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

Chi-Raq (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay.

The Lady in the Van (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actress (Maggie Smith).

Macbeth (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Michael Fassbender), Actress (Marion Cotillard), Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design.

Youth (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actor (Michael Caine), Supporting Actor (Harvey Keitel), Supporting Actress (Rachel Weisz, Jane Fonda).

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 3-5, 2010

Weekend Box Office:

1. Tangled – $21,608,891 ($96,570,812 total) {week 2}
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I – $170,118,475 ($244,519,116 total) {week 3}
4. Unstoppable – $5,970,194 ($68,762,864 total) {week 4}
12. 127 Hours – $1,619,138 ($6,611,762 total) {week 5}
13. Black Swan – $1,443,809 ($1,443,809 total) {week 1}
18. The Social Network – $404,456 ($90,970,123 total) {week 10}
19. The King’s Speech – $324,515 ($807,973 total) {week 2}
24. The Town – $202,909 ($91,735,513 total) {week 12}
25. Inside Job – $195,394 ($2,927,899 total) {week 9}
35. Inception – $67,426 ($292,383,900 total) {week 21}
40. Hereafter – $49,924 ($32,438,041 total) {week 8}
65. Waste Land – $9,421 ($89,343 total) {week 6}
88. Winter’s Bone – $2,137 ($6,228,910 total) {week 26}
92. Dogtooth – $1,883 ($72,242 total) {week 24}
104. Restrepo – $836 ($1,330,894 total) {week 24}
106. Animal Kingdom – $670 ($1,011,097 total) {week 17}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Tangled – $22,375,746 ($99,997,913 total)
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I – $176,155,633 ($253,196,600 total)
4. Unstoppable – $6,182,064 ($71,203,118 total)
12. 127 Hours – $1,676,598 ($6,846,400 total)
13. Black Swan – $1,495,047 ($1,495,047 total)
18. The Social Network – $418,809 ($94,198,467 total)
19. The King’s Speech – $336,031 ($836,646 total)
24. The Town – $210,110 ($94,991,019 total)
25. Inside Job – $202,328 ($3,031,804 total)
35. Inception – $69,819 ($302,760,008 total)
40. Hereafter – $51,696 ($33,589,201 total)
65. Waste Land – $9,755 ($92,514 total)
88. Winter’s Bone – $2,213 ($6,449,961 total)
92. Dogtooth – $1,950 ($74,806 total)
104. Restrepo – $866 ($1,378,125 total)
106. Animal Kingdom – $694 ($1,046,979 total)

Oscar Details:

• 127 Hours: Picture, Actor (James Franco), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“If I Rise”), Editing
• Animal Kingdom: Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver)
• Black Swan: Picture, Direcing, Actress (Natalie Portman) [O], Editing, Cinematography
• Dogtooth: Foreign Language Film
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I: Art Direction, Visual Effects
• Hereafter: Visual Effects
• Inception: Picture, Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Inside Job: Documentary Feature
• The King’s Speech: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Colin Firth) [O], Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Supporting Actress (Helena Bonham Carter), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• Restrepo: Documentary Feature
• The Social Network: Picture, Directing, Actor (Jesse Eisenberg), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography, Sound Mixing
• Tangled: Original Song (“I See the Light”)
• The Town: Supporting Actor (Jeremy Renner)
• Unstoppable: Sound Editing
• Waste Land: Documentary Feature
• Winter’s Bone: Picture, Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), Adapted Screenplay

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 9-11, 2005

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – $65,556,312 ($65,556,312 total) {week 1}
2. Syriana – $11,737,143 ($13,236,572 total) {week 3}
4. Walk the Line – $5,738,176 ($76,991,362 total) {week 4}
8. Pride & Prejudice – $2,579,523 ($26,473,313 total) {week 5}
14. Memoirs of a Geisha – $682,504 ($682,504 total) {week 1}
15. Brokeback Mountain – $547,425 ($547,425 total) {week 1}
16. Good Night, and Good Luck. – $538,082 ($21,896,616 total) {week 10}
21. Capote – $337,644 ($10,354,193 total) {week 11}
23. The Squid and the Whale – $220,564 ($3,988,438 total) {week 10}
39. Corpse Bride – $58,794 ($53,290,999 total) {week 13}
41. Mrs. Henderson Presents – $55,344 ($55,344 total) {week 1}
42. Paradise Now – $52,704 ($905,545 total) {week 7}
43. A History of Violence – $42,716 ($30,997,278 total) {week 12}
46. Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit – $40,807 ($55,372,785 total) {week 10}
54. Transamerica – $21,372 ($85,451 total) {week 2}
55. North Country – $17,644 ($18,097,149 total) {week 8}
101. Darwin’s Nightmare – $2,023 ($95,535 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – $83,556,173 ($83,556,173 total)
2. Syriana – $14,959,822 ($16,870,951 total)
4. Walk the Line – $7,313,713 ($98,130,956 total)
8. Pride & Prejudice – $3,287,785 ($33,742,117 total)
14. Memoirs of a Geisha – $869,900 ($869,900 total)
15. Brokeback Mountain – $697,732 ($697,732 total)
16. Good Night, and Good Luck. – $685,824 ($27,908,791 total)
21. Capote – $430,351 ($13,197,154 total)
23. The Squid and the Whale – $281,124 ($5,083,547 total)
39. Corpse Bride – $74,937 ($67,923,161 total)
41. Mrs. Henderson Presents – $70,540 ($70,540 total)
42. Paradise Now – $67,175 ($1,154,181 total)
43. A History of Violence – $54,445 ($39,508,231 total)
46. Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit – $52,011 ($70,576,545 total)
54. Transamerica – $27,240 ($108,913 total)
55. North Country – $22,489 ($23,066,101 total)
101. Darwin’s Nightmare – $2,578 ($121,766 total)

