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

Oblivion (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 18, 2008

Weekend Box Office:

24. The Counterfeiters – $240,753 ($3,742,262 total) {week 9}
30. The Visitor – $166,499 ($283,400 total) {week 2}
35. Juno – $151,908 ($143,253,943 total) {week 20}
42. In Bruges – $103,436 ($7,276,922 total) {week 11}
65. Persepolis – $25,505 ($4,364,662 total) {week 17}
76. There Will Be Blood – $11,594 ($40,207,902 total) {week 17}
82. The Savages – $9,531 ($6,605,240 total) {week 21}
103. Taxi to the Dark Side – $3,157 ($251,367 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

24. The Counterfeiters – $269,925 ($4,195,712 total)
30. The Visitor – $186,674 ($317,740 total)
35. Juno – $170,315 ($160,612,011 total)
42. In Bruges – $115,969 ($8,158,666 total)
65. Persepolis – $28,595 ($4,893,528 total)
76. There Will Be Blood – $12,999 ($45,079,890 total)
82. The Savages – $10,686 ($7,405,596 total)
103. Taxi to the Dark Side – $3,540 ($281,825 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Counterfeiters: Foreign Language Film [O]
• In Bruges: Original Screenplay
• Juno: Picture, Director, Actress (Ellen Page), Original Screenplay [O]
• Persepolis: Animated Feature
• The Savages: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay
• Taxi to the Dark Side: Documentary Feature [O]
• There Will Be Blood: Picture, Director, Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Editing
• The Visitor: Actor (Richard Jenkins)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 18, 2003

Weekend Box Office:

10. Chicago – $2,501,139 ($160,741,486 total) {week 17}
13. A Mighty Wind – $2,112,140 ($2,730,735 total) {week 1}
18. The Pianist – $1,095,495 ($30,213,790 total) {week 17}
24. Nowhere in Africa – $352,746 ($1,989,088 total) {week 7}
25. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $351,838 ($337,526,600 total) {week 18}
28. The Quiet American – $268,979 ($12,000,212 total) {week 22}
33. Bowling for Columbine – $172,590 ($20,814,575 total) {week 28}
35. About Schmidt – $142,208 ($64,543,239 total) {week 19}
42. City of God – $129,658 ($3,650,547 total) {week 14}
44. Talk to Her – $105,442 ($9,031,416 total) {week 22}
45. Spirited Away – $101,910 ($9,855,615 total) {week 31}
46. The Hours – $97,270 ($41,225,329 total) {week 17}
49. Catch Me If You Can – $78,371 ($164,435,221 total) {week 17}
53. Frida – $58,221 ($25,776,062 total) {week 26}
61. Adaptation. – $39,967 ($22,245,861 total) {week 20}
79. Gangs of New York – $14,256 ($77,711,962 total) {week 18}
92. Far From Heaven – $9,147 ($15,894,840 total) {week 24}
103. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $6,366 ($39,875,562 total) {week 18}
136. The Crime of Father Amaro – $1,531 ($5,715,000 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

10. Chicago – $3,339,000 ($214,588,551 total)
13. A Mighty Wind – $2,819,689 ($3,645,509 total)
18. The Pianist – $1,462,477 ($40,335,159 total)
24. Nowhere in Africa – $470,913 ($2,655,416 total)
25. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $469,701 ($450,595,212 total)
28. The Quiet American – $359,085 ($16,020,184 total)
33. Bowling for Columbine – $230,406 ($27,787,285 total)
35. About Schmidt – $189,847 ($86,164,689 total)
42. City of God – $173,092 ($4,873,450 total)
44. Talk to Her – $140,764 ($12,056,865 total)
45. Spirited Away – $136,049 ($13,157,164 total)
46. The Hours – $129,855 ($55,035,472 total)
49. Catch Me If You Can – $104,625 ($219,519,657 total)
53. Frida – $77,725 ($34,410,829 total)
61. Adaptation. – $53,356 ($29,698,040 total)
79. Gangs of New York – $19,032 ($103,744,825 total)
92. Far From Heaven – $12,211 ($21,219,480 total)
103. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $8,499 ($53,233,545 total)
136. The Crime of Father Amaro – $2,044 ($7,629,478 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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]
• City of God: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• 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]
• A Mighty Wind: Original Song (“A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow”)
• Nowhere in Africa: Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Pianist: Picture, Director [O], Actor (Adrien Brody) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography, Costume Design
• The Quiet American: Actor (Michael Caine)
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Talk to Her: Director, Original Screenplay [O]
• The Wild Thornberrys Movie: Original Song (“Father and Daughter”)

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 17, 1998

Weekend Box Office:

