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.

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5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 23-25, 2013

Weekend Box Office:

10. Blue Jasmine – $3,972,687 ($14,471,489 total) {week 5}
14. Despicable Me 2 – $2,600,715 ($350,701,135 total) {week 8}
33. Iron Man 3 – $217,321 ($408,569,263 total) {week 17}
35. The Lone Ranger – $187,784 ($87,989,692 total) {week 8}
37. The Grandmaster – $132,617 ($132,617 total) {week 1}
39. Star Trek: Into Darkness – $106,356 ($227,377,844 total) {week 15}
40. 20 Feet from Stardom – $85,998 ($4,245,286 total) {week 11}
47. The Croods – $40,130 ($187,073,697 total) {week 23}
49. Cutie and the Boxer – $28,658 ($61,056 total) {week 2}
51. The Hunt – $22,334 ($540,930 total) {week 7}
57. Before Midnight – $18,453 ($8,016,064 total) {week 14}
64. The Act of Killing – $12,787 ($354,242 total) {week 6}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

10. Blue Jasmine – $4,363,603 ($15,966,698 total)
14. Despicable Me 2 – $2,856,628 ($386,935,939 total)
33. Iron Man 3 – $238,706 ($450,783,061 total)
35. The Lone Ranger – $206,262 ($97,080,878 total)
37. The Grandmaster – $145,667 ($146,319 total)
39. Star Trek: Into Darkness – $116,822 ($250,870,758 total)
40. 20 Feet from Stardom – $94,460 ($4,683,913 total)
47. The Croods – $44,079 ($206,402,345 total)
49. Cutie and the Boxer – $31,478 ($67,364 total)
51. The Hunt – $24,532 ($596,819 total)
57. Before Midnight – $20,269 ($8,844,292 total)
64. The Act of Killing – $14,045 ($390,843 total)

Oscar Details:

• 20 Feet from Stardom: Documentary Feature [O]
• The Act of Killing: Documentary Feature
• Before Midnight: Adapted Screenplay
• Blue Jasmine: Actress (Cate Blanchett) [O], Supporting Actress (Sally Hawkins), Original Screenplay
• The Croods: Animated Feature
• Cutie and the Boxer: Documentary Feature
• Despicable Me 2: Animated Feature, Original Song (“Happy”)
• The Grandmaster: Cinematography, Costume Design
• The Hunt: Foreign Language Film
• Iron Man 3: Visual Effects
• The Lone Ranger: Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects
• Star Trek: Into Darkness: Visual Effects

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 22-24, 2008

Weekend Box Office:

1. Tropic Thunder – $16,272,195 ($65,839,915 total) {week 2}
4. The Dark Knight – $10,542,424 ($489,416,885 total) {week 6}
11. Vicky Cristina Barcelona – $3,005,031 ($8,571,505 total) {week 2}
17. WALL-E – $965,559 ($216,252,003 total) {week 9}
20. Kung Fu Panda – $579,281 ($212,685,098 total) {week 12}
28. Hellboy II: The Golden Army – $255,970 ($75,108,440 total) {week 7}
29. Iron Man – $243,342 ($317,473,452 total) {week 17}
30. Wanted – $220,985 ($133,734,905 total) {week 9}
31. Man on Wire – $206,584 ($1,125,349 total) {week 5}
33. Frozen River – $147,116 ($431,865 total) {week 4}
55. Trouble the Water – $28,606 ($28,606 total) {week 1}
62. Mongol – $19,728 ($5,664,414 total) {week 12}
64. Encounters at the End of the World – $17,841 ($812,541 total) {week 11}
67. The Visitor – $16,411 ($9,305,004 total) {week 20}
117. The Counterfeiters – $350 ($5,484,715 total) {week 27}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Tropic Thunder – $20,238,259 ($82,254,044 total)
4. The Dark Knight – $13,111,956 ($611,430,287 total)
11. Vicky Cristina Barcelona – $3,737,455 ($10,708,412 total)
17. WALL-E – $1,200,897 ($270,164,410 total)
20. Kung Fu Panda – $720,471 ($265,708,263 total)
28. Hellboy II: The Golden Army – $318,358 ($93,833,246 total)
29. Iron Man – $302,652 ($396,620,733 total)
30. Wanted – $274,846 ($167,075,501 total)
31. Man on Wire – $256,935 ($1,405,903 total)
33. Frozen River – $182,973 ($539,531 total)
55. Trouble the Water – $35,578 ($35,738 total)
62. Mongol – $24,536 ($7,076,573 total)
64. Encounters at the End of the World – $22,189 ($1,015,110 total)
67. The Visitor – $20,411 ($11,624,775 total)
117. The Counterfeiters – $435 ($6,852,074 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
• Frozen River: Actress (Melissa Leo), Original Screenplay
• Hellboy II: The Golden Army: Makeup
• Iron Man: Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• Kung Fu Panda: Animated Feature
• Man on Wire: Documentary Feature [O]
• Mongol: Foreign Language Film
• Tropic Thunder: Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.)
• Trouble the Water: Documentary Feature
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Supporting Actress (Penelope Cruz) [O]
• 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 Aug. 22-24, 2003

