Oscar in Box Office History (Week 45, 2021)

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. 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

Eternals (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Sound, Visual Effects.

Spencer (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actress (Kristen Stewart), Original Screenplay, Original Score.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 4-6, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

Doctor Strange (2016, 89th) – $85,058,311 ($85,058,311 total) {week 1}
Trolls (2016, 89th) – $46,581,142 ($46,581,142 total) {week 1}
Hacksaw Ridge (2016, 89th) – $15,190,758 ($15,190,758 total) {week 1}
Moonlight (2016, 89th) – $1,235,275 ($2,989,973 total) {week 3}
Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th) – $750,084 ($59,919,222 total) {week 6}
Sully (2016, 89th) – $526,321 ($123,286,540 total) {week 9}
A Man Called Ove (2016, 89th) – $368,405 ($1,863,381 total) {week 6}
Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $246,363 ($325,021,779 total) {week 14}
Loving (2016, 89th) – $159,615 ($159,615 total) {week 1}
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $118,906 ($47,773,427 total) {week 12}
Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $86,849 ($26,862,450 total) {week 13}
Fire at Sea (2016, 89th) – $3,442 ($48,289 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Doctor Strange (2016, 89th) – $90,073,310 ($90,073,310 total)
Trolls (2016, 89th) – $49,327,545 ($49,327,545 total)
Hacksaw Ridge (2016, 89th) – $16,086,398 ($16,086,398 total)
Moonlight (2016, 89th) – $1,308,106 ($3,166,260 total)
Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th) – $794,309 ($63,452,032 total)
Sully (2016, 89th) – $557,353 ($130,555,457 total)
A Man Called Ove (2016, 89th) – $390,126 ($1,973,245 total)
Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $260,888 ($344,184,913 total)
Loving (2016, 89th) – $169,026 ($169,026 total)
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $125,917 ($50,590,126 total)
Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $91,970 ($28,446,248 total)
Fire at Sea (2016, 89th) – $3,645 ($51,136 total)

Oscar Details:

Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th): Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
Doctor Strange (2016, 89th): Visual Effects
Fire at Sea (2016, 89th): Documentary Feature
Hacksaw Ridge (2016, 89th): Picture, Directing, Actor (Andrew Garfield), Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Film Editing
Hell or High Water (2016, 89th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th): Animated Feature, Visual Effects
Loving (2016, 89th): Actress (Ruth Negga)
A Man Called Ove (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling, Foreign Language Film
Moonlight (2016, 89th): Picture [O], Directing, Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) [O], Supporting Actress (Naomie Harris), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography
Suicide Squad (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling [O]
Sully (2016, 89th): Sound Film Editing
Trolls (2016, 89th): Original Song (“Can’t Stop the Feeling”)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 11-13, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

Puss in Boots (2011, 84th) – $24,726,193 ($108,035,359 total) {week 3}
Real Steel (2011, 84th) – $1,864,688 ($81,612,804 total) {week 6}
Moneyball (2011, 84th) – $1,066,267 ($71,857,836 total) {week 8}
The Ides of March (2011, 84th) – $944,292 ($38,358,318 total) {week 6}
Anonymous (2011, 84th) – $582,527 ($3,753,918 total) {week 3}
Margin Call (2011, 84th) – $544,341 ($3,311,024 total) {week 4}
The Help (2011, 84th) – $245,321 ($167,833,563 total) {week 14}
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $130,158 ($176,332,809 total) {week 15}
Drive (2011, 84th) – $105,466 ($34,259,311 total) {week 9}
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $53,798 ($380,955,619 total) {week 18}
Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $46,149 ($55,550,618 total) {week 26}
Hell and Back Again (2011, 84th) – $775 ($24,712 total) {week 6}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Puss in Boots (2011, 84th) – $28,561,403 ($124,792,420 total)
Real Steel (2011, 84th) – $2,153,915 ($94,271,537 total)
Moneyball (2011, 84th) – $1,231,653 ($83,003,503 total)
The Ides of March (2011, 84th) – $1,090,758 ($44,307,969 total)
Anonymous (2011, 84th) – $672,881 ($4,336,178 total)
Margin Call (2011, 84th) – $628,772 ($3,824,588 total)
The Help (2011, 84th) – $283,372 ($193,865,755 total)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $150,346 ($203,683,295 total)
Drive (2011, 84th) – $121,825 ($39,573,176 total)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $62,142 ($440,044,574 total)
Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $53,307 ($64,166,918 total)
Hell and Back Again (2011, 84th) – $895 ($28,545 total)

