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. All data is collected from Box Office Mojo. 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 Jul. 19-21, 2013

Weekend Box Office:

2. Despicable Me 2 – $24,906,360 ($276,006,395 total) {week 3}
11. The Lone Ranger – $4,380,047 ($81,291,290 total) {week 3}
20. 20 Feet from Stardom – $397,335 ($2,425,321 total) {week 6}
21. Star Trek: Into Darkness – $387,263 ($225,120,966 total) {week 10}
23. The Great Gatsby – $334,074 ($143,664,028 total) {week 11}
28. The Croods – $209,673 ($186,039,196 total) {week 18}
30. Before Midnight – $169,531 ($7,392,490 total) {week 9}
32. Iron Man 3 – $154,608 ($407,144,472 total) {week 12}
44. The Hunt – $56,608 ($123,937 total) {week 2}
52. The Act of Killing – $27,450 ($27,450 total) {week 1}
67. Kon-Tiki – $10,058 ($1,467,138 total) {week 13}
70. Life of Pi – $8,367 ($124,985,002 total) {week 35}
72. Dirty Wars – $6,246 ($344,417 total) {week 7}
105. Searching for Sugar Man – $648 ($3,691,668 total) {week 52}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Despicable Me 2 – $27,357,170 ($304,523,661 total)
11. The Lone Ranger – $4,811,048 ($89,690,390 total)
20. 20 Feet from Stardom – $436,433 ($2,675,908 total)
21. Star Trek: Into Darkness – $425,370 ($248,380,697 total)
23. The Great Gatsby – $366,947 ($158,507,544 total)
28. The Croods – $230,305 ($205,260,958 total)
30. Before Midnight – $186,213 ($8,156,290 total)
32. Iron Man 3 – $169,822 ($449,211,060 total)
44. The Hunt – $62,178 ($136,742 total)
52. The Act of Killing – $30,151 ($30,286 total)
67. Kon-Tiki – $11,048 ($1,618,724 total)
70. Life of Pi – $9,190 ($137,898,582 total)
72. Dirty Wars – $6,861 ($380,003 total)
105. Searching for Sugar Man – $712 ($4,073,095 total)

Oscar Details:

• 20 Feet from Stardom: Documentary Feature [O]
• The Act of Killing: Documentary Feature
• Before Midnight: Adapted Screenplay
• The Croods: Animated Feature
• Despicable Me 2: Animated Feature, Original Song (“Happy”)
• Dirty Wars: Documentary Feature
• The Great Gatsby: Production Design [O], Costume Design [O]
• The Hunt: Foreign Language Film
• Iron Man 3: Visual Effects
• Kon-Tiki: Foreign Language Film
• Life of Pi: Picture, Directing [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Pi’s Lullaby”), Original Score [O], Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Production Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• The Lone Ranger: Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects
• Searching for Sugar Man: Documentary Feature [O]
• Star Trek: Into Darkness: Visual Effects

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 18-20, 2008

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Dark Knight – $158,411,483 ($158,411,483 total) {week 1}
5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army – $10,117,815 ($56,526,885 total) {week 2}
6. WALL-E – $10,070,396 ($182,732,709 total) {week 4}
8. Wanted – $5,072,805 ($123,322,635 total) {week 4}
10. Kung Fu Panda – $1,860,854 ($206,616,381 total) {week 7}
16. Iron Man – $451,838 ($314,376,968 total) {week 12}
20. Mongol – $257,411 ($4,867,490 total) {week 7}
24. The Visitor – $160,251 ($8,817,732 total) {week 15}
36. Encounters at the End of the World – $65,900 ($479,501 total) {week 6}
66. The Counterfeiters – $8,887 ($5,458,024 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Dark Knight – $197,021,524 ($197,904,039 total)
5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army – $12,583,856 ($70,619,242 total)
6. WALL-E – $12,524,880 ($228,288,635 total)
8. Wanted – $6,309,213 ($154,067,414 total)
10. Kung Fu Panda – $2,314,405 ($258,126,593 total)
16. Iron Man – $561,966 ($392,752,285 total)
20. Mongol – $320,150 ($6,080,973 total)
24. The Visitor – $199,309 ($11,016,025 total)
36. Encounters at the End of the World – $81,962 ($599,042 total)
66. The Counterfeiters – $11,053 ($6,818,729 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Counterfeiters: Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Dark Knight: Supporting Actor (Heath Ledger) [O], Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects
• Encounters at the End of the World: Documentary Feature
• Hellboy II: The Golden Army: Makeup
• Iron Man: Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• Kung Fu Panda: Animated Feature
• Mongol: Foreign Language Film
• The Visitor: Actor (Richard Jenkins)
• WALL-E: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Down to Earth”), Original Score, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Wanted: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 18-20, 2003

