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

Amour (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor (Jean-Louis Trintignant), Actress (Emmanuelle Riva), Original Screenplay.

The Impossible (Limited)

Oscar Potential: Actress (Naomi Watts), Supporting Actor (Ewan McGregor).

Zero Dark Thirty(Limited)

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actress (Jessica Chastain), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 21-23, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

4. Charlie Wilson’s War – $9,656,250 ($9,656,250 total) {week 1}
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – $9,300,805 ($9,300,805 total) {week 1}
7. The Golden Compass – $4,555,552 ($48,993,803 total) {week 3}
10. Juno – $3,425,045 ($6,409,721 total) {week 3}
11. Atonement – $1,940,584 ($5,752,959 total) {week 3}
12. No Country for Old Men – $1,874,865 ($36,892,644 total) {week 7}
13. The Kite Runner – $1,178,368 ($1,879,253 total) {week 2}
17. August Rush – $473,938 ($29,495,525 total) {week 5}
22. American Gangster – $341,875 ($128,477,115 total) {week 8}
23. The Savages – $217,924 ($794,915 total) {week 4}
28. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $118,098 ($410,546 total) {week 4}
29. I’m Not There – $107,822 ($2,848,674 total) {week 5}
30. Into the Wild – $101,381 ($16,773,501 total) {week 14}
34. Michael Clayton – $50,729 ($39,022,895 total) {week 12}
41. Gone Baby Gone – $30,172 ($20,232,393 total) {week 10}
56. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $3,614 ($3,868,378 total) {week 14}
73. In the Valley of Elah – $460 ($6,764,923 total) {week 15}
77. War/Dance – $131 ($57,640 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Charlie Wilson’s War – $11,115,916 ($11,115,916 total)
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – $10,706,741 ($10,706,741 total)
7. The Golden Compass – $5,244,182 ($56,399,843 total)
10. Juno – $3,942,784 ($7,378,632 total)
11. Atonement – $2,233,928 ($6,622,592 total)
12. No Country for Old Men – $2,158,275 ($42,469,439 total)
13. The Kite Runner – $1,356,493 ($2,163,326 total)
17. August Rush – $545,580 ($33,954,151 total)
22. American Gangster – $393,554 ($147,898,074 total)
23. The Savages – $250,866 ($915,077 total)
28. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $135,950 ($472,605 total)
29. I’m Not There – $124,121 ($3,279,288 total)
30. Into the Wild – $116,706 ($19,309,030 total)
34. Michael Clayton – $58,397 ($44,921,705 total)
41. Gone Baby Gone – $34,733 ($23,290,778 total)
56. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – $4,160 ($4,453,133 total)
73. In the Valley of Elah – $530 ($7,787,528 total)
77. War/Dance – $151 ($66,353 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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”)
• Charlie Wilson’s War: Supporting Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• 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]
• The Kite Runner: Original Score
• 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
• The Savages: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Actor (Johnny Depp), Art Direction [O], Costume Design
• War/Dance: Documentary Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 20-22, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $62,007,528 ($102,046,212 total) {week 1}
4. Gangs of New York – $9,496,870 ($9,496,870 total) {week 1}
6. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $6,013,847 ($6,013,847 total) {week 1}
13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $1,461,534 ($217,765,974 total) {week 36}
15. Treasure Planet – $1,302,772 ($29,905,068 total) {week 4}
16. Adaptation. – $1,108,032 ($2,106,476 total) {week 3}
17. About Schmidt – $601,711 ($1,023,197 total) {week 2}
18. Far From Heaven – $601,250 ($8,932,005 total) {week 7}
19. Frida – $458,185 ($19,314,138 total) {week 9}
21. Bowling for Columbine – $386,034 ($14,476,943 total) {week 11}
23. 8 Mile – $344,025 ($114,134,575 total) {week 7}
31. The Crime of Father Amaro – $171,402 ($3,937,330 total) {week 6}
35. Talk to Her – $132,044 ($690,341 total) {week 5}
64. Spirited Away – $15,481 ($5,344,088 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $84,526,613 ($139,106,024 total)
4. Gangs of New York – $12,945,819 ($12,945,819 total)
6. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $8,197,877 ($8,197,877 total)
13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $1,992,315 ($296,851,379 total)
15. Treasure Planet – $1,775,896 ($40,765,600 total)
16. Adaptation. – $1,510,433 ($2,871,478 total)
17. About Schmidt – $820,233 ($1,394,788 total)
18. Far From Heaven – $819,604 ($12,175,814 total)
19. Frida – $624,583 ($26,328,395 total)
21. Bowling for Columbine – $526,229 ($19,734,490 total)
23. 8 Mile – $468,964 ($155,584,481 total)
31. The Crime of Father Amaro – $233,650 ($5,367,238 total)
35. Talk to Her – $179,998 ($941,050 total)
64. Spirited Away – $21,103 ($7,284,884 total)

Oscar Details:

• 8 Mile: Original Song (“Lose Yourself”) [O]
• About Schmidt: Actor (Jack Nicholson), Supporting Actress (Kathy Bates)
• 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]
• Gangs of New York: Picture, Director, Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), Original Screenplay, Original Song (“The Hands That Built America”), Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Picture, Editing, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Original Screenplay
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Talk to Her: Director, Original Screenplay [O]
• Treasure Planet: Animated Feature
• The Wild Thornberrys Movie: Original Song (“Father and Daughter”)

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 19-21, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

