Every week, we’ll take a look back 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years into the box office past to explore how Oscar’s nominees were doing at the box office that weekend historically. All data is taken from Box Office Mojo. The first section under each year is the positioning of all Oscar nominees during that weekend at the box office. The second 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 chance at this stage of the game. Please let us know if you like our new feature or if you want to see more information and we’ll see what we can do!

This Year: Potential Oscar Nominees Releasing This Weekend

Inside Llewyn Davis (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Oscar Isaac), Supporting Actor (John Goodman), Supporting Actress (Carey Mulligan), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Original Song, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design.

Out of the Furnace (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Christian Bale), Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson), Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldana), Original Screenplay.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 5-7, 2008

Weekend Box Office:

3. Bolt – $9,796,149 ($79,381,422 total) {week 3}
4. Australia – $7,050,261 ($30,919,097 total) {week 2}
11. Milk – $1,834,914 ($4,284,465 total) {week 2}
12. Slumdog Millionaire – $1,402,176 ($5,339,510 total) {week 4}
14. Changeling – $501,070 ($34,683,447 total) {week 7}
16. Rachel Getting Married – $285,331 ($9,226,246 total) {week 10}
21. The Dark Knight – $187,418 ($530,540,885 total) {week 21}
22. Frost/Nixon – $180,708 ($180,708 total) {week 1}
26. Happy-Go-Lucky – $141,162 ($2,861,186 total) {week 9}
36. WALL-E – $46,898 ($223,704,223 total) {week 24}
38. The Duchess – $44,684 ($13,823,741 total) {week 12}
51. Vicky Cristina Barcelona – $23,467 ($22,512,805 total) {week 17}
68. Man on Wire – $7,728 ($2,895,073 total) {week 20}
85. Trouble the Water – $3,032 ($477,452 total) {week 16}
89. Frozen River – $2,597 ($2,291,511 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Bolt – $10,833,067 ($87,783,912 total)
4. Australia – $7,796,528 ($34,191,870 total)
11. Milk – $2,029,139 ($4,737,974 total)
12. Slumdog Millionaire – $1,550,596 ($5,904,695 total)
14. Changeling – $554,108 ($38,354,675 total)
16. Rachel Getting Married – $315,533 ($10,202,840 total)
21. The Dark Knight – $207,256 ($586,698,416 total)
22. Frost/Nixon – $199,836 ($199,836 total)
26. Happy-Go-Lucky – $156,104 ($3,164,041 total)
36. WALL-E – $51,862 ($247,383,222 total)
38. The Duchess – $49,414 ($15,286,978 total)
51. Vicky Cristina Barcelona – $25,951 ($24,895,776 total)
68. Man on Wire – $8,546 ($3,201,515 total)
85. Trouble the Water – $3,353 ($527,990 total)
89. Frozen River – $2,872 ($2,534,066 total)

Oscar Details:

• Australia: Costume Design
• Bolt: Animated Feature
• Changeling: Actress (Angelina Jolie), Cinematography, Art Direction
• The Dark Knight: Supporting Actor (Heath Ledger) [O], Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects
• The Duchess: Art Direction, Costume Design [O]
• Frost/Nixon: Picture, Director, Actor (Frank Langella), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• Frozen River: Actress (Melissa Leo), Original Screenplay
• Happy-Go-Lucky: Original Screenplay
• Man on Wire: Documentary Feature [O]
• Milk: Picture, Director, Actor (Sean Penn) [O], Supporting Actor (Josh Brolin), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Costume Design
• Rachel Getting Married: Actress (Anne Hathaway)
• Slumdog Millionaire: Picture [O], Director [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Song (“Jai Ho”) [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing
• Trouble the Water: Documentary Feature
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Supporting Actress (Penelope Cruz) [O]
• WALL-E: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Down to Earth”), Original Score, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 5-7, 2003

