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

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5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 10-12, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

20. Slumdog Millionaire – $282,366 ($140,751,191 total) {week 22}
24. Coraline – $176,876 ($74,544,177 total) {week 10}
27. The Class – $114,242 ($3,447,678 total) {week 17}
29. The Reader – $105,107 ($34,006,517 total) {week 18}
36. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – $83,380 ($127,394,283 total) {week 16}
38. Paris 36 – $66,435 ($376,600 total) {week 2}
43. The Wrestler – $44,432 ($26,136,413 total) {week 17}
53. Defiance – $28,762 ($28,551,977 total) {week 15}
69. 12 – $12,407 ($81,183 total) {week 6}
72. Milk – $9,697 ($31,838,002 total) {week 20}
77. Waltz with Bashir – $6,261 ($2,261,813 total) {week 16}
90. Katyn – $3,175 ($93,118 total) {week 8}
102. Rachel Getting Married – $1,169 ($12,794,218 total) {week 28}
111. The Betrayal – $438 ($37,525 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

20. Slumdog Millionaire – $306,085 ($152,574,291 total)
24. Coraline – $191,734 ($80,805,888 total)
27. The Class – $123,838 ($3,737,283 total)
29. The Reader – $113,936 ($36,863,064 total)
36. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – $90,384 ($138,095,403 total)
38. Paris 36 – $72,016 ($408,234 total)
43. The Wrestler – $48,164 ($28,331,872 total)
53. Defiance – $31,178 ($30,950,343 total)
69. 12 – $13,449 ($88,002 total)
72. Milk – $10,512 ($34,512,394 total)
77. Waltz with Bashir – $6,787 ($2,451,805 total)
90. Katyn – $3,442 ($100,940 total)
102. Rachel Getting Married – $1,267 ($13,868,932 total)
111. The Betrayal – $475 ($40,677 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
• Katyn: Foreign Language Film
• Milk: Picture, Director, Actor (Sean Penn) [O], Supporting Actor (Josh Brolin), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Costume Design
• Paris 36: Original Song (“Loin de Paname”)
• Rachel Getting Married: Actress (Anne Hathaway)
• The Reader: Picture, Director, Actress (Kate Winslet) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography
• 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
• Waltz with Bashir: Foreign Language Film
• The Wrestler: Actor (Mickey Rourke), Supporting Actress (Marisa Tomei)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 9-11, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Passion of the Christ – $15,216,723 ($353,006,351 total) {week 7}
14. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – $2,447,862 ($25,863,153 total) {week 4}
21. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – $289,233 ($375,667,233 total) {week 17}
39. The Triplets of Belleville – $102,190 ($6,550,634 total) {week 20}
41. My Architect – $77,747 ($2,150,171 total) {week 22}
44. Girl with a Pearl Earring – $69,923 ($11,402,158 total) {week 18}
47. Mystic River – $60,745 ($89,052,994 total) {week 27}
48. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – $56,339 ($93,802,409 total) {week 22}
50. The Fog of War – $51,459 ($3,998,564 total) {week 17}
54. Monster – $47,013 ($34,282,333 total) {week 16}
68. In America – $21,978 ($15,436,796 total) {week 20}
70. City of God – $19,210 ($7,436,670 total) {week 65}
72. Cold Mountain – $17,984 ($95,313,718 total) {week 16}
105. The Weather Underground – $2,709 ($552,638 total) {week 45}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Passion of the Christ – $38,539,551 ($894,062,814 total)
14. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – $6,199,725 ($65,503,873 total)
21. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – $732,543 ($951,456,263 total)
39. The Triplets of Belleville – $258,818 ($16,590,858 total)
41. My Architect – $196,911 ($5,445,760 total)
44. Girl with a Pearl Earring – $177,095 ($28,878,363 total)
47. Mystic River – $153,849 ($225,545,433 total)
48. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – $142,690 ($237,574,326 total)
50. The Fog of War – $130,331 ($10,127,204 total)
54. Monster – $119,070 ($86,827,217 total)
68. In America – $55,664 ($39,096,932 total)
70. City of God – $48,653 ($18,834,931 total)
72. Cold Mountain – $45,548 ($241,402,033 total)
105. The Weather Underground – $6,861 ($1,399,672 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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
• In America: Actress (Samantha Morton), Supporting Actor (Djimon Hounsou), Original Screenplay
• 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
• The Triplets of Belleville: Animated Feature, Original Song (“Belleville Rendez-vous”)
• The Weather Underground: Documentary Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Ap. 9-11, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Matrix – $22,563,331 ($73,310,417 total) {week 2}
11. Shakespeare in Love – $2,156,955 ($87,485,574 total) {week 18}
13. Life Is Beautiful – $1,910,801 ($47,739,741 total) {week 25}
20. Saving Private Ryan – $455,512 ($213,563,877 total) {week 38}
22. A Bug’s Life – $400,809 ($161,946,399 total) {week 21}
23. The Prince of Egypt – $389,370 ($100,240,570 total) {week 17}
26. Patch Adams – $270,285 ($134,263,635 total) {week 16}
35. Elizabeth – $204,814 ($29,407,605 total) {week 23}
38. Gods and Monsters – $163,029 ($5,837,074 total) {week 23}
39. A Civil Action – $154,009 ($56,479,578 total) {week 16}
40. Affliction – $153,637 ($5,878,672 total) {week 15}
43. Central Station – $126,513 ($5,445,294 total) {week 21}
45. Tango – $111,694 ($1,437,256 total) {week 12}
52. The Thin Red Line – $64,274 ($36,257,435 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Matrix – $36,110,213 ($117,325,530 total)
11. Shakespeare in Love – $3,451,977 ($140,011,362 total)
13. Life Is Beautiful – $3,058,034 ($76,402,381 total)
20. Saving Private Ryan – $728,999 ($341,786,283 total)
22. A Bug’s Life – $641,452 ($259,177,997 total)
23. The Prince of Egypt – $623,145 ($160,424,377 total)
26. Patch Adams – $432,562 ($214,874,676 total)
35. Elizabeth – $327,783 ($47,063,746 total)
38. Gods and Monsters – $260,911 ($9,341,616 total)
39. A Civil Action – $246,475 ($90,389,561 total)
40. Affliction – $245,880 ($9,408,190 total)
43. Central Station – $202,471 ($8,714,614 total)
45. Tango – $178,754 ($2,300,175 total)
52. The Thin Red Line – $102,864 ($58,026,171 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
• A Civil Action: Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall), Cinematography
• 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]
• Life Is Beautiful: Picture, Director, Actor (Roberto Benigni) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score [O], Editing, Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Matrix : Editing [O], Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Patch Adams: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• 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
• 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. 15-17, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

