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

Abominable (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Animated Feature.

Judy (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Directing, Actress (Renee Zellweger), Original Screenplay, Film Editing, Cinematgraphy, Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup & Hairstyling.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 26-28, 2014

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Boxtrolls – $17,275,239 ($17,275,239 total) {week 1}
8. Guardians of the Galaxy – $3,765,941 ($319,169,216 total) {week 9}
23. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – $236,803 ($207,604,340 total) {week 12}
24. Boyhood – $223,669 ($23,016,519 total) {week 12}
25. Maleficent – $219,582 ($240,366,802 total) {week 18}
26. How to Train Your Dragon 2 – $204,555 ($175,859,659 total) {week 16}
49. Last Days in Vietnam – $53,100 ($161,300 total) {week 4}
59. X-Men: Days of Future Past – $27,479 ($233,893,992 total) {week 19}
77. Begin Again – $6,222 ($16,135,671 total) {week 14}
82. Ida – $4,286 ($3,702,720 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Boxtrolls – $19,326,277 ($19,326,277 total)
8. Guardians of the Galaxy – $4,213,060 ($357,063,236 total)
23. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – $264,918 ($232,252,591 total)
24. Boyhood – $250,225 ($25,749,202 total)
25. Maleficent – $245,652 ($268,904,843 total)
26. How to Train Your Dragon 2 – $228,841 ($196,738,958 total)
49. Last Days in Vietnam – $59,404 ($180,451 total)
59. X-Men: Days of Future Past – $30,742 ($261,663,536 total)
77. Begin Again – $6,961 ($18,051,412 total)
82. Ida – $4,795 ($4,142,333 total)

Oscar Details:

• Begin Again: Original Song (“Lost Stars”)
• The Boxtrolls: Animated Feature
• 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
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects
• How to Train Your Dragon 2: Animated Feature
• Ida: Cinematography, Foreign Language Film [O]
• Last Days in Vietnam: Documentary Feature
• Maleficent: Costume Design
• X-Men: Days of Future Past: Visual Effects

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 25-27, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

10. Inglourious Basterds – $2,683,198 ($114,420,733 total) {week 6}
13. Julie & Julia – $1,263,283 ($90,600,766 total) {week 8}
15. District 9 – $1,082,176 ($113,522,260 total) {week 7}
17. Bright Star – $671,895 ($962,153 total) {week 2}
22. Coco Before Chanel – $406,768 ($406,768 total) {week 1}
31. Up – $255,540 ($292,155,222 total) {week 18}
35. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – $195,247 ($401,750,700 total) {week 14}
50. Star Trek – $65,844 ($257,704,099 total) {week 21}
53. The Hurt Locker – $45,164 ($12,486,356 total) {week 14}
57. In the Loop – $38,667 ($2,317,833 total) {week 10}
59. The Baader Meinhof Complex – $35,888 ($361,190 total) {week 6}
65. Food, Inc. – $24,335 ($4,330,801 total) {week 16}
72. The Cove – $15,875 ($786,294 total) {week 9}
77. Departures – $13,269 ($1,391,017 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

10. Inglourious Basterds – $3,269,924 ($139,440,733 total)
13. Julie & Julia – $1,539,521 ($110,412,133 total)
15. District 9 – $1,318,812 ($138,345,794 total)
17. Bright Star – $818,816 ($1,172,544 total)
22. Coco Before Chanel – $495,715 ($495,715 total)
31. Up – $311,418 ($356,039,831 total)
35. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – $237,941 ($489,600,186 total)
50. Star Trek – $80,242 ($314,055,395 total)
53. The Hurt Locker – $55,040 ($15,216,706 total)
57. In the Loop – $47,122 ($2,824,666 total)
59. The Baader Meinhof Complex – $43,736 ($440,170 total)
65. Food, Inc. – $29,656 ($5,277,803 total)
72. The Cove – $19,346 ($958,230 total)
77. Departures – $16,170 ($1,695,186 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Baader Meinhof Complex: Foreign Language Film
• Bright Star: Costume Design
• Coco Before Chanel: Costume Design
• The Cove: Documentary Feature
• Departures: Foreign Language Film [O]
• District 9: Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Visual Effects
• 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)
• 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 Sep. 24-26, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

