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

Pan (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Original Score, Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup & Hairstyling, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects.

Steve Jobs (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Michael Fassbender), Supporting Actor (Seth Rogen), Supporting Actress (Kate Winslet), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 8-10, 2010

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Social Network – $15,451,991 ($46,021,161 total) {week 2}
6. The Town – $6,411,008 ($73,847,527 total) {week 4}
17. Toy Story 3 – $555,096 ($412,031,733 total) {week 17}
18. Inception – $492,311 ($289,183,607 total) {week 13}
24. Salt – $236,285 ($117,923,111 total) {week 12}
50. Inside Job – $39,649 ($39,649 total) {week 1}
58. Winter’s Bone – $22,127 ($6,167,021 total) {week 18}
62. The Kids Are All Right – $19,973 ($20,775,494 total) {week 14}
70. I Am Love – $12,669 ($4,939,308 total) {week 17}
76. Animal Kingdom – $9,746 ($918,090 total) {week 9}
92. Restrepo – $4,126 ($1,306,194 total) {week 16}
111. Exit Through the Gift Shop – $1,471 ($3,278,514 total) {week 26}
120. The Secret in Their Eyes – $719 ($6,389,020 total) {week 26}
121. Dogtooth – $714 ($57,652 total) {week 16}
128. Gasland – $273 ($27,819 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Social Network – $16,000,351 ($47,654,358 total)
6. The Town – $6,638,522 ($76,468,225 total)
17. Toy Story 3 – $574,795 ($426,653,898 total)
18. Inception – $509,782 ($299,446,143 total)
24. Salt – $244,670 ($122,107,962 total)
50. Inside Job – $41,056 ($41,056 total)
58. Winter’s Bone – $22,912 ($6,385,876 total)
62. The Kids Are All Right – $20,682 ($21,512,774 total)
70. I Am Love – $13,119 ($5,114,594 total)
76. Animal Kingdom – $10,092 ($950,671 total)
92. Restrepo – $4,272 ($1,352,548 total)
111. Exit Through the Gift Shop – $1,523 ($3,394,862 total)
120. The Secret in Their Eyes – $745 ($6,615,753 total)
121. Dogtooth – $739 ($59,698 total)
128. Gasland – $283 ($28,806 total)

Oscar Details:

• Animal Kingdom: Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver)
• Dogtooth: Foreign Language Film
• Exit Through the Gift Shop: Documentary Feature
• Gasland: Documentary Feature
• I Am Love: Costume Design
• Inception: Picture, Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Inside Job: Documentary Feature
• The Kids Are All Right: Picture, Actress (Annette Bening), Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Original Screenplay
• Restrepo: Documentary Feature
• Salt: Sound Mixing
• The Secret in Their Eyes: Foreign Language Film
• The Social Network: Picture, Directing, Actor (Jesse Eisenberg), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography, Sound Mixing
• The Town: Supporting Actor (Jeremy Renner)
• Toy Story 3: Picture, Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“We Belong Together”) [O], Sound Editing
• Winter’s Bone: Picture, Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), Adapted Screenplay

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 14-16, 2005

Weekend Box Office:

2. Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit – $11,527,216 ($33,107,497 total) {week 2}
8. A History of Violence – $3,600,474 ($22,364,443 total) {week 4}
9. Corpse Bride – $3,577,465 ($47,769,285 total) {week 5}
16. Good Night, and Good Luck. – $1,244,707 ($1,854,797 total) {week 2}
21. The Constant Gardener – $527,151 ($32,109,493 total) {week 7}
22. Capote – $363,876 ($1,427,060 total) {week 3}
24. The Squid and the Whale – $279,938 ($501,232 total) {week 2}
25. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – $271,857 ($205,336,261 total) {week 14}
26. March of the Penguins – $260,152 ($75,865,442 total) {week 17}
32. War of the Worlds – $172,668 ($233,846,752 total) {week 16}
53. Batman Begins – $53,633 ($205,279,168 total) {week 18}
54. Junebug – $50,031 ($2,525,095 total) {week 11}
74. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith – $12,961 ($380,262,555 total) {week 22}
98. Darwin’s Nightmare – $2,773 ($61,963 total) {week 11}
101. Hustle & Flow – $2,577 ($22,195,154 total) {week 13}
105. Cinderella Man – $2,425 ($61,612,425 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit – $14,692,255 ($42,197,855 total)
8. A History of Violence – $4,589,060 ($28,505,070 total)
9. Corpse Bride – $4,559,733 ($60,885,345 total)
16. Good Night, and Good Luck. – $1,586,467 ($2,364,070 total)
21. The Constant Gardener – $671,891 ($40,925,828 total)
22. Capote – $463,786 ($1,818,889 total)
24. The Squid and the Whale – $356,801 ($638,856 total)
25. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – $346,501 ($261,715,640 total)
26. March of the Penguins – $331,582 ($96,695,891 total)
32. War of the Worlds – $220,078 ($298,054,285 total)
53. Batman Begins – $68,359 ($261,642,871 total)
54. Junebug – $63,768 ($3,218,413 total)
74. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith – $16,520 ($484,671,618 total)
98. Darwin’s Nightmare – $3,534 ($78,976 total)
101. Hustle & Flow – $3,285 ($28,289,299 total)
105. Cinderella Man – $3,091 ($78,529,409 total)

