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

The Glass Castle (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Dirctor, Actress (Brie Larson), Supporting Actor (Woody Harrelson), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Production Design, Costume Design.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 10-12, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

8. Ted – $3,223,675 ($209,848,585 total) {week 7}
12. Brave – $1,802,665 ($227,245,531 total) {week 8}
14. Beasts of the Southern Wild – $722,883 ($7,160,156 total) {week 7}
15. Moonrise Kingdom – $614,394 ($42,074,792 total) {week 12}
25. Snow White and the Huntsman – $274,350 ($154,299,060 total) {week 11}
26. Marvel’s The Avengers – $270,823 ($617,291,916 total) {week 15}
34. Prometheus – $111,008 ($126,048,269 total) {week 10}
39. Searching for Sugar Man – $63,342 ($166,468 total) {week 3}
63. Monsieur Lazhar – $8,549 ($1,982,037 total) {week 18}
71. A Cat in Paris – $5,868 ($278,527 total) {week 11}
91. Mirror Mirror – $1,295 ($64,933,670 total) {week 20}
98. The Invisible War – $619 ($52,600 total) {week 8}
108. 5 Broken Cameras – $187 ($63,924 total) {week 11}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

8. Ted – $3,308,722 ($215,384,791 total)
12. Brave – $1,850,223 ($233,240,702 total)
14. Beasts of the Southern Wild – $741,954 ($7,349,055 total)
15. Moonrise Kingdom – $630,603 ($43,184,805 total)
25. Snow White and the Huntsman – $281,588 ($158,369,764 total)
26. Marvel’s The Avengers – $277,968 ($633,577,255 total)
34. Prometheus – $113,937 ($129,373,663 total)
39. Searching for Sugar Man – $65,013 ($170,860 total)
63. Monsieur Lazhar – $8,775 ($2,034,327 total)
71. A Cat in Paris – $6,023 ($285,875 total)
91. Mirror Mirror – $1,329 ($66,646,744 total)
98. The Invisible War – $635 ($53,988 total)
108. 5 Broken Cameras – $192 ($65,610 total)

Oscar Details:

• 5 Broken Cameras: Documentary Feature
• Beasts of the Southern Wild: Picture, Directing, Actress (Quvenzhane Wallis), Adapted Screenplay
• Brave: Animated Feature [O]
• A Cat in Paris: Animated Feature
• The Invisible War: Documentary Feature
• Marvel’s The Avengers: Visual Effects
• Mirror Mirror: Costume Design
• Monsieur Lazhar: Foreign Language Film
• Moonrise Kingdom: Original Screenplay
• Prometheus: Visual Effects
• Searching for Sugar Man: Documentary Feature [O]
• Snow White and the Huntsman: Costume Design
• Ted: Original Song (“Everybody Needs a Best Friend”)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 10-12, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

2. The Bourne Ultimatum – $32,879,125 ($131,552,425 total) {week 2}
11. Transformers – $3,236,060 ($302,869,658 total) {week 6}
13. Ratatouille – $2,373,416 ($193,415,480 total) {week 7}
25. Sicko – $265,871 ($23,249,325 total) {week 8}
26. Once – $259,923 ($6,964,084 total) {week 13}
28. La Vie en Rose – $190,746 ($8,989,913 total) {week 11}
30. Surf’s Up – $186,072 ($58,365,173 total) {week 10}
35. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – $136,536 ($307,592,347 total) {week 12}
36. No End in Sight – $118,581 ($235,594 total) {week 3}
66. The Lives of Others – $11,216 ($11,241,504 total) {week 27}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. The Bourne Ultimatum – $39,043,961 ($156,218,505 total)
11. Transformers – $3,842,821 ($359,657,719 total)
13. Ratatouille – $2,818,432 ($229,680,883 total)
25. Sicko – $315,722 ($27,608,573 total)
26. Once – $308,659 ($8,269,850 total)
28. La Vie en Rose – $226,511 ($10,675,522 total)
30. Surf’s Up – $220,961 ($69,308,643 total)
35. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – $162,137 ($365,265,912 total)
36. No End in Sight – $140,815 ($279,768 total)
66. The Lives of Others – $13,319 ($13,349,286 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Bourne Ultimatum: Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O]
• The Lives of Others: Foreign Language Film
• No End in Sight: Documentary Feature
• Once: Original Song [O]
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End: Makeup, Visual Effects
• Ratatouille: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Sicko: Documentary Feature
• Surf’s Up: Animated Feature
• Transformers: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• La Vie en Rose: Actress (Marion Cotillard) [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O]

