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

None

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 22-24, 2014

Weekend Box Office:

1. Guardians of the Galaxy – $17,202,212 ($251,456,069 total) {week 4}
12. Boyhood – $1,663,411 ($16,325,459 total) {week 7}
14. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – $1,076,581 ($203,937,551 total) {week 7}
20. Maleficent – $591,073 ($237,602,294 total) {week 13}
23. How to Train Your Dragon 2 – $500,324 ($172,107,286 total) {week 11}
32. X-Men: Days of Future Past – $146,406 ($232,749,987 total) {week 14}
48. Begin Again – $35,727 ($14,521,859 total) {week 9}
64. Ida – $10,658 ($3,648,921 total) {week 17}
72. The Grand Budapest Hotel – $6,424 ($59,073,773 total) {week 25}
94. The Lego Movie – $377 ($257,749,647 total) {week 29}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Guardians of the Galaxy – $19,244,580 ($281,310,706 total)
12. Boyhood – $1,860,903 ($18,263,733 total)
14. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – $1,204,400 ($228,150,455 total)
20. Maleficent – $661,249 ($265,812,113 total)
23. How to Train Your Dragon 2 – $559,726 ($192,541,076 total)
32. X-Men: Days of Future Past – $163,788 ($260,383,706 total)
48. Begin Again – $39,969 ($16,245,996 total)
64. Ida – $11,923 ($4,082,147 total)
72. The Grand Budapest Hotel – $7,187 ($66,087,428 total)
94. The Lego Movie – $422 ($288,351,502 total)

Oscar Details:

• Begin Again: Original Song (“Lost Stars”)
• Boyhood: Picture, Directing, Supporting Actor (Ethan Hawke), Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette) [O], Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Visual Effects
• The Grand Budapest Hotel: Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup and Hairstyling [O]
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects
• How to Train Your Dragon 2: Animated Feature
• Ida: Cinematography, Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Lego Movie: Original Song (“Everything Is Awesome”)
• Maleficent: Costume Design
• X-Men: Days of Future Past: Visual Effects

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 21-23, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

1. Inglourious Basterds – $38,054,676 ($38,070,437 total) {week 1}
2. District 9 – $18,213,546 ($72,804,317 total) {week 2}
5. Julie & Julia – $8,800,674 ($59,088,965 total) {week 3}
16. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – $970,360 ($398,441,218 total) {week 9}
24. The Hurt Locker – $383,017 ($11,124,222 total) {week 9}
25. Up – $317,602 ($288,827,973 total) {week 13}
29. Star Trek – $240,311 ($256,374,154 total) {week 16}
32. In the Loop – $187,652 ($1,550,473 total) {week 5}
37. Food, Inc. – $84,774 ($3,977,797 total) {week 11}
42. The Cove – $53,107 ($537,247 total) {week 4}
52. Departures – $29,765 ($1,232,944 total) {week 13}
60. The Baader Meinhof Complex – $17,348 ($17,348 total) {week 1}
88. Revanche – $3,496 ($248,372 total) {week 17}
103. Il Divo – $1,143 ($221,189 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Inglourious Basterds – $46,375,965 ($46,395,173 total)
2. District 9 – $22,196,241 ($88,724,194 total)
5. Julie & Julia – $10,725,088 ($72,009,752 total)
16. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – $1,182,545 ($485,567,031 total)
24. The Hurt Locker – $466,770 ($13,556,719 total)
25. Up – $387,051 ($351,985,023 total)
29. Star Trek – $292,859 ($312,434,636 total)
32. In the Loop – $228,685 ($1,889,510 total)
37. Food, Inc. – $103,311 ($4,847,609 total)
42. The Cove – $64,720 ($654,725 total)
52. Departures – $36,274 ($1,502,548 total)
60. The Baader Meinhof Complex – $21,141 ($21,141 total)
88. Revanche – $4,260 ($302,683 total)
103. Il Divo – $1,393 ($269,556 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Baader Meinhof Complex: Foreign Language Film
• The Cove: Documentary Feature
• Departures: Foreign Language Film [O]
• District 9: Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Visual Effects
• Il Divo: Makeup
• Food, Inc.: Documentary Feature
• The Hurt Locker: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Jeremy Renner), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing [O], Cinematography, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O]
• In the Loop: Adapted Screenplay
• Inglourious Basterds: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz) [O], Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Julie & Julia: Actress (Meryl Streep)
• Revanche: Foreign Language Film
• Star Trek: Makeup [O], Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Sound Mixing
• Up: Picture, Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Sound Editing

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 20-22, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

6. Collateral – $10,156,357 ($69,721,408 total) {week 3}
9. The Village – $3,722,806 ($107,049,072 total) {week 4}
12. Spider-Man 2 – $2,421,434 ($365,173,462 total) {week 8}
13. I, Robot – $2,408,877 ($138,292,990 total) {week 6}
21. Maria Full of Grace – $458,426 ($3,315,918 total) {week 6}
23. Shrek 2 – $422,786 ($436,471,036 total) {week 14}
25. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – $353,507 ($246,900,818 total) {week 12}
38. Before Sunset – $171,309 ($4,560,080 total) {week 8}
65. Super Size Me – $39,253 ($11,269,350 total) {week 16}
66. Troy – $39,236 ($133,298,577 total) {week 15}
68. Story of the Weeping Camel – $35,412 ($1,434,170 total) {week 12}
109. The Twilight Samurai – $2,288 ($492,575 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Collateral – $14,948,326 ($102,617,338 total)
9. The Village – $5,479,299 ($157,556,927 total)
12. Spider-Man 2 – $3,563,914 ($537,469,475 total)
13. I, Robot – $3,545,432 ($203,542,340 total)
21. Maria Full of Grace – $674,720 ($4,880,433 total)
23. Shrek 2 – $622,265 ($642,406,646 total)
25. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – $520,299 ($363,393,474 total)
38. Before Sunset – $252,136 ($6,711,615 total)
65. Super Size Me – $57,773 ($16,586,451 total)
66. Troy – $57,748 ($196,191,464 total)
68. Story of the Weeping Camel – $52,120 ($2,110,840 total)
109. The Twilight Samurai – $3,368 ($724,982 total)

Oscar Details:

• Before Sunset: Adapted Screenplay
• Collateral: Supporting Actor (Jamie Foxx), Editing
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Original Score, Visual Effects
• I, Robot: Visual Effects
• Maria Full of Grace: Actress (Catalina Sandino Moreno)
• Shrek 2: Animated Feature, Original Song (“Accidentally in Love”)
• Spider-Man 2: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• Story of the Weeping Camel : Documentary Feature
• Super Size Me : Documentary Feature
• Troy: Costume Design
• The Twilight Samurai: Foreign Language Film
• The Village : Original Score

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 20-22, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Sixth Sense – $23,950,008 ($107,506,281 total) {week 3}
16. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – $1,221,405 ($417,800,897 total) {week 14}
17. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me – $929,717 ($203,100,498 total) {week 11}
18. Tarzan – $740,036 ($165,477,219 total) {week 10}
31. The Mummy – $226,395 ($154,703,255 total) {week 16}
32. The Matrix – $211,862 ($170,817,779 total) {week 21}
35. Buena Vista Social Club – $183,047 ($3,769,173 total) {week 12}
39. The Red Violin – $143,106 ($7,735,416 total) {week 32}
43. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut – $120,747 ($51,118,648 total) {week 8}
56. Life – $45,997 ($64,016,268 total) {week 19}
999. On the Ropes – $7,431 ($11,293 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Sixth Sense – $43,091,156 ($193,426,655 total)
16. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – $2,197,567 ($751,712,638 total)
17. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me – $1,672,759 ($365,420,975 total)
18. Tarzan – $1,331,482 ($297,728,697 total)
31. The Mummy – $407,333 ($278,344,045 total)
32. The Matrix – $381,185 ($307,337,500 total)
35. Buena Vista Social Club – $329,340 ($6,781,544 total)
39. The Red Violin – $257,478 ($13,917,658 total)
43. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut – $217,250 ($91,973,315 total)
56. Life – $82,758 ($115,178,876 total)
999. On the Ropes – $13,370 ($20,319 total)

Oscar Details:

• Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me: Makeup
• Buena Vista Social Club: Documentary Feature
• Life: Makeup
• The Matrix : Editing [O], Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Mummy : Sound
• On the Ropes: Documentary Feature
• The Red Violin : Original Score [O]
• The Sixth Sense : Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Haley Joel Osment), Supporting Actress (Toni Collette), Original Screenplay, Editing
• South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut: Original Song (“Blame Canada”)
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace: Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects
• Tarzan: Original Song (“You’ll Be In My Heart”)

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 26-28, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

2. Forrest Gump – $9,897,242 ($222,309,062 total) {week 8}
3. Clear and Present Danger – $8,164,186 ($86,328,858 total) {week 4}
4. The Mask – $5,338,698 ($91,930,697 total) {week 5}
7. True Lies – $3,425,095 ($126,696,780 total) {week 7}
8. The Lion King – $3,013,759 ($256,945,953 total) {week 11}
10. The Client – $2,724,911 ($78,528,872 total) {week 6}
15. Maverick – $1,745,118 ($96,345,264 total) {week 15}
999. Jurassic Park – $604,435 ($353,079,435 total) {week 64}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Forrest Gump – $21,641,338 ($486,101,633 total)
3. Clear and Present Danger – $17,851,833 ($188,766,929 total)
4. The Mask – $11,673,612 ($201,015,926 total)
7. True Lies – $7,489,323 ($277,035,543 total)
8. The Lion King – $6,589,894 ($561,838,758 total)
10. The Client – $5,958,298 ($171,711,457 total)
15. Maverick – $3,815,880 ($210,668,831 total)
999. Jurassic Park – $1,321,659 ($772,044,506 total)

Oscar Details:

• Clear and Present Danger: Sound, Sound Effects
• The Client: Actress (Susan Sarandon)
• Forrest Gump: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Tom Hanks) [O], Supporting Actor (Gary Sinise), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Makeup, Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects [O]
• Jurassic Park: Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Lion King : Original Song (“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” [O], “Circle of Life”, “Hakuna Matata”), Original Score [O]
• The Mask : Visual Effects
• Maverick: Costume Design
• True Lies: Visual Effects

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 25-27, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

2. Parenthood – $6,380,240 ($53,704,836 total) {week 4}
3. The Abyss – $4,734,287 ($32,963,185 total) {week 3}
4. When Harry Met Sally… – $4,056,399 ($60,655,531 total) {week 7}
5. Lethal Weapon 2 – $3,335,582 ($125,055,875 total) {week 8}
8. Batman – $2,597,560 ($233,653,196 total) {week 10}
13. sex, lies and videotape – $1,210,540 ($3,798,540 total) {week 4}
17. Dead Poets Society – $963,442 ($84,547,818 total) {week 13}
18. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – $726,388 ($186,475,287 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Parenthood – $14,689,016 ($123,642,872 total)
3. The Abyss – $10,899,593 ($75,890,053 total)
4. When Harry Met Sally… – $9,338,914 ($139,645,228 total)
5. Lethal Weapon 2 – $7,679,400 ($287,912,014 total)
8. Batman – $5,980,277 ($537,932,043 total)
13. sex, lies and videotape – $2,786,986 ($8,745,253 total)
17. Dead Poets Society – $2,218,101 ($194,651,652 total)
18. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – $1,672,339 ($429,315,900 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Abyss : Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Batman: Art Direction [O]
• Dead Poets Society: Picture, Director, Actor (Robin Williams), Original Screenplay [O]
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Original Score, Sound, Sound Effects [O]
• Lethal Weapon 2: Sound Effects
• Parenthood: Supporting Actress (Dianne Wiest), Original Song (“I Love To See You Smile”)
• sex, lies and videotape: Original Screenplay
• When Harry Met Sally…: Original Screenplay

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 24-26, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

2. Ghostbusters – $4,682,210 ($179,381,173 total) {week 12}
4. Purple Rain – $3,241,452 ($39,906,368 total) {week 5}
6. The Woman in Red – $2,941,215 ($8,731,371 total) {week 2}
7. The Karate Kid – $2,870,497 ($64,356,939 total) {week 10}
12. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom – $1,426,994 ($164,297,966 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Ghostbusters – $12,736,726 ($487,959,500 total)
4. Purple Rain – $8,817,521 ($108,554,822 total)
6. The Woman in Red – $8,000,805 ($23,751,408 total)
7. The Karate Kid – $7,808,435 ($175,066,197 total)
12. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom – $3,881,763 ($446,929,586 total)

Oscar Details:

• Ghostbusters: Original Song (“Ghostbusters”), Visual Effects
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: Original Score, Visual Effects [O]
• The Karate Kid : Supporting Actor (Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita)
• Purple Rain: Original Song Score [O]
• The Woman in Red : Original Song (“I Just Called to Say I Love You”) [O]