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

I, Tonya (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actress (Margot Robbie), Supporting Actress (Allison Janney), Original Screenplay.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 7-9, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

1. Skyfall – $10,780,201 ($261,400,281 total) {week 5}
4. Lincoln – $8,916,813 ($97,137,447 total) {week 5}
5. Life of Pi – $8,330,764 ($60,948,293 total) {week 3}
7. Wreck-It Ralph – $4,859,368 ($164,402,934 total) {week 6}
9. Flight – $3,130,305 ($86,202,541 total) {week 6}
11. Silver Linings Playbook – $2,171,665 ($13,964,405 total) {week 4}
12. Anna Karenina – $1,544,859 ($6,603,042 total) {week 4}
14. Argo – $1,482,346 ($103,160,015 total) {week 9}
16. Hitchcock – $712,544 ($1,661,670 total) {week 3}
21. The Sessions – $218,973 ($4,948,342 total) {week 8}
29. Chasing Ice – $102,401 ($502,780 total) {week 4}
36. Brave – $62,399 ($237,155,664 total) {week 25}
42. A Royal Affair – $53,889 ($459,087 total) {week 5}
45. ParaNorman – $39,333 ($55,925,779 total) {week 17}
47. Searching for Sugar Man – $36,822 ($2,893,916 total) {week 20}
50. Frankenweenie – $32,947 ($34,368,379 total) {week 10}
69. The Master – $12,069 ($15,895,739 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Skyfall – $11,064,603 ($268,296,520 total)
4. Lincoln – $9,152,056 ($99,700,118 total)
5. Life of Pi – $8,550,545 ($62,556,225 total)
7. Wreck-It Ralph – $4,987,567 ($168,740,197 total)
9. Flight – $3,212,888 ($88,476,729 total)
11. Silver Linings Playbook – $2,228,958 ($14,332,813 total)
12. Anna Karenina – $1,585,615 ($6,777,243 total)
14. Argo – $1,521,453 ($105,881,573 total)
16. Hitchcock – $731,342 ($1,705,508 total)
21. The Sessions – $224,750 ($5,078,889 total)
29. Chasing Ice – $105,103 ($516,044 total)
36. Brave – $64,045 ($243,412,283 total)
42. A Royal Affair – $55,311 ($471,199 total)
45. ParaNorman – $40,371 ($57,401,208 total)
47. Searching for Sugar Man – $37,793 ($2,970,263 total)
50. Frankenweenie – $33,816 ($35,275,082 total)
69. The Master – $12,387 ($16,315,099 total)

Oscar Details:

