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

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Production Design, Costume Design.

Jojo Rabbit (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup & Hairstyling, Sound Mixing.

The Lighthouse (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actor (Robert Pattinson), Supporting Actor (Willem Dafoe).

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 17-19, 2014

Weekend Box Office:

2. Gone Girl – $17,511,956 ($106,780,820 total) {week 3}
7. The Judge – $7,916,418 ($26,819,761 total) {week 2}
12. The Boxtrolls – $2,700,343 ($46,085,766 total) {week 4}
13. Guardians of the Galaxy – $959,912 ($327,792,643 total) {week 12}
20. Birdman – $424,397 ($424,397 total) {week 1}
28. Whiplash – $196,048 ($401,475 total) {week 2}
35. Maleficent – $106,071 ($240,978,399 total) {week 21}
37. How to Train Your Dragon 2 – $103,230 ($176,486,147 total) {week 19}
38. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – $99,777 ($208,268,003 total) {week 15}
44. Boyhood – $71,154 ($23,721,469 total) {week 15}
47. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya – $54,915 ($54,915 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Gone Girl – $19,591,099 ($119,458,592 total)
7. The Judge – $8,856,311 ($30,003,992 total)
12. The Boxtrolls – $3,020,947 ($51,557,393 total)
13. Guardians of the Galaxy – $1,073,880 ($366,710,497 total)
20. Birdman – $474,784 ($474,784 total)
28. Whiplash – $219,324 ($449,141 total)
35. Maleficent – $118,664 ($269,589,053 total)
37. How to Train Your Dragon 2 – $115,486 ($197,439,827 total)
38. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – $111,623 ($232,995,049 total)
44. Boyhood – $79,602 ($26,537,849 total)
47. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya – $61,435 ($61,435 total)

Oscar Details:

• Birdman: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Michael Keaton), Supporting Actor (Edward Norton), Supporting Actress (Emma Stone), Origianl Screenplay [O], Cinematography [O], Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• 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
• Gone Girl: Actress (Rosamund Pike)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects
• How to Train Your Dragon 2: Animated Feature
• The Judge: Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall)
• Maleficent: Costume Design
• The Tale of the Princess Kaguya: Animated Feature
• Whiplash: Picture, Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing [O]

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 16-18, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

15. A Serious Man – $842,511 ($1,843,307 total) {week 3}
20. Bright Star – $396,479 ($3,534,192 total) {week 5}
21. Coco Before Chanel – $391,618 ($2,379,316 total) {week 4}
23. Inglourious Basterds – $341,410 ($119,073,469 total) {week 9}
27. Julie & Julia – $246,959 ($93,081,747 total) {week 11}
28. District 9 – $245,983 ($115,238,926 total) {week 10}
29. An Education – $244,763 ($483,693 total) {week 2}
40. Up – $105,278 ($292,810,074 total) {week 21}
75. Departures – $9,484 ($1,440,135 total) {week 21}
76. The Baader Meinhof Complex – $9,344 ($436,180 total) {week 9}
80. In the Loop – $7,282 ($2,384,044 total) {week 13}
85. Food, Inc. – $6,222 ($4,399,130 total) {week 19}
92. The Cove – $4,863 ($825,552 total) {week 12}
116. Il Divo – $772 ($235,636 total) {week 25}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

15. A Serious Man – $1,026,740 ($2,246,377 total)
20. Bright Star – $483,176 ($4,307,002 total)
21. Coco Before Chanel – $477,252 ($2,899,593 total)
23. Inglourious Basterds – $416,065 ($145,110,868 total)
27. Julie & Julia – $300,961 ($113,435,622 total)
28. District 9 – $299,771 ($140,437,838 total)
29. An Education – $298,285 ($589,461 total)
40. Up – $128,299 ($356,837,877 total)
75. Departures – $11,558 ($1,755,045 total)
76. The Baader Meinhof Complex – $11,387 ($531,558 total)
80. In the Loop – $8,874 ($2,905,355 total)
85. Food, Inc. – $7,583 ($5,361,073 total)
92. The Cove – $5,926 ($1,006,073 total)
116. Il Divo – $941 ($287,162 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
• Il Divo: Makeup
• An Education: Picture, Actress (Carey Mulligan), Adapted Screenplay
• Food, Inc.: Documentary Feature
• 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)
• A Serious Man: Picture, Original Screenplay
• Up: Picture, Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Sound Editing