Weekend Box Office:

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – $34,034,597 ($133,007,414 total) {week 2}
6. Finding Nemo – $7,275,723 ($303,795,720 total) {week 8}
15. Whale Rider – $1,356,525 ($7,735,642 total) {week 7}
20. Winged Migration – $420,034 ($5,371,789 total) {week 14}
23. Spellbound – $259,172 ($4,086,521 total) {week 12}
26. Capturing the Friedmans – $181,219 ($2,142,625 total) {week 8}
29. Chicago – $157,582 ($170,095,608 total) {week 30}
36. Dirty Pretty Things – $100,512 ($100,512 total) {week 1}
39. Nowhere in Africa – $74,372 ($5,707,936 total) {week 20}
51. A Mighty Wind – $33,902 ($17,475,811 total) {week 14}
55. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $29,000 ($339,687,608 total) {week 31}
61. The Quiet American – $17,510 ($12,968,384 total) {week 35}
73. City of God – $9,454 ($4,481,241 total) {week 27}
79. The Man Without a Past – $8,211 ($860,372 total) {week 16}
83. Bowling for Columbine – $6,728 ($21,541,516 total) {week 41}
89. The Weather Underground – $5,623 ($102,699 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – $50,402,811 ($197,856,800 total)
6. Finding Nemo – $10,774,827 ($451,915,026 total)
15. Whale Rider – $2,008,917 ($11,507,249 total)
20. Winged Migration – $622,040 ($7,990,870 total)
23. Spellbound – $383,815 ($6,078,954 total)
26. Capturing the Friedmans – $268,372 ($3,187,288 total)
29. Chicago – $233,368 ($253,027,795 total)
36. Dirty Pretty Things – $148,851 ($149,518 total)
39. Nowhere in Africa – $110,140 ($8,490,910 total)
51. A Mighty Wind – $50,206 ($25,996,356 total)
55. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $42,947 ($505,306,442 total)
61. The Quiet American – $25,931 ($19,291,278 total)
73. City of God – $14,001 ($6,666,125 total)
79. The Man Without a Past – $12,160 ($1,279,857 total)
83. Bowling for Columbine – $9,964 ($32,044,345 total)
89. The Weather Underground – $8,327 ($152,771 total)

Oscar Details:

• Bowling for Columbine: Documentary Feature [O]
• Capturing the Friedmans: Documentary Feature
• 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
• Dirty Pretty Things: Original Screenplay
• Finding Nemo: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Sound Editing
• 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]
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl: Actor (Johnny Depp), Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• The Quiet American: Actor (Michael Caine)
• Spellbound: Documentary Feature
• The Weather Underground: Documentary Feature
• Whale Rider: Actress (Keisha Castle-Hughes)
• Winged Migration: Documentary Feature

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 17-19, 1998

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Mask of Zorro – $22,525,855 ($22,525,855 total) {week 1}
3. Armageddon – $16,591,782 ($129,134,246 total) {week 3}
7. Mulan – $4,914,002 ($101,272,675 total) {week 5}
9. The Truman Show – $2,172,376 ($120,028,048 total) {week 7}
11. Out of Sight – $2,044,915 ($33,733,865 total) {week 4}
13. Titanic – $1,337,493 ($590,489,873 total) {week 31}
999. The Thief – $33,340 ($33,340 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Mask of Zorro – $42,890,381 ($43,082,499 total)
3. Armageddon – $31,591,602 ($246,979,571 total)
7. Mulan – $9,356,511 ($193,692,088 total)
9. The Truman Show – $4,136,315 ($229,563,239 total)
11. Out of Sight – $3,893,623 ($64,518,714 total)
13. Titanic – $2,546,655 ($1,129,359,096 total)
999. The Thief – $63,481 ($63,765 total)

Oscar Details:

