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

Thor: Ragnarok (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Visual Effects.

Lady Bird (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Supporting Actress (Laurie Metcalf), Original Screenplay.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 2-4, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

1. Wreck-It Ralph – $49,038,712 ($49,038,712 total) {week 1}
2. Flight – $24,900,566 ($24,900,566 total) {week 1}
3. Argo – $10,209,103 ($75,860,240 total) {week 4}
18. Frankenweenie – $766,080 ($33,339,919 total) {week 5}
20. The Sessions – $468,312 ($943,230 total) {week 3}
21. Brave – $328,031 ($235,872,669 total) {week 20}
23. ParaNorman – $229,308 ($55,231,340 total) {week 12}
25. The Master – $180,599 ($15,511,394 total) {week 8}
28. Searching for Sugar Man – $149,114 ($241,566 total) {week 15}
73. Beasts of the Southern Wild – $9,510 ($11,225,465 total) {week 19}
104. How to Survive a Plague – $677 ($121,201 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Wreck-It Ralph – $50,332,447 ($50,332,447 total)
2. Flight – $25,557,490 ($25,557,490 total)
3. Argo – $10,478,439 ($77,861,578 total)
18. Frankenweenie – $786,291 ($34,219,490 total)
20. The Sessions – $480,667 ($968,114 total)
21. Brave – $336,685 ($242,095,440 total)
23. ParaNorman – $235,358 ($56,688,448 total)
25. The Master – $185,364 ($15,920,614 total)
28. Searching for Sugar Man – $153,048 ($247,939 total)
73. Beasts of the Southern Wild – $9,761 ($11,521,614 total)
104. How to Survive a Plague – $695 ($124,399 total)

Oscar Details:

• Argo: Picture [O], Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin), Adapted Screenlay [O], Original Score, Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Beasts of the Southern Wild: Picture, Directing, Actress (Quvenzhane Wallis), Adapted Screenplay
• Brave: Animated Feature [O]
• Flight: Actor (Denzel Washington), Original Screenplay
• Frankenweenie: Animated Feature
• How to Survive a Plague: Documentary Feature
• The Master: Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Supporting Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Supporting Actress (Amy Adams)
• ParaNorman: Animated Feature
• Searching for Sugar Man: Documentary Feature [O]
• The Sessions: Actress (Helen Hunt)
• Wreck-It Ralph: Animated Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 2-4, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

1. American Gangster – $43,565,115 ($43,565,135 total) {week 1}
8. Michael Clayton – $2,785,133 ($33,083,619 total) {week 5}
10. Gone Baby Gone – $2,237,915 ($14,786,017 total) {week 3}
14. Into the Wild – $1,290,062 ($10,906,359 total) {week 7}
16. Across the Universe – $1,207,449 ($21,051,977 total) {week 8}
18. Lars and the Real Girl – $765,971 ($2,390,366 total) {week 4}
19. Elizabeth: The Golden Age – $598,775 ($15,339,475 total) {week 4}
26. Ratatouille – $255,821 ($205,630,874 total) {week 19}
27. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $227,398 ($3,296,227 total) {week 7}
28. The Bourne Ultimatum – $201,305 ($226,776,175 total) {week 14}
29. Transformers – $171,103 ($319,014,499 total) {week 18}
32. 3:10 to Yuma – $126,227 ($53,443,978 total) {week 9}
39. Eastern Promises – $78,600 ($17,266,000 total) {week 8}
57. In the Valley of Elah – $22,313 ($6,704,576 total) {week 8}
74. Once – $11,338 ($9,377,957 total) {week 25}
108. No End in Sight – $402 ($1,431,623 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. American Gangster – $51,733,574 ($51,733,598 total)
8. Michael Clayton – $3,307,345 ($39,286,798 total)
10. Gone Baby Gone – $2,657,524 ($17,558,395 total)
14. Into the Wild – $1,531,949 ($12,951,301 total)
16. Across the Universe – $1,433,846 ($24,999,223 total)
18. Lars and the Real Girl – $909,591 ($2,838,560 total)
19. Elizabeth: The Golden Age – $711,045 ($18,215,627 total)
26. Ratatouille – $303,787 ($244,186,663 total)
27. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $270,035 ($3,914,270 total)
28. The Bourne Ultimatum – $239,050 ($269,296,708 total)
29. Transformers – $203,185 ($378,829,718 total)
32. 3:10 to Yuma – $149,895 ($63,464,724 total)
39. Eastern Promises – $93,338 ($20,503,375 total)
57. In the Valley of Elah – $26,497 ($7,961,684 total)
74. Once – $13,464 ($11,136,324 total)
108. No End in Sight – $477 ($1,700,052 total)

Oscar Details:

• 3:10 to Yuma: Original Score, Sound Mixing
• Across the Universe: Costume Design
• American Gangster: Supporting Actress (Ruby Dee), Art Direction
• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck), Cinematography
• The Bourne Ultimatum: Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O]
• Eastern Promises: Actor (Viggo Mortensen)
• Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Actress (Cate Blanchett), Costume Design [O]
• Gone Baby Gone: Supporting Actress (Amy Ryan)
• In the Valley of Elah: Actor (Tommy Lee Jones)
• Into the Wild: Supporting Actor (Hal Holbrook), Editing
• Lars and the Real Girl: Original Screenplay
• Michael Clayton: Picture, Director, Actor (George Clooney), Supporting Actor (Tom Wilkinson), Supporting Actress (Tilda Swinton) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score
• No End in Sight: Documentary Feature
• Once: Original Song [O]
• Ratatouille: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Transformers: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 1-3, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $5,623,149 ($185,244,976 total) {week 29}
11. Bowling for Columbine – $1,541,193 ($4,518,239 total) {week 4}
19. Frida – $1,000,862 ($1,323,935 total) {week 2}
26. Spirited Away – $312,224 ($4,417,007 total) {week 7}
31. Lilo & Stitch – $201,101 ($145,177,433 total) {week 20}
93. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones – $6,663 ($302,191,252 total) {week 25}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $7,907,251 ($260,490,784 total)
11. Bowling for Columbine – $2,167,220 ($6,353,531 total)
19. Frida – $1,407,408 ($1,861,712 total)
26. Spirited Away – $439,048 ($6,211,179 total)
31. Lilo & Stitch – $282,787 ($204,147,957 total)
93. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones – $9,369 ($424,940,194 total)