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 15-17, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

1. Shark Tale – $22,005,952 ($118,724,863 total) {week 3}
9. The Motorcycle Diaries – $1,756,157 ($5,748,162 total) {week 4}
20. Hero – $352,984 ($52,807,621 total) {week 1}
24. Spider-Man 2 – $263,756 ($372,585,847 total) {week 16}
29. The Village – $150,603 ($113,755,078 total) {week 12}
30. I, Robot – $148,333 ($144,044,139 total) {week 14}
31. Being Julia – $122,214 ($122,214 total) {week 1}
32. Maria Full of Grace – $110,706 ($6,265,149 total) {week 14}
49. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – $52,709 ($249,266,986 total) {week 20}
52. Vera Drake – $40,870 ($75,660 total) {week 2}
61. Zelary – $28,217 ($151,017 total) {week 5}
80. Before Sunset – $14,723 ($5,766,499 total) {week 16}
125. The Twilight Samurai – $2,384 ($546,362 total) {week 26}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Shark Tale – $32,388,792 ($174,741,586 total)
9. The Motorcycle Diaries – $2,584,746 ($8,460,258 total)
20. Hero – $519,529 ($77,723,294 total)
24. Spider-Man 2 – $388,201 ($548,379,169 total)
29. The Village – $221,660 ($167,426,959 total)
30. I, Robot – $218,319 ($212,006,994 total)
31. Being Julia – $179,877 ($179,877 total)
32. Maria Full of Grace – $162,939 ($9,221,169 total)
49. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – $77,578 ($366,876,047 total)
52. Vera Drake – $60,153 ($111,358 total)
61. Zelary – $41,530 ($222,270 total)
80. Before Sunset – $21,670 ($8,487,247 total)
125. The Twilight Samurai – $3,509 ($804,146 total)

Oscar Details:

• Before Sunset: Adapted Screenplay
• Being Julia: Actress (Annette Bening)
• 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]
• Shark Tale: Animated Feature
• Spider-Man 2: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• The Twilight Samurai: Foreign Language Film
• Vera Drake: Director, Actress (Imelda Staunton), Original Screenplay
• The Village : Original Score
• Zelary: Foreign Language Film

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 15-17, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

1. Fight Club – $11,035,485 ($11,035,485 total) {week 1}
5. American Beauty – $6,608,144 ($41,159,439 total) {week 5}
8. The Sixth Sense – $5,160,171 ($249,858,389 total) {week 11}
17. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – $435,504 ($426,818,051 total) {week 22}
31. Buena Vista Social Club – $133,275 ($5,867,968 total) {week 20}
33. Tarzan – $123,754 ($170,259,620 total) {week 18}
34. Boys Don’t Cry – $121,018 ($237,504 total) {week 2}
39. The Straight Story – $92,312 ($92,312 total) {week 1}
55. The Red Violin – $39,350 ($9,757,568 total) {week 40}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Fight Club – $19,855,184 ($19,855,184 total)
5. American Beauty – $11,889,456 ($74,054,581 total)
8. The Sixth Sense – $9,284,245 ($449,548,361 total)
17. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – $783,564 ($767,936,415 total)
31. Buena Vista Social Club – $239,790 ($10,557,722 total)
33. Tarzan – $222,660 ($306,333,253 total)
34. Boys Don’t Cry – $217,737 ($427,320 total)
39. The Straight Story – $166,089 ($166,089 total)
55. The Red Violin – $70,799 ($17,555,939 total)

Oscar Details:

• American Beauty: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Kevin Spacey) [O], Actress (Annette Bening), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography
• Boys Don’t Cry: Actress (Hilary Swank) [O], Supporting Actress (Chloe Sevigny)
• Buena Vista Social Club: Documentary Feature
• Fight Club: Sound Effects
• The Red Violin : Original Score [O]
• The Sixth Sense : Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Haley Joel Osment), Supporting Actress (Toni Collette), Original Screenplay, Editing
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace: Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects
• The Straight Story : Actor (Richard Farnsworth)
• Tarzan: Original Song (“You’ll Be In My Heart”)

