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

None

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 3-5, 2012

Weekend Box Office:

7. Ted – $5,644,680 ($203,579,915 total) {week 6}
9. Brave – $2,986,214 ($223,420,254 total) {week 7}
11. Moonrise Kingdom – $1,240,083 ($40,779,127 total) {week 11}
12. Beasts of the Southern Wild – $1,154,768 ($5,883,560 total) {week 6}
20. Marvel’s The Avengers – $417,065 ($616,768,487 total) {week 14}
22. Snow White and the Huntsman – $316,710 ($153,829,955 total) {week 10}
28. Prometheus – $167,824 ($125,826,942 total) {week 9}
38. The Pirates! Band of Misfits – $66,732 ($31,051,126 total) {week 15}
41. Searching for Sugar Man – $38,743 ($82,093 total) {week 2}
56. Monsieur Lazhar – $14,714 ($1,967,825 total) {week 17}
62. A Cat in Paris – $10,959 ($264,906 total) {week 10}
70. Mirror Mirror – $6,734 ($64,890,595 total) {week 19}
90. The Invisible War – $1,154 ($50,853 total) {week 7}
94. 5 Broken Cameras – $892 ($63,100 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. Ted – $5,793,597 ($208,950,742 total)
9. Brave – $3,064,996 ($229,314,507 total)
11. Moonrise Kingdom – $1,272,799 ($41,854,958 total)
12. Beasts of the Southern Wild – $1,185,233 ($6,038,780 total)
20. Marvel’s The Avengers – $428,068 ($633,040,017 total)
22. Snow White and the Huntsman – $325,065 ($157,888,283 total)
28. Prometheus – $172,252 ($129,146,497 total)
38. The Pirates! Band of Misfits – $68,493 ($31,870,314 total)
41. Searching for Sugar Man – $39,765 ($84,259 total)
56. Monsieur Lazhar – $15,102 ($2,019,740 total)
62. A Cat in Paris – $11,248 ($271,895 total)
70. Mirror Mirror – $6,912 ($66,602,533 total)
90. The Invisible War – $1,184 ($52,195 total)
94. 5 Broken Cameras – $916 ($64,765 total)

Oscar Details:

• 5 Broken Cameras: Documentary Feature
• Beasts of the Southern Wild: Picture, Directing, Actress (Quvenzhane Wallis), Adapted Screenplay
• Brave: Animated Feature [O]
• A Cat in Paris: Animated Feature
• The Invisible War: Documentary Feature
• Marvel’s The Avengers: Visual Effects
• Mirror Mirror: Costume Design
• Monsieur Lazhar: Foreign Language Film
• Moonrise Kingdom: Original Screenplay
• The Pirates! Band of Misfits: Animated Feature
• Prometheus: Visual Effects
• Searching for Sugar Man: Documentary Feature [O]
• Snow White and the Huntsman: Costume Design
• Ted: Original Song (“Everybody Needs a Best Friend”)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 3-5, 2007

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Bourne Ultimatum – $69,283,690 ($69,283,690 total) {week 1}
8. Transformers – $6,021,472 ($296,379,328 total) {week 5}
11. Ratatouille – $3,987,800 ($188,246,213 total) {week 6}
20. Sicko – $503,702 ($22,640,294 total) {week 7}
25. Once – $284,084 ($6,529,474 total) {week 12}
27. Surf’s Up – $234,036 ($58,002,217 total) {week 9}
29. La Vie en Rose – $221,623 ($8,662,108 total) {week 10}
30. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – $192,124 ($307,318,071 total) {week 11}
47. No End in Sight – $44,057 ($93,586 total) {week 2}
57. The Lives of Others – $18,114 ($11,215,009 total) {week 26}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Bourne Ultimatum – $82,274,382 ($82,274,382 total)
8. Transformers – $7,150,498 ($351,950,452 total)
11. Ratatouille – $4,735,513 ($223,542,378 total)
20. Sicko – $598,146 ($26,885,349 total)
25. Once – $337,350 ($7,753,750 total)
27. Surf’s Up – $277,918 ($68,877,633 total)
29. La Vie en Rose – $263,177 ($10,286,253 total)
30. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – $228,147 ($364,940,209 total)
47. No End in Sight – $52,318 ($111,133 total)
57. The Lives of Others – $21,510 ($13,317,823 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Bourne Ultimatum: Film Editing [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Editing [O]
• The Lives of Others: Foreign Language Film
• No End in Sight: Documentary Feature
• Once: Original Song [O]
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End: Makeup, Visual Effects
• Ratatouille: Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing
• Sicko: Documentary Feature
• Surf’s Up: Animated Feature
• Transformers: Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• La Vie en Rose: Actress (Marion Cotillard) [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O]

