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

None

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Feb. 15-17, 2008

Weekend Box Office:

7. Juno – $4,612,741 ($124,077,530 total) {week 11}
12. There Will Be Blood – $3,031,017 ($30,975,900 total) {week 8}
14. No Country for Old Men – $1,882,854 ($60,925,778 total) {week 15}
17. Atonement – $1,454,150 ($47,453,273 total) {week 11}
22. In Bruges – $970,211 ($1,581,747 total) {week 2}
23. Michael Clayton – $950,405 ($47,500,409 total) {week 20}
25. Persepolis – $410,900 ($2,866,715 total) {week 8}
27. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $350,722 ($4,839,646 total) {week 12}
30. The Savages – $288,910 ($5,669,666 total) {week 12}
34. Charlie Wilson’s War – $214,180 ($66,319,900 total) {week 9}
35. 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films – $197,664 ($197,664 total) {week 1}
36. The Kite Runner – $176,650 ($15,113,633 total) {week 10}
38. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – $165,697 ($52,293,261 total) {week 9}
41. The Golden Compass – $137,078 ($69,813,409 total) {week 11}
51. Into the Wild – $62,920 ($18,161,123 total) {week 22}
57. August Rush – $41,655 ($31,608,184 total) {week 13}
58. I’m Not There – $41,642 ($3,879,597 total) {week 13}
71. Taxi to the Dark Side – $12,628 ($87,994 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. Juno – $5,088,149 ($136,865,465 total)
12. There Will Be Blood – $3,343,406 ($34,168,402 total)
14. No Country for Old Men – $2,076,909 ($67,205,036 total)
17. Atonement – $1,604,021 ($52,344,000 total)
22. In Bruges – $1,070,205 ($1,744,768 total)
23. Michael Clayton – $1,048,358 ($52,395,994 total)
25. Persepolis – $453,249 ($3,162,170 total)
27. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – $386,869 ($5,338,440 total)
30. The Savages – $318,686 ($6,254,005 total)
34. Charlie Wilson’s War – $236,254 ($73,155,099 total)
36. The Kite Runner – $194,856 ($16,671,305 total)
38. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – $182,774 ($57,682,817 total)
41. The Golden Compass – $151,206 ($77,008,663 total)
51. Into the Wild – $69,405 ($20,032,882 total)
57. August Rush – $45,948 ($34,865,852 total)
58. I’m Not There – $45,934 ($4,279,444 total)
71. Taxi to the Dark Side – $13,929 ($97,063 total)

Oscar Details:

• 2007 Academy Award Nominated Short Films: Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film
• 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]
• I’m Not There: Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett)
• In Bruges: Original Screenplay
• 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
• Persepolis: Animated Feature
• The Savages: Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Actor (Johnny Depp), Art Direction [O], Costume Design
• Taxi to the Dark Side: Documentary Feature [O]
• There Will Be Blood: Picture, Director, Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Editing

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Feb. 14-16, 2003

Weekend Box Office:

3. Chicago – $12,708,956 ($80,812,597 total) {week 8}
10. The Hours – $3,363,908 ($26,037,554 total) {week 8}
11. About Schmidt – $3,090,246 ($52,630,234 total) {week 10}
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $3,072,238 ($324,921,599 total) {week 9}
13. Catch Me If You Can – $2,264,609 ($159,480,203 total) {week 8}
16. Gangs of New York – $1,713,240 ($72,168,736 total) {week 9}
17. The Pianist – $1,455,487 ($10,965,279 total) {week 8}
19. Adaptation. – $1,130,480 ($18,380,832 total) {week 11}
23. Talk to Her – $507,069 ($5,590,914 total) {week 13}
24. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $475,282 ($240,686,319 total) {week 44}
31. Far From Heaven – $219,765 ($14,086,210 total) {week 15}
33. Frida – $211,353 ($23,709,495 total) {week 17}
37. Bowling for Columbine – $180,350 ($18,359,050 total) {week 19}
45. 8 Mile – $72,425 ($116,564,100 total) {week 15}
46. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $63,368 ($39,077,260 total) {week 9}
999. Spirited Away – $7,141 ($5,570,761 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Chicago – $16,692,360 ($106,141,918 total)
10. The Hours – $4,418,267 ($34,198,578 total)
11. About Schmidt – $4,058,831 ($69,126,277 total)
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $4,035,178 ($426,762,697 total)
13. Catch Me If You Can – $2,974,412 ($209,466,535 total)
16. Gangs of New York – $2,250,226 ($94,788,788 total)
17. The Pianist – $1,911,684 ($14,402,157 total)
19. Adaptation. – $1,484,810 ($24,141,988 total)
23. Talk to Her – $666,001 ($7,343,290 total)
24. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $624,251 ($316,125,315 total)
31. Far From Heaven – $288,647 ($18,501,291 total)
33. Frida – $277,598 ($31,140,829 total)
37. Bowling for Columbine – $236,878 ($24,113,379 total)
45. 8 Mile – $95,125 ($153,099,116 total)
46. The Wild Thornberrys Movie – $83,230 ($51,325,356 total)
999. Spirited Away – $9,379 ($7,316,820 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]
• Catch Me If You Can: Supporting Actor (Christopher Walken), Original Score
• Chicago: Picture [O], Director, Actress (Renee Zellweger), Supporting Actor (John C. Reilly), Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones [O], Queen Latifah), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“I Move On”), Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Sound [O]
• 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 Hours: Picture, Director, Actress (Nicole Kidman) [O], Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Julianne Moore), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Costume Design
• 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
• The Pianist: Picture, Director [O], Actor (Adrien Brody) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Editing, Cinematography, Costume Design
• Spirited Away: Animated Feature [O]
• Talk to Her: Director, Original Screenplay [O]
• The Wild Thornberrys Movie: Original Song (“Father and Daughter”)