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Last Samurai – $24,271,354 ($24,271,354 total) {week 1}
9. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – $3,722,008 ($72,555,668 total) {week 4}
13. Brother Bear – $1,259,466 ($79,475,621 total) {week 7}
14. Mystic River – $622,480 ($51,900,754 total) {week 9}
16. 21 Grams – $502,327 ($2,388,710 total) {week 3}
20. Lost in Translation – $283,758 ($29,310,248 total) {week 13}
28. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – $165,101 ($305,132,644 total) {week 22}
31. In America – $143,380 ($471,347 total) {week 2}
35. Pieces of April – $108,865 ($2,122,525 total) {week 8}
37. The Cooler – $75,699 ($291,603 total) {week 2}
43. The Triplets of Belleville – $57,907 ($233,655 total) {week 2}
56. Seabiscuit – $26,528 ($120,197,488 total) {week 20}
57. My Architect – $25,617 ($221,219 total) {week 4}
69. Dirty Pretty Things – $10,484 ($8,032,989 total) {week 21}
73. City of God – $7,732 ($4,749,939 total) {week 47}
75. The Weather Underground – $7,064 ($488,614 total) {week 27}
79. Winged Migration – $6,418 ($10,753,575 total) {week 34}
83. Finding Nemo – $4,918 ($339,711,822 total) {week 28}
97. Thirteen – $2,656 ($4,595,069 total) {week 16}
118. Spellbound – $523 ($5,728,431 total) {week 32}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Last Samurai – $31,959,295 ($31,959,295 total)
9. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – $4,900,952 ($95,537,646 total)
13. Brother Bear – $1,658,401 ($104,649,491 total)
14. Mystic River – $819,650 ($68,340,296 total)
16. 21 Grams – $661,439 ($3,145,333 total)
20. Lost in Translation – $373,638 ($38,594,257 total)
28. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – $217,397 ($401,783,282 total)
31. In America – $188,796 ($620,646 total)
35. Pieces of April – $143,348 ($2,794,834 total)
37. The Cooler – $99,677 ($383,968 total)
43. The Triplets of Belleville – $76,249 ($307,665 total)
56. Seabiscuit – $34,931 ($158,269,992 total)
57. My Architect – $33,731 ($291,290 total)
69. Dirty Pretty Things – $13,805 ($10,577,435 total)
73. City of God – $10,181 ($6,254,480 total)
75. The Weather Underground – $9,302 ($643,382 total)
79. Winged Migration – $8,451 ($14,159,765 total)
83. Finding Nemo – $6,476 ($447,315,401 total)
97. Thirteen – $3,497 ($6,050,555 total)
118. Spellbound – $689 ($7,542,909 total)

Oscar Details:

• 21 Grams: Actress (Naomi Watts), Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro)
• Brother Bear: Animated Feature
• City of God: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• The Cooler: Supporting Actor (Alec Baldwin)
• Dirty Pretty Things: Original Screenplay
• Finding Nemo: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Sound Editing
• In America: Supporting Actress (Samantha Morton), Supporting Actor (Djimon Hounsou), Original Screenplay
• The Last Samurai: Supporting Actor (Ken Watanabe), Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• Lost in Translation: Picture, Director, Actor (Bill Murray), Original Screenplay [O]
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Picture, Director, Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects
• My Architect: Documentary Feature
• Mystic River: Picture, Director, Actor (Sean Penn) [O], Supporting Actor (Tim Robbins) [O], Supporting Actress (Marcia Gay Harden), Adapted Screenplay
• Pieces of April: Supporting Actress (Patricia Clarkson)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl: Actor (Johnny Depp), Makeup, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• Seabiscuit: Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• Spellbound: Documentary Feature
• Thirteen: Supporting Actress (Holly Hunter)
• The Triplets of Belleville: Animated Feature, Original Song (“Belleville Rendez-vous”)
• The Weather Underground: Documentary Feature
• Winged Migration: Documentary Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 4-6, 1998

Weekend Box Office:

1. A Bug’s Life – $17,174,218 ($68,678,006 total) {week 3}
7. Babe: Pig in the City – $2,375,065 ($11,421,985 total) {week 2}
8. Elizabeth – $1,954,089 ($9,780,813 total) {week 5}
14. Life Is Beautiful – $720,955 ($6,207,910 total) {week 7}
999. Little Voice – $93,722 ($93,722 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. A Bug’s Life – $29,075,329 ($116,269,375 total)
7. Babe: Pig in the City – $4,020,899 ($19,337,007 total)
8. Elizabeth – $3,308,202 ($16,558,562 total)
14. Life Is Beautiful – $1,220,551 ($10,509,767 total)
999. Little Voice – $158,668 ($158,668 total)