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 2-4, 2002

Weekend Box Office:

5. Road to Perdition – $6,600,143 ($77,153,318 total) {week 4}
9. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $3,002,241 ($40,172,975 total) {week 16}
12. Minority Report – $1,727,031 ($126,618,621 total) {week 7}
15. Lilo & Stitch – $1,358,317 ($137,263,211 total) {week 7}
22. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones – $624,323 ($298,104,876 total) {week 12}
25. Spider-Man – $234,714 ($403,505,336 total) {week 14}
27. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron – $199,502 ($72,643,084 total) {week 11}
43. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – $69,067 ($313,240,158 total) {week 33}
44. Monsters, Inc. – $67,470 ($255,352,147 total) {week 34}
51. Ice Age – $44,487 ($176,233,459 total) {week 21}
55. Unfaithful – $33,660 ($52,716,903 total) {week 13}
76. Son of the Bride – $13,468 ($514,882 total) {week 20}
102. Promises – $2,711 ($188,424 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Road to Perdition – $9,281,096 ($108,492,704 total)
9. My Big Fat Greek Wedding – $4,221,740 ($56,491,085 total)
12. Minority Report – $2,428,544 ($178,050,625 total)
15. Lilo & Stitch – $1,910,060 ($193,019,008 total)
22. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones – $877,921 ($419,193,948 total)
25. Spider-Man – $330,054 ($567,407,676 total)
27. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron – $280,539 ($102,150,430 total)
43. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – $97,122 ($440,477,124 total)
44. Monsters, Inc. – $94,876 ($359,075,222 total)
51. Ice Age – $62,557 ($247,818,823 total)
55. Unfaithful – $47,333 ($74,130,309 total)
76. Son of the Bride – $18,939 ($724,025 total)
102. Promises – $3,812 ($264,961 total)

Oscar Details:

• Ice Age: Animated Feature
• Lilo & Stitch: Animated Feature
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Ian McKellen), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score [O], Original Song (“May It Be”), Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Minority Report: Sound Editing
• Monsters, Inc.: Animated Feature, Original Song (If I Didn’t Have You [O]), Original Score, Sound Editing
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Original Screenplay
• Promises: Documentary Feature
• Road to Perdition: Supporting Actor (Paul Newman), Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound, Sound Editing
• Son of the Bride: Foreign Language Film
• Spider-Man: Sound, Visual Effects
• Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron: Animated Feature
• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones: Visual Effects
• Unfaithful: Actress (Diane Lane)

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 1-3, 1997

Weekend Box Office:

1. Air Force One – $25,731,622 ($80,738,833 total) {week 2}
4. Men in Black – $8,011,097 ($208,122,305 total) {week 5}
6. Contact – $6,249,420 ($75,642,069 total) {week 4}
9. Face/Off – $3,758,825 ($102,028,771 total) {week 6}
11. My Best Friend’s Wedding – $3,120,933 ($108,928,218 total) {week 7}
13. Hercules – $1,590,092 ($86,820,878 total) {week 8}
999. Con Air – $464,927 ($95,801,264 total) {week 9}
999. The Fifth Element – $327,830 ($62,339,880 total) {week 13}
999. The Lost World: Jurassic Park – $258,965 ($223,886,079 total) {week 11}
999. Mrs. Brown – $442,634 ($1,049,409 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Air Force One – $45,801,166 ($143,711,605 total)
4. Men in Black – $14,259,404 ($370,448,634 total)
6. Contact – $11,123,695 ($134,639,587 total)
9. Face/Off – $6,690,545 ($181,606,767 total)
11. My Best Friend’s Wedding – $5,555,125 ($193,887,482 total)
13. Hercules – $2,830,294 ($154,537,380 total)
999. Con Air – $827,550 ($170,522,076 total)
999. The Fifth Element – $583,523 ($110,962,270 total)
999. The Lost World: Jurassic Park – $460,946 ($398,507,465 total)
999. Mrs. Brown – $787,869 ($1,867,902 total)

