of Saul (2015, 88th) – $5,215 ($1,862,336 total)
Spectre (2015, 88th) – $4,871 ($211,870,456 total)
Room (2015, 88th) – $4,640 ($15,527,511 total)
Mustang (2015, 88th) – $2,674 ($876,900 total)
A War (2015, 88th) – $1,276 ($124,512 total)
Theeb (2015, 88th) – $316 ($293,988 total)

Oscar Details:

45 Years (2015, 88th): Actress (Charlotte Rampling)
The Big Short (2015, 88th): Picture, Directing, Supporting Actor (Christian Bale), Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing
Brooklyn (2015, 88th): Picture, Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Adapted Screenplay
Embrace of the Serpent (2015, 88th): Foreign Language Film
The Hateful Eight (2015, 88th): Supporting Actress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Original Score [O], Cinematography
The Lobster (2016, 89th): Original Screenplay
Mustang (2015, 88th): Foreign Language Film
The Revenant (2015, 88th): Picture, Directing [O], Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) [O], Supporting Actor (Tom Hardy), Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup & Hairstyling, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
Room (2015, 88th): Picture, Directing, Actress (Brie Larson) [O], Adapted Screenplay
Son of Saul (2015, 88th): Foreign Language Film [O]
Spectre (2015, 88th): Original Song (“Writing’s On the Wall”) [O]
Spotlight (2015, 88th): Picture [O], Directing, Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Supporting Actress (Rachel McAdams), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th): Original Score, Film Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
Theeb (2015, 88th): Foreign Language Film
A War (2015, 88th): Foreign Language Film
Zootopia (2016, 89th): Animated Feature [O]

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 8-10, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

Rango (2011, 84th) – $2,301,507 ($117,532,400 total) {week 6}
Jane Eyre (2011, 84th) – $1,157,935 ($5,146,695 total) {week 5}
Tangled (2010, 83rd) – $220,670 ($199,441,791 total) {week 20}
True Grit (2010, 83rd) – $209,559 ($170,760,874 total) {week 16}
Black Swan (2010, 83rd) – $51,033 ($106,882,290 total) {week 19}
In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $44,858 ($92,190 total) {week 2}
Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd) – $43,148 ($4,274,639 total) {week 13}
Biutiful (2010, 83rd) – $37,914 ($4,969,164 total) {week 11}
Tron: Legacy (2010, 83rd) – $28,516 ($172,051,787 total) {week 17}
The Illusionist (2010, 83rd) – $21,885 ($2,166,980 total) {week 15}
Another Year (2010, 83rd) – $9,208 ($3,180,463 total) {week 15}
Blue Valentine (2010, 83rd) – $8,735 ($9,690,534 total) {week 15}
127 Hours (2010, 83rd) – $5,320 ($18,329,466 total) {week 23}
Inside Job (2010, 83rd) – $3,944 ($4,293,312 total) {week 27}
The 2010 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2010, 83rd) – $1,155 ($1,350,640 total) {week 9}
Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd) – $260 ($6,531,281 total) {week 44}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Rango (2011, 84th) – $2,658,487 ($135,762,520 total)
Jane Eyre (2011, 84th) – $1,337,539 ($5,944,984 total)
Tangled (2010, 83rd) – $254,898 ($230,376,646 total)
True Grit (2010, 83rd) – $242,063 ($197,247,113 total)
Black Swan (2010, 83rd) – $58,949 ($123,460,501 total)
In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $51,816 ($106,489 total)
Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd) – $49,841 ($4,937,666 total)
Biutiful (2010, 83rd) – $43,795 ($5,739,917 total)
Tron: Legacy (2010, 83rd) – $32,939 ($198,738,256 total)
The Illusionist (2010, 83rd) – $25,280 ($2,503,094 total)
Another Year (2010, 83rd) – $10,636 ($3,673,776 total)
Blue Valentine (2010, 83rd) – $10,090 ($11,193,605 total)
127 Hours (2010, 83rd) – $6,145 ($21,172,498 total)
Inside Job (2010, 83rd) – $4,556 ($4,959,236 total)
The 2010 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2010, 83rd) – $1,334 ($1,560,134 total)
Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd) – $300 ($7,544,330 total)

Oscar Details:

127 Hours (2010, 83rd): Picture, Actor (James Franco), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“If I Rise”), Film Editing
The 2010 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2010, 83rd): Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Short Film
Another Year (2010, 83rd): Original Screenplay
Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd): Makeup
Biutiful (2010, 83rd): Actor (Javier Bardem), Foreign Language Film
Black Swan (2010, 83rd): Picture, Direcing, Actress (Natalie Portman) [O], Film Editing, Cinematography
Blue Valentine (2010, 83rd): Actress (Michelle Williams)
The Illusionist (2010, 83rd): Animated Feature
In a Better World (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film [O]
Inside Job (2010, 83rd): Documentary Feature
Jane Eyre (2011, 84th): Costume Design
Rango (2011, 84th): Animated Feature [O]
Tangled (2010, 83rd): Original Song (“I See the Light”)
Tron: Legacy (2010, 83rd): Sound Film Editing
True Grit (2010, 83rd): Picture, Directing, Actor (Jeff Bridges), Supporting Actress (Hailee Steinfeld), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing
Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd): Picture, Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), Adapted Screenplay