Oscar Details:

• Babe: Pig in the City: Original Song (“That’ll Do”)
• A Bug’s Life: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Elizabeth: Picture, Actress (Cate Blanchett), Original Dramatic Score, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup
• Life Is Beautiful: Picture, Director, Actor (Roberto Benigni) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score [O], Editing, Foreign Language Film [O]
• Little Voice: Supporting Actress (Brenda Blethyn)

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 3-5, 1993

Weekend Box Office:

1. Mrs. Doubtfire – $14,735,459 ($46,702,649 total) {week 2}
3. Addams Family Values – $4,587,571 ($36,248,838 total) {week 3}
7. The Piano – $1,701,363 ($7,502,744 total) {week 4}
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas – $1,490,082 ($45,652,234 total) {week 8}
11. The Remains of the Day – $1,222,555 ($12,503,224 total) {week 5}
12. Jurassic Park – $107,525 ($334,849,095 total) {week 26}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Mrs. Doubtfire – $28,260,760 ($89,569,815 total)
3. Addams Family Values – $8,798,385 ($69,520,718 total)
7. The Piano – $3,263,001 ($14,389,321 total)
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas – $2,857,790 ($87,555,251 total)
11. The Remains of the Day – $2,344,707 ($23,979,613 total)
12. Jurassic Park – $206,219 ($642,198,506 total)

Oscar Details:

• Addams Family Values: Art Direction
• Jurassic Park: Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Mrs. Doubtfire: Makeup [O]
• The Nightmare Before Christmas: Visual Effects
• The Piano: Picture, Director, Actress (Holly Hunter) [O], Supporting Actress (Anna Paquin) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography, Costume Design
• The Remains of the Day: Picture, Director, Anthony Hopkins, Actress (Emma Thompson), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Art Direction, Costume Design

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 2-4, 1988

Weekend Box Office:

2. Scrooged – $7,505,520 ($29,287,158 total) {week 2}
3. Tequila Sunrise – $6,350,974 ($6,350,974 total) {week 1}
9. The Accused – $725,273 ($27,740,225 total) {week 8}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Scrooged – $14,499,715 ($56,579,084 total)
3. Tequila Sunrise – $12,269,278 ($12,269,278 total)
9. The Accused – $1,401,136 ($53,590,605 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Accused: Actress (Jodie Foster) [O]
• Scrooged: Makeup
• Tequila Sunrise: Cinematography

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 9-11, 1983

Weekend Box Office:

3. Terms of Endearment – $4,245,520 ($14,295,349 total) {week 3}
5. Yentl – $3,050,219 ($5,884,162 total) {week 4}
7. The Big Chill – $1,102,466 ($40,118,255 total) {week 11}
11. Educating Rita – $396,723 ($9,337,554 total) {week 12}
12. The Right Stuff – $368,225 ($11,922,987 total) {week 8}
999. Return of the Jedi – $158,486 ($244,583,982 total) {week 29}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Terms of Endearment – $10,701,406 ($36,033,356 total)
5. Yentl – $7,688,489 ($14,831,824 total)
7. The Big Chill – $2,778,914 ($101,123,475 total)
11. Educating Rita – $999,994 ($23,536,565 total)
12. The Right Stuff – $928,161 ($30,053,497 total)
999. Return of the Jedi – $399,485 ($616,506,926 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Big Chill: Picture, Supporting Actress (Glenn Close), Original Screenplay
• Educating Rita: Actor (Michael Caine), Actress (Julie Walters), Adapted Screenplay
• Return of the Jedi: Original Score, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects [O]
• The Right Stuff: Picture, Supporting Actor (Sam Shepard), Original Score, Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound [O], Sound Effects [O]
• Terms of Endearment: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actress (Shirley MacLaine) [O], Actress (Debra Winger), Supporting Actor (John Lithgow), Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Art Direction, Sound
• Yentl: Supporting Actress (Amy Irving), Original Song (“Papa, Can You Hear Me?”), Original Song (“The Way He Makes Me Feel”), Original Song Score [O], Art Direction