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 9-11, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

7. Road to Perdition – $4,203,196 ($84,275,972 total) {week 5}
8. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $3,133,316 ($45,063,979 total) {week 17}
15. Minority Report – $733,531 ($128,157,396 total) {week 8}
19. Lilo & Stitch – $483,540 ($138,567,254 total) {week 8}
22. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones – $346,881 ($298,843,890 total) {week 13}
30. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron – $126,987 ($72,929,484 total) {week 12}
39. Spider-Man – $84,383 ($403,620,726 total) {week 15}
42. Monsters, Inc. – $79,166 ($255,523,264 total) {week 35}
52. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – $43,794 ($313,322,223 total) {week 34}
66. Ice Age – $24,233 ($176,295,381 total) {week 22}
70. Unfaithful – $16,284 ($52,752,475 total) {week 14}
83. Son of the Bride – $8,742 ($531,206 total) {week 21}
86. Elling – $7,895 ($178,648 total) {week 11}
119. Promises – $1,313 ($194,070 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. Road to Perdition – $5,910,518 ($118,508,553 total)
8. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $4,406,057 ($63,368,797 total)
15. Minority Report – $1,031,489 ($180,214,445 total)
19. Lilo & Stitch – $679,952 ($194,852,748 total)
22. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones – $487,783 ($420,233,147 total)
30. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron – $178,569 ($102,553,164 total)
39. Spider-Man – $118,659 ($567,569,937 total)
42. Monsters, Inc. – $111,323 ($359,315,846 total)
52. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – $61,583 ($440,592,524 total)
66. Ice Age – $34,076 ($247,905,897 total)
70. Unfaithful – $22,898 ($74,180,331 total)
83. Son of the Bride – $12,293 ($746,980 total)
86. Elling – $11,102 ($251,214 total)
119. Promises – $1,846 ($272,900 total)

Oscar Details:

• Elling: Foreign Language Film
• Ice Age: Animated Feature
• Lilo & Stitch: Animated Feature
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Ian McKellen), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score [O], Original Song (“May It Be”), Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Minority Report: Sound Editing
• Monsters, Inc.: Animated Feature, Original Song (If I Didn’t Have You [O]), Original Score, Sound Editing
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Original Screenplay
• Promises: Documentary Feature
• Road to Perdition: Supporting Actor (Paul Newman), Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound, Sound Editing
• Son of the Bride: Foreign Language Film
• Spider-Man: Sound, Visual Effects
• Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron: Animated Feature
• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones: Visual Effects
• Unfaithful: Actress (Diane Lane)

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 8-10, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

2. Air Force One – $17,827,096 ($110,582,800 total) {week 3}
5. Men in Black – $5,652,350 ($218,004,940 total) {week 6}
7. Contact – $4,478,753 ($83,356,776 total) {week 5}
11. My Best Friend’s Wedding – $2,207,569 ($113,110,006 total) {week 8}
12. Face/Off – $2,112,012 ($105,666,204 total) {week 7}
14. The Lost World: Jurassic Park – $1,054,105 ($225,098,329 total) {week 12}
999. Con Air – $279,388 ($96,326,581 total) {week 10}
999. The Fifth Element – $165,754 ($62,717,503 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Air Force One – $31,731,454 ($196,832,566 total)
5. Men in Black – $10,060,937 ($388,039,294 total)
7. Contact – $7,971,985 ($148,371,429 total)
11. My Best Friend’s Wedding – $3,929,377 ($201,330,882 total)
12. Face/Off – $3,759,289 ($188,081,239 total)
14. The Lost World: Jurassic Park – $1,876,261 ($400,665,217 total)
999. Con Air – $497,298 ($171,457,117 total)
999. The Fifth Element – $295,035 ($111,634,423 total)

