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 Oct. 15-17, 2021

Weekend Box Office:

2. No Time to Die – $23,792,118 ($99,002,672 total) {week 2}
6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – $3,321,610 ($217,852,469 total) {week 7}
8. Free Guy – $645,712 ($120,779,261 total) {week 10}
26. The Eyes of Tammy Faye – $22,459 ($2,366,463 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. No Time to Die – $27,488,435 ($114,383,618 total)
6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – $3,837,652 ($251,697,789 total)
8. Free Guy – $746,029 ($139,543,394 total)
26. The Eyes of Tammy Faye – $25,948 ($2,734,114 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Eyes of Tammy Faye: Actress (Jessica Chastain) [O], Makeup & Hairstyling [O]
• Free Guy: Visual Effects
• No Time to Die: Original Song (“No Time to Die”) [O], Sound, Visual Effects
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Visual Effects

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 14-16, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

5. Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th) – $6,407,716 ($49,393,048 total) {week 3}
9. Sully (2016, 89th) – $2,881,657 ($118,293,294 total) {week 6}
15. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $716,073 ($323,676,752 total) {week 11}
25. A Man Called Ove (2016, 89th) – $200,960 ($432,719 total) {week 3}
28. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $167,384 ($26,492,069 total) {week 10}
35. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $114,785 ($47,346,434 total) {week 9}
41. Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th) – $80,536 ($158,804,470 total) {week 13}
47. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th) – $47,256 ($27,322,307 total) {week 10}
56. Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th) – $25,193 ($5,846,943 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th) – $8,704,123 ($67,094,603 total)
9. Sully (2016, 89th) – $3,914,390 ($160,687,422 total)
15. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $972,700 ($439,676,513 total)
25. A Man Called Ove (2016, 89th) – $272,980 ($587,797 total)
28. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $227,371 ($35,986,337 total)
35. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $155,922 ($64,314,520 total)
41. Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th) – $109,399 ($215,717,055 total)
47. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th) – $64,192 ($37,114,116 total)
56. Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th) – $34,222 ($7,942,379 total)

Oscar Details:

• Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th): Actor (Viggo Mortensen)
• Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th): Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• 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
• Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th): Animated Feature, Visual Effects
• A Man Called Ove (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling, Foreign Language Film
• Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling
• Suicide Squad (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling [O]
• Sully (2016, 89th): Sound Film Editing

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 21-23, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

2. Real Steel (2011, 84th) – $10,824,512 ($66,732,152 total) {week 3}
5. The Ides of March (2011, 84th) – $4,853,051 ($29,112,377 total) {week 3}
7. Moneyball (2011, 84th) – $3,981,852 ($63,640,746 total) {week 5}
17. The Help (2011, 84th) – $713,429 ($166,190,265 total) {week 11}
18. Drive (2011, 84th) – $608,534 ($33,188,983 total) {week 6}
20. Margin Call (2011, 84th) – $561,906 ($561,906 total) {week 1}
27. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $237,066 ($175,631,265 total) {week 12}
29. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $180,790 ($380,531,427 total) {week 15}
36. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $109,215 ($55,275,621 total) {week 23}
56. Warrior (2011, 84th) – $28,575 ($13,632,517 total) {week 7}
86. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $6,147 ($13,303,319 total) {week 22}
104. Hell and Back Again (2011, 84th) – $2,326 ($15,890 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Real Steel (2011, 84th) – $16,038,842 ($98,878,031 total)
5. The Ides of March (2011, 84th) – $7,190,838 ($43,136,246 total)
7. Moneyball (2011, 84th) – $5,899,970 ($94,297,448 total)
17. The Help (2011, 84th) – $1,057,098 ($246,246,610 total)
18. Drive (2011, 84th) – $901,674 ($49,176,614 total)
20. Margin Call (2011, 84th) – $832,585 ($832,585 total)
27. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $351,264 ($260,235,481 total)
29. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $267,879 ($563,839,126 total)
36. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $161,826 ($81,902,717 total)
56. Warrior (2011, 84th) – $42,340 ($20,199,505 total)
86. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $9,108 ($19,711,727 total)
104. Hell and Back Again (2011, 84th) – $3,446 ($23,544 total)

Oscar Details:

