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

None

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of May 20-22, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

5. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $10,944,350 ($327,424,915 total) {week 6}
8. Zootopia (2016, 89th) – $1,683,982 ($334,384,510 total) {week 12}
17. The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $397,622 ($1,083,551 total) {week 8}
34. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th) – $87,340 ($936,627,416 total) {week 22}
63. Brooklyn (2015, 88th) – $7,255 ($38,317,535 total) {week 29}
71. The Revenant (2015, 88th) – $4,684 ($183,635,922 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $11,589,624 ($346,729,737 total)
8. Zootopia (2016, 89th) – $1,783,269 ($354,099,666 total)
17. The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $421,066 ($1,147,437 total)
34. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th) – $92,490 ($991,850,535 total)
63. Brooklyn (2015, 88th) – $7,683 ($40,576,719 total)
71. The Revenant (2015, 88th) – $4,960 ($194,463,011 total)

Oscar Details:

• Brooklyn (2015, 88th): Picture, Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Adapted Screenplay
• The Jungle Book (2016, 89th): Visual Effects [O]
• The Lobster (2016, 89th): Original Screenplay
• 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
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th): Original Score, Film Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• Zootopia (2016, 89th): Animated Feature [O]

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of May 27-29, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

2. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th) – $47,656,302 ($53,460,431 total) {week 1}
4. Bridesmaids (2011, 84th) – $16,551,355 ($85,157,910 total) {week 3}
7. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $1,929,562 ($2,834,546 total) {week 2}
10. Rio (2011, 84th) – $1,804,883 ($134,846,157 total) {week 7}
15. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $372,920 ($372,920 total) {week 1}
16. Rango (2011, 84th) – $359,511 ($121,715,382 total) {week 13}
24. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $199,060 ($888,568 total) {week 6}
30. Jane Eyre (2011, 84th) – $160,360 ($10,656,311 total) {week 12}
32. Tangled (2010, 83rd) – $131,938 ($200,803,309 total) {week 27}
52. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $37,708 ($749,325 total) {week 9}
67. Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd) – $6,544 ($4,422,090 total) {week 20}
87. Biutiful (2010, 83rd) – $932 ($5,098,562 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th) – $55,048,137 ($61,752,528 total)
4. Bridesmaids (2011, 84th) – $19,118,589 ($98,366,514 total)
7. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $2,228,851 ($3,274,204 total)
10. Rio (2011, 84th) – $2,084,833 ($155,761,765 total)
15. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $430,763 ($430,763 total)
16. Rango (2011, 84th) – $415,274 ($140,594,313 total)
24. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $229,936 ($1,026,391 total)
30. Jane Eyre (2011, 84th) – $185,233 ($12,309,181 total)
32. Tangled (2010, 83rd) – $152,403 ($231,949,346 total)
52. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $43,557 ($865,551 total)
67. Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd) – $7,559 ($5,107,988 total)
87. Biutiful (2010, 83rd) – $1,077 ($5,889,386 total)

Oscar Details:

• Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd): Makeup
• Biutiful (2010, 83rd): Actor (Javier Bardem), Foreign Language Film
• Bridesmaids (2011, 84th): Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy), Original Screenplay
• In a Better World (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film [O]
• Incendies (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film
• Jane Eyre (2011, 84th): Costume Design
• Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th): Animated Feature
• Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay [O], Art Direction
• Rango (2011, 84th): Animated Feature [O]
• Rio (2011, 84th): Original Song (“Real in Rio”)
• Tangled (2010, 83rd): Original Song (“I See the Light”)
• The Tree of Life (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Cinematography

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of May 26-28, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

5. Poseidon (2006, 79th) – $5,650,026 ($45,292,763 total) {week 3}
9. United 93 (2006, 79th) – $808,545 ($29,632,960 total) {week 5}
21. Water (2006, 79th) – $306,517 ($1,378,596 total) {week 5}
22. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $281,330 ($404,879 total) {week 1}
59. Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th) – $15,446 ($595,898 total) {week 15}
67. Tsotsi (2005, 78th) – $11,178 ($2,866,194 total) {week 14}
74. Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th) – $6,855 ($1,013,501 total) {week 24}
79. Transamerica (2005, 78th) – $4,959 ($9,012,033 total) {week 26}
86. Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th) – $3,722 ($11,032,916 total) {week 25}
90. The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th) – $1,269 ($155,555 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Poseidon (2006, 79th) – $7,901,410 ($63,340,719 total)
9. United 93 (2006, 79th) – $1,130,729 ($41,440,903 total)
21. Water (2006, 79th) – $428,656 ($1,927,930 total)
22. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $393,432 ($566,212 total)
59. Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th) – $21,601 ($833,347 total)
67. Tsotsi (2005, 78th) – $15,632 ($4,008,296 total)
74. Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th) – $9,587 ($1,417,354 total)
79. Transamerica (2005, 78th) – $6,935 ($12,603,087 total)
86. Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th) – $5,205 ($15,429,238 total)
90. The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th) – $1,775 ($217,540 total)