Oscar Details:

• Brokeback Mountain: Picture, Directing [O], Actor (Heath Ledger), Supporting Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal), Supporting Actress (Michelle Williams), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Cinematography
• Capote: Picture, Directing, Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) [O], Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener), Adapted Screenplay
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Makeup [O], Sound Mixing, Visual Effects
• Corpse Bride: Animated Feature
• Darwin’s Nightmare: Documentary Feature
• Good Night, and Good Luck.: Picture, Directing, Actor (David Strathairn), Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction
• A History of Violence: Supporting Actor (William Hurt), Adapted Screenplay
• Memoirs of a Geisha: Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Mrs. Henderson Presents: Actress (Judi Dench), Costume Design
• North Country: Actress (Charlize Theron), Supporting Actress (Frances McDormand)
• Paradise Now: Foreign Language Film
• Pride & Prejudice: Actress (Keira Knightley), Original Score, Art Direction, Costume Design
• The Squid and the Whale: Original Screenplay
• Syriana: Supporting Actor (George Clooney) [O], Original Screenplay
• Transamerica: Actress (Felicity Huffman), Original Song (“Travelin’ Thru”)
• Walk the Line: Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Actress (Reese Witherspoon) [O], Editing, Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit: Animated Feature [O]

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 8-10, 2000

Weekend Box Office:

1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas – $18,646,520 ($195,646,175 total) {week 4}
6. 102 Dalmatians – $6,233,029 ($44,279,675 total) {week 3}
8. Meet the Parents – $3,026,710 ($157,107,315 total) {week 10}
13. Billy Elliot – $916,065 ($14,590,410 total) {week 9}
15. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – $663,205 ($663,205 total) {week 1}
17. You Can Count on Me – $331,918 ($2,160,281 total) {week 5}
22. Quills – $160,164 ($890,654 total) {week 3}
23. Requiem for a Dream – $151,063 ($2,334,215 total) {week 10}
31. Almost Famous – $80,803 ($31,848,389 total) {week 13}
36. Dancer in the Dark – $63,435 ($4,094,548 total) {week 12}
37. The Cell – $49,114 ($61,280,963 total) {week 17}
41. The Contender – $41,567 ($17,662,226 total) {week 9}
45. Wonder Boys – $38,346 ($19,181,714 total) {week 42}
52. Into the Arms of Strangers – $21,888 ($350,208 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas – $28,263,835 ($296,554,592 total)
6. 102 Dalmatians – $9,447,838 ($67,117,801 total)
8. Meet the Parents – $4,587,796 ($238,138,546 total)
13. Billy Elliot – $1,388,544 ($22,115,705 total)
15. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – $1,005,266 ($1,005,266 total)
17. You Can Count on Me – $503,111 ($3,274,489 total)
22. Quills – $242,772 ($1,350,027 total)
23. Requiem for a Dream – $228,977 ($3,538,133 total)
31. Almost Famous – $122,479 ($48,274,831 total)
36. Dancer in the Dark – $96,153 ($6,206,393 total)
37. The Cell – $74,446 ($92,887,842 total)
41. The Contender – $63,006 ($26,771,871 total)
45. Wonder Boys – $58,124 ($29,075,066 total)
52. Into the Arms of Strangers – $33,177 ($530,835 total)

Oscar Details:

• 102 Dalmatians: Costume Design
• Almost Famous: Supporting Actress (Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• Billy Elliot: Directing, Supporting Actress (Julie Walters), Original Screenplay
• The Cell: Makeup
• The Contender: Actress (Joan Allen), Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges)
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Picture, Directing, Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“A Love Before Time”), Original Score [O], Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Foreign Language Film [O]
• Dancer in the Dark: Original Song (“I’ve Seen It All”)
• Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup [O]
• Into the Arms of Strangers: Documentary Feature
• Meet the Parents: Original Song (“A Fool in Love”)
• Quills: Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Art Direction, Costume Design
• Requiem for a Dream: Actress (Ellen Burstyn)
• Wonder Boys: Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Things Have Changed”), Editing
• You Can Count on Me: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 8-10, 1995