• Drive (2011, 84th): Sound Film Editing
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th): Art Direction, Makeup, Visual Effects
• Hell and Back Again (2011, 84th): Documentary Feature
• The Help (2011, 84th): Picture, Actress (Viola Davis), Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer [O])
• The Ides of March (2011, 84th): Adapted Screenplay
• Margin Call (2011, 84th): Original Screenplay
• Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay [O], Art Direction
• Moneyball (2011, 84th): Picture, Actor (Brad Pitt), Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill), Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, Sound Mixing
• Real Steel (2011, 84th): Visual Effects
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th): Visual Effects
• The Tree of Life (2011, 84th): Picture, Directing, Cinematography
• Warrior (2011, 84th): Supporting Actor (Nick Nolte)

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 20-22, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Prestige (2006, 79th) – $14,801,808 ($14,801,808 total) {week 1}
2. The Departed (2006, 79th) – $13,462,256 ($76,935,185 total) {week 3}
3. Flags of Our Fathers (2006, 79th) – $10,245,190 ($10,245,190 total) {week 1}
8. Marie Antoinette (2006, 79th) – $5,361,050 ($5,361,050 total) {week 1}
16. The Queen (2006, 79th) – $151,081 ($3,768,588 total) {week 4}
19. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $754,633 ($37,466,817 total) {week 10}
20. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $541,716 ($57,209,137 total) {week 13}
21. The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th) – $431,610 ($1,924,774 total) {week 4}
27. Little Children (2006, 79th) – $238,390 ($508,772 total) {week 3}
32. Monster House (2006, 79th) – $202,477 ($73,661,010 total) {week 14}
34. Superman Returns (2006, 79th) – $17,330 ($200,006,305 total) {week 17}
39. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $119,883 ($421,243,455 total) {week 16}
43. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $81,129 ($124,450,077 total) {week 17}
47. Jesus Camp (2006, 79th) – $61,344 ($594,475 total) {week 6}
51. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $48,666 ($2,591,047 total) {week 11}
52. The Black Dahlia (2006, 79th) – $46,520 ($22,518,325 total) {week 6}
74. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $10,294 ($23,793,821 total) {week 22}
77. Deliver Us From Evil (2006, 79th) – $9,257 ($32,636 total) {week 2}
127. My Country, My Country (2006, 79th) – $356 ($32,854 total) {week 12}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Prestige (2006, 79th) – $26,552,862 ($26,552,862 total)
2. The Departed (2006, 79th) – $24,149,849 ($138,013,500 total)
3. Flags of Our Fathers (2006, 79th) – $18,378,776 ($18,378,776 total)
8. Marie Antoinette (2006, 79th) – $9,617,151 ($9,617,151 total)
16. The Queen (2006, 79th) – $271,023 ($6,760,444 total)
19. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $1,353,731 ($67,211,466 total)
20. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $971,781 ($102,627,078 total)
21. The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th) – $774,262 ($3,452,839 total)
27. Little Children (2006, 79th) – $427,646 ($912,683 total)
32. Monster House (2006, 79th) – $363,222 ($132,139,980 total)
34. Superman Returns (2006, 79th) – $31,088 ($358,789,936 total)
39. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $215,057 ($755,665,740 total)
43. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $145,537 ($223,250,138 total)
47. Jesus Camp (2006, 79th) – $110,045 ($1,066,425 total)
51. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $87,302 ($4,648,061 total)
52. The Black Dahlia (2006, 79th) – $83,452 ($40,395,469 total)
74. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $18,466 ($42,683,572 total)
77. Deliver Us From Evil (2006, 79th) – $16,606 ($58,545 total)
127. My Country, My Country (2006, 79th) – $639 ($58,937 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Black Dahlia (2006, 79th): Cinematography
• Deliver Us From Evil (2006, 79th): Documentary Feature
• The Departed (2006, 79th): Picture [O], Director [O], Supporting Actor (Mark Wahlberg), Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing
• The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th): Actress (Meryl Streep), Costume Design
• Flags of Our Fathers (2006, 79th): Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing
• 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]
• Jesus Camp (2006, 79th): Documentary Feature
• The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th): Actor (Forest Whitaker [O])
• Little Children (2006, 79th): Actress (Kate Winslet), Supporting Actor (Jackie Earle Haley), Adapted Screenplay
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin [O]), Supporting Actress (Abigail Breslin), Original Screenplay [O]
• Marie Antoinette (