Oscar Details:

• The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th): Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Short Film
• An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th): Original Song (“I Need to Wake Up” [O]), Documentary Feature [O]
• Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film
• Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th): Actress (Judi Dench), Costume Design
• Poseidon (2006, 79th): Visual Effects
• Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film
• Transamerica (2005, 78th): Actress (Felicity Huffman), Original Song (“Travelin’ Thru”)
• Tsotsi (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film [O]
• United 93 (2006, 79th): Directing, Film Editing
• Water (2006, 79th): Foreign Language Film

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of May 25-27, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

1. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $59,078,912 ($59,078,912 total) {week 1}
2. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $42,481,425 ($99,019,205 total) {week 2}
6. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001, 74th) – $3,349,459 ($61,543,789 total) {week 7}
8. Memento (2001, 74th) – $1,565,255 ($14,129,905 total) {week 11}
14. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd) – $382,111 ($126,047,135 total) {week 25}
17. Traffic (2000, 73rd) – $369,086 ($123,616,998 total) {week 22}
999. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $193,098 ($510,650 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $95,611,808 ($95,611,808 total)
2. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $68,750,857 ($160,250,162 total)
6. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001, 74th) – $5,420,679 ($99,600,902 total)
8. Memento (2001, 74th) – $2,533,169 ($22,867,479 total)
14. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd) – $618,399 ($203,991,476 total)
17. Traffic (2000, 73rd) – $597,319 ($200,058,605 total)
999. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $312,505 ($826,423 total)

Oscar Details:

• Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001, 74th): Actress (Renee Zellweger)
• 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]
• Memento (2001, 74th): Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th): Picture, Actress (Nicole Kidman), Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
• Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th): Original Song (“There You’ll Be”), Sound, Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects
• Shrek (2001, 74th): Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay
• Traffic (2000, 73rd): Picture, Directing [O], Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing [O]

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of May 24-26, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

2. Twister (1996, 69th) – $29,645,430 ($136,647,882 total) {week 3}
7. Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $1,311,861 ($186,182,078 total) {week 27}
8. Primal Fear (1996, 69th) – $1,429,961 ($53,020,214 total) {week 8}
9. The Birdcage (1996, 69th) – $1,263,789 ($118,764,272 total) {week 12}
12. James and the Giant Peach (1996, 69th) – $783,869 ($26,776,358 total) {week 7}
999. Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $1,468 ($75,608,214 total) {week 53}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Twister (1996, 69th) – $61,437,135 ($283,188,823 total)
7. Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $2,718,698 ($385,843,401 total)
8. Primal Fear (1996, 69th) – $2,963,449 ($109,878,996 total)
9. The Birdcage (1996, 69th) – $2,619,074 ($246,126,862 total)
12. James and the Giant Peach (1996, 69th) – $1,624,489 ($55,491,276 total)
999. Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $3,042 ($156,690,326 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]
• James and the Giant Peach (1996, 69th): Original Musical or Comedy Score
• 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
• Twister (1996, 69th): Sound, Visual Effects

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of May 24-26, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

1. Backdraft (1991, 64th) – $12,686,200 ($12,686,200 total) {week 1}
4. Thelma & Louise (1991, 64th) – $6,101,297 ($6,101,297 total) {week 1}
11. Home Alone (1990, 63rd) – $1,942,192 ($271,986,320 total) {week 28}
13. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $1,292,143 ($119,828,381 total) {week 15}
15. Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd) – $1,209,017 ($171,221,399 total) {week 29}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Backdraft (1991, 64th) – $27,602,278 ($27,602,278 total)
4. Thelma & Louise (1991, 64th) – $13,275,031 ($13,275,031 total)
11. Home Alone (1990, 63rd) – $4,225,767 ($591,780,212 total)
13. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $2,811,409 ($260,719,233 total)
15. Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd) – $2,630,545 ($372,538,721 total)

Oscar Details:

• Backdraft (1991, 64th): Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing, Visual Effects
• 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
• Thelma & Louise (1991, 64th): Directing, Actor (Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Cinematography

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of May 23-25, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

2. Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986, 59th) – $12,357,190 ($12,357,190 total) {week 1}
3. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $9,449,432 ($21,666,458 total) {week 2}
11. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, 59th) – $594,156 ($32,266,671 total) {week 16}
12. The Color Purple (1985, 58th) – $439,528 ($94,175,854 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986, 59th) – $30,509,935 ($30,509,935 total)
3. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $23,330,673 ($53,494,543 total)
11. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, 59th) – $1,466,973 ($79,666,498 total)
12. The Color Purple (1985, 58th) – $1,085,196 ($232,520,437 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
• Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986, 59th): Visual Effects
• Top Gun (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Take My Breath Away” [O]), Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects

40 Years Ago: The Weekend of May 22-24, 1981

Weekend Box Office:

3. Outland (1981, 54th) – $3,059,638 ($3,059,638 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Outland (1981, 54th) – $10,081,397 ($10,081,397 total)

Oscar Details:

• Outland (1981, 54th): Sound