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 21-23, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

1. Pulp Fiction – $8,389,221 ($21,670,188 total) {week 2}
8. Forrest Gump – $2,795,175 ($283,580,700 total) {week 16}
10. The Shawshank Redemption – $2,143,375 ($10,235,401 total) {week 5}
11. Quiz Show – $1,563,145 ($17,916,825 total) {week 6}
999. Bullets Over Broadway – $86,072 ($86,072 total) {week 1}
999. Ed Wood – $470,996 ($4,838,456 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Pulp Fiction – $18,343,895 ($47,384,095 total)
8. Forrest Gump – $6,111,938 ($620,078,373 total)
10. The Shawshank Redemption – $4,686,710 ($22,380,757 total)
11. Quiz Show – $3,417,977 ($39,176,981 total)
999. Bullets Over Broadway – $188,205 ($188,205 total)
999. Ed Wood – $1,029,881 ($10,579,782 total)

Oscar Details:

• Bullets Over Broadway: Director, Supporting Actor (Chazz Palminteri), Supporting Actress (Meg Tilly, Dianne Wiest [O]), Original Screenplay, Art Direction, Costume Design
• 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]
• Pulp Fiction: Picture, Director, Actor (John Travolta), Supporting Actor (Samuel L. Jackson), Supporting Actress (Uma Thurman), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• Quiz Show: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Paul Scofield), Adapted Screenplay
• The Shawshank Redemption : Picture, Actor (Morgan Freeman), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Sound

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 20-22, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

4. Black Rain – $2,844,545 ($36,113,461 total) {week 5}
7. The Fabulous Baker Boys – $2,778,848 ($7,292,181 total) {week 2}
9. Parenthood – $1,508,325 ($89,418,930 total) {week 12}
12. When Harry Met Sally… – $1,114,289 ($86,689,724 total) {week 15}
13. Crimes and Misdemeanors – $925,463 ($2,225,118 total) {week 2}
999. Batman – $299,580 ($247,932,803 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Black Rain – $6,548,902 ($83,142,830 total)
7. The Fabulous Baker Boys – $6,397,650 ($16,788,548 total)
9. Parenthood – $3,472,567 ($205,866,252 total)
12. When Harry Met Sally… – $2,565,391 ($199,582,891 total)
13. Crimes and Misdemeanors – $2,130,663 ($5,122,816 total)
999. Batman – $689,713 ($570,807,511 total)

Oscar Details:

• Batman: Art Direction [O]
• Black Rain: Sound, Sound Effects
• Crimes and Misdemeanors: Director, Supporting Actor (Martin Landau), Original Screenplay
• The Fabulous Baker Boys : Actress (Michelle Pfeiffer), Original Score, Editing, Cinematography
• Parenthood: Supporting Actress (Dianne Wiest), Original Song (“I Love To See You Smile”)
• When Harry Met Sally…: Original Screenplay

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 19-21, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

2. Places in the Heart – $3,133,493 ($13,391,742 total) {week 5}
7. A Soldier’s Story – $1,578,635 ($7,198,464 total) {week 6}
8. Ghostbusters – $1,743,706 ($211,132,507 total) {week 20}
10. Purple Rain – $1,124,609 ($63,358,487 total) {week 13}
12. The Karate Kid – $1,030,451 ($84,909,324 total) {week 18}
14. Amadeus – $936,675 ($4,976,735 total) {week 5}
15. Country – $825,657 ($1,873,364 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Places in the Heart – $8,523,847 ($36,428,727 total)
7. A Soldier’s Story – $4,294,263 ($19,581,536 total)
8. Ghostbusters – $4,743,295 ($574,330,689 total)
10. Purple Rain – $3,059,204 ($172,350,170 total)
12. The Karate Kid – $2,803,072 ($230,973,578 total)
14. Amadeus – $2,547,979 ($13,537,904 total)
15. Country – $2,245,984 ($5,095,996 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