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 Jul. 17-19, 2015

Weekend Box Office:

4. Inside Out (2015, 88th) – $11,544,080 ($306,247,046 total) {week 5}
16. Amy (2015, 88th) – $1,110,210 ($4,177,507 total) {week 3}
19. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015, 88th) – $384,349 ($150,986,661 total) {week 10}
28. Cartel Land (2015, 88th) – $124,000 ($311,508 total) {week 3}
40. Cinderella (2015, 88th) – $47,983 ($200,849,342 total) {week 19}
48. Ex Machina (2015, 88th) – $30,721 ($25,361,484 total) {week 13}
58. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2015, 88th) – $13,903 ($998,704 total) {week 27}
64. The Look of Silence (2015, 88th) – $6,616 ($6,616 total) {week 1}
999. The Salt of the Earth (2014, 87th) – $864 ($1,338,853 total) {week 17}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Inside Out (2015, 88th) – $12,543,745 ($332,766,660 total)
16. Amy (2015, 88th) – $1,206,349 ($4,539,260 total)
19. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015, 88th) – $417,632 ($164,061,425 total)
28. Cartel Land (2015, 88th) – $134,738 ($338,483 total)
40. Cinderella (2015, 88th) – $52,138 ($218,241,990 total)
48. Ex Machina (2015, 88th) – $33,381 ($27,557,674 total)
58. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2015, 88th) – $15,107 ($1,085,187 total)
64. The Look of Silence (2015, 88th) – $7,189 ($7,189 total)
999. The Salt of the Earth (2014, 87th) – $939 ($1,454,792 total)

Oscar Details:

• The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2015, 88th): Makeup & Hairstyling
• Amy (2015, 88th): Documentary Feature [O]
• Cartel Land (2015, 88th): Documentary Feature
• Cinderella (2015, 88th): Costume Design
• Ex Machina (2015, 88th): Original Screenplay, Visual Effects [O]
• Inside Out (2015, 88th): Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay
• The Look of Silence (2015, 88th): Documentary Feature
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015, 88th): Picture, Directing, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Production Design [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup & Hairstyling [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects
• The Salt of the Earth (2014, 87th): Documentary Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 16-18, 2010

Weekend Box Office:

1. Inception (2010, 83rd) – $62,785,337 ($62,785,337 total) {week 1}
5. Toy Story 3 (2010, 83rd) – $11,998,276 ($362,965,378 total) {week 5}
12. The Kids Are All Right (2010, 83rd) – $1,064,359 ($1,813,866 total) {week 2}
16. I Am Love (2010, 83rd) – $415,112 ($2,662,051 total) {week 5}
17. Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd) – $348,155 ($3,064,827 total) {week 6}
24. How to Train Your Dragon (2010, 83rd) – $237,392 ($217,387,997 total) {week 17}
33. Restrepo (2010, 83rd) – $96,511 ($412,746 total) {week 4}
37. The Secret in Their Eyes (2009, 82nd) – $79,827 ($6,023,877 total) {week 14}
42. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010, 83rd) – $38,367 ($2,958,982 total) {week 14}
54. Avatar (2009, 82nd) – $15,615 ($749,701,420 total) {week 31}
81. Dogtooth (2010, 83rd) – $2,528 ($36,101 total) {week 4}
85. The Secret of Kells (2009, 82nd) – $2,185 ($672,946 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Inception (2010, 83rd) – $72,891,469 ($72,891,469 total)
5. Toy Story 3 (2010, 83rd) – $13,929,557 ($421,389,463 total)
12. The Kids Are All Right (2010, 83rd) – $1,235,682 ($2,105,832 total)
16. I Am Love (2010, 83rd) – $481,930 ($3,090,543 total)
17. Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd) – $404,195 ($3,558,151 total)
24. How to Train Your Dragon (2010, 83rd) – $275,603 ($252,379,474 total)
33. Restrepo (2010, 83rd) – $112,046 ($479,183 total)
37. The Secret in Their Eyes (2009, 82nd) – $92,676 ($6,993,500 total)
42. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010, 83rd) – $44,543 ($3,435,269 total)
54. Avatar (2009, 82nd) – $18,128 ($870,375,793 total)
81. Dogtooth (2010, 83rd) – $2,935 ($41,912 total)
85. The Secret of Kells (2009, 82nd) – $2,537 ($781,266 total)

Oscar Details:

• Avatar (2009, 82nd): Picture, Director, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• Dogtooth (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film
• Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010, 83rd): Documentary Feature
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010, 83rd): Animated Feature, Original Score
• I Am Love (2010, 83rd): Costume Design
• Inception (2010, 83rd): Picture, Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Kids Are All Right (2010, 83rd): Picture, Actress (Annette Bening), Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Original Screenplay
• Restrepo (2010, 83rd): Documentary Feature
• The Secret in Their Eyes (2009, 82nd): Foreign Language Film
• The Secret of Kells (2009, 82nd): Animated Feature
• Toy Story 3 (2010, 83rd): Picture, Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“We Belong Together”) [O], Sound Film Editing
• Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd): Picture, Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), Adapted Screenplay