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 7-9, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

Tsotsi (2005, 78th) – $252,380 ($2,002,279 total) {week 7}
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, 78th) – $184,534 ($291,478,741 total) {week 18}
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th) – $77,200 ($10,757,195 total) {week 18}
Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th) – $55,440 ($778,202 total) {week 17}
Brokeback Mountain (2005, 78th) – $49,193 ($82,970,165 total) {week 18}
Syriana (2005, 78th) – $47,287 ($50,767,634 total) {week 20}
Capote (2005, 78th) – $35,074 ($28,397,013 total) {week 28}
Transamerica (2005, 78th) – $31,102 ($8,780,273 total) {week 19}
Walk the Line (2005, 78th) – $30,099 ($119,454,784 total) {week 21}
Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th) – $26,476 ($372,135 total) {week 8}
Days of Glory (2006, 79th) – $7,094 ($301,434 total) {week 18}
The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th) – $566 ($132,695 total) {week 7}
Evil (2003, 76th) – $591 ($12,595 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Tsotsi (2005, 78th) – $352,947 ($2,800,134 total)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, 78th) – $258,066 ($407,625,232 total)
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th) – $107,962 ($15,043,650 total)
Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th) – $77,531 ($1,088,295 total)
Brokeback Mountain (2005, 78th) – $68,795 ($116,031,559 total)
Syriana (2005, 78th) – $66,130 ($70,997,180 total)
Capote (2005, 78th) – $49,050 ($39,712,464 total)
Transamerica (2005, 78th) – $43,495 ($12,278,977 total)
Walk the Line (2005, 78th) – $42,093 ($167,054,324 total)
Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th) – $37,026 ($520,421 total)
Days of Glory (2006, 79th) – $9,921 ($421,547 total)
The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th) – $792 ($185,570 total)
Evil (2003, 76th) – $826 ($17,614 total)

Oscar Details:

The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th): Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Short Film
Brokeback Mountain (2005, 78th): Picture, Directing [O], Actor (Heath Ledger), Supporting Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal), Supporting Actress (Michelle Williams), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Cinematography
Capote (2005, 78th): Picture, Directing, Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) [O], Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener), Adapted Screenplay
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, 78th): Makeup [O], Sound Mixing, Visual Effects
Days of Glory (2006, 79th): Foreign Language Film
Evil (2003, 76th): Foreign Language Film
Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th): Actress (Judi Dench), Costume Design
Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film
Syriana (2005, 78th): Supporting Actor (George Clooney) [O], Original Screenplay
Transamerica (2005, 78th): Actress (Felicity Huffman), Original Song (“Travelin’ Thru”)
Tsotsi (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film [O]
Walk the Line (2005, 78th): Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Actress (Reese Witherspoon) [O], Film Editing, Costume Design, Sound Mixing

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 6-8, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd) – $2,820,308 ($117,525,155 total) {week 18}
Traffic (2000, 73rd) – $2,134,341 ($116,755,319 total) {week 15}
Chocolat (2000, 73rd) – $1,217,327 ($66,082,420 total) {week 17}
Memento (2001, 74th) – $850,273 ($2,521,558 total) {week 4}
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, 73rd) – $796,631 ($39,923,302 total) {week 16}
Pollock (2000, 73rd) – $450,924 ($6,755,336 total) {week 17}
Cast Away (2000, 73rd) – $345,870 ($230,654,808 total) {week 16}
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, 73rd) – $226,614 ($88,077,287 total) {week 17}
Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $88,336 ($187,601,773 total) {week 49}
You Can Count on Me (2000, 73rd) – $80,952 ($9,084,640 total) {week 22}
Billy Elliot (2000, 73rd) – $67,200 ($21,764,665 total) {week 26}
Amores Perros (2000, 73rd) – $54,661 ($146,842 total) {week 2}
102 Dalmatians (2000, 73rd) – $47,127 ($66,903,659 total) {week 20}
Before Night Falls (2000, 73rd) – $42,080 ($4,136,677 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd) – $4,564,315 ($190,199,721 total)
Traffic (2000, 73rd) – $3,454,163 ($188,953,838 total)
Chocolat (2000, 73rd) – $1,970,091 ($106,946,107 total)
Memento (2001, 74th) – $1,376,060 ($4,080,825 total)
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, 73rd) – $1,289,247 ($64,610,856 total)
Pollock (2000, 73rd) – $729,764 ($10,932,664 total)
Cast Away (2000, 73rd) – $559,747 ($373,285,873 total)
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, 73rd) – $366,746 ($142,542,040 total)
Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $142,961 ($303,609,937 total)
You Can Count on Me (2000, 73rd) – $131,011 ($14,702,350 total)
Billy Elliot (2000, 73rd) – $108,755 ($35,223,380 total)
Amores Perros (2000, 73rd) – $88,462 ($237,645 total)
102 Dalmatians (2000, 73rd) – $76,269 ($108,275,180 total)
Before Night Falls (2000, 73rd) – $68,101 ($6,694,693 total)

