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. 21-23, 2017

Weekend Box Office:

1. Dunkirk (2017, 90th) – $50,513,488 ($50,513,488 total) {week 1}
4. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017, 90th) – $20,884,223 ($98,235,137 total) {week 2}
7. Baby Driver (2017, 90th) – $6,070,912 ($84,304,851 total) {week 4}
8. The Big Sick (2017, 90th) – $5,008,143 ($24,547,521 total) {week 5}
17. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017, 90th) – $364,450 ($387,259,952 total) {week 12}
24. The Boss Baby (2017, 90th) – $137,293 ($174,456,979 total) {week 17}
80. Hidden Figures (2016, 89th) – $1,340 ($169,373,983 total) {week 31}
83. Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (2017, 90th) – $1,019 ($108,451 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Dunkirk (2017, 90th) – $53,892,317 ($53,892,317 total)
4. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017, 90th) – $22,281,161 ($104,806,049 total)
7. Baby Driver (2017, 90th) – $6,476,993 ($89,943,971 total)
8. The Big Sick (2017, 90th) – $5,343,136 ($26,189,496 total)
17. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017, 90th) – $388,828 ($413,163,628 total)
24. The Boss Baby (2017, 90th) – $146,476 ($186,126,342 total)
80. Hidden Figures (2016, 89th) – $1,430 ($180,703,346 total)
83. Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (2017, 90th) – $1,087 ($115,705 total)

Oscar Details:

• Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (2017, 90th): Documentary Feature
• Baby Driver (2017, 90th): Film Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing
• The Big Sick (2017, 90th): Original Screenplay
• The Boss Baby (2017, 90th): Animated Feature
• Dunkirk (2017, 90th): Picture, Directing, Original Score, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Production Design, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Film Editing [O]
• Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017, 90th): Visual Effects
• Hidden Figures (2016, 89th): Picture, Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer), Adapted Screenplay
• War for the Planet of the Apes (2017, 90th): Visual Effects

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 20-22, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

4. Ted (2012, 85th) – $10,011,610 ($180,431,425 total) {week 4}
5. Brave (2012, 85th) – $6,024,987 ($208,774,173 total) {week 5}
9. Moonrise Kingdom (2012, 85th) – $1,831,471 ($36,087,959 total) {week 9}
14. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012, 85th) – $763,443 ($2,855,142 total) {week 4}
15. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012, 85th) – $620,411 ($615,058,425 total) {week 12}
16. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012, 85th) – $427,405 ($152,589,315 total) {week 8}
19. Prometheus (2012, 85th) – $310,395 ($125,113,489 total) {week 7}
30. The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012, 85th) – $114,019 ($30,724,022 total) {week 13}
45. Mirror Mirror (2012, 85th) – $28,945 ($64,829,637 total) {week 17}
56. A Cat in Paris (2011, 84th) – $13,514 ($231,280 total) {week 8}
66. Monsieur Lazhar (2011, 84th) – $8,569 ($1,935,452 total) {week 15}
72. The Invisible War (2012, 85th) – $4,950 ($47,912 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Ted (2012, 85th) – $12,036,571 ($216,925,721 total)
5. Brave (2012, 85th) – $7,243,609 ($251,001,110 total)
9. Moonrise Kingdom (2012, 85th) – $2,201,907 ($43,387,157 total)
14. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012, 85th) – $917,858 ($3,432,627 total)
15. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012, 85th) – $745,896 ($739,460,946 total)
16. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012, 85th) – $513,852 ($183,452,229 total)
19. Prometheus (2012, 85th) – $373,176 ($150,419,107 total)
30. The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012, 85th) – $137,081 ($36,938,303 total)
45. Mirror Mirror (2012, 85th) – $34,799 ($77,942,164 total)
56. A Cat in Paris (2011, 84th) – $16,247 ($278,059 total)
66. Monsieur Lazhar (2011, 84th) – $10,302 ($2,326,919 total)
72. The Invisible War (2012, 85th) – $5,951 ($57,603 total)

Oscar Details:

• Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012, 85th): Picture, Directing, Actress (Quvenzhane Wallis), Adapted Screenplay
• Brave (2012, 85th): Animated Feature [O]
• A Cat in Paris (2011, 84th): Animated Feature
• The Invisible War (2012, 85th): Documentary Feature
• Marvel’s The Avengers (2012, 85th): Visual Effects
• Mirror Mirror (2012, 85th): Costume Design
• Monsieur Lazhar (2011, 84th): Foreign Language Film
• Moonrise Kingdom (2012, 85th): Original Screenplay
• The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012, 85th): Animated Feature
• Prometheus (2012, 85th): Visual Effects
• Snow White and the Huntsman (2012, 85th): Costume Design
• Ted (2012, 85th): Original Song (“Everybody Needs a Best Friend”)

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 20-22, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

4. Transformers (2007, 80th) – $20,514,497 ($262,978,000 total) {week 3}
5. Ratatouille (2007, 80th) – $10,899,179 ($165,519,955 total) {week 4}
11. Sicko (2007, 80th) – $1,945,723 ($19,185,853 total) {week 5}
14. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007, 80th) – $730,059 ($306,034,458 total) {week 9}
16. La Vie en Rose (2007, 80th) – $410,954 ($7,598,240 total) {week 8}
24. Once (2007, 80th) – $288,087 ($5,541,181 total) {week 10}
28. Surf’s Up (2007, 80th) – $190,516 ($57,329,096 total) {week 7}
34. The Lives of Others (2006, 79th) – $153,721 ($11,032,457 total) {week 24}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Transformers (2007, 80th) – $28,535,427 ($365,799,340 total)
5. Ratatouille (2007, 80th) – $15,160,631 ($230,236,333 total)
11. Sicko (2007, 80th) – $2,706,478 ($26,687,298 total)
14. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007, 80th) – $1,015,504 ($425,690,373 total)
16. La Vie en Rose (2007, 80th) – $571,632 ($10,569,063 total)
24. Once (2007, 80th) – $400,726 ($7,707,718 total)
28. Surf’s Up (2007, 80th) – $265,006 ($79,744,106 total)
34. The Lives of Others (2006, 79th) – $213,824 ($15,346,019 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Lives of Others (2006, 79th): Foreign Language Film
• Once (2007, 80th): Original Song [O]
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007, 80th): Makeup, Visual Effects
• Ratatouille (2007, 80th): Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing
• Sicko (2007, 80th): Documentary Feature
• Surf’s Up (2007, 80th): Animated Feature
• Transformers (2007, 80th): Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• La Vie en Rose (2007, 80th): Actress (Marion Cotillard) [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O]

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 19-21, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

1. Road to Perdition (2002, 75th) – $15,412,515 ($47,304,790 total) {week 2}
9. Lilo & Stitch (2002, 75th) – $4,973,660 ($128,431,916 total) {week 5}
11. Minority Report (2002, 75th) – $4,457,544 ($118,061,976 total) {week 5}
14. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002, 75th) – $2,497,454 ($30,862,103 total) {week 14}
16. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002, 75th) – $1,020,638 ($295,621,611 total) {week 10}
22. Spider-Man (2002, 75th) – $403,186 ($402,770,278 total) {week 12}
31. Ice Age (2002, 75th) – $132,304 ($175,939,090 total) {week 19}
33. Unfaithful (2002, 75th) – $113,524 ($52,514,896 total) {week 11}
34. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, 74th) – $106,238 ($312,965,191 total) {week 31}
35. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002, 75th) – $102,065 ($13,521,028 total) {week 19}
39. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002, 75th) – $80,754 ($71,882,246 total) {week 9}
73. Elling (2001, 74th) – $9,845 ($150,869 total) {week 8}
86. Son of the Bride (2001, 74th) – $6,914 ($481,459 total) {week 18}
111. Promises (2001, 74th) – $1,369 ($179,496 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Road to Perdition (2002, 75th) – $25,386,879 ($77,918,561 total)
9. Lilo & Stitch (2002, 75th) – $8,192,414 ($211,547,924 total)
11. Minority Report (2002, 75th) – $7,342,288 ($194,466,973 total)
14. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002, 75th) – $4,113,707 ($50,834,824 total)
16. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002, 75th) – $1,681,154 ($486,936,113 total)
22. Spider-Man (2002, 75th) – $664,112 ($663,427,119 total)
31. Ice Age (2002, 75th) – $217,926 ($289,799,844 total)
33. Unfaithful (2002, 75th) – $186,992 ($86,500,440 total)
34. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, 74th) – $174,991 ($515,503,766 total)
35. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002, 75th) – $168,117 ($22,271,297 total)
39. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002, 75th) – $133,015 ($118,401,565 total)
73. Elling (2001, 74th) – $16,216 ($248,505 total)
86. Son of the Bride (2001, 74th) – $11,388 ($793,040 total)
111. Promises (2001, 74th) – $2,255 ($295,659 total)