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 22-24, 2005

Weekend Box Office:

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, 78th) – $28,253,338 ($114,058,892 total) {week 2}
6. War of the Worlds (2005, 78th) – $8,925,605 ($208,421,643 total) {week 4}
7. Hustle & Flow (2005, 78th) – $8,017,808 ($8,017,808 total) {week 1}
9. Batman Begins (2005, 78th) – $4,727,469 ($191,105,194 total) {week 6}
10. March of the Penguins (2005, 78th) – $4,382,340 ($9,306,689 total) {week 5}
15. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005, 78th) – $1,046,982 ($375,876,648 total) {week 10}
17. Cinderella Man (2005, 78th) – $507,870 ($59,884,160 total) {week 8}
22. Crash (2005, 78th) – $285,617 ($51,898,164 total) {week 12}
33. Murderball (2005, 78th) – $104,392 ($263,918 total) {week 3}
37. Howl’s Moving Castle (2005, 78th) – $77,716 ($4,338,567 total) {week 7}
61. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005, 78th) – $24,442 ($3,937,218 total) {week 14}
103. Twist of Faith (2004, 77th) – $1,107 ($7,272 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, 78th) – $40,374,505 ($162,992,114 total)
6. War of the Worlds (2005, 78th) – $12,754,843 ($297,838,105 total)
7. Hustle & Flow (2005, 78th) – $11,457,585 ($11,457,585 total)
9. Batman Begins (2005, 78th) – $6,755,634 ($273,092,602 total)
10. March of the Penguins (2005, 78th) – $6,262,439 ($13,299,418 total)
15. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005, 78th) – $1,496,155 ($537,134,180 total)
17. Cinderella Man (2005, 78th) – $725,755 ($85,575,492 total)
22. Crash (2005, 78th) – $408,152 ($74,163,367 total)
33. Murderball (2005, 78th) – $149,178 ($377,143 total)
37. Howl’s Moving Castle (2005, 78th) – $111,057 ($6,199,887 total)
61. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005, 78th) – $34,928 ($5,626,352 total)
103. Twist of Faith (2004, 77th) – $1,582 ($10,392 total)

Oscar Details:

• Batman Begins (2005, 78th): Cinematography
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, 78th): Costume Design
• Cinderella Man (2005, 78th): Supporting Actor (Paul Giamatti), Film Editing, Makeup
• Crash (2005, 78th): Picture [O], Directing, Supporting Actor (Matt Dillon), Original Screenplay [O], Original Song (“In the Deep”), Film Editing [O]
• Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005, 78th): Documentary Feature
• Howl’s Moving Castle (2005, 78th): Animated Feature
• Hustle & Flow (2005, 78th): Actor (Terrence Howard), Original Song (“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp”) [O]
• March of the Penguins (2005, 78th): Documentary Feature [O]
• Murderball (2005, 78th): Documentary Feature
• Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005, 78th): Makeup
• Twist of Faith (2004, 77th): Documentary Feature
• War of the Worlds (2005, 78th): Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 21-23, 2000

Weekend Box Office:

5. The Perfect Storm (2000, 73rd) – $9,680,952 ($145,354,506 total) {week 4}
7. The Patriot (2000, 73rd) – $6,240,288 ($93,401,602 total) {week 4}
16. Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $1,052,014 ($178,496,604 total) {week 12}
22. U-571 (2000, 73rd) – $199,640 ($76,368,160 total) {week 14}
38. Erin Brockovich (2000, 73rd) – $91,170 ($125,307,020 total) {week 19}
61. East-West (1999, 72nd) – $37,555 ($2,067,005 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. The Perfect Storm (2000, 73rd) – $16,452,230 ($247,021,758 total)
7. The Patriot (2000, 73rd) – $10,605,016 ($158,730,737 total)
16. Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $1,787,838 ($303,344,878 total)
22. U-571 (2000, 73rd) – $339,277 ($129,783,367 total)
38. Erin Brockovich (2000, 73rd) – $154,938 ($212,952,190 total)
61. East-West (1999, 72nd) – $63,823 ($3,512,758 total)

Oscar Details:

• East-West (1999, 72nd): Foreign Language Film
• Erin Brockovich (2000, 73rd): Picture, Directing, Actress (Julia Roberts) [O], Supporting Actor (Albert Finney), Original Screenplay
• Gladiator (2000, 73rd): Picture [O], Directing, Actor (Russell Crowe) [O], Supporting Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Patriot (2000, 73rd): Original Score, Cinematography, Sound
• The Perfect Storm (2000, 73rd): Sound, Visual Effects
• U-571 (2000, 73rd): Sound, Sound Film Editing [O]