1. Titanic – $28,638,131 ($28,638,131 total) {week 1}
8. Amistad – $3,280,336 ($9,674,595 total) {week 2}
9. Anastasia – $1,664,967 ($44,429,716 total) {week 6}
999. The Apostle – $29,396 ($40,969 total) {week 1}
999. Deconstructing Harry – $272,683 ($787,878 total) {week 2}
999. Good Will Hunting – $198,411 ($937,922 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Titanic – $49,414,814 ($49,414,814 total)
8. Amistad – $5,660,188 ($16,693,419 total)
9. Anastasia – $2,872,884 ($76,663,039 total)
999. The Apostle – $50,723 ($70,692 total)
999. Deconstructing Harry – $470,512 ($1,359,476 total)
999. Good Will Hunting – $342,356 ($1,618,375 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amistad: Supporting Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Original Score, Cinematography, Costume Design
• Anastasia: Original Song (“Journey to the Past”), Original Musical or Comedy Score
• The Apostle: Actor (Robert Duvall)
• Deconstructing Harry: Original Screenplay
• 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
• Titanic: Picture [O], Director [O], Actress (Kate Winslet), Supporting Actress (Gloria Stuart), Original Dramatic Score [O], Original Song (“My Heart Will Go On”) [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound [O], Sound Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 18-20, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

1. A Few Good Men – $11,145,377 ($32,001,899 total) {week 2}
2. Aladdin – $7,224,990 ($59,754,530 total) {week 6}
5. The Bodyguard – $5,433,899 ($59,301,194 total) {week 4}
6. Toys – $4,810,027 ($4,810,027 total) {week 1}
10. Malcolm X – $1,297,197 ($37,875,385 total) {week 5}
11. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – $1,020,494 ($79,802,143 total) {week 6}
999. The Crying Game – $601,112 ($1,238,311 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. A Few Good Men – $21,270,213 ($61,073,504 total)
2. Aladdin – $13,788,415 ($114,037,561 total)
5. The Bodyguard – $10,370,236 ($113,172,399 total)
6. Toys – $9,179,618 ($9,179,618 total)
10. Malcolm X – $2,475,615 ($72,282,662 total)
11. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – $1,947,545 ($152,297,102 total)
999. The Crying Game – $1,147,182 ($2,363,234 total)

Oscar Details:

• Aladdin: Original Song (“A Whole New World” [O], “Friend Like Me”), Original Score [O], Sound, Sound Effects Editing
• The Bodyguard: Original Song (“I Have Nothing”, “Run to You”)
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound Effects Editing
• The Crying Game: Picture, Director, Actor (Stephen Rea), Supporting Actor (Jaye Davidson), Original Screenplay [O], Editing
• A Few Good Men: Picture, Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson), Editing, Sound
• Malcolm X: Actor, Costume Design
• Toys: Art Direction, Costume Design

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 18-20, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

3. Throw Momma From the Train – $5,680,836 ($15,206,372 total) {week 2}
5. Wall Street – $3,067,206 ($8,514,908 total) {week 2}
8. Fatal Attraction – $1,510,319 ($119,413,219 total) {week 14}
12. Empire of the Sun – $1,044,436 ($2,935,912 total) {week 2}
14. The Last Emperor – $755,000 ($2,238,809 total) {week 5}
999. Broadcast News – $197,542 ($197,542 total) {week 1}
999. Ironweed – $36,973 ($36,973 total) {week 1}
999. Moonstruck – $127,599 ($127,599 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Throw Momma From the Train – $11,506,962 ($30,801,654 total)
5. Wall Street – $6,212,857 ($17,247,589 total)
8. Fatal Attraction – $3,059,265 ($241,880,485 total)
12. Empire of the Sun – $2,115,584 ($5,946,911 total)
14. The Last Emperor – $1,529,309 ($4,534,877 total)
999. Broadcast News – $400,136 ($400,136 total)
999. Ironweed – $74,892 ($74,892 total)
999. Moonstruck – $258,461 ($258,461 total)

Oscar Details:

• Broadcast News: Picture, Actor (William Hurt), Actress (Holly Hunter), Supporting Actor (Albert Brooks), Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• Empire of the Sun: Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound
• Fatal Attraction: Picture, Director, Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Anne Archer), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• Ironweed: Actor (Jack Nicholson), Actress (Meryl Streep)
• 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]
• Moonstruck: Picture, Director, Actress (Cher) [O], Supporting Actor (Vincent Gardenia), Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis) [O], Original Screenplay
• Throw Momma From the Train: Supporting Actress (Anne Ramsey)
• Wall Street: Actor (Michael Douglas) [O]

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Dec. 17-19, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

1. Tootsie – $5,540,470 ($5,540,470 total) {week 1}
7. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $2,592,117 ($304,942,178 total) {week 28}
8. The Verdict – $2,331,805 ($2,543,105 total) {week 2}
12. An Officer and a Gentleman – $771,740 ($105,328,633 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Tootsie – $14,925,348 ($14,925,348 total)
7. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $6,982,846 ($821,476,888 total)
8. The Verdict – $6,281,597 ($6,850,813 total)
12. An Officer and a Gentleman – $2,078,973 ($283,742,440 total)

Oscar Details:

• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Editing, Cinematography, Sound [O], Sound Effects Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• 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
• Tootsie: Picture, Director, Actor (Dustin Hoffman), Supporting Actress (Teri Garr), Supporting Actress (Jessica Lange) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“It Might Be You”), Editing, Cinematography, Sound
• The Verdict: Picture, Director, Actor (Paul Newman), Supporting Actor (James Mason), Adapted Screenplay