10. Hero – $2,244,628 ($49,231,569 total) {week 1}
12. Collateral – $1,452,516 ($98,127,149 total) {week 8}
22. Spider-Man 2 – $290,512 ($371,538,616 total) {week 13}
30. I, Robot – $213,789 ($143,373,352 total) {week 11}
31. Maria Full of Grace – $200,295 ($5,639,408 total) {week 11}
35. The Motorcycle Diaries – $159,819 ($159,819 total) {week 1}
36. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – $137,868 ($249,031,885 total) {week 17}
38. The Village – $122,057 ($113,224,335 total) {week 9}
52. Before Sunset – $54,143 ($5,650,441 total) {week 13}
70. Story of the Weeping Camel – $25,256 ($1,732,803 total) {week 17}
78. Zelary – $17,927 ($58,937 total) {week 2}
82. Super Size Me – $16,204 ($11,529,368 total) {week 21}
113. The Twilight Samurai – $3,404 ($529,212 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

10. Hero – $3,303,688 ($72,459,990 total)
12. Collateral – $2,137,842 ($144,425,466 total)
22. Spider-Man 2 – $427,581 ($546,837,834 total)
30. I, Robot – $314,659 ($211,019,716 total)
31. Maria Full of Grace – $294,798 ($8,300,191 total)
35. The Motorcycle Diaries – $235,225 ($235,225 total)
36. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – $202,917 ($366,530,021 total)
38. The Village – $179,646 ($166,645,801 total)
52. Before Sunset – $79,689 ($8,316,430 total)
70. Story of the Weeping Camel – $37,172 ($2,550,373 total)
78. Zelary – $26,385 ($86,745 total)
82. Super Size Me – $23,849 ($16,969,150 total)
113. The Twilight Samurai – $5,010 ($778,905 total)

Oscar Details:

• Before Sunset: Adapted Screenplay
• Collateral: Supporting Actor (Jamie Foxx), Editing
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Original Score, Visual Effects
• Hero: Foreign Language Film
• I, Robot: Visual Effects
• Maria Full of Grace: Actress (Catalina Sandino Moreno)
• The Motorcycle Diaries : Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Al Otro Lado del Rio”) [O]
• Spider-Man 2: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• Story of the Weeping Camel : Documentary Feature
• Super Size Me : Documentary Feature
• The Twilight Samurai: Foreign Language Film
• The Village : Original Score
• Zelary: Foreign Language Film

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 24-26, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Sixth Sense – $8,435,193 ($225,042,276 total) {week 8}
5. American Beauty – $5,939,646 ($7,484,984 total) {week 2}
12. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – $801,935 ($424,399,730 total) {week 19}
18. Tarzan – $303,692 ($169,497,568 total) {week 15}
32. Buena Vista Social Club – $161,883 ($5,163,493 total) {week 17}
45. The Red Violin – $88,941 ($9,510,414 total) {week 37}
60. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut – $51,530 ($52,008,288 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Sixth Sense – $15,176,706 ($404,898,898 total)
5. American Beauty – $10,686,686 ($13,467,078 total)
12. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – $1,442,852 ($763,585,341 total)
18. Tarzan – $546,406 ($304,962,160 total)
32. Buena Vista Social Club – $291,262 ($9,290,222 total)
45. The Red Violin – $160,024 ($17,111,257 total)
60. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut – $92,713 ($93,573,967 total)

Oscar Details:

• American Beauty: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Kevin Spacey) [O], Actress (Annette Bening), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography
• Buena Vista Social Club: 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 Sep. 30-Oct. 2, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

4. Forrest Gump – $4,368,160 ($269,670,909 total) {week 13}
5. Quiz Show – $3,365,119 ($8,430,084 total) {week 3}
7. Clear and Present Danger – $2,003,122 ($115,669,022 total) {week 9}
9. The Mask – $1,253,951 ($110,190,781 total) {week 10}
11. True Lies – $975,803 ($140,779,782 total) {week 12}
999. Ed Wood – $71,566 ($71,566 total) {week 1}
999. Jurassic Park – $409,590 ($356,190,495 total) {week 69}
999. The Shawshank Redemption – $604,259 ($1,642,635 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Forrest Gump – $9,551,431 ($589,663,184 total)
5. Quiz Show – $7,358,179 ($18,433,246 total)
7. Clear and Present Danger – $4,380,032 ($252,922,216 total)
9. The Mask – $2,741,893 ($240,943,478 total)
11. True Lies – $2,133,694 ($307,829,475 total)
999. Ed Wood – $156,486 ($156,486 total)
999. Jurassic Park – $895,611 ($778,847,159 total)
999. The Shawshank Redemption – $1,321,274 ($3,591,790 total)

Oscar Details:

• Clear and Present Danger: Sound, Sound Effects
• Ed Wood: Supporting Actor (Martin Landau) [O], Makeup [O]
• 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 Mask : Visual Effects
• Quiz Show: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Paul Scofield), Adapted Screenplay
• The Shawshank Redemption : Picture, Actor (Morgan Freeman), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Sound
• True Lies: Visual Effects

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 29-Oct. 1, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

1. Black Rain – $6,503,065 ($19,236,379 total) {week 2}
4. Parenthood – $2,629,600 ($81,702,263 total) {week 9}
6. When Harry Met Sally… – $1,961,676 ($80,795,888 total) {week 12}
8. sex, lies and videotape – $1,368,443 ($17,173,786 total) {week 9}
10. Lethal Weapon 2 – $1,227,039 ($141,872,763 total) {week 13}
11. The Abyss – $1,206,035 ($51,361,458 total) {week 8}
13. Batman – $877,891 ($245,893,171 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Black Rain – $14,971,792 ($44,287,281 total)
4. Parenthood – $6,054,041 ($188,100,424 total)
6. When Harry Met Sally… – $4,516,302 ($186,013,707 total)
8. sex, lies and videotape – $3,150,521 ($39,538,641 total)
10. Lethal Weapon 2 – $2,824,971 ($326,628,981 total)
11. The Abyss – $2,776,615 ($118,247,790 total)
13. Batman – $2,021,139 ($566,111,734 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Abyss : Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Batman: Art Direction [O]
• Black Rain: Sound, Sound Effects
• 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 Sep. 28-30, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

5. Ghostbusters – $2,373,369 ($204,079,999 total) {week 17}
6. Purple Rain – $1,752,753 ($58,004,255 total) {week 10}
7. The Karate Kid – $1,517,087 ($80,058,084 total) {week 15}
12. The Woman in Red – $977,439 ($23,200,313 total) {week 7}
999. Amadeus – $500,910 ($1,404,057 total) {week 2}
999. Country – $24,443 ($24,443 total) {week 1}
999. Places in the Heart – $254,524 ($661,632 total) {week 2}
999. A Soldier’s Story – $378,914 ($898,706 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Ghostbusters – $6,456,129 ($555,146,188 total)
6. Purple Rain – $4,767,905 ($157,785,384 total)
7. The Karate Kid – $4,126,838 ($217,777,050 total)
12. The Woman in Red – $2,658,867 ($63,110,375 total)
999. Amadeus – $1,362,594 ($3,819,369 total)
999. Country – $66,491 ($66,491 total)
999. Places in the Heart – $692,366 ($1,799,797 total)
999. A Soldier’s Story – $1,030,736 ($2,444,694 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amadeus: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (F. Murray Abraham [O], Tom Hulce), Adapted Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound [O]
• Country: Actress (Jessica Lange)
• Ghostbusters: Original Song (“Ghostbusters”), Visual Effects
• The Karate Kid : Supporting Actor (Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita)
• Places in the Heart: Picture, Director, Actress (Sally Field) [O], Supporting Actor (John Malkovich), Supporting Actress (Linsday Crouse), Original Screenplay [O], Costume Design
• Purple Rain: Original Song Score [O]
• A Soldier’s Story: Picture, Supporting Actor (Adolph Caesar), Adapted Screenplay
• The Woman in Red : Original Song (“I Just Called to Say I Love You”) [O]