Oscar Details:

Anonymous (2011, 84th): Costume Design
Drive (2011, 84th): Sound Film Editing
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th): Art Direction, Makeup, Visual Effects
Hell and Back Again (2011, 84th): Documentary Feature
The Help (2011, 84th): Picture, Actress (Viola Davis), Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer [O])
The Ides of March (2011, 84th): Adapted Screenplay
Margin Call (2011, 84th): Original Screenplay
Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay [O], Art Direction
Moneyball (2011, 84th): Picture, Actor (Brad Pitt), Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill), Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, Sound Mixing
Puss in Boots (2011, 84th): Animated Feature
Real Steel (2011, 84th): Visual Effects
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th): Visual Effects

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 10-12, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

Borat (2006, 79th) – $2,826,990 ($67,111,765 total) {week 2}
Babel (2006, 79th) – $558,095 ($7,395,357 total) {week 3}
The Departed (2006, 79th) – $5,164,480 ($109,702,938 total) {week 6}
The Prestige (2006, 79th) – $4,778,175 ($46,185,205 total) {week 4}
Flags of Our Fathers (2006, 79th) – $2,811,575 ($30,950,950 total) {week 4}
The Queen (2006, 79th) – $2,714,119 ($13,898,021 total) {week 7}
Marie Antoinette (2006, 79th) – $1,151,617 ($14,884,207 total) {week 4}
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $461,858 ($422,065,649 total) {week 19}
Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $193,032 ($58,572,436 total) {week 16}
The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th) – $188,054 ($3,091,373 total) {week 7}
Volver (2006, 79th) – $169,211 ($463,075 total) {week 2}
The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $165,330 ($39,067,626 total) {week 13}
Little Children (2006, 79th) – $136,070 ($1,253,941 total) {week 6}
The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $35,620 ($124,665,689 total) {week 20}
Jesus Camp (2006, 79th) – $32,335 ($753,569 total) {week 9}
Iraq in Fragments (2006, 79th) – $24,435 ($27,917 total) {week 1}
Deliver Us From Evil (2006, 79th) – $22,221 ($155,945 total) {week 5}
Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $10,995 ($2,667,944 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Borat (2006, 79th) – $3,953,470 ($93,854,010 total)
Babel (2006, 79th) – $780,481 ($10,342,209 total)
The Departed (2006, 79th) – $7,222,387 ($153,416,628 total)
The Prestige (2006, 79th) – $6,682,150 ($64,588,775 total)
Flags of Our Fathers (2006, 79th) – $3,931,913 ($43,284,077 total)
The Queen (2006, 79th) – $3,795,623 ($19,436,011 total)
Marie Antoinette (2006, 79th) – $1,610,506 ($20,815,166 total)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $645,896 ($590,247,534 total)
Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $269,950 ($81,911,987 total)
The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th) – $262,988 ($4,323,203 total)
Volver (2006, 79th) – $236,637 ($647,598 total)
The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $231,210 ($54,635,031 total)
Little Children (2006, 79th) – $190,290 ($1,753,603 total)
The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $49,814 ($174,341,635 total)
Jesus Camp (2006, 79th) – $45,220 ($1,053,846 total)
Iraq in Fragments (2006, 79th) – $34,172 ($39,041 total)
Deliver Us From Evil (2006, 79th) – $31,075 ($218,085 total)
Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $15,376 ($3,731,048 total)

Oscar Details:

Babel (2006, 79th): Picture, Supporting Actress (Adriana Barraza, Rinko Kikuchi), Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Film Editing
Borat (2006, 79th): Adapted Screenplay
Deliver Us From Evil (2006, 79th): Documentary Feature
The Departed (2006, 79th): Picture [O], Director [O], Supporting Actor (Mark Wahlberg), Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing
The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th): Actress (Meryl Streep), Costume Design
Flags of Our Fathers (2006, 79th): Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing
Half Nelson (2006, 79th): Actor (Ryan Gosling)
The Illusionist (2006, 79th): Cinematography
Iraq in Fragments (2006, 79th): Documentary Feature
Jesus Camp (2006, 79th): Documentary Feature
The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th): Actor (Forest Whitaker [O])
Little Children (2006, 79th): Actress (Kate Winslet), Supporting Actor (Jackie Earle Haley), Adapted Screenplay
Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin [O]), Supporting Actress (Abigail Breslin), Original Screenplay [O]
Marie Antoinette (2006, 79th): Costume Design [O]
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th): Art Direction, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects [O]
The Prestige (2006, 79th): Cinematography, Art Direction
The Queen (2006, 79th): Picture, Director, Actress (Helen Mirren [O]), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Costume Design
Volver (2006, 79th): Actress (Penelope Cruz)

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 9-11, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

Monsters, Inc. (2001, 74th) – $45,551,028 ($122,150,373 total) {week 2}
Training Day (2001, 74th) – $2,023,429 ($72,608,774 total) {week 6}
The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001, 74th) – $1,015,856 ($1,935,810 total) {week 2}
Amelie (2001, 74th) – $773,865 ($106,712 total) {week 2}
Mulholland Drive (2001, 74th) – $383,075 ($4,315,443 total) {week 5}
Shrek (2001, 74th) – $121,220 ($267,367,187 total) {week 26}
Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $33,493 ($198,473,555 total) {week 25}
Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $23,686 ($6,021,645 total) {week 17}
Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $8,088 ($56,733,370 total) {week 26}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Monsters, Inc. (2001, 74th) – $73,718,625 ($197,685,056 total)
Training Day (2001, 74th) – $3,274,666 ($117,508,193 total)
The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001, 74th) – $1,644,036 ($3,132,866 total)
Amelie (2001, 74th) – $1,252,403 ($172,700 total)
Mulholland Drive (2001, 74th) – $619,959 ($6,984,003 total)
Shrek (2001, 74th) – $196,179 ($432,700,253 total)
Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $54,204 ($321,204,552 total)
Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $38,333 ($9,745,277 total)
Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $13,089 ($91,815,843 total)

Oscar Details:

Amelie (2001, 74th): Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Foreign Language Film
Ghost World (2001, 74th): Adapted Screenplay
The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001, 74th): Cinematography
Monsters, Inc. (2001, 74th): Animated Feature, Original Song (If I Didn’t Have You [O]), Original Score, Sound Film Editing
Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th): Picture, Actress (Nicole Kidman), Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
Mulholland Drive (2001, 74th): Director
Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th): Original Song (“There You’ll Be”), Sound, Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects
Shrek (2001, 74th): Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay
Training Day (2001, 74th): Actor (Denzel Washington [O]), Supporting Actor (Ethan Hawke)

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 8-10, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

Romeo + Juliet (1996, 69th) – $9,026,448 ($23,538,658 total) {week 2}
Sleepers (1996, 69th) – $3,716,065 ($43,581,596 total) {week 4}
First Wives Club (1996, 69th) – $2,242,056 ($97,079,441 total) {week 8}
The Ghost and the Darkness (1996, 69th) – $1,727,222 ($34,575,614 total) {week 5}
Michael Collins (1996, 69th) – $1,408,519 ($8,182,610 total) {week 5}
Fly Away Home (1996, 69th) – $1,014,269 ($22,651,380 total) {week 9}
Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $978,214 ($303,624,796 total) {week 19}
The Rock (1996, 69th) – $32,371 ($13,406,721 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Romeo + Juliet (1996, 69th) – $18,706,394 ($48,781,472 total)
Sleepers (1996, 69th) – $7,701,166 ($90,318,421 total)
First Wives Club (1996, 69th) – $4,646,433 ($201,187,258 total)
The Ghost and the Darkness (1996, 69th) – $3,579,492 ($71,654,440 total)
Michael Collins (1996, 69th) – $2,919,012 ($16,957,626 total)
Fly Away Home (1996, 69th) – $2,101,969 ($46,942,679 total)
Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $2,027,249 ($629,231,478 total)
The Rock (1996, 69th) – $67,086 ($27,784,064 total)

Oscar Details:

First Wives Club (1996, 69th): Original Comedy or Musical Score
Fly Away Home (1996, 69th): Cinematography
The Ghost and the Darkness (1996, 69th): Sound Effects [O]
Independence Day (1996, 69th): Sound, Visual Effects [O]
Michael Collins (1996, 69th): Original Score, Cinematography
The Rock (1996, 69th): Sound
Romeo + Juliet (1996, 69th): Art Direction
Sleepers (1996, 69th): Original Dramatic Score

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 8-10, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

The Fisher King (1991, 64th) – $1,579,200 ($35,647,561 total) {week 8}
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $62,160 ($201,122,089 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

The Fisher King (1991, 64th) – $3,435,979 ($77,560,964 total)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $135,246 ($437,595,804 total)

Oscar Details:

The Fisher King (1991, 64th): Actor (Robin Williams), Supporting Actress (Mercedes Ruehl) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Art Direction
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th): Film Editing, Cinematography, Makeup [O], Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 7-9, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th) – $6,392,661 ($68,229,726 total) {week 7}
The Color of Money (1986, 59th) – $440,608 ($26,988,149 total) {week 4}
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th) – $3,285,983 ($25,827,215 total) {week 5}
Children of a Lesser God (1986, 59th) – $1,581,397 ($13,916,872 total) {week 6}
Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $1,444,875 ($40,461,269 total) {week 14}
Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $1,258,282 ($162,052,991 total) {week 26}
Betty Blue (1986, 59th) – $29,383 ($29,383 total) {week 1}
Blue Velvet (1986, 59th) – $296,631 ($5,527,521 total) {week 8}
Marlene (Doc) (1984, 57th) – $14,490 ($14,490 total) {week 1}
The Mission (1986, 59th) – $44,049 ($116,619 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th) – $15,783,497 ($168,459,377 total)
The Color of Money (1986, 59th) – $1,087,862 ($66,633,813 total)
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th) – $8,113,101 ($63,767,463 total)
Children of a Lesser God (1986, 59th) – $3,904,473 ($34,360,794 total)
Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $3,567,400 ($99,898,982 total)
Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $3,106,702 ($400,109,272 total)
Betty Blue (1986, 59th) – $72,547 ($72,547 total)
Blue Velvet (1986, 59th) – $732,383 ($13,647,464 total)
Marlene (Doc) (1984, 57th) – $35,776 ($35,776 total)
The Mission (1986, 59th) – $108,757 ($287,933 total)

Oscar Details:

Betty Blue (1986, 59th): Foreign Language Film
Blue Velvet (1986, 59th): Director
Children of a Lesser God (1986, 59th): Picture, Actor (William Hurt), Actress (Marlee Matlin [O]), Supporting Actress (Piper Laurie), Adapted Screenplay
The Color of Money (1986, 59th): Actor (Paul Newman [O]), Supporting Actress (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), Adapted Screenplay, Art Direction
Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th): Original Screenplay
Marlene (Doc) (1984, 57th): Documentary Feature
The Mission (1986, 59th): Picture, Director, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th): Actress (Kathleen Turner), Cinematography, Costume Design
Stand By Me (1986, 59th): Adapted Screenplay
Top Gun (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Take My Breath Away” [O]), Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects

40 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 6-8, 1981

Weekend Box Office:

Arthur (1981, 54th) – $1,734,076 ($65,752,970 total) {week 17}
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $1,268,973 ($146,648,104 total) {week 22}
Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $199,730 ($1,501,442 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

Arthur (1981, 54th) – $5,713,718 ($216,653,671 total)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $4,181,220 ($483,200,228 total)
Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $658,103 ($4,947,197 total)

Oscar Details:

Arthur (1981, 54th): Actor (Dudley Moore), Supporting Actor (John Gielgud) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”) [O]
Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th): Picture [O], Director, Supporting Actor (Ian Holm), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Film Editing, Costume Design [O]
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th): Picture, Director, Original Score, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O], Special Achievement Award (Sound Effects Film Editing) [O]