Weekend Box Office:

1. Toy Story – $13,879,803 ($83,050,084 total) {week 3}
4. Casino – $3,800,230 ($29,440,055 total) {week 3}
7. The American President – $3,016,844 ($38,047,688 total) {week 4}
999. Braveheart – $11,854 ($66,989,893 total) {week 29}
999. Georgia – $55,461 ($55,461 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Toy Story – $26,068,504 ($155,981,422 total)
4. Casino – $7,137,443 ($55,293,161 total)
7. The American President – $5,666,119 ($71,459,681 total)
999. Braveheart – $22,264 ($125,817,799 total)
999. Georgia – $104,165 ($104,165 total)

Oscar Details:

• The American President: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Braveheart: Picture [O], Directing [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing, Cinematography [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Sound Effects Editing [O]
• Casino: Actress (Sharon Stone)
• Georgia: Supporting Actress (Mare Winningham)
• Toy Story: Original Screenplay, Original Song (“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”), Original Musical or Comedy Score

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 7-9, 1990

Weekend Box Office:

1. Home Alone – $14,232,156 ($84,168,098 total) {week 4}
2. Misery – $7,107,047 ($20,110,450 total) {week 2}
4. Dances With Wolves – $5,385,579 ($32,019,043 total) {week 5}
8. Ghost – $1,452,888 ($199,942,490 total) {week 22}
12. Reversal of Fortune – $401,585 ($10,231,202 total) {week 8}
999. Edward Scissorhands – $159,622 ($159,622 total) {week 1}
999. The Grifters – $71,034 ($71,034 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Home Alone – $27,488,585 ($162,565,806 total)
2. Misery – $13,726,850 ($38,842,169 total)
4. Dances With Wolves – $10,401,934 ($61,842,927 total)
8. Ghost – $2,806,169 ($386,177,339 total)
12. Reversal of Fortune – $775,638 ($19,760,974 total)
999. Edward Scissorhands – $308,301 ($308,301 total)
999. The Grifters – $137,198 ($137,198 total)

Oscar Details:

• Dances With Wolves: Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Kevin Costner), Supporting Actor (Graham Greene), Supporting Actress (Mary McDonnell), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound [O]
• Edward Scissorhands: Makeup
• Ghost: Picture, Supporting Actress (Whoopi Goldberg) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing
• The Grifters: Directing, Actress (Anjelica Huston), Supporting Actress (Annette Bening), Adapted Screenplay
• Home Alone: Original Song (“Somewhere in My Memory”), Original Score
• Misery: Actress (Kathy Bates) [O]
• Reversal of Fortune: Directing, Actor (Jeremy Irons) [O], Adapted Screenplay

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 6-8, 1985

Weekend Box Office:

3. White Nights – $4,549,095 ($6,019,702 total) {week 3}
5. Young Sherlock Holmes – $2,538,234 ($2,538,234 total) {week 1}
8. Back to the Future – $985,468 ($184,904,944 total) {week 23}
8. Runaway Train – $2,601,480 ($3,689,339 total) {week 1}
9. Jagged Edge – $852,781 ($35,649,253 total) {week 10}
13. Agnes of God – $283,579 ($25,627,836 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. White Nights – $10,469,326 ($13,853,793 total)
5. Young Sherlock Holmes – $5,841,513 ($5,841,513 total)
8. Back to the Future – $2,267,964 ($425,541,801 total)
8. Runaway Train – $5,987,068 ($8,490,676 total)
9. Jagged Edge – $1,962,597 ($82,043,492 total)
13. Agnes of God – $652,631 ($58,980,118 total)

Oscar Details:

• Agnes of God: Actress (Anne Bancroft), Supporting Actress (Meg Tilly), Original Score
• Back to the Future: Original Screenplay, Original Song (“The Power of Love’), Sound, Sound Effects Editing [O]
• Jagged Edge: Original Score, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup
• Runaway Train: Actor (Jon Voight), Supporting Actor (Eric Roberts), Film Editing
• White Nights: Original Song (“Say You, Say Me” [O], “Separate Lives (Love Theme from “White Nights”)”)
• Young Sherlock Holmes: Visual Effects

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 5-7, 1980

Weekend Box Office:

999. The Competition – $76,163 ($94,396 total) {week 1}
999. Raging Bull – $93,219 ($708,185 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

999. The Competition – $231,320 ($286,697 total)
999. Raging Bull – $283,122 ($2,150,882 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Competition: Original Song (“People Alone”), Film Editing
• Raging Bull: Picture, Directing, Actor (Robert De Niro) [O], Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci), Supporting Actress (Cathy Moriarty), Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Sound