• Anna Karenina: Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design [O]
• Argo: Picture [O], Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin), Adapted Screenlay [O], Original Score, Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Brave: Animated Feature [O]
• Chasing Ice: Original Song (“Before My Time”)
• Flight: Actor (Denzel Washington), Original Screenplay
• Frankenweenie: Animated Feature
• Hitchcock: Makeup and Hairstyling
• Life of Pi: Picture, Directing [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Pi’s Lullaby”), Original Score [O], Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Production Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• 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)
• Silver Linings Playbook: Picture, Directing, Actor (Bradley Cooper), Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) [O], Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro), Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver), Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing
• Skyfall: Original Song (“Skyfall”) [O], Original Score, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing [O]
• Wreck-It Ralph: Animated Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 7-9, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Golden Compass – $25,783,232 ($25,783,232 total) {week 1}
2. Enchanted – $10,709,515 ($83,868,421 total) {week 3}
6. No Country for Old Men – $4,116,888 ($28,744,592 total) {week 5}
7. August Rush – $3,510,446 ($25,133,572 total) {week 3}
12. American Gangster – $2,538,485 ($125,553,670 total) {week 6}
15. Atonement – $784,145 ($784,145 total) {week 1}
17. Juno – $413,869 ($525,155 total) {week 1}
18. I’m Not There – $348,260 ($2,230,210 total) {week 3}
19. Into the Wild – $331,194 ($16,168,670 total) {week 12}
23. Gone Baby Gone – $227,696 ($19,964,720 total) {week 8}
24. Michael Clayton – $206,719 ($38,733,890 total) {week 10}
27. Lars and the Real Girl – $167,721 ($5,319,075 total) {week 9}
30. The Savages – $142,449 ($383,147 total) {week 2}
35. Across the Universe – $106,448 ($24,343,673 total) {week 13}
44. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $57,600 ($170,321 total) {week 2}
50. Ratatouille – $35,953 ($206,435,493 total) {week 24}
57. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $22,160 ($3,828,160 total) {week 12}
86. Once – $3,633 ($9,433,149 total) {week 30}
89. In the Valley of Elah – $3,033 ($6,757,493 total) {week 13}
98. War/Dance – $1,518 ($49,472 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Golden Compass – $30,617,588 ($30,617,588 total)
2. Enchanted – $12,717,549 ($99,593,750 total)
6. No Country for Old Men – $4,888,805 ($34,134,203 total)
7. August Rush – $4,168,655 ($29,846,117 total)
12. American Gangster – $3,014,451 ($149,094,983 total)
15. Atonement – $931,172 ($931,172 total)
17. Juno – $491,469 ($623,622 total)
18. I’m Not There – $413,559 ($2,648,374 total)
19. Into the Wild – $393,293 ($19,200,296 total)
23. Gone Baby Gone – $270,389 ($23,708,105 total)
24. Michael Clayton – $245,479 ($45,996,494 total)
27. Lars and the Real Girl – $199,169 ($6,316,402 total)
30. The Savages – $169,158 ($454,987 total)
35. Across the Universe – $126,407 ($28,908,112 total)
44. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $68,400 ($202,256 total)
50. Ratatouille – $42,694 ($245,142,148 total)
57. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $26,315 ($4,545,940 total)
86. Once – $4,314 ($11,201,864 total)
89. In the Valley of Elah – $3,602 ($8,024,523 total)
98. War/Dance – $1,803 ($58,748 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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
• Atonement: Picture, Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design
• August Rush: Original Song (“Raise It Up”)
• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• Enchanted: Original Song (“Happy Working Song”), Original Song (“So Close”), Original Song (“That’s How You Know”)
• The Golden Compass: Art Direction, Visual Effects [O]
• Gone Baby Gone: Supporting Actress (Amy Ryan)
• I’m Not There: Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett)
• In the Valley of Elah: Actor (Tommy Lee Jones)
• Into the Wild: Supporting Actor (Hal Holbrook), Editing
• Juno: Picture, Director, Actress (Ellen Page), Original Screenplay [O]
• 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
• The Savages: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay
• War/Dance: Documentary Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 6-8, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

1. Adaptation. – $384,478 ($384,478 total) {week 1}
5. Treasure Planet – $5,547,431 ($23,650,217 total) {week 2}
9. 8 Mile – $2,548,975 ($111,179,170 total) {week 5}
13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $2,013,029 ($213,263,148 total) {week 34}
15. Frida – $1,251,136 ($17,061,523 total) {week 7}
16. Far From Heaven – $945,818 ($6,889,619 total) {week 5}
19. Bowling for Columbine – $629,154 ($12,875,296 total) {week 9}
21. The Crime of Father Amaro – $402,465 ($3,084,409 total) {week 4}
40. Talk to Her – $74,987 ($391,164 total) {week 3}
55. Spirited Away – $36,309 ($5,273,241 total) {week 12}
68. The Quiet American – $21,968 ($333,396 total) {week 3}
119. Promises – $834 ($238,972 total) {week 39}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Adaptation. – $540,652 ($540,652 total)
5. Treasure Planet – $7,800,776 ($33,256,846 total)
9. 8 Mile – $3,584,359 ($156,339,728 total)
13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $2,830,714 ($299,889,831 total)
15. Frida – $1,759,343 ($23,991,849 total)
16. Far From Heaven – $1,330,006 ($9,688,156 total)
19. Bowling for Columbine – $884,714 ($18,105,192 total)
21. The Crime of Father Amaro – $565,945 ($4,337,284 total)
40. Talk to Her – $105,446 ($550,053 total)
55. Spirited Away – $51,058 ($7,415,212 total)
68. The Quiet American – $30,891 ($468,820 total)
119. Promises – $1,173 ($336,042 total)

Oscar Details:

• 8 Mile: Original Song (“Lose Yourself”) [O]
• Adaptation.: Actor (Nicoals Cage), Supporting Actor (Chris Cooper) [O], Supporting Actress (Meryl Streep), Adapted Screenplay
• Bowling for Columbine: Documentary Feature [O]
• The Crime of Father Amaro: Foreign Language Film
• 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]
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Original Screenplay
• Promises: Documentary Feature
• The Quiet American: Actor (Michael Caine)
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Talk to Her: Director, Original Screenplay [O]
• Treasure Planet: Animated Feature

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 5-7, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

4. Anastasia – $5,093,749 ($37,915,876 total) {week 4}
10. Starship Troopers – $1,265,132 ($52,925,082 total) {week 5}
999. Good Will Hunting – $272,912 ($272,912 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Anastasia – $9,066,651 ($67,488,607 total)
10. Starship Troopers – $2,251,880 ($94,204,340 total)
999. Good Will Hunting – $485,771 ($485,771 total)

Oscar Details:

• Anastasia: Original Song (“Journey to the Past”), Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Good Will Hunting: Picture, Director, Actor (Matt Damon), Supporting Actor (Robin Williams) [O], Supporting Actress (Minnie Driver), Original Screenplay [O], Original Dramatic Score, Original Song (“Miss Misery”), Editing
• Starship Troopers: Visual Effects

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 4-6, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

2. The Bodyguard – $11,109,262 ($40,432,479 total) {week 2}
3. Aladdin – $10,915,551 ($40,276,464 total) {week 4}
5. Malcolm X – $3,771,464 ($32,608,857 total) {week 3}
6. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – $3,608,605 ($75,550,685 total) {week 4}
8. A River Runs Through It – $1,425,285 ($30,360,305 total) {week 9}
9. Under Siege – $1,348,143 ($74,289,646 total) {week 9}
10. The Last of the Mohicans – $804,132 ($69,169,313 total) {week 11}
999. The Crying Game – $157,536 ($353,047 total) {week 2}
999. Unforgiven – $35,472 ($74,958,813 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. The Bodyguard – $21,870,523 ($79,598,398 total)
3. Aladdin – $21,489,169 ($79,291,256 total)
5. Malcolm X – $7,424,786 ($64,196,232 total)
6. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – $7,104,169 ($148,734,722 total)
8. A River Runs Through It – $2,805,923 ($59,769,564 total)
9. Under Siege – $2,654,055 ($146,252,146 total)
10. The Last of the Mohicans – $1,583,074 ($136,171,876 total)
999. The Crying Game – $310,137 ($695,035 total)
999. Unforgiven – $69,833 ($147,569,519 total)

Oscar Details:

• Aladdin: Original Song (“A Whole New World” [O], “Friend Like Me”), Original Score [O], Sound, Sound Effects
• The Bodyguard: Original Song (“I Have Nothing”, “Run to You”)
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound Effects
• The Crying Game: Picture, Director, Actor (Stephen Rea), Supporting Actor (Jaye Davidson), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• The Last of the Mohicans: Sound [O]
• Malcolm X: Actor, Costume Design
• 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 Dec. 4-6, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

3. Fatal Attraction – $3,044,697 ($114,297,576 total) {week 12}
8. Dirty Dancing – $1,179,534 ($50,044,871 total) {week 16}
13. The Princess Bride – $656,371 ($25,551,860 total) {week 11}
999. The Last Emperor – $155,413 ($747,657 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Fatal Attraction – $6,361,937 ($238,826,393 total)
8. Dirty Dancing – $2,464,653 ($104,569,462 total)
13. The Princess Bride – $1,371,496 ($53,390,971 total)
999. The Last Emperor – $324,738 ($1,562,240 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 Last Emperor: Picture [O], Director [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Sound [O]
• The Princess Bride: Original Song (“Storybook Love”)

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 3-5, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $2,355,819 ($298,924,789 total) {week 26}
2. An Officer and a Gentleman – $2,311,590 ($102,414,978 total) {week 19}
7. My Favorite Year – $749,113 ($16,939,206 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $6,546,613 ($830,685,553 total)
2. An Officer and a Gentleman – $6,423,704 ($284,602,167 total)
7. My Favorite Year – $2,081,719 ($47,072,555 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