1. Four Weddings and a Funeral – $4,162,489 ($12,713,124 total) {week 6}
3. The Paper – $3,335,355 ($25,279,375 total) {week 5}
10. Schindler’s List – $2,289,815 ($83,075,968 total) {week 18}
12. Mrs. Doubtfire – $1,315,603 ($215,041,116 total) {week 21}
15. Philadelphia – $791,057 ($71,550,607 total) {week 17}
999. Jurassic Park – $135,340 ($346,028,790 total) {week 45}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Four Weddings and a Funeral – $8,095,942 ($24,726,722 total)
3. The Paper – $6,487,186 ($49,167,780 total)
10. Schindler’s List – $4,453,635 ($161,580,770 total)
12. Mrs. Doubtfire – $2,558,816 ($418,249,826 total)
15. Philadelphia – $1,538,587 ($139,164,219 total)
999. Jurassic Park – $263,233 ($673,017,718 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 Apr. 14-16, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

5. Rain Man – $3,070,695 ($152,378,999 total) {week 18}
13. Dangerous Liaisons – $838,315 ($30,363,327 total) {week 17}
999. The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen – $452,916 ($4,661,743 total) {week 6}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Rain Man – $6,288,350 ($312,050,696 total)
13. Dangerous Liaisons – $1,716,751 ($62,179,811 total)
999. The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen – $927,508 ($9,546,592 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen : Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Visual Effects
• 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

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 13-15, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

3. Romancing the Stone – $5,553,403 ($19,647,318 total) {week 3}
4. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes – $4,526,660 ($20,836,631 total) {week 3}
5. Splash – $3,659,551 ($42,196,550 total) {week 6}
7. Terms of Endearment – $2,301,607 ($97,511,176 total) {week 21}
9. Swing Shift – $2,270,136 ($2,270,136 total) {week 1}
10. Footloose – $2,237,610 ($56,747,753 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Romancing the Stone – $13,437,252 ($47,539,493 total)
4. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes – $10,952,901 ($50,417,205 total)
5. Splash – $8,854,806 ($102,100,581 total)
7. Terms of Endearment – $5,569,067 ($235,942,221 total)
9. Swing Shift – $5,492,918 ($5,492,918 total)
10. Footloose – $5,414,217 ($137,309,295 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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
• Swing Shift: Supporting Actress (Christine Lahti)
• 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