Oscar Details:

• Bowling for Columbine: Documentary Feature [O]
• Frida: Actress, Original Score [O], Original Song (“Burn It Blue”), Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup [O]
• Lilo & Stitch: Animated Feature
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Original Screenplay
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones: Visual Effects

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

4. Boogie Nights – $4,681,934 ($8,751,415 total) {week 4}
9. Gattaca – $2,585,604 ($8,236,800 total) {week 2}
10. In & Out – $1,728,629 ($59,244,364 total) {week 7}
12. The Full Monty – $1,384,583 ($26,659,028 total) {week 12}
13. L.A. Confidential – $1,276,437 ($31,511,826 total) {week 7}
999. Air Force One – $621,083 ($170,606,595 total) {week 15}
999. Men in Black – $621,083 ($245,012,779 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Boogie Nights – $8,333,639 ($15,577,137 total)
9. Gattaca – $4,602,262 ($14,661,145 total)
10. In & Out – $3,076,884 ($105,452,386 total)
12. The Full Monty – $2,464,497 ($47,451,908 total)
13. L.A. Confidential – $2,272,002 ($56,089,677 total)
999. Air Force One – $1,105,501 ($303,672,305 total)
999. Men in Black – $1,105,501 ($436,112,071 total)

Oscar Details:

• Air Force One: Editing, Sound
• Boogie Nights: Supporting Actor (Burt Reynolds), Supporting Actress (Julianne Moore), Original Screenplay
• The Full Monty: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Musical or Comedy Score [O]
• Gattaca: Art Direction
• In & Out: Supporting Actress (Joan Cusack)
• L.A. Confidential: Picture, Director, Supporting Actress (Kim Basinger) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Dramatic Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound
• Men in Black: Original Musical or Comedy Score, Art Direction, Makeup [O]

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

1. Under Siege – $6,195,221 ($51,425,497 total) {week 4}
2. A River Runs Through It – $4,254,015 ($7,455,004 total) {week 4}
4. The Last of the Mohicans – $3,285,806 ($54,560,098 total) {week 6}
13. Glengarry Glen Ross – $561,222 ($7,726,768 total) {week 5}
999. The Lover – $181,147 ($181,147 total) {week 1}
999. The Lover – $181,147 ($181,147 total) {week 1}
999. Unforgiven – $88,133 ($74,399,883 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Under Siege – $12,196,375 ($101,240,075 total)
2. A River Runs Through It – $8,374,772 ($14,676,478 total)
4. The Last of the Mohicans – $6,468,683 ($107,411,084 total)
13. Glengarry Glen Ross – $1,104,864 ($15,211,493 total)
999. The Lover – $356,620 ($356,620 total)
999. The Lover – $356,620 ($356,620 total)
999. Unforgiven – $173,505 ($146,469,167 total)

Oscar Details:

• Glengarry Glen Ross: Supporting Actor (Al Pacino)
• The Last of the Mohicans: Sound [O]
• The Lover: Foreign Language Film
• The Lover: Cinematography
• A River Runs Through It: Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography [O]
• Under Siege: Sound, Sound Effects
• Unforgiven: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Clint Eastwood), Supporting Actor (Gene Hackman) [O], Original Screenplay, Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

1. Fatal Attraction – $6,407,677 ($75,899,211 total) {week 7}
7. The Princess Bride – $2,044,170 ($16,345,242 total) {week 6}
9. Dirty Dancing – $1,304,542 ($39,210,484 total) {week 11}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Fatal Attraction – $13,388,931 ($158,592,469 total)
7. The Princess Bride – $4,271,322 ($34,153,613 total)
9. Dirty Dancing – $2,725,859 ($81,930,858 total)

Oscar Details:

• Dirty Dancing: Original Song (“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”) [O]
• Fatal Attraction: Picture, Director, Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Anne Archer), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• The Princess Bride: Original Song (“Storybook Love”)

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 29-31, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

4. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $2,769,252 ($278,565,874 total) {week 21}
5. An Officer and a Gentleman – $2,511,645 ($83,096,446 total) {week 14}
7. My Favorite Year – $1,481,129 ($9,815,529 total) {week 4}
9. Poltergeist – $1,003,019 ($73,099,884 total) {week 22}
12. Rocky III – $245,234 ($118,342,924 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $7,695,506 ($774,109,929 total)
5. An Officer and a Gentleman – $6,979,639 ($230,917,675 total)
7. My Favorite Year – $4,115,927 ($27,276,487 total)
9. Poltergeist – $2,787,301 ($203,138,113 total)
12. Rocky III – $681,484 ($328,864,520 total)

Oscar Details:

• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Editing, Cinematography, Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• My Favorite Year: Actor (Peter O’Toole)
• An Officer and a Gentleman: Actress (Debra Winger), Supporting Actor (Louis Gossett Jr.) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Up Where We Belong”) [O], Original Score, Film Editing
• Poltergeist: Original Score, Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• Rocky III: Original Song (“Eye of the Tiger”)