Oscar Details:

• Air Force One: Editing, Sound
• Con Air: Original Song (“How Do I Live”), Sound
• Contact: Sound
• Face/Off: Sound Effects
• The Fifth Element: Sound Editing
• The Lost World: Jurassic Park: Visual Effects
• Men in Black: Original Musical or Comedy Score, Art Direction, Makeup [O]
• My Best Friend’s Wedding: Original Comedy/Musical Score

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 7-9, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

1. Unforgiven – $15,018,007 ($15,018,007 total) {week 1}
2. Death Becomes Her – $7,815,250 ($25,660,235 total) {week 2}
999. Batman Returns – $863,928 ($155,505,254 total) {week 8}
999. Enchanted April – $255,398 ($382,260 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Unforgiven – $29,565,570 ($29,565,570 total)
2. Death Becomes Her – $15,385,685 ($50,516,655 total)
999. Batman Returns – $1,700,793 ($306,139,259 total)
999. Enchanted April – $502,796 ($752,546 total)

Oscar Details:

• Batman Returns: Makeup, Visual Effects
• Death Becomes Her: Visual Effects [O]
• Enchanted April: Supporting Actress (Joan Plowright), Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design
• Unforgiven: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Clint Eastwood), Supporting Actor (Gene Hackman) [O], Original Screenplay, Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 7-9, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

6. Robocop – $3,930,235 ($33,553,132 total) {week 4}
11. Full Metal Jacket – $2,264,906 ($35,347,958 total) {week 7}
13. Beverly Hills Cop II – $1,373,259 ($146,068,529 total) {week 12}
16. The Untouchables – $1,120,275 ($69,218,320 total) {week 10}
999. Happy New Year – $30,625 ($30,625 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Robocop – $8,212,281 ($70,109,741 total)
11. Full Metal Jacket – $4,732,553 ($73,860,055 total)
13. Beverly Hills Cop II – $2,869,444 ($305,212,246 total)
16. The Untouchables – $2,340,830 ($144,632,653 total)
999. Happy New Year – $63,991 ($63,991 total)

Oscar Details:

• Beverly Hills Cop II: Original Song (“Shakedown”)
• Full Metal Jacket: Adapted Screenplay
• Happy New Year: Makeup
• Robocop: Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects [O]
• The Untouchables: Supporting Actor (Sean Connery) [O], Original Score, Art Direction, Costume Design

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 6-8, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $9,525,306 ($186,691,147 total) {week 9}
2. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas – $6,292,139 ($40,102,965 total) {week 3}
6. Rocky III – $2,409,498 ($100,478,205 total) {week 11}
9. Poltergeist – $1,903,479 ($58,137,777 total) {week 10}
10. The World According to Garp – $1,766,274 ($10,360,136 total) {week 3}
11. Annie – $1,357,394 ($44,918,207 total) {week 12}
14. Tron – $1,190,254 ($20,411,730 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $26,469,983 ($518,798,187 total)
2. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas – $17,485,298 ($111,442,593 total)
6. Rocky III – $6,695,782 ($279,220,046 total)
9. Poltergeist – $5,289,600 ($161,559,741 total)
10. The World According to Garp – $4,908,319 ($28,789,902 total)
11. Annie – $3,772,078 ($124,823,725 total)
14. Tron – $3,307,611 ($56,722,393 total)

Oscar Details:

• Annie: Original Song Score, Art Direction
• The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Supporting Actor (Charles Durning)
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Editing, Cinematography, Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Poltergeist: Original Score, Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• Rocky III: Original Song (“Eye of the Tiger”)
• Tron: Costume Design, Sound
• The World According to Garp: Supporting Actor (John Lithgow), Supporting Actress (Glenn Close)