Oscar Details:

• Batman Begins: Cinematography
• Capote: Picture, Directing, Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) [O], Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener), Adapted Screenplay
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Costume Design
• Cinderella Man: Supporting Actor (Paul Giamatti), Editing, Makeup
• The Constant Gardener: Supporting Actress (Rachel Weisz) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Origianl Score, Editing
• Corpse Bride: Animated Feature
• Darwin’s Nightmare: Documentary Feature
• Good Night, and Good Luck.: Picture, Directing, Actor (David Strathairn), Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction
• A History of Violence: Supporting Actor (William Hurt), Adapted Screenplay
• Hustle & Flow: Actor (Terrence Howard), Original Song (“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp”) [O]
• Junebug: Supporting Actress (Amy Adams)
• March of the Penguins: Documentary Feature [O]
• The Squid and the Whale: Original Screenplay
• Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith: Makeup
• Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit: Animated Feature [O]
• War of the Worlds: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 13-15, 2000

Weekend Box Office:

1. Meet the Parents – $21,168,385 ($58,824,635 total) {week 2}
5. The Contender – $5,363,900 ($5,363,900 total) {week 1}
9. Almost Famous – $2,192,827 ($26,676,713 total) {week 5}
15. Space Cowboys – $543,431 ($89,056,413 total) {week 11}
17. Dancer in the Dark – $393,186 ($1,542,996 total) {week 4}
26. The Cell – $220,909 ($60,447,765 total) {week 9}
27. Billy Elliot – $215,681 ($215,681 total) {week 1}
36. The Perfect Storm – $151,098 ($181,239,864 total) {week 16}
41. Gladiator – $114,759 ($186,610,052 total) {week 24}
54. The Patriot – $58,928 ($113,330,342 total) {week 16}
57. Requiem for a Dream – $43,877 ($143,028 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Meet the Parents – $32,086,402 ($89,164,614 total)
5. The Contender – $8,130,438 ($8,130,438 total)
9. Almost Famous – $3,323,821 ($40,435,760 total)
15. Space Cowboys – $823,716 ($134,989,034 total)
17. Dancer in the Dark – $595,980 ($2,338,827 total)
26. The Cell – $334,847 ($91,624,905 total)
27. Billy Elliot – $326,923 ($326,923 total)
36. The Perfect Storm – $229,030 ($274,717,939 total)
41. Gladiator – $173,948 ($282,857,908 total)
54. The Patriot – $89,321 ($171,782,726 total)
57. Requiem for a Dream – $66,507 ($216,798 total)

Oscar Details:

• Almost Famous: Supporting Actress (Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• Billy Elliot: Directing, Supporting Actress (Julie Walters), Original Screenplay
• The Cell: Makeup
• The Contender: Actress (Joan Allen), Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges)
• Dancer in the Dark: Original Song (“I’ve Seen It All”)
• Gladiator: Picture [O], Directing, Actor (Russell Crowe) [O], Supporting Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Meet the Parents: Original Song (“A Fool in Love”)
• The Patriot: Original Score, Cinematography, Sound
• The Perfect Storm: Sound, Visual Effects
• Requiem for a Dream: Actress (Ellen Burstyn)
• Space Cowboys: Sound Editing

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 13-15, 1995

Weekend Box Office:

1. Seven – $8,645,354 ($57,754,130 total) {week 4}
14. Apollo 13 – $865,460 ($168,793,585 total) {week 16}
15. Pocahontas – $768,359 ($139,242,512 total) {week 18}
17. The Usual Suspects – $663,958 ($20,222,112 total) {week 9}
999. Batman Forever – $82,952 ($183,506,893 total) {week 18}
999. Braveheart – $130,164 ($66,674,715 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Seven – $16,237,366 ($108,471,550 total)
14. Apollo 13 – $1,625,473 ($317,021,515 total)
15. Pocahontas – $1,443,102 ($261,519,844 total)
17. The Usual Suspects – $1,247,020 ($37,980,380 total)
999. Batman Forever – $155,797 ($344,655,475 total)
999. Braveheart – $244,469 ($125,225,844 total)

Oscar Details:

• Apollo 13: Picture, Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Kathleen Quinlan), Adapted Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing [O], Art Direction, Sound [O], Visual Effects
• Batman Forever: Cinematography, Sound, Sound Effects Editing
• Braveheart: Picture [O], Directing [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing, Cinematography [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Sound Effects Editing [O]
• Pocahontas: Original Song (“Colors of the Wind”) [O], Original Musical or Comedy Score [O]
• Seven: Editing
• The Usual Suspects: Supporting Actor (Kevin Spacey) [O], Original Screenplay [O]

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 12-14, 1990

Weekend Box Office:

3. Ghost – $4,224,020 ($167,447,571 total) {week 14}
5. Good Fellas – $3,697,188 ($27,098,518 total) {week 4}
8. Postcards from the Edge – $2,199,708 ($30,807,958 total) {week 5}
10. Henry & June – $1,400,131 ($2,781,154 total) {week 2}
11. Flatliners – $994,753 ($56,969,879 total) {week 10}
12. Pretty Woman – $793,924 ($176,297,210 total) {week 30}
999. Avalon – $201,574 ($504,619 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Ghost – $8,158,450 ($323,415,285 total)
5. Good Fellas – $7,140,904 ($52,339,218 total)
8. Postcards from the Edge – $4,248,609 ($59,503,786 total)
10. Henry & June – $2,704,272 ($5,371,638 total)
11. Flatliners – $1,921,308 ($110,034,022 total)
12. Pretty Woman – $1,533,418 ($340,507,850 total)
999. Avalon – $389,329 ($974,642 total)

Oscar Details:

• Avalon: Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography, Costume Design
• Flatliners: Sound Effects Editing
• Ghost: Picture, Supporting Actress (Whoopi Goldberg) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing
• Good Fellas: Picture, Directing, Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci), Supporting Actres (Lorraine Bracco), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• Henry & June: Cinematography
• Postcards from the Edge: Actress (Meryl Streep), Original Song (“I’m Checkin’ Out”)
• Pretty Woman: Actress (Julia Roberts)

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 11-13, 1985

Weekend Box Office:

2. Jagged Edge – $4,225,022 ($9,765,066 total) {week 2}
2. When Father Was Away on Business (Foreign) – $11,614 ($11,614 total) {week 1}
4. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins – $3,376,971 ($3,376,971 total) {week 1}
5. Back to the Future – $2,979,418 ($163,299,302 total) {week 15}
6. Agnes of God – $3,011,839 ($14,243,530 total) {week 5}
8. Sweet Dreams – $2,161,284 ($2,335,524 total) {week 2}
13. The Journey of Natty Gann – $905,754 ($2,270,373 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Jagged Edge – $9,723,501 ($22,473,405 total)
2. When Father Was Away on Business (Foreign) – $26,729 ($26,729 total)
4. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins – $7,771,790 ($7,771,790 total)
5. Back to the Future – $6,856,858 ($375,818,394 total)
6. Agnes of God – $6,931,472 ($32,780,180 total)
8. Sweet Dreams – $4,973,997 ($5,374,995 total)
13. The Journey of Natty Gann – $2,084,510 ($5,225,056 total)

Oscar Details:

• Agnes of God: Actress (Anne Bancroft), Supporting Actress (Meg Tilly), Original Score
• Back to the Future: Original Screenplay, Original Song (“The Power of Love’), Sound, Sound Effects Editing [O]
• Jagged Edge: Original Score, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup
• The Journey of Natty Gann: Costume Design
• Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins: Makeup
• Sweet Dreams: Actress (Jessica Lange)
• When Father Was Away on Business (Foreign):

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 10, 1980

Weekend Box Office:

1. Private Benjamin – $4,739,769 ($4,739,769 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Private Benjamin – $14,395,507 ($14,395,507 total)

Oscar Details:

• Private Benjamin: Actress (Goldie Hawn), Supporting Actress (Eileen Brennan)