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

Transcendence (Wide)

Oscar Potential: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 17-19, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

26. Coraline – $157,066 ($74,800,029 total) {week 11}
27. Slumdog Millionaire – $142,771 ($141,017,353 total) {week 23}
35. The Class – $66,265 ($3,574,412 total) {week 18}
36. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – $58,881 ($127,490,802 total) {week 17}
38. The Reader – $55,229 ($34,111,418 total) {week 19}
42. Paris 36 – $45,815 ($448,192 total) {week 3}
52. The Wrestler – $27,681 ($26,187,724 total) {week 18}
71. Defiance – $10,819 ($28,575,525 total) {week 16}
86. 12 – $5,283 ($91,060 total) {week 7}
91. Katyn – $3,550 ($98,418 total) {week 9}
93. Waltz with Bashir – $3,344 ($2,270,025 total) {week 17}
107. Rachel Getting Married – $999 ($12,796,277 total) {week 29}
117. The Betrayal – $249 ($40,170 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

26. Coraline – $170,260 ($81,083,231 total)
27. Slumdog Millionaire – $154,764 ($152,862,811 total)
35. The Class – $71,831 ($3,874,663 total)
36. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – $63,827 ($138,200,029 total)
38. The Reader – $59,868 ($36,976,777 total)
42. Paris 36 – $49,663 ($485,840 total)
52. The Wrestler – $30,006 ($28,387,493 total)
71. Defiance – $11,728 ($30,975,869 total)
86. 12 – $5,727 ($98,709 total)
91. Katyn – $3,848 ($106,685 total)
93. Waltz with Bashir – $3,625 ($2,460,707 total)
107. Rachel Getting Married – $1,083 ($13,871,164 total)
117. The Betrayal – $270 ($43,544 total)

Oscar Details:

• 12: Foreign Language Film
• The Betrayal: Documentary Feature
• The Class: Foreign Language Film
• Coraline: Animated Feature
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Picture, Director, Actor (Brad Pitt), Supporting Actress (Taraji P. Henson), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound Mixing, Visual Effects [O]
• Defiance: Original Score
• Katyn: Foreign Language Film
• Paris 36: Original Song (“Loin de Paname”)
• Rachel Getting Married: Actress (Anne Hathaway)
• The Reader: Picture, Director, Actress (Kate Winslet) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography
• 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
• Waltz with Bashir: Foreign Language Film
• The Wrestler: Actor (Mickey Rourke), Supporting Actress (Marisa Tomei)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 16-18, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

10. The Passion of the Christ – $4,051,112 ($360,761,619 total) {week 8}
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – $1,367,316 ($28,106,424 total) {week 5}
25. Mystic River – $337,030 ($89,419,875 total) {week 28}
28. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – $227,321 ($376,058,551 total) {week 18}
45. Girl with a Pearl Earring – $59,511 ($11,505,906 total) {week 19}
47. The Triplets of Belleville – $59,164 ($6,648,572 total) {week 21}
48. My Architect – $54,594 ($2,240,739 total) {week 23}
50. Big Fish – $53,083 ($66,619,233 total) {week 19}
58. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – $37,145 ($93,864,607 total) {week 23}
60. The Fog of War – $36,803 ($4,052,471 total) {week 18}
62. Monster – $34,580 ($34,336,951 total) {week 17}
77. In America – $15,915 ($15,465,752 total) {week 21}
79. Cold Mountain – $15,013 ($95,335,298 total) {week 17}
81. City of God – $12,672 ($7,459,175 total) {week 66}
131. The Weather Underground – $962 ($555,045 total) {week 46}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

