Every week, we’ll take a look back at how Oscar-nominated films performed at the box office. Due to the lack of data prior to 1980, some of these early years may have minimal information. From the mid-1990s back to 1980, the data exists, but is sometimes spotty. Everything after that should be accurate. We’ll look back at 5 years ago and then go back further in 5-year increments. We also include an inflation adjustment so you can see how ticket prices have changed and how films released today compare to those of yesteryear. Sometimes, it takes a few months for the prior year’s average ticket price to be formally set, so these numbers may vary until that point. The first section under each year is the positioning of all Oscar nominees during that weekend at the box office followed by 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.

Every week, we’ll take a look back at how Oscar-nominated films performed at the box office. Due to the lack of data prior to 1980, some of these early years may have minimal information. From the mid-1990s back to 1980, the data exists, but is sometimes spotty. Everything after that should be accurate. We’ll look back at 5 years ago and then go back further in 5-year increments. We also include an inflation adjustment so you can see how ticket prices have changed and how films released today compare to those of yesteryear. Sometimes, it takes a few months for the prior year’s average ticket price to be formally set, so these numbers may vary until that point. The first section under each year is the positioning of all Oscar nominees during that weekend at the box office followed by 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.

5 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 13-15, 2021

Weekend Box Office:

1. Free Guy – $28,365,416 ($28,365,416 total) {week 1}
20. Cruella – $66,866 ($85,843,810 total) {week 12}
28. Summer of Soul – $13,441 ($2,287,092 total) {week 7}
38. Raya and the Last Dragon – $1,399 ($54,722,593 total) {week 24}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Free Guy – $32,772,236 ($32,772,236 total)
20. Cruella – $77,254 ($99,180,410 total)
28. Summer of Soul – $15,529 ($2,642,412 total)
38. Raya and the Last Dragon – $1,616 ($63,224,235 total)

Oscar Details:

• Cruella: Costume Design [O], Makeup & Hairstyling
• Free Guy: Visual Effects
• Raya and the Last Dragon: Animated Feature
• Summer of Soul: Documentary Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 12-14, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

1. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $43,536,013 ($222,640,741 total) {week 2}
7. Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th) – $6,892,793 ($139,772,742 total) {week 4}
8. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th) – $6,601,313 ($6,601,313 total) {week 1}
20. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $621,329 ($621,329 total) {week 1}
24. Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th) – $349,148 ($4,274,625 total) {week 6}
29. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $188,907 ($362,989,473 total) {week 18}
53. The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $17,587 ($9,164,367 total) {week 20}
75. Life, Animated (2016, 89th) – $5,651 ($210,239 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $59,138,515 ($302,431,064 total)
7. Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th) – $9,363,043 ($189,864,707 total)
8. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th) – $8,967,101 ($8,967,101 total)
20. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $844,002 ($844,002 total)
24. Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th) – $474,276 ($5,806,572 total)
29. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $256,608 ($493,078,186 total)
53. The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $23,890 ($12,448,707 total)
75. Life, Animated (2016, 89th) – $7,676 ($285,585 total)

Oscar Details:

• Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th): Actor (Viggo Mortensen)
• Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th): Actress (Meryl Streep), Costume Design
• Hell or High Water (2016, 89th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing
• The Jungle Book (2016, 89th): Visual Effects [O]
• Life, Animated (2016, 89th): Documentary Feature
• The Lobster (2016, 89th): Original Screenplay
• Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling
• Suicide Squad (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling [O]

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 19-21, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Help (2011, 84th) – $20,018,659 ($71,340,829 total) {week 2}
2. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $16,119,502 ($133,583,862 total) {week 3}
11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $4,511,411 ($366,007,900 total) {week 6}
18. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, 84th) – $606,276 ($348,540,006 total) {week 8}
19. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $552,103 ($50,614,946 total) {week 14}
26. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th) – $284,465 ($163,942,842 total) {week 13}
27. Bridesmaids (2011, 84th) – $280,595 ($167,661,310 total) {week 15}
37. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $119,782 ($12,693,868 total) {week 13}
47. Beginners (2011, 84th) – $56,128 ($5,640,336 total) {week 12}
50. Rio (2011, 84th) – $38,024 ($143,558,181 total) {week 19}
61. A Better Life (2011, 84th) – $23,012 ($1,732,305 total) {week 9}
74. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $7,408 ($2,024,498 total) {week 18}
109. If a Tree Falls (2011, 84th) – $800 ($61,153 total) {week 9}
113. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $605 ($1,005,762 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Help (2011, 84th) – $29,661,947 ($105,706,777 total)
2. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $23,884,508 ($197,933,213 total)
11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $6,684,625 ($542,319,398 total)
18. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, 84th) – $898,328 ($516,436,957 total)
19. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $818,059 ($74,996,925 total)
26. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th) – $421,496 ($242,916,569 total)
27. Bridesmaids (2011, 84th) – $415,762 ($248,426,279 total)
37. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $177,483 ($18,808,695 total)
47. Beginners (2011, 84th) – $83,166 ($8,357,370 total)
50. Rio (2011, 84th) – $56,341 ($212,712,311 total)
61. A Better Life (2011, 84th) – $34,097 ($2,566,782 total)
74. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $10,977 ($2,999,729 total)
109. If a Tree Falls (2011, 84th) – $1,185 ($90,611 total)
113. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $896 ($1,490,253 total)