Oscar Details:

• Elling (2001, 74th): Foreign Language Film
• Ice Age (2002, 75th): Animated Feature
• Lilo & Stitch (2002, 75th): Animated Feature
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, 74th): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Ian McKellen), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score [O], Original Song (“May It Be”), Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Minority Report (2002, 75th): Sound Film Editing
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002, 75th): Original Screenplay
• Promises (2001, 74th): Documentary Feature
• Road to Perdition (2002, 75th): Supporting Actor (Paul Newman), Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound, Sound Film Editing
• Son of the Bride (2001, 74th): Foreign Language Film
• Spider-Man (2002, 75th): Sound, Visual Effects
• Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002, 75th): Animated Feature
• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002, 75th): Visual Effects
• Unfaithful (2002, 75th): Actress (Diane Lane)
• Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002, 75th): Original Screenplay

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 18-20, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

1. Men in Black (1997, 70th) – $19,029,928 ($172,145,793 total) {week 3}
3. Contact (1997, 70th) – $16,114,633 ($47,408,514 total) {week 2}
5. Face/Off (1997, 70th) – $8,911,744 ($86,302,135 total) {week 4}
6. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997, 70th) – $6,522,025 ($94,729,094 total) {week 5}
7. Hercules (1997, 70th) – $5,192,475 ($76,760,217 total) {week 6}
11. Con Air (1997, 70th) – $1,775,312 ($92,985,580 total) {week 7}
999. The Fifth Element (1997, 70th) – $100,291 ($61,310,358 total) {week 11}
999. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997, 70th) – $701,375 ($222,529,669 total) {week 9}
999. Mrs. Brown (1997, 70th) – $76,268 ($76,268 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Men in Black (1997, 70th) – $39,676,778 ($358,918,353 total)
3. Contact (1997, 70th) – $33,598,483 ($98,845,202 total)
5. Face/Off (1997, 70th) – $18,580,695 ($179,937,131 total)
6. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997, 70th) – $13,598,209 ($197,507,065 total)
7. Hercules (1997, 70th) – $10,826,141 ($160,042,544 total)
11. Con Air (1997, 70th) – $3,701,468 ($193,871,896 total)
999. The Fifth Element (1997, 70th) – $209,103 ($127,830,093 total)
999. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997, 70th) – $1,462,344 ($463,967,088 total)
999. Mrs. Brown (1997, 70th) – $159,016 ($159,016 total)

Oscar Details:

• Con Air (1997, 70th): Original Song (“How Do I Live”), Sound
• Contact (1997, 70th): Sound
• Face/Off (1997, 70th): Sound Effects
• The Fifth Element (1997, 70th): Sound Film Editing
• Hercules (1997, 70th): Original Song (“Go the Distance”)
• The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997, 70th): Visual Effects
• Men in Black (1997, 70th): Original Musical or Comedy Score, Art Direction, Makeup [O]
• Mrs. Brown (1997, 70th): Actress (Judi Dench), Makeup
• My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997, 70th): Original Comedy/Musical Score

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 17-19, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

6. Batman Returns (1992, 65th) – $4,303,453 ($145,480,492 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Batman Returns (1992, 65th) – $9,923,866 ($335,481,520 total)

