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

Murder on the Orient Express (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Supporting Actress (Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer), Original Score, Production Design, Costume Design.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actress (Frances McDormand), Supporting Actor (Sam Rockwell), Original Screenplay, Editing.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 9-11, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

1. Skyfall – $88,364,714 ($90,564,714 total) {week 1}
2. Wreck-It Ralph – $33,012,796 ($93,647,405 total) {week 2}
3. Flight – $14,785,097 ($47,455,396 total) {week 2}
4. Argo – $6,617,229 ($85,583,187 total) {week 5}
15. Lincoln – $944,308 ($944,308 total) {week 1}
19. The Sessions – $545,550 ($1,655,222 total) {week 4}
22. Brave – $303,009 ($236,276,536 total) {week 21}
23. Frankenweenie – $266,872 ($33,821,472 total) {week 6}
27. ParaNorman – $163,086 ($55,458,403 total) {week 13}
32. The Master – $103,425 ($15,688,483 total) {week 9}
33. Searching for Sugar Man – $103,223 ($2,560,198 total) {week 16}
46. A Royal Affair – $38,212 ($38,212 total) {week 1}
65. Beasts of the Southern Wild – $10,205 ($11,240,985 total) {week 20}
107. How to Survive a Plague – $741 ($122,665 total) {week 8}
115. 5 Broken Cameras – $141 ($73,961 total) {week 24}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Skyfall – $90,695,944 ($92,953,984 total)
2. Wreck-It Ralph – $33,883,737 ($96,118,002 total)
3. Flight – $15,175,156 ($48,707,360 total)
4. Argo – $6,791,804 ($87,841,035 total)
15. Lincoln – $969,221 ($969,221 total)
19. The Sessions – $559,943 ($1,698,890 total)
22. Brave – $311,003 ($242,509,962 total)
23. Frankenweenie – $273,913 ($34,713,747 total)
27. ParaNorman – $167,389 ($56,921,502 total)
32. The Master – $106,154 ($16,102,375 total)
33. Searching for Sugar Man – $105,946 ($2,627,741 total)
46. A Royal Affair – $39,220 ($39,220 total)
65. Beasts of the Southern Wild – $10,474 ($11,537,544 total)
107. How to Survive a Plague – $761 ($125,901 total)
115. 5 Broken Cameras – $145 ($75,912 total)

Oscar Details:

• 5 Broken Cameras: Documentary Feature
• 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
• Lincoln: Picture, Directing, Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) [O], Supporting Actor (Tommy Lee Jones), Supporting Actress (Sally Field), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design [O], Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• The Master: Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Supporting Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Supporting Actress (Amy Adams)
• ParaNorman: Animated Feature
• A Royal Affair: Foreign Language Film
• Searching for Sugar Man: Documentary Feature [O]
• The Sessions: Actress (Helen Hunt)
• Skyfall: Original Song (“Skyfall”) [O], Original Score, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing [O]
• Wreck-It Ralph: Animated Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 9-11, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

2. American Gangster – $24,028,445 ($80,388,420 total) {week 2}
12. Michael Clayton – $1,697,456 ($35,631,903 total) {week 6}
14. Gone Baby Gone – $1,444,394 ($17,044,169 total) {week 4}
15. No Country for Old Men – $1,226,333 ($1,226,333 total) {week 1}
16. Into the Wild – $1,105,004 ($12,548,052 total) {week 8}
18. Across the Universe – $901,303 ($22,404,372 total) {week 9}
21. Lars and the Real Girl – $702,550 ($3,372,897 total) {week 5}
27. Elizabeth: The Golden Age – $298,700 ($15,880,245 total) {week 5}
30. Ratatouille – $219,129 ($205,917,649 total) {week 20}
35. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $151,441 ($3,556,821 total) {week 8}
42. 3:10 to Yuma – $78,726 ($53,574,088 total) {week 10}
71. War/Dance – $15,471 ($15,471 total) {week 1}
75. Once – $12,513 ($9,396,779 total) {week 26}
82. In the Valley of Elah – $8,290 ($6,723,264 total) {week 9}
332. The Bourne Ultimatum – $172,550 ($227,015,425 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. American Gangster – $28,533,778 ($95,461,249 total)
12. Michael Clayton – $2,015,729 ($42,312,885 total)
14. Gone Baby Gone – $1,715,218 ($20,239,951 total)
15. No Country for Old Men – $1,456,270 ($1,456,270 total)
16. Into the Wild – $1,312,192 ($14,900,812 total)
18. Across the Universe – $1,070,297 ($26,605,192 total)
21. Lars and the Real Girl – $834,278 ($4,005,315 total)
27. Elizabeth: The Golden Age – $354,706 ($18,857,791 total)
30. Ratatouille – $260,216 ($244,527,208 total)
35. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $179,836 ($4,223,725 total)
42. 3:10 to Yuma – $93,487 ($63,619,230 total)
71. War/Dance – $18,372 ($18,372 total)
75. Once – $14,859 ($11,158,675 total)
82. In the Valley of Elah – $9,844 ($7,983,876 total)
332. The Bourne Ultimatum – $204,903 ($269,580,817 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]
• 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 Country for Old Men: Picture [O], Director [O], Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Once: Original Song [O]
• Ratatouille: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• War/Dance: Documentary Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 8-10, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

1. 8 Mile – $51,240,555 ($51,240,555 total) {week 1}
6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $5,854,005 ($192,857,165 total) {week 30}
10. Frida – $2,754,118 ($4,506,816 total) {week 3}
13. Bowling for Columbine – $1,559,426 ($6,783,493 total) {week 5}
27. Spirited Away – $269,983 ($4,787,610 total) {week 8}
30. Far From Heaven – $211,279 ($211,279 total) {week 1}
31. Lilo & Stitch – $198,591 ($145,434,644 total) {week 21}
145. Promises – $302 ($223,285 total) {week 35}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. 8 Mile – $72,054,274 ($72,054,274 total)
6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $8,231,880 ($271,195,015 total)
10. Frida – $3,872,830 ($6,337,468 total)
13. Bowling for Columbine – $2,192,859 ($9,538,922 total)
27. Spirited Away – $379,649 ($6,732,319 total)
30. Far From Heaven – $297,100 ($297,100 total)
31. Lilo & Stitch – $279,258 ($204,509,646 total)
145. Promises – $425 ($313,983 total)

Oscar Details:

• 8 Mile: Original Song (“Lose Yourself”) [O]
• Bowling for Columbine: Documentary Feature [O]
• Far From Heaven: Actress (Julianne Moore), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography
• 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
• Promises: Documentary Feature
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 7-9, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

1. Starship Troopers – $22,058,773 ($22,058,773 total) {week 1}
7. Boogie Nights – $3,940,924 ($14,550,063 total) {week 5}
13. Gattaca – $1,380,024 ($10,558,312 total) {week 3}
14. The Full Monty – $1,295,595 ($28,475,102 total) {week 13}
15. In & Out – $1,107,728 ($60,765,222 total) {week 8}
999. Air Force One – $252,630 ($171,013,550 total) {week 16}
999. Men in Black – $252,630 ($245,419,734 total) {week 19}
999. The Wings of the Dove – $183,610 ($183,610 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Starship Troopers – $39,263,655 ($39,263,655 total)
7. Boogie Nights – $7,014,673 ($25,898,478 total)
13. Gattaca – $2,456,383 ($18,793,335 total)
14. The Full Monty – $2,306,103 ($50,684,441 total)
15. In & Out – $1,971,708 ($108,159,447 total)
999. Air Force One – $449,670 ($304,396,667 total)
999. Men in Black – $449,670 ($436,836,433 total)
999. The Wings of the Dove – $326,818 ($326,818 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)
• Men in Black: Original Musical or Comedy Score, Art Direction, Makeup [O]
• Starship Troopers: Visual Effects
• The Wings of the Dove: Actress (Helena Bonham Carter), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 6-8, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

2. Under Siege – $5,682,925 ($59,492,365 total) {week 5}
3. A River Runs Through It – $5,044,540 ($14,085,043 total) {week 5}
6. The Last of the Mohicans – $3,451,025 ($59,282,089 total) {week 7}
999. The Lover – $164,893 ($442,353 total) {week 2}
999. The Lover – $164,893 ($442,353 total) {week 1}
999. Unforgiven – $81,826 ($74,550,303 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Under Siege – $11,187,831 ($117,121,114 total)
3. A River Runs Through It – $9,931,058 ($27,728,868 total)
6. The Last of the Mohicans – $6,793,946 ($116,707,149 total)
999. The Lover – $324,621 ($870,849 total)
999. The Lover – $324,621 ($870,849 total)
999. Unforgiven – $161,089 ($146,765,295 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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 Nov. 6-8, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

1. Fatal Attraction – $7,089,680 ($85,704,764 total) {week 8}
11. The Princess Bride – $1,914,379 ($18,931,395 total) {week 7}
12. Dirty Dancing – $1,704,920 ($41,469,209 total) {week 12}
999. Cry Freedom – $318,723 ($318,723 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Fatal Attraction – $14,813,986 ($179,081,310 total)
11. The Princess Bride – $4,000,122 ($39,557,416 total)
12. Dirty Dancing – $3,562,454 ($86,650,496 total)
999. Cry Freedom – $665,976 ($665,976 total)

Oscar Details:

• Cry Freedom: Supporting Actor (Denzel Washington), Original Song (“Cry Freedom”), Original Score
• 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 Nov. 5-7, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

2. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $3,046,692 ($282,598,650 total) {week 22}
3. An Officer and a Gentleman – $2,910,728 ($87,056,969 total) {week 15}
7. My Favorite Year – $1,434,011 ($11,659,508 total) {week 5}
11. Poltergeist – $385,617 ($73,485,501 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $8,466,488 ($785,316,657 total)
3. An Officer and a Gentleman – $8,088,656 ($241,923,618 total)
7. My Favorite Year – $3,984,990 ($32,400,742 total)
11. Poltergeist – $1,071,596 ($204,209,709 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