10. The Passion of the Christ – $10,260,293 ($913,704,661 total)
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – $3,463,015 ($71,185,429 total)
25. Mystic River – $853,599 ($226,474,637 total)
28. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – $575,738 ($952,447,358 total)
45. Girl with a Pearl Earring – $150,724 ($29,141,126 total)
47. The Triplets of Belleville – $149,845 ($16,838,907 total)
48. My Architect – $138,271 ($5,675,143 total)
50. Big Fish – $134,444 ($168,727,216 total)
58. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – $94,078 ($237,731,855 total)
60. The Fog of War – $93,211 ($10,263,735 total)
62. Monster – $87,581 ($86,965,549 total)
77. In America – $40,308 ($39,170,269 total)
79. Cold Mountain – $38,024 ($241,456,689 total)
81. City of God – $32,095 ($18,891,929 total)
131. The Weather Underground – $2,436 ($1,405,768 total)

Oscar Details:

• Big Fish: Original Score
• City of God: Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography
• Cold Mountain: Actor (Jude Law), Supporting Actress (Renee Zellweger) [O], Original Song (“Scarlet Tide”), Original Song (“You Will Be My Ain True Love”), Original Score, Editing, Cinematography
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Actress (Kate Winslet), Original Screenplay [O]
• The Fog of War: Documentary Feature [O]
• Girl with a Pearl Earring: Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design
• In America: Actress (Samantha Morton), Supporting Actor (Djimon Hounsou), Original Screenplay
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Picture [O], Director [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Song (“Into the West”) [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound Mixing [O], Visual Effects [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
• Monster: Actress (Charlize Theron) [O]
• My Architect: Documentary Feature
• Mystic River: Picture, Director, Actor (Sean Penn) [O], Supporting Actor (Tim Robbins) [O], Supporting Actress (Marcia Gay Harden), Adapted Screenplay
• The Passion of the Christ : Original Score, Cinematography, Makeup
• The Triplets of Belleville: Animated Feature, Original Song (“Belleville Rendez-vous”)
• The Weather Underground: Documentary Feature

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 16-18, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

1. Life – $20,414,775 ($20,414,775 total) {week 1}
2. The Matrix – $17,941,314 ($98,946,842 total) {week 3}
10. Shakespeare in Love – $1,750,254 ($89,856,022 total) {week 19}
11. Life Is Beautiful – $1,636,781 ($50,013,888 total) {week 26}
18. Saving Private Ryan – $558,862 ($214,275,406 total) {week 39}
23. A Bug’s Life – $315,084 ($162,343,733 total) {week 22}
26. The Prince of Egypt – $256,411 ($100,595,017 total) {week 18}
32. Patch Adams – $185,515 ($134,521,030 total) {week 17}
34. Elizabeth – $168,904 ($29,647,689 total) {week 24}
41. Central Station – $121,836 ($5,618,565 total) {week 22}
42. Gods and Monsters – $116,726 ($6,021,646 total) {week 24}
44. Affliction – $100,197 ($6,040,369 total) {week 16}
45. A Civil Action – $86,184 ($56,615,755 total) {week 17}
47. Tango – $81,662 ($1,540,720 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Life – $32,671,677 ($32,671,677 total)
2. The Matrix – $28,713,166 ($158,353,903 total)
10. Shakespeare in Love – $2,801,095 ($143,805,012 total)
11. Life Is Beautiful – $2,619,494 ($80,041,911 total)
18. Saving Private Ryan – $894,399 ($342,925,010 total)
23. A Bug’s Life – $504,258 ($259,813,888 total)
26. The Prince of Egypt – $410,359 ($160,991,632 total)
32. Patch Adams – $296,897 ($215,286,609 total)
34. Elizabeth – $270,313 ($47,447,975 total)
41. Central Station – $194,986 ($8,991,916 total)
42. Gods and Monsters – $186,808 ($9,637,004 total)
44. Affliction – $160,355 ($9,666,968 total)
45. A Civil Action – $137,928 ($90,607,498 total)
47. Tango – $130,691 ($2,465,759 total)

Oscar Details:

• Affliction: Actor (Nick Nolte), Supporting Actor (James Coburn) [O]
• A Bug’s Life: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Central Station: Actress (Fernanda Montenegro), Foreign Language Film
• A Civil Action: Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall), Cinematography
• Elizabeth: Picture, Actress (Cate Blanchett), Original Dramatic Score, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup
• Gods and Monsters: Actor (Ian McKellen), Supporting Actress (Lynn Redgrave), Adapted Screenplay [O]
• Life: Makeup
• Life Is Beautiful: Picture, Director, Actor (Roberto Benigni) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score [O], Editing, Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Matrix : Editing [O], Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Patch Adams: Original Musical or Comedy Score
• The Prince of Egypt: Original Song (“When You Believe”) [O], Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Saving Private Ryan: Picture, Director [O], Actor (Tom Hanks), Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Makeup, Sound [O], Sound Effects [O]
• Shakespeare in Love: Picture [O], Director, Actress (Gwyneth Paltrow) [O], Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Supporting Actress (Judi Dench) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Musical or Comedy Score [O], Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
• Tango: Foreign Language Film

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 22-24, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

2. Four Weddings and a Funeral – $4,380,640 ($18,420,697 total) {week 7}
3. The Paper – $2,362,545 ($28,703,220 total) {week 6}
11. Schindler’s List – $1,657,150 ($85,612,768 total) {week 19}
15. Mrs. Doubtfire – $1,018,318 ($216,735,806 total) {week 22}
17. Philadelphia – $620,936 ($72,537,211 total) {week 18}
999. Jurassic Park – $138,060 ($346,210,295 total) {week 46}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Four Weddings and a Funeral – $8,520,240 ($35,827,815 total)
3. The Paper – $4,595,094 ($55,827,076 total)
11. Schindler’s List – $3,223,117 ($166,514,786 total)
15. Mrs. Doubtfire – $1,980,604 ($421,545,958 total)
17. Philadelphia – $1,207,706 ($141,083,140 total)
999. Jurassic Park – $268,523 ($673,370,741 total)

Oscar Details:

• Four Weddings and a Funeral: Picture, Original Screenplay
• Jurassic Park: Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Mrs. Doubtfire: Makeup [O]
• The Paper : Original Song (“Make Up Your Mind”)
• Philadelphia: Actor (Tom Hanks) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Philadelphia”), Original Song (“Streets of Philadelphia”) [O]
• Schindler’s List: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Liam Neeson), Supporting Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Makeup, Sound

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 21-23, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

5. Rain Man – $2,377,533 ($155,748,220 total) {week 19}
999. The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen – $310,652 ($5,150,984 total) {week 7}
999. Field of Dreams – $531,346 ($531,346 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Rain Man – $4,868,852 ($318,950,385 total)
999. The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen – $636,171 ($10,548,489 total)
999. Field of Dreams – $1,088,122 ($1,088,122 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen : Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Visual Effects
• Field of Dreams: Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score
• Rain Man: Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Dustin Hoffman) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 20-22, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

3. Romancing the Stone – $5,686,311 ($27,908,776 total) {week 4}
4. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes – $4,643,186 ($27,443,560 total) {week 4}
5. Splash – $3,763,799 ($47,979,870 total) {week 7}
7. Footloose – $2,443,796 ($60,535,312 total) {week 10}
9. Swing Shift – $1,821,507 ($4,919,785 total) {week 2}
10. Terms of Endearment – $1,613,857 ($100,362,140 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Romancing the Stone – $13,758,842 ($67,529,271 total)
4. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes – $11,234,852 ($66,403,614 total)
5. Splash – $9,107,049 ($116,094,150 total)
7. Footloose – $5,913,114 ($146,473,835 total)
9. Swing Shift – $4,407,396 ($11,904,123 total)
10. Terms of Endearment – $3,904,958 ($242,840,535 total)

Oscar Details:

• Footloose: Original Song (“Footloose”, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy”)
• Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes: Supporting Actor (Ralph Richardson), Adapted Screenplay, Makeup
• Romancing the Stone: Editing
• Splash: Original Screenplay
• Swing Shift: Supporting Actress (Christine Lahti)
• 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