Weekend Box Office:

6. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – $7,275,447 ($260,925,697 total) {week 7}
7. Seabiscuit – $6,170,290 ($92,936,230 total) {week 5}
15. Finding Nemo – $1,038,919 ($329,790,041 total) {week 13}
19. Dirty Pretty Things – $691,098 ($2,948,667 total) {week 6}
21. Whale Rider – $616,795 ($15,054,289 total) {week 12}
24. American Splendor – $454,375 ($716,971 total) {week 2}
32. Winged Migration – $263,763 ($8,504,188 total) {week 19}
41. Thirteen – $116,260 ($139,860 total) {week 1}
46. Spellbound – $70,193 ($5,243,927 total) {week 17}
52. Capturing the Friedmans – $48,868 ($2,874,066 total) {week 13}
60. Spirited Away – $22,862 ($10,004,994 total) {week 38}
61. Nowhere in Africa – $22,482 ($6,040,487 total) {week 25}
63. Chicago – $21,242 ($170,659,352 total) {week 35}
66. A Mighty Wind – $18,982 ($17,583,468 total) {week 19}
68. The Weather Underground – $18,256 ($270,979 total) {week 12}
87. City of God – $8,467 ($4,573,927 total) {week 32}
95. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $4,700 ($339,789,881 total) {week 36}
100. The Man Without a Past – $4,297 ($910,173 total) {week 21}
123. Bowling for Columbine – $1,227 ($21,572,249 total) {week 46}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – $10,774,418 ($388,143,201 total)
7. Seabiscuit – $9,137,759 ($138,248,422 total)
15. Finding Nemo – $1,538,565 ($490,583,195 total)
19. Dirty Pretty Things – $1,023,467 ($4,386,326 total)
21. Whale Rider – $913,429 ($22,394,191 total)
24. American Splendor – $672,897 ($1,066,539 total)
32. Winged Migration – $390,614 ($12,650,509 total)
41. Thirteen – $172,173 ($208,050 total)
46. Spellbound – $103,951 ($7,800,668 total)
52. Capturing the Friedmans – $72,370 ($4,275,352 total)
60. Spirited Away – $33,857 ($14,883,051 total)
61. Nowhere in Africa – $33,294 ($8,985,600 total)
63. Chicago – $31,458 ($253,866,399 total)
66. A Mighty Wind – $28,111 ($26,156,502 total)
68. The Weather Underground – $27,036 ($403,098 total)
87. City of God – $12,539 ($6,804,001 total)
95. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $6,960 ($505,458,579 total)
100. The Man Without a Past – $6,364 ($1,353,939 total)
123. Bowling for Columbine – $1,817 ($32,090,062 total)

Oscar Details:

• American Splendor: Adapted Screenplay
• 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
• Seabiscuit: Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• Spellbound: Documentary Feature
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Thirteen: Supporting Actress (Holly Hunter)
• The Weather Underground: Documentary Feature
• Whale Rider: Actress (Keisha Castle-Hughes)
• Winged Migration: Documentary Feature

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 21-23, 1998

Weekend Box Office:

2. Saving Private Ryan – $10,142,045 ($142,748,038 total) {week 5}
13. Armageddon – $2,735,637 ($184,993,784 total) {week 8}
15. The Mask of Zorro – $2,103,883 ($82,512,233 total) {week 6}
999. Titanic – $540,617 ($599,657,813 total) {week 36}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Saving Private Ryan – $19,310,973 ($273,017,036 total)
13. Armageddon – $5,208,793 ($353,815,404 total)
15. The Mask of Zorro – $4,005,901 ($157,811,243 total)
999. Titanic – $1,029,362 ($1,146,893,514 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
• Saving Private Ryan: Picture, Director [O], Actor (Tom Hanks), Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Makeup, Sound [O], Sound Effects [O]
• 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]

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 20-22, 1993

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Fugitive – $18,148,331 ($89,126,724 total) {week 3}
5. Jurassic Park – $3,760,575 ($306,101,930 total) {week 11}
6. In the Line of Fire – $3,419,070 ($89,640,352 total) {week 7}
9. The Firm – $2,602,524 ($143,742,362 total) {week 8}
10. Sleepless in Seattle – $2,560,778 ($105,895,262 total) {week 9}
16. Searching for Bobby Fischer – $906,660 ($3,024,956 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Fugitive – $39,146,038 ($193,107,902 total)
5. Jurassic Park – $8,111,578 ($663,220,848 total)
6. In the Line of Fire – $7,374,951 ($194,220,763 total)
9. The Firm – $5,613,657 ($311,441,784 total)
10. Sleepless in Seattle – $5,523,611 ($229,439,734 total)
16. Searching for Bobby Fischer – $1,955,670 ($6,554,071 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Firm: Supporting Actress (Holly Hunter), Original Score
• The Fugitive: Picture, Supporting Actor (Tommy Lee Jones) [O], Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Sound, Sound Effects
• In the Line of Fire: Supporting Actor (John Malkovich), Original Screenplay, Editing
• Jurassic Park: Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Searching for Bobby Fischer: Cinematography
• Sleepless in Seattle: Original Screenplay, Original Song (“A Wink and a Smile”)

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 19-21, 1988

Weekend Box Office:

3. Die Hard – $4,523,326 ($46,026,261 total) {week 6}
4. A Fish Called Wanda – $4,407,331 ($24,363,962 total) {week 6}
6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit – $3,664,197 ($119,370,859 total) {week 9}
7. Married to the Mob – $3,231,056 ($3,231,056 total) {week 1}
8. Tucker The Man and His Dreams – $2,782,700 ($8,197,305 total) {week 2}
9. Coming to America – $2,512,639 ($111,133,227 total) {week 8}
11. Big – $1,725,815 ($92,004,267 total) {week 12}
999. The Last Temptation of Christ – $476,263 ($1,183,524 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Die Hard – $9,828,054 ($100,451,475 total)
4. A Fish Called Wanda – $9,576,026 ($53,173,902 total)
6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit – $7,961,382 ($260,524,721 total)
7. Married to the Mob – $7,020,275 ($7,051,721 total)
8. Tucker The Man and His Dreams – $6,046,110 ($17,890,469 total)
9. Coming to America – $5,459,335 ($242,546,240 total)
11. Big – $3,749,763 ($200,797,634 total)
999. The Last Temptation of Christ – $1,034,800 ($2,583,020 total)

Oscar Details:

• Big: Actor (Tom Hanks), 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
• The Last Temptation of Christ: Director
• Married to the Mob: Supporting Actor (Dean Stockwell)
• Tucker The Man and His Dreams: Supporting Actor (Martin Landau), Art Direction, Costume Design
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit: Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O], Special Achievement Award (Animation Direction, Richard Williams)

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 26-28, 1983

Weekend Box Office:

6. Return of the Jedi – $2,563,071 ($227,100,205 total) {week 14}
9. Trading Places – $1,589,421 ($77,922,508 total) {week 12}
10. Flashdance – $1,569,817 ($78,530,724 total) {week 20}
13. WarGames – $1,256,949 ($65,833,815 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Return of the Jedi – $7,266,103 ($646,694,869 total)
9. Trading Places – $4,505,882 ($221,893,618 total)
10. Flashdance – $4,450,307 ($223,625,585 total)
13. WarGames – $3,563,351 ($187,469,626 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