Oscar Details:

• Batman Returns (1992, 65th): Makeup, Visual Effects

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 17-19, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

1. Robocop (1987, 60th) – $8,008,721 ($8,008,721 total) {week 1}
5. Full Metal Jacket (1987, 60th) – $4,548,246 ($21,034,088 total) {week 4}
8. Innerspace (1987, 60th) – $3,100,218 ($19,816,649 total) {week 3}
9. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987, 60th) – $3,043,394 ($137,166,966 total) {week 9}
10. The Witches of Eastwick (1987, 60th) – $2,804,682 ($51,918,373 total) {week 6}
11. The Untouchables (1987, 60th) – $2,756,946 ($61,374,285 total) {week 7}
14. Predator (1987, 60th) – $1,697,726 ($49,985,393 total) {week 6}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Robocop (1987, 60th) – $19,601,908 ($19,601,908 total)
5. Full Metal Jacket (1987, 60th) – $11,132,152 ($51,482,410 total)
8. Innerspace (1987, 60th) – $7,588,002 ($48,502,642 total)
9. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987, 60th) – $7,448,921 ($335,725,797 total)
10. The Witches of Eastwick (1987, 60th) – $6,864,656 ($127,073,869 total)
11. The Untouchables (1987, 60th) – $6,747,819 ($150,217,879 total)
14. Predator (1987, 60th) – $4,155,304 ($122,342,765 total)

Oscar Details:

• Beverly Hills Cop II (1987, 60th): Original Song (“Shakedown”)
• Full Metal Jacket (1987, 60th): Adapted Screenplay
• Innerspace (1987, 60th): Visual Effects [O]
• Predator (1987, 60th): Visual Effects
• Robocop (1987, 60th): Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects [O]
• The Untouchables (1987, 60th): Supporting Actor (Sean Connery) [O], Original Score, Art Direction, Costume Design
• The Witches of Eastwick (1987, 60th): Original Score, Sound

40 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 16-18, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982, 55th) – $13,003,581 ($129,434,096 total) {week 6}
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $4,347,101 ($206,140,608 total) {week 58}
5. Rocky III (1982, 55th) – $3,587,682 ($85,987,682 total) {week 8}
7. Poltergeist (1982, 55th) – $2,648,700 ($47,448,700 total) {week 7}
9. Annie (1982, 55th) – $2,224,479 ($35,822,803 total) {week 9}
12. Blade Runner (1982, 55th) – $1,492,855 ($21,774,216 total) {week 4}
20. Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $231,626 ($61,558,162 total) {week 43}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982, 55th) – $42,327,983 ($421,321,190 total)
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $14,150,257 ($671,008,714 total)
5. Rocky III (1982, 55th) – $11,678,271 ($279,898,679 total)
7. Poltergeist (1982, 55th) – $8,621,789 ($154,450,360 total)
9. Annie (1982, 55th) – $7,240,906 ($116,606,879 total)
12. Blade Runner (1982, 55th) – $4,859,395 ($70,877,295 total)
20. Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $753,966 ($200,378,099 total)

Oscar Details:

• Annie (1982, 55th): Original Song Score, Art Direction
• Blade Runner (1982, 55th): Art Direction, Visual Effects
• Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th): Picture [O], Director, Supporting Actor (Ian Holm), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Film Editing, Costume Design [O]
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982, 55th): Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Film Editing, Cinematography, Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Poltergeist (1982, 55th): Original Score, Sound Effects Film Editing, Visual Effects
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th): Picture, Director, Original Score, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O], Special Achievement Award (Sound Effects Film Editing) [O]
• Rocky III (1982, 55th): Original Song (“Eye of the Tiger”)

45 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 22-24, 1977

Weekend Box Office:

1. Star Wars (1977, 50th) – $7,000,644 ($65,887,563 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Star Wars (1977, 50th) – $30,043,122 ($282,755,147 total)

Oscar Details:

• Star Wars (1977, 50th): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Alec Guinness), Orginal Screenplay, Original Score [O], Film Editing [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O], Special Achievement Award (Sound Effects) [O]