4. Titanic – $7,407,989 ($554,067,203 total) {week 18}
11. As Good As It Gets – $1,558,025 ($142,064,798 total) {week 17}
12. Primary Colors – $1,534,305 ($35,158,705 total) {week 5}
12. Primary Colors – $1,534,305 ($35,158,705 total) {week 5}
15. Good Will Hunting – $1,465,824 ($131,555,851 total) {week 20}
999. Amistad – $4,667 ($44,221,297 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Titanic – $12,715,205 ($951,010,871 total)
11. As Good As It Gets – $2,674,222 ($243,842,564 total)
12. Primary Colors – $2,633,509 ($60,347,031 total)
12. Primary Colors – $2,633,509 ($60,347,031 total)
15. Good Will Hunting – $2,515,967 ($225,804,819 total)
999. Amistad – $8,011 ($75,902,226 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amistad: Supporting Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Original Score, Cinematography, Costume Design
• 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
• 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
• Primary Colors: Supporting Actress (Kathy Bates), Adapted Screenplay
• Primary Colors: Supporting Actress (Kathy Bates), Adapted Screenplay
• 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]

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 16, 1993

Weekend Box Office:

8. The Crying Game – $1,941,084 ($57,118,500 total) {week 21}
9. Unforgiven – $1,534,019 ($91,096,629 total) {week 37}
14. Scent of a Woman – $1,018,850 ($57,933,269 total) {week 17}
999. A Few Good Men – $245,525 ($135,889,976 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

8. The Crying Game – $3,774,330 ($111,063,750 total)
9. Unforgiven – $2,982,815 ($177,132,334 total)
14. Scent of a Woman – $1,981,097 ($112,648,023 total)
999. A Few Good Men – $477,410 ($264,230,509 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Crying Game: Picture, Director, Actor (Stephen Rea), Supporting Actor (Jaye Davidson), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• A Few Good Men: Picture, Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson), Editing, Sound
• Scent of a Woman: Picture, Director, Actor (Al Pacino) [O], Adapted Screenplay
• Unforgiven: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Clint Eastwood), Supporting Actor (Gene Hackman) [O], Original Screenplay, Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 15, 1988

Weekend Box Office:

1. Beetlejuice – $7,145,123 ($32,085,824 total) {week 3}
4. The Last Emperor – $3,398,662 ($29,320,303 total) {week 22}
6. Moonstruck – $2,900,253 ($63,520,335 total) {week 18}
9. Good Morning, Vietnam – $2,084,727 ($111,609,833 total) {week 17}
13. Stand and Deliver – $1,297,511 ($6,376,641 total) {week 6}
999. The Milagro Beanfield War – $748,969 ($3,224,246 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Beetlejuice – $13,994,706 ($62,844,497 total)
4. The Last Emperor – $6,656,747 ($57,427,844 total)
6. Moonstruck – $5,680,544 ($124,413,308 total)
9. Good Morning, Vietnam – $4,083,224 ($218,603,201 total)
13. Stand and Deliver – $2,541,354 ($12,489,528 total)
999. The Milagro Beanfield War – $1,466,959 ($6,315,129 total)

Oscar Details:

• Beetlejuice: Makeup [O]
• Good Morning, Vietnam: Actor (Robin Williams)
• 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]
• The Milagro Beanfield War: Original Score [O]
• Moonstruck: Picture, Director, Actress (Cher) [O], Supporting Actor (Vincent Gardenia), Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis) [O], Original Screenplay
• Stand and Deliver: Actor (Edward James Olmos)

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 22, 1983

Weekend Box Office:

1. Flashdance – $4,085,494 ($9,738,547 total) {week 2}
3. Tootsie – $2,598,623 ($159,053,728 total) {week 19}
4. Gandhi – $2,076,315 ($45,510,009 total) {week 20}
10. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $1,195,506 ($345,849,534 total) {week 46}
13. Sophie’s Choice – $955,547 ($25,215,547 total) {week 19}
16. Tender Mercies – $147,156 ($354,629 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Flashdance – $10,440,707 ($24,887,398 total)
3. Tootsie – $6,640,925 ($406,470,638 total)
4. Gandhi – $5,306,138 ($116,303,356 total)
10. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $3,055,182 ($883,837,698 total)
13. Sophie’s Choice – $2,441,953 ($64,439,731 total)
16. Tender Mercies – $376,065 ($906,274 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]
• Flashdance: Original Song (“Flashdance…What a Feeling”) [O], Original Song (“Maniac”), Editing, Cinematography
• Gandhi: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Ben Kingsley) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
• Sophie’s Choice: Actress (Meryl Streep) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography, Costume Design
• Tender Mercies: Picture, Director, Actor (Robert Duvall) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Song (“Over You”)
• 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