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 21-23, 1995

Weekend Box Office:

1. Apollo 13 (1995, 68th) – $12,457,260 ($111,244,320 total) {week 4}
7. Pocahontas (1995, 68th) – $5,726,376 ($117,343,942 total) {week 6}
10. Batman Forever (1995, 68th) – $3,601,663 ($171,150,654 total) {week 6}
12. The Bridges of Madison County (1995, 68th) – $1,315,921 ($66,182,919 total) {week 8}
999. Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $722,365 ($58,109,316 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Apollo 13 (1995, 68th) – $26,231,839 ($234,252,407 total)
7. Pocahontas (1995, 68th) – $12,058,300 ($247,096,669 total)
10. Batman Forever (1995, 68th) – $7,584,192 ($360,399,998 total)
12. The Bridges of Madison County (1995, 68th) – $2,770,997 ($139,364,492 total)
999. Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $1,521,118 ($122,363,525 total)

Oscar Details:

• Apollo 13 (1995, 68th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Kathleen Quinlan), Adapted Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Film Editing [O], Art Direction, Sound [O], Visual Effects
• Batman Forever (1995, 68th): Cinematography, Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing
• 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]
• The Bridges of Madison County (1995, 68th): Actress (Meryl Streep)
• Pocahontas (1995, 68th): Original Song (“Colors of the Wind”) [O], Original Musical or Comedy Score [O]

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 20-22, 1990

Weekend Box Office:

1. Ghost (1990, 63rd) – $12,523,295 ($32,291,246 total) {week 2}
6. Days of Thunder (1990, 63rd) – $5,537,495 ($63,288,147 total) {week 4}
8. Dick Tracy (1990, 63rd) – $3,116,433 ($95,647,673 total) {week 6}
10. Total Recall (1990, 63rd) – $2,154,810 ($108,569,430 total) {week 8}
12. Pretty Woman (1990, 63rd) – $1,764,144 ($160,086,203 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Ghost (1990, 63rd) – $27,119,003 ($69,926,197 total)
6. Days of Thunder (1990, 63rd) – $11,991,360 ($137,049,510 total)
8. Dick Tracy (1990, 63rd) – $6,748,588 ($207,123,566 total)
10. Total Recall (1990, 63rd) – $4,666,208 ($235,105,432 total)
12. Pretty Woman (1990, 63rd) – $3,820,227 ($346,664,213 total)

Oscar Details:

• Days of Thunder (1990, 63rd): Sound
• Dick Tracy (1990, 63rd): Supporting Actor (Al Pacino), Original Song (“Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)”) [O], Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound
• Ghost (1990, 63rd): Picture, Supporting Actress (Whoopi Goldberg) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Film Editing
• Pretty Woman (1990, 63rd): Actress (Julia Roberts)
• Total Recall (1990, 63rd): Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing, Visual Effects (Special Achievement Award) [O]

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 19-21, 1985

Weekend Box Office:

1. Back to the Future (1985, 58th) – $1,315,305 ($50,232,313 total) {week 3}
4. Cocoon (1985, 58th) – $4,135,238 ($46,632,588 total) {week 5}
5. Silverado (1985, 58th) – $3,631,204 ($9,931,209 total) {week 2}
6. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985, 58th) – $3,350,298 ($130,453,947 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Back to the Future (1985, 58th) – $3,393,857 ($129,613,517 total)
4. Cocoon (1985, 58th) – $10,670,079 ($120,325,213 total)
5. Silverado (1985, 58th) – $9,369,529 ($25,625,317 total)
6. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985, 58th) – $8,644,713 ($336,607,931 total)

Oscar Details:

• Back to the Future (1985, 58th): Original Screenplay, Original Song (“The Power of Love’), Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing [O]
• Cocoon (1985, 58th): Supporting Actor (Don Ameche) [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985, 58th): Sound Effects Film Editing
• Silverado (1985, 58th): Original Score, Sound

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 18-20, 1980

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980, 53rd) – $6,721,000 ($105,714,000 total) {week 9}
3. Honeysuckle Rose (1980, 53rd) – $2,189,966 ($2,189,966 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980, 53rd) – $22,886,379 ($359,977,784 total)
3. Honeysuckle Rose (1980, 53rd) – $7,457,282 ($7,457,282 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Empire Strikes Back (1980, 53rd): Original Score, Art Direction, Sound [O], Special Achievement Award (Visual Effects) [O]
• Honeysuckle Rose (1980, 53rd): Original Song (“On the Road Again”)