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Feb. 13-15, 1998

Weekend Box Office:

1. Titanic – $28,167,947 ($371,562,244 total) {week 9}
4. As Good As It Gets – $6,435,850 ($100,621,641 total) {week 8}
999. Amistad – $703,747 ($41,890,802 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Titanic – $47,567,194 ($627,456,924 total)
4. As Good As It Gets – $10,868,216 ($169,919,701 total)
999. Amistad – $1,188,417 ($70,740,971 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amistad: Supporting Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Original Score, Cinematography, Costume Design
• As Good As It Gets: Picture, Actor (Jack Nicholson) [O], Actress (Helen Hunt) [O], Supporting Actor (Greg Kinnear), Original Screenplay, Original Musical or Comedy Score, 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 Feb. 12-15, 1993

Weekend Box Office:

4. Aladdin – $6,734,049 ($173,496,142 total) {week 14}
8. A Few Good Men – $3,271,338 ($124,001,638 total) {week 10}
9. Scent of a Woman – $3,189,145 ($38,063,514 total) {week 8}
15. The Crying Game – $1,255,108 ($15,794,828 total) {week 12}
16. The Bodyguard – $1,055,140 ($113,178,040 total) {week 12}
999. Love Field – $301,000 ($301,000 total) {week 1}
999. Unforgiven – $29,931 ($75,323,638 total) {week 28}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Aladdin – $12,882,529 ($331,905,663 total)
8. A Few Good Men – $6,258,212 ($237,220,525 total)
9. Scent of a Woman – $6,100,973 ($72,817,157 total)
15. The Crying Game – $2,401,076 ($30,216,193 total)
16. The Bodyguard – $2,018,529 ($216,514,511 total)
999. Love Field – $575,826 ($575,826 total)
999. Unforgiven – $57,259 ($144,097,394 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”)
• 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
• Love Field: Actress (Michelle Pfeiffer)
• Scent of a Woman: Picture, Director, Actor (Al Pacino) [O], Adapted Screenplay
• Unforgiven: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Clint Eastwood), Supporting Actor (Gene Hackman) [O], Original Screenplay, Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Feb. 12-15, 1988

Weekend Box Office:

1. Good Morning, Vietnam – $9,011,354 ($62,828,894 total) {week 8}
5. Moonstruck – $4,412,800 ($30,720,725 total) {week 9}
11. The Last Emperor – $1,548,355 ($13,858,723 total) {week 13}
12. Broadcast News – $1,547,839 ($38,615,166 total) {week 9}
13. Fatal Attraction – $968,716 ($143,520,991 total) {week 22}
999. The Unbearable Lightness of Being – $278,366 ($592,001 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Good Morning, Vietnam – $17,364,945 ($121,071,737 total)
5. Moonstruck – $8,503,498 ($59,199,061 total)
11. The Last Emperor – $2,983,691 ($26,705,860 total)
12. Broadcast News – $2,982,697 ($74,411,707 total)
13. Fatal Attraction – $1,866,723 ($276,565,997 total)
999. The Unbearable Lightness of Being – $536,413 ($1,140,790 total)

Oscar Details:

• Broadcast News: Picture, Actor (William Hurt), Actress (Holly Hunter), Supporting Actor (Albert Brooks), Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• Fatal Attraction: Picture, Director, Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Anne Archer), Adapted Screenplay, Editing
• Good Morning, Vietnam: Actor (Robin Williams)
• 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
• The Unbearable Lightness of Being: Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Feb. 18-21, 1983

Weekend Box Office:

1. Tootsie – $7,524,261 ($116,147,056 total) {week 10}
3. The Sting II – $3,106,108 ($3,106,108 total) {week 1}
8. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $1,887,838 ($332,585,150 total) {week 37}
10. The Verdict – $1,770,154 ($43,821,008 total) {week 11}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Tootsie – $18,918,142 ($292,026,884 total)
3. The Sting II – $7,809,643 ($7,809,643 total)
8. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $4,746,564 ($836,214,091 total)
10. The Verdict – $4,450,673 ($110,178,534 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]
• The Sting II: Original Song Score or Adaptation Score
• 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