Oscar Details:

102 Dalmatians (2000, 73rd): Costume Design
Amores Perros (2000, 73rd): Foreign Language Film
Before Night Falls (2000, 73rd): Actor (Javier Bardem)
Billy Elliot (2000, 73rd): Directing, Supporting Actress (Julie Walters), Original Screenplay
Cast Away (2000, 73rd): Actor (Tom Hanks), Sound
Chocolat (2000, 73rd): Picture, Actress (Juliette Binoche), Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd): Picture, Directing, Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“A Love Before Time”), Original Score [O], Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Foreign Language Film [O]
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, 73rd): Original Song (“My Funny Friend and Me”)
Gladiator (2000, 73rd): Picture [O], Directing, Actor (Russell Crowe) [O], Supporting Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O]
Memento (2001, 74th): Original Screenplay, Film Editing
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, 73rd): Cinematography
Pollock (2000, 73rd): Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Marcia Gay Harden) [O]
Traffic (2000, 73rd): Picture, Directing [O], Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing [O]
You Can Count on Me (2000, 73rd): Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 5-7, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

Primal Fear (1996, 69th) – $9,871,222 ($11,892,480 total) {week 1}
The Birdcage (1996, 69th) – $9,219,443 ($87,604,273 total) {week 5}
Fargo (1996, 69th) – $2,536,491 ($12,160,219 total) {week 5}
Up Close and Personal (1996, 69th) – $2,023,927 ($42,979,202 total) {week 6}
Dead Man Walking (1995, 68th) – $1,098,509 ($34,163,268 total) {week 15}
Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $437,436 ($74,804,880 total) {week 46}
Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $51,861 ($184,791,362 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Primal Fear (1996, 69th) – $20,457,103 ($24,645,954 total)
The Birdcage (1996, 69th) – $19,106,357 ($181,550,937 total)
Fargo (1996, 69th) – $5,256,619 ($25,200,816 total)
Up Close and Personal (1996, 69th) – $4,194,383 ($89,070,020 total)
Dead Man Walking (1995, 68th) – $2,276,548 ($70,799,895 total)
Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $906,542 ($155,025,498 total)
Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $107,477 ($382,961,284 total)

Oscar Details:

The Birdcage (1996, 69th): Art Direction
Braveheart (1995, 68th): Picture [O], Directing [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing [O]
Dead Man Walking (1995, 68th): Directing, Actor (Sean Penn), Actress (Susan Sarandon) [O], Original Song (“Dead Man Walkin’”)
Fargo (1996, 69th): Picture, Director, Actress (Frances McDormand) [O], Supporting Actor (William H Macy), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Cinematography
Primal Fear (1996, 69th): Supporting Actor (Edward Norton)
Toy Story (1995, 68th): Original Screenplay, Original Song (“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”), Original Musical or Comedy Score
Up Close and Personal (1996, 69th): Original Song (“Because You Loved Me”)

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 5-7, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $4,760,714 ($94,425,327 total) {week 8}
Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd) – $4,014,945 ($150,966,372 total) {week 22}
Home Alone (1990, 63rd) – $1,954,348 ($260,077,797 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $10,358,228 ($205,447,980 total)
Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd) – $8,735,605 ($328,468,401 total)
Home Alone (1990, 63rd) – $4,252,216 ($565,869,981 total)

Oscar Details:

Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd): Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Kevin Costner), Supporting Actor (Graham Greene), Supporting Actress (Mary McDonnell), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Film Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound [O]
Home Alone (1990, 63rd): Original Song (“Somewhere in My Memory”), Original Score
The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th): Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Anthony Hopkins) [O], Actress (Jodie Foster) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Sound

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 4-6, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

The Color Purple (1985, 58th) – $2,158,733 ($84,158,913 total) {week 16}
Out of Africa (1985, 58th) – $1,884,432 ($77,266,673 total) {week 16}
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, 59th) – $1,579,090 ($24,977,602 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

The Color Purple (1985, 58th) – $5,329,918 ($207,788,583 total)
Out of Africa (1985, 58th) – $4,652,668 ($190,771,624 total)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, 59th) – $3,898,777 ($61,669,767 total)

Oscar Details:

The Color Purple (1985, 58th): Picture, Actress (Whoopi Goldberg), Supporting Actress (Margaret Avery, Oprah Winfrey), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)”)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, 59th): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Michael Caine) [O], Supporting Actress (Dianne Wiest) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Art Direction
Out of Africa (1985, 58th): 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]