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

None

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 25, 2008

Weekend Box Office:

16. The Visitor – $477,711 ($826,290 total) {week 3}
25. The Counterfeiters – $268,200 ($4,132,459 total) {week 10}
42. In Bruges – $77,245 ($7,399,059 total) {week 12}
44. Juno – $73,997 ($143,380,890 total) {week 21}
73. Persepolis – $18,850 ($4,401,845 total) {week 18}
99. There Will Be Blood – $5,072 ($40,218,903 total) {week 18}
100. Taxi to the Dark Side – $4,725 ($258,473 total) {week 15}
113. The Savages – $2,803 ($6,610,326 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

16. The Visitor – $535,595 ($926,411 total)
25. The Counterfeiters – $300,698 ($4,633,189 total)
42. In Bruges – $86,605 ($8,295,602 total)
44. Juno – $82,963 ($160,754,340 total)
73. Persepolis – $21,134 ($4,935,216 total)
99. There Will Be Blood – $5,687 ($45,092,224 total)
100. Taxi to the Dark Side – $5,298 ($289,792 total)
113. The Savages – $3,143 ($7,411,299 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 25, 2003

Weekend Box Office:

12. Chicago – $1,584,015 ($163,500,278 total) {week 18}
15. A Mighty Wind – $1,363,232 ($4,750,088 total) {week 2}
24. The Pianist – $550,119 ($31,243,225 total) {week 18}
27. Nowhere in Africa – $295,741 ($2,416,300 total) {week 8}
28. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $247,078 ($337,949,941 total) {week 19}
31. The Quiet American – $183,641 ($12,289,268 total) {week 23}
41. Bowling for Columbine – $108,207 ($21,012,472 total) {week 29}
43. About Schmidt – $92,168 ($64,706,199 total) {week 20}
44. City of God – $80,763 ($3,797,334 total) {week 15}
45. The Man Without a Past – $75,300 ($235,735 total) {week 4}
52. The Hours – $57,802 ($41,341,235 total) {week 18}
53. Talk to Her – $51,991 ($9,137,479 total) {week 23}
58. Catch Me If You Can – $34,708 ($164,504,009 total) {week 18}
60. Winged Migration – $31,802 ($84,436 total) {week 2}
71. Spirited Away – $25,972 ($9,934,369 total) {week 32}
74. Frida – $25,365 ($25,829,386 total) {week 27}
83. Adaptation. – $17,409 ($22,296,619 total) {week 21}
93. Gangs of New York – $8,492 ($77,722,000 total) {week 19}
130. Far From Heaven – $2,010 ($15,896,850 total) {week 25}
140. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $1,296 ($39,880,269 total) {week 19}
141. The Crime of Father Amaro – $1,131 ($5,716,300 total) {week 24}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

12. Chicago – $2,114,647 ($218,271,515 total)
15. A Mighty Wind – $1,819,903 ($6,341,328 total)
24. The Pianist – $734,404 ($41,709,446 total)
27. Nowhere in Africa – $394,812 ($3,225,740 total)
28. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $329,847 ($451,160,369 total)
31. The Quiet American – $245,159 ($16,406,071 total)
41. Bowling for Columbine – $144,455 ($28,051,476 total)
43. About Schmidt – $123,044 ($86,382,239 total)
44. City of God – $107,818 ($5,069,409 total)
45. The Man Without a Past – $ ($ total)
52. The Hours – $77,165 ($55,190,206 total)
53. Talk to Her – $69,408 ($12,198,459 total)
58. Catch Me If You Can – $46,335 ($219,611,488 total)
60. Winged Migration – $ ($ total)
71. Spirited Away – $34,672 ($13,262,300 total)
74. Frida – $33,862 ($34,482,016 total)
83. Adaptation. – $23,241 ($29,765,801 total)
93. Gangs of New York – $11,337 ($103,758,226 total)
130. Far From Heaven – $2,683 ($21,222,163 total)
140. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $1,730 ($53,239,828 total)
141. The Crime of Father Amaro – $1,510 ($7,631,213 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]
• The Man Without a Past: Foreign Language Film
• 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”)
• Winged Migration: Documentary Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of April 24, 1998

Weekend Box Office:

4. Titanic – $4,938,575 ($560,615,350 total) {week 19}
13. As Good As It Gets – $1,054,333 ($143,556,984 total) {week 18}
14. Good Will Hunting – $1,033,604 ($133,038,103 total) {week 21}
18. Primary Colors – $833,400 ($36,379,432 total) {week 6}
18. Primary Colors – $833,400 ($36,379,432 total) {week 6}
999. Amistad – $1,418 ($44,225,362 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Titanic – $8,476,659 ($962,250,228 total)
13. As Good As It Gets – $1,809,676 ($246,403,779 total)
14. Good Will Hunting – $1,774,096 ($228,348,983 total)
18. Primary Colors – $1,430,463 ($62,442,309 total)
18. Primary Colors – $1,430,463 ($62,442,309 total)
999. Amistad – $2,434 ($75,909,203 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 23, 1993

Weekend Box Office:

11. The Crying Game – $1,206,647 ($58,898,833 total) {week 22}
13. A Few Good Men – $951,085 ($136,894,962 total) {week 20}
15. Scent of a Woman – $659,695 ($58,912,464 total) {week 18}
999. Unforgiven – $945,108 ($92,501,637 total) {week 38}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

11. The Crying Game – $2,346,258 ($114,525,509 total)
13. A Few Good Men – $1,849,332 ($266,184,648 total)
15. Scent of a Woman – $1,282,740 ($114,552,013 total)
999. Unforgiven – $1,837,710 ($179,864,294 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 22, 1988

Weekend Box Office:

1. Beetlejuice – $6,201,234 ($40,362,058 total) {week 4}
6. The Last Emperor – $2,597,418 ($33,097,200 total) {week 23}
8. Moonstruck – $2,339,002 ($66,885,111 total) {week 19}
11. Good Morning, Vietnam – $1,467,448 ($113,664,420 total) {week 18}
12. The Milagro Beanfield War – $1,464,450 ($4,972,379 total) {week 6}
14. Stand and Deliver – $1,017,020 ($7,827,110 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Beetlejuice – $12,145,969 ($79,054,639 total)
6. The Last Emperor – $5,087,400 ($64,825,416 total)
8. Moonstruck – $4,581,257 ($131,003,685 total)
11. Good Morning, Vietnam – $2,874,199 ($222,627,392 total)
12. The Milagro Beanfield War – $2,868,327 ($9,739,088 total)
14. Stand and Deliver – $1,991,973 ($15,330,471 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 29, 1983

Weekend Box Office:

1. Flashdance – $4,095,000 ($15,352,325 total) {week 3}
3. Tootsie – $1,951,612 ($161,414,932 total) {week 20}
7. Gandhi – $1,303,096 ($47,418,460 total) {week 21}
12. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $852,950 ($347,043,083 total) {week 47}
15. Tender Mercies – $117,238 ($534,934 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Flashdance – $10,465,000 ($39,233,719 total)
3. Tootsie – $4,987,453 ($412,504,826 total)
7. Gandhi – $3,330,134 ($121,180,509 total)
12. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $2,179,761 ($886,887,879 total)
15. Tender Mercies – $299,608 ($1,367,054 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
• 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