Oscar Details:

• Beginners (2011, 84th): Supporting Actor (Christopher Plummer) [O]
• A Better Life (2011, 84th): Actor (Demian Bichir)
• Bridesmaids (2011, 84th): Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy), Original Screenplay
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th): Art Direction, Makeup, Visual Effects
• The Help (2011, 84th): Picture, Actress (Viola Davis), Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer [O])
• If a Tree Falls (2011, 84th): Documentary Feature
• In a Better World (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film [O]
• Incendies (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film
• Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011, 84th): Animated Feature
• Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay [O], Art Direction
• Rio (2011, 84th): Original Song (“Real in Rio”)
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th): Visual Effects
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, 84th): Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• The Tree of Life (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Cinematography

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 18-20, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

7. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $5,610,845 ($12,692,059 total) {week 4}
8. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $5,212,351 ($401,253,092 total) {week 7}
14. Monster House (2006, 79th) – $1,970,819 ($67,372,407 total) {week 5}
16. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $1,307,434 ($118,996,040 total) {week 8}
20. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $927,956 ($927,956 total) {week 1}
21. Superman Returns (2006, 79th) – $848,255 ($194,165,746 total) {week 8}
25. Cars (2006, 79th) – $438,906 ($239,618,177 total) {week 11}
29. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $258,781 ($22,409,945 total) {week 13}
33. Click (2006, 79th) – $200,405 ($135,468,818 total) {week 9}
52. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $56,264 ($147,246 total) {week 2}
72. Water (2006, 79th) – $14,560 ($3,201,967 total) {week 17}
124. My Country, My Country (2006, 79th) – $1,009 ($8,081 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $10,065,256 ($22,768,197 total)
8. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $9,350,401 ($719,805,165 total)
14. Monster House (2006, 79th) – $3,535,439 ($120,858,898 total)
16. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $2,345,397 ($213,466,179 total)
20. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $1,664,654 ($1,664,654 total)
21. Superman Returns (2006, 79th) – $1,521,679 ($348,312,598 total)
25. Cars (2006, 79th) – $787,350 ($429,849,401 total)
29. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $464,225 ($40,201,046 total)
33. Click (2006, 79th) – $359,505 ($243,016,582 total)
52. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $100,932 ($264,144 total)
72. Water (2006, 79th) – $26,119 ($5,743,987 total)
124. My Country, My Country (2006, 79th) – $1,810 ($14,496 total)

Oscar Details:

• Cars (2006, 79th): Animated Feature, Original Song (“Our Town”)
• Click (2006, 79th): Makeup
• The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th): Actress (Meryl Streep), Costume Design
• Half Nelson (2006, 79th): Actor (Ryan Gosling)
• The Illusionist (2006, 79th): Cinematography
• An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th): Original Song (“I Need to Wake Up” [O]), Documentary Feature [O]
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin [O]), Supporting Actress (Abigail Breslin), Original Screenplay [O]
• Monster House (2006, 79th): Animated Feature
• My Country, My Country (2006, 79th): Documentary Feature
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th): Art Direction, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• Superman Returns (2006, 79th): Visual Effects
• Water (2006, 79th): Foreign Language Film

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 17-19, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

20. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $538,767 ($260,444,228 total) {week 14}
22. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $457,683 ($1,933,037 total) {week 5}
26. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $202,765 ($55,500,137 total) {week 14}
30. Memento (2001, 74th) – $153,202 ($24,854,680 total) {week 23}
32. Sexy Beast (2001, 74th) – $134,606 ($6,195,830 total) {week 10}
33. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $132,569 ($195,315,237 total) {week 13}
45. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001, 74th) – $58,210 ($78,039,227 total) {week 8}
48. Divided We Fall (2000, 73rd) – $44,817 ($889,043 total) {week 11}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

20. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $1,118,465 ($540,674,855 total)
22. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $950,137 ($4,012,930 total)
26. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $420,934 ($115,216,716 total)
30. Memento (2001, 74th) – $318,043 ($51,597,613 total)
32. Sexy Beast (2001, 74th) – $279,438 ($12,862,368 total)
33. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $275,209 ($405,468,911 total)
45. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001, 74th) – $120,842 ($162,007,229 total)
48. Divided We Fall (2000, 73rd) – $93,039 ($1,845,628 total)

Oscar Details:

• A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001, 74th): Original Score, Visual Effects
• Divided We Fall (2000, 73rd): Foreign Language Film
• Ghost World (2001, 74th): Adapted Screenplay
• Memento (2001, 74th): Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th): Picture, Actress (Nicole Kidman), Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
• Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th): Original Song (“There You’ll Be”), Sound, Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects
• Sexy Beast (2001, 74th): Supporting Actor (Ben Kingsley)
• Shrek (2001, 74th): Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 16-18, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

5. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $5,810,981 ($266,963,804 total) {week 7}
11. Emma (1996, 69th) – $2,525,816 ($5,288,684 total) {week 3}
14. The Nutty Professor (1996, 69th) – $1,554,485 ($117,970,630 total) {week 8}
16. Twister (1996, 69th) – $1,230,016 ($235,870,450 total) {week 15}
18. Trainspotting (1996, 69th) – $1,006,633 ($7,572,009 total) {week 5}
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $441,466 ($128,978,633 total) {week 11}
999. Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $28,471 ($191,702,825 total) {week 39}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $15,447,744 ($709,688,845 total)
11. Emma (1996, 69th) – $6,714,556 ($14,059,284 total)
14. The Nutty Professor (1996, 69th) – $4,132,398 ($313,609,706 total)
16. Twister (1996, 69th) – $3,269,839 ($627,031,174 total)
18. Trainspotting (1996, 69th) – $2,676,004 ($20,129,209 total)
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $1,173,580 ($342,873,063 total)
999. Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $75,686 ($509,617,238 total)

Oscar Details:

• Emma (1996, 69th): Original Musical or Comedy Score [O], Costume Design
• Independence Day (1996, 69th): Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• The Nutty Professor (1996, 69th): Makeup [O]
• The Rock (1996, 69th): Sound
• Toy Story (1995, 68th): Original Screenplay, Original Song (“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”), Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Trainspotting (1996, 69th): Adapted Screenplay
• Twister (1996, 69th): Sound, Visual Effects

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 16-18, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $5,544,350 ($168,449,764 total) {week 7}
7. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th) – $2,453,067 ($142,630,042 total) {week 10}
9. Boyz N the Hood (1991, 64th) – $1,924,538 ($44,266,736 total) {week 6}
11. City Slickers (1991, 64th) – $1,670,535 ($107,779,661 total) {week 11}
999. The Commitments (1991, 64th) – $271,333 ($271,333 total) {week 1}
999. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $174,580 ($129,749,489 total) {week 27}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $15,474,136 ($470,138,890 total)
7. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th) – $6,846,446 ($398,076,721 total)
9. Boyz N the Hood (1991, 64th) – $5,371,335 ($123,547,304 total)
11. City Slickers (1991, 64th) – $4,662,420 ($300,810,218 total)
999. The Commitments (1991, 64th) – $757,283 ($757,283 total)
999. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $487,248 ($362,127,434 total)

Oscar Details:

• Boyz N the Hood (1991, 64th): Directing, Original Screenplay
• City Slickers (1991, 64th): Supporting Actor (Jack Palance) [O]
• The Commitments (1991, 64th): Film Editing
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th): Original Song (“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You”)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th): Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Anthony Hopkins) [O], Actress (Jodie Foster) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Sound
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th): Film Editing, Cinematography, Makeup [O], Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]

40 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug.15-17, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Fly (1986, 59th) – $7,007,423 ($7,007,423 total) {week 1}
3. Aliens (1986, 59th) – $4,303,173 ($55,001,488 total) {week 5}
4. The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th) – $3,341,527 ($88,759,228 total) {week 9}
6. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $3,117,183 ($118,913,341 total) {week 14}
999. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $254,428 ($665,620 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Fly (1986, 59th) – $22,193,321 ($22,193,321 total)
3. Aliens (1986, 59th) – $13,628,648 ($174,196,087 total)
4. The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th) – $10,583,003 ($281,110,763 total)
6. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $9,872,480 ($376,612,333 total)
999. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $805,803 ($2,108,096 total)

Oscar Details:

• Aliens (1986, 59th): Actress (Sigourney Weaver), Original Score, Film Editing, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Fly (1986, 59th): Makeup [O]
• The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Glory of Love”)
• Stand By Me (1986, 59th): Adapted Screenplay
• Top Gun (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Take My Breath Away” [O]), Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects

45 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 14-16, 1981

Weekend Box Office:

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $5,157,432 ($104,088,566 total) {week 10}
3. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $2,931,246 ($21,743,829 total) {week 5}
12. Endless Love (1981, 54th) – $1,255,655 ($19,486,265 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $21,798,499 ($439,942,680 total)
3. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $12,389,259 ($91,902,874 total)
12. Endless Love (1981, 54th) – $5,307,175 ($82,361,012 total)

Oscar Details:

• Arthur (1981, 54th): Actor (Dudley Moore), Supporting Actor (John Gielgud) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”) [O]
• Endless Love (1981, 54th): Original Song (“Endless Love”)
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th): Picture, Director, Original Score, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O], Special Achievement Award (Sound Effects Film Editing) [O]