Oscar Details:

• Air Force One: Editing, Sound
• Con Air: Original Song (“How Do I Live”), Sound
• Contact: Sound
• Face/Off: Sound Effects
• The Fifth Element: Sound Editing
• Hercules: Original Song (“Go the Distance”)
• The Lost World: Jurassic Park: Visual Effects
• Men in Black: Original Musical or Comedy Score, Art Direction, Makeup [O]
• Mrs. Brown: Actress (Judi Dench), Makeup
• My Best Friend’s Wedding: Original Comedy/Musical Score

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 1992

Weekend Box Office:

1. Death Becomes Her – $12,110,355 ($12,110,355 total) {week 1}
11. Batman Returns – $1,746,593 ($153,730,886 total) {week 7}
999. Enchanted April – $73,041 ($73,041 total) {week 1}
999. The Panama Deception – $6,563 ($6,563 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Death Becomes Her – $23,841,349 ($23,841,349 total)
11. Batman Returns – $3,438,473 ($302,646,106 total)
999. Enchanted April – $143,794 ($143,794 total)
999. The Panama Deception – $12,920 ($12,920 total)

Oscar Details:

• Batman Returns: Makeup, Visual Effects
• Death Becomes Her: Visual Effects [O]
• Enchanted April: Supporting Actress (Joan Plowright), Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design
• The Panama Deception: Documentary Feature [O]

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 1987

Weekend Box Office:

4. Robocop – $4,749,533 ($26,907,302 total) {week 3}
8. Full Metal Jacket – $2,736,128 ($31,471,827 total) {week 6}
11. Beverly Hills Cop II – $1,791,425 ($143,757,298 total) {week 11}
14. The Untouchables – $1,441,259 ($67,302,495 total) {week 9}
16. The Witches of Eastwick – $1,167,796 ($57,306,187 total) {week 8}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Robocop – $9,924,216 ($56,223,186 total)
8. Full Metal Jacket – $5,717,178 ($65,760,825 total)
11. Beverly Hills Cop II – $3,743,208 ($300,382,896 total)
14. The Untouchables – $3,011,531 ($140,629,510 total)
16. The Witches of Eastwick – $2,440,126 ($119,742,084 total)

Oscar Details:

• Beverly Hills Cop II: Original Song (“Shakedown”)
• Full Metal Jacket: Adapted Screenplay
• Robocop: Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects [O]
• The Untouchables: Supporting Actor (Sean Connery) [O], Original Score, Art Direction, Costume Design
• The Witches of Eastwick: Original Score, Sound

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Jul. 30-Aug. 1, 1982

Weekend Box Office:

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $10,425,071 ($169,506,056 total) {week 8}
3. An Officer and a Gentleman – $3,304,679 ($3,304,679 total) {week 1}
6. Rocky III – $2,405,990 ($96,444,000 total) {week 10}
9. Poltergeist – $1,847,018 ($54,890,000 total) {week 9}
11. Annie – $1,435,056 ($42,125,691 total) {week 11}
14. Tron – $1,198,339 ($18,076,682 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – $28,970,350 ($471,042,339 total)
3. An Officer and a Gentleman – $9,183,411 ($9,183,411 total)
6. Rocky III – $6,686,033 ($268,009,347 total)
9. Poltergeist – $5,132,700 ($152,534,456 total)
11. Annie – $3,987,894 ($117,063,570 total)
14. Tron – $3,330,078 ($50,233,501 total)

Oscar Details:

• Annie: Original Song Score, Art Direction
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Editing, Cinematography, Sound [O], Sound Effects [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
• Poltergeist: Original Score, Sound Editing, Visual Effects
• Rocky III: Original Song (“Eye of the Tiger”)
• Tron: Costume Design, Sound