• Armageddon: Original Song (“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”), Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects
• The Mask of Zorro: Sound, Sound Effects
• Mulan: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Out of Sight: Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• The Thief: Foreign Language Film
• 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]
• The Truman Show: Director, Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Original Screenplay

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 16-18, 1993

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Firm – $13,281,416 ($95,804,149 total) {week 3}
2. In the Line of Fire – $13,056,252 ($36,058,993 total) {week 2}
3. Jurassic Park – $10,867,250 ($255,723,520 total) {week 6}
6. Sleepless in Seattle – $7,355,423 ($71,780,155 total) {week 4}
11. What’s Love Got to Do With It – $2,710,326 ($31,206,663 total) {week 6}
14. Cliffhanger – $1,039,539 ($75,886,646 total) {week 8}
999. Scent of a Woman – $31,450 ($62,763,024 total) {week 30}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Firm – $28,648,078 ($207,575,656 total)
2. In the Line of Fire – $28,162,399 ($78,127,818 total)
3. Jurassic Park – $23,440,711 ($554,067,627 total)
6. Sleepless in Seattle – $15,865,683 ($155,523,669 total)
11. What’s Love Got to Do With It – $5,846,186 ($67,614,437 total)
14. Cliffhanger – $2,242,291 ($164,421,066 total)
999. Scent of a Woman – $67,838 ($135,986,552 total)

Oscar Details:

• Cliffhanger: Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects
• The Firm: Supporting Actress (Holly Hunter), Original Score
• In the Line of Fire: Supporting Actor (John Malkovich), Original Screenplay, Editing
• Jurassic Park: Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Scent of a Woman: Picture, Director, Actor (Al Pacino) [O], Adapted Screenplay
• Sleepless in Seattle: Original Screenplay, Original Song (“A Wink and a Smile”)
• What’s Love Got to Do With It: Actor (Laurence Fishburne), Actress (Angela Bassett)

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 15-17, 1988

Weekend Box Office:

1. Coming to America – $10,417,790 ($66,732,490 total) {week 3}
3. Who Framed Roger Rabbit – $8,589,255 ($69,291,854 total) {week 4}
5. Big – $5,034,273 ($68,565,226 total) {week 7}
6. Bull Durham – $3,312,771 ($32,308,810 total) {week 5}
15. Willow – $1,101,539 ($48,076,190 total) {week 9}
16. Die Hard – $601,851 ($601,851 total) {week 1}
999. A Fish Called Wanda – $115,418 ($115,418 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Coming to America – $22,635,247 ($145,642,442 total)
3. Who Framed Roger Rabbit – $18,662,299 ($151,228,207 total)
5. Big – $10,938,214 ($149,642,355 total)
6. Bull Durham – $7,197,821 ($70,513,388 total)
15. Willow – $2,393,368 ($104,925,407 total)
16. Die Hard – $1,307,671 ($1,313,529 total)
999. A Fish Called Wanda – $250,774 ($251,898 total)

Oscar Details:

• Big: Actor (Tom Hanks), Original Screenplay
• Bull Durham: Original Screenplay
• Coming to America: Costume Design, Makeup
• Die Hard: Editing, Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects
• A Fish Called Wanda: Director, Supporting Actor (Kevin Kline) [O], Original Screenplay
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit: Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O], Special Achievement Award (Animation Direction, Richard Williams)
• Willow: Sound Effects, Visual Effects

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 22-24, 1983

Weekend Box Office:

3. Return of the Jedi – $7,239,419 ($191,442,124 total) {week 9}
6. Trading Places – $3,854,140 ($59,304,502 total) {week 7}
7. WarGames – $2,880,014 ($51,474,449 total) {week 8}
10. Flashdance – $1,964,377 ($65,545,839 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Return of the Jedi – $20,523,178 ($545,154,239 total)
6. Trading Places – $10,926,181 ($168,876,630 total)
7. WarGames – $8,164,611 ($146,579,621 total)
10. Flashdance – $5,568,853 ($186,649,580 total)

Oscar Details:

• Flashdance: Original Song (“Flashdance…What a Feeling”) [O], Original Song (“Maniac”), Editing, Cinematography
• Return of the Jedi: Original Score, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects [O]
• Trading Places: Original Song Score
• WarGames: Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound