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. 28-30, 2017

Weekend Box Office:

1. Dunkirk (2017, 90th) – $26,611,130 ($101,317,350 total) {week 2}
6. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017, 90th) – $10,472,252 ($118,784,881 total) {week 3}
9. Baby Driver (2017, 90th) – $3,971,018 ($91,967,206 total) {week 5}
11. The Big Sick (2017, 90th) – $3,177,951 ($30,222,605 total) {week 6}
20. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017, 90th) – $277,201 ($387,764,608 total) {week 13}
30. The Boss Baby (2017, 90th) – $96,578 ($174,663,989 total) {week 18}
78. Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (2017, 90th) – $1,434 ($111,755 total) {week 10}
93. Hidden Figures (2016, 89th) – $507 ($169,374,490 total) {week 32}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Dunkirk (2017, 90th) – $28,391,139 ($108,094,430 total)
6. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017, 90th) – $11,172,737 ($126,730,358 total)
9. Baby Driver (2017, 90th) – $4,236,638 ($98,118,859 total)
11. The Big Sick (2017, 90th) – $3,390,523 ($32,244,184 total)
20. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017, 90th) – $295,743 ($413,702,040 total)
30. The Boss Baby (2017, 90th) – $103,038 ($186,347,199 total)
78. Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (2017, 90th) – $1,530 ($119,230 total)
93. Hidden Figures (2016, 89th) – $541 ($180,703,887 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. 27-29, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

5. Ted (2012, 85th) – $7,353,150 ($193,618,750 total) {week 5}
7. Brave (2012, 85th) – $4,305,153 ($217,329,672 total) {week 6}
10. Moonrise Kingdom (2012, 85th) – $1,434,904 ($38,641,403 total) {week 10}
13. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012, 85th) – $926,046 ($4,206,936 total) {week 5}
18. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012, 85th) – $512,958 ($615,996,809 total) {week 13}
19. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012, 85th) – $394,050 ($153,261,285 total) {week 9}
22. Prometheus (2012, 85th) – $203,937 ($125,521,856 total) {week 8}
35. The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012, 85th) – $81,778 ($30,906,701 total) {week 14}
47. Searching for Sugar Man (2012, 85th) – $27,459 ($27,459 total) {week 1}
56. Mirror Mirror (2012, 85th) – $14,913 ($64,868,692 total) {week 18}
63. A Cat in Paris (2011, 84th) – $9,736 ($247,256 total) {week 9}
67. Monsieur Lazhar (2011, 84th) – $7,598 ($1,949,155 total) {week 16}
91. 5 Broken Cameras (2012, 85th) – $728 ($61,186 total) {week 9}
100. The Invisible War (2012, 85th) – $200 ($49,699 total) {week 6}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Ted (2012, 85th) – $8,840,408 ($232,780,331 total)
7. Brave (2012, 85th) – $5,175,919 ($261,287,055 total)
10. Moonrise Kingdom (2012, 85th) – $1,725,130 ($46,457,064 total)
13. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012, 85th) – $1,113,349 ($5,057,836 total)
18. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012, 85th) – $616,710 ($740,589,128 total)
19. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012, 85th) – $473,751 ($184,260,113 total)
22. Prometheus (2012, 85th) – $245,186 ($150,910,071 total)
35. The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012, 85th) – $98,319 ($37,157,931 total)
47. Searching for Sugar Man (2012, 85th) – $33,013 ($33,013 total)
56. Mirror Mirror (2012, 85th) – $17,929 ($77,989,118 total)
63. A Cat in Paris (2011, 84th) – $11,705 ($297,266 total)
67. Monsieur Lazhar (2011, 84th) – $9,135 ($2,343,394 total)
91. 5 Broken Cameras (2012, 85th) – $875 ($73,562 total)
100. The Invisible War (2012, 85th) – $240 ($59,751 total)

Oscar Details:

• 5 Broken Cameras (2012, 85th): Documentary Feature
• 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
• Searching for Sugar Man (2012, 85th): Documentary Feature [O]
• 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. 27-29, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

6. Transformers (2007, 80th) – $11,643,129 ($284,677,134 total) {week 4}
7. Ratatouille (2007, 80th) – $7,455,594 ($179,904,396 total) {week 5}
15. Sicko (2007, 80th) – $1,173,740 ($21,493,605 total) {week 6}
22. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007, 80th) – $405,624 ($306,888,712 total) {week 10}
23. La Vie en Rose (2007, 80th) – $380,339 ($8,239,183 total) {week 9}
24. Once (2007, 80th) – $341,716 ($6,059,946 total) {week 11}
31. Surf’s Up (2007, 80th) – $133,956 ($57,614,376 total) {week 8}
44. The Lives of Others (2006, 79th) – $46,555 ($11,174,539 total) {week 25}
50. No End in Sight (2007, 80th) – $31,533 ($31,533 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Transformers (2007, 80th) – $16,195,457 ($395,982,583 total)
7. Ratatouille (2007, 80th) – $10,370,645 ($250,244,923 total)
15. Sicko (2007, 80th) – $1,632,659 ($29,897,355 total)
22. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007, 80th) – $564,218 ($426,878,630 total)
23. La Vie en Rose (2007, 80th) – $529,047 ($11,460,608 total)
24. Once (2007, 80th) – $475,323 ($8,429,314 total)
31. Surf’s Up (2007, 80th) – $186,331 ($80,140,927 total)
44. The Lives of Others (2006, 79th) – $64,757 ($15,543,654 total)
50. No End in Sight (2007, 80th) – $43,862 ($43,862 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Lives of Others (2006, 79th): Foreign Language Film
• No End in Sight (2007, 80th): Documentary Feature
• 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. 26-28, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

2. Road to Perdition (2002, 75th) – $11,106,213 ($65,647,145 total) {week 3}
9. Minority Report (2002, 75th) – $3,124,360 ($123,375,096 total) {week 6}
10. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002, 75th) – $3,004,597 ($35,417,552 total) {week 15}
11. Lilo & Stitch (2002, 75th) – $2,733,495 ($134,221,957 total) {week 6}
17. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002, 75th) – $771,155 ($296,976,622 total) {week 11}
24. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002, 75th) – $267,061 ($72,211,245 total) {week 10}
25. Spider-Man (2002, 75th) – $251,065 ($403,142,910 total) {week 13}
38. Ice Age (2002, 75th) – $88,623 ($176,123,766 total) {week 20}
40. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, 74th) – $81,178 ($313,111,364 total) {week 32}
45. Unfaithful (2002, 75th) – $67,001 ($52,655,427 total) {week 12}
47. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002, 75th) – $63,401 ($13,622,333 total) {week 20}
86. Son of the Bride (2001, 74th) – $6,466 ($494,908 total) {week 19}
88. Elling (2001, 74th) – $6,265 ($162,087 total) {week 9}
112. Promises (2001, 74th) – $1,378 ($184,887 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Road to Perdition (2002, 75th) – $18,293,711 ($108,131,356 total)
9. Minority Report (2002, 75th) – $5,146,321 ($203,218,532 total)
10. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002, 75th) – $4,949,052 ($58,338,377 total)
11. Lilo & Stitch (2002, 75th) – $4,502,504 ($221,085,048 total)
17. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002, 75th) – $1,270,216 ($489,168,033 total)
24. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002, 75th) – $439,892 ($118,943,479 total)
25. Spider-Man (2002, 75th) – $413,544 ($664,040,903 total)
38. Ice Age (2002, 75th) – $145,976 ($290,104,035 total)
40. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, 74th) – $133,713 ($515,744,536 total)
45. Unfaithful (2002, 75th) – $110,361 ($86,731,917 total)
47. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002, 75th) – $104,432 ($22,438,163 total)
86. Son of the Bride (2001, 74th) – $10,651 ($815,193 total)
88. Elling (2001, 74th) – $10,319 ($266,983 total)
112. Promises (2001, 74th) – $2,270 ($304,538 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. 25-27, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

1. Air Force One (1997, 70th) – $37,132,505 ($37,132,505 total) {week 1}
3. Men in Black (1997, 70th) – $12,350,884 ($194,036,790 total) {week 4}
4. Contact (1997, 70th) – $9,704,949 ($64,973,014 total) {week 3}
7. Face/Off (1997, 70th) – $5,603,028 ($96,057,237 total) {week 5}
8. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997, 70th) – $4,512,085 ($103,092,341 total) {week 6}
9. Hercules (1997, 70th) – $3,151,320 ($83,426,924 total) {week 7}
12. Con Air (1997, 70th) – $971,752 ($94,887,787 total) {week 8}
999. The Fifth Element (1997, 70th) – $420,687 ($61,778,086 total) {week 12}
999. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997, 70th) – $408,660 ($223,375,949 total) {week 10}
999. Mrs. Brown (1997, 70th) – $320,865 ($454,820 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Air Force One (1997, 70th) – $77,420,059 ($77,420,059 total)
3. Men in Black (1997, 70th) – $25,751,190 ($404,560,366 total)
4. Contact (1997, 70th) – $20,234,502 ($135,466,611 total)
7. Face/Off (1997, 70th) – $11,682,130 ($200,276,200 total)
8. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997, 70th) – $9,407,550 ($214,944,162 total)
9. Hercules (1997, 70th) – $6,570,399 ($173,942,410 total)
12. Con Air (1997, 70th) – $2,026,071 ($197,837,935 total)
999. The Fifth Element (1997, 70th) – $877,119 ($128,805,290 total)
999. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997, 70th) – $852,043 ($465,731,554 total)
999. Mrs. Brown (1997, 70th) – $668,993 ($948,285 total)

Oscar Details:

• Air Force One (1997, 70th): Film Editing, Sound
• 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. 24-26, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

8. Batman Returns (1992, 65th) – $2,830,557 ($150,598,782 total) {week 6}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

8. Batman Returns (1992, 65th) – $6,527,333 ($347,284,420 total)

Oscar Details:

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

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 24-26, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

1. Robocop (1987, 60th) – $6,332,716 ($18,697,836 total) {week 2}
7. Full Metal Jacket (1987, 60th) – $3,320,220 ($26,814,910 total) {week 5}
11. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987, 60th) – $2,281,575 ($140,874,550 total) {week 10}
12. The Untouchables (1987, 60th) – $1,888,464 ($64,842,805 total) {week 8}
14. The Witches of Eastwick (1987, 60th) – $1,888,464 ($55,159,950 total) {week 7}
15. Innerspace (1987, 60th) – $1,666,222 ($23,079,581 total) {week 4}
17. Predator (1987, 60th) – $1,069,426 ($51,893,251 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Robocop (1987, 60th) – $15,499,768 ($45,764,269 total)
7. Full Metal Jacket (1987, 60th) – $8,126,472 ($65,631,378 total)
11. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987, 60th) – $5,584,315 ($344,800,369 total)
12. The Untouchables (1987, 60th) – $4,622,148 ($158,707,326 total)
14. The Witches of Eastwick (1987, 60th) – $4,622,148 ($135,007,857 total)
15. Innerspace (1987, 60th) – $4,078,196 ($56,488,898 total)
17. Predator (1987, 60th) – $2,617,495 ($127,012,382 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. 23-25, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982, 55th) – $11,874,268 ($11,874,268 total) {week 1}
2. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982, 55th) – $11,255,124 ($150,572,544 total) {week 7}
4. The World According to Garp (1982, 55th) – $2,902,088 ($2,902,088 total) {week 1}
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $2,827,413 ($211,312,436 total) {week 59}
6. Rocky III (1982, 55th) – $2,804,020 ($91,306,000 total) {week 9}
7. Tron (1982, 55th) – $2,200,282 ($15,439,075 total) {week 3}
8. Poltergeist (1982, 55th) – $2,125,435 ($51,285,055 total) {week 8}
10. Annie (1982, 55th) – $1,683,007 ($39,427,731 total) {week 10}
16. Blade Runner (1982, 55th) – $847,941 ($23,443,381 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982, 55th) – $38,651,954 ($38,651,954 total)
2. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982, 55th) – $36,636,577 ($490,128,995 total)
4. The World According to Garp (1982, 55th) – $9,446,593 ($9,446,593 total)
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $9,203,518 ($687,843,542 total)
6. Rocky III (1982, 55th) – $9,127,371 ($297,210,347 total)
7. Tron (1982, 55th) – $7,162,142 ($50,255,765 total)
8. Poltergeist (1982, 55th) – $6,918,508 ($166,938,087 total)
10. Annie (1982, 55th) – $5,478,360 ($128,341,288 total)
16. Blade Runner (1982, 55th) – $2,760,134 ($76,310,597 total)

Oscar Details:

• Annie (1982, 55th): Original Song Score, Art Direction
• The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982, 55th): Supporting Actor (Charles Durning)
• Blade Runner (1982, 55th): Art Direction, Visual Effects
• 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”)
• Tron (1982, 55th): Costume Design, Sound
• The World According to Garp (1982, 55th): Supporting Actor (John Lithgow), Supporting Actress (Glenn Close)

45 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 29-31, 1977

Weekend Box Office:

1. Star Wars (1977, 50th) – $6,234,376 ($77,323,425 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Star Wars (1977, 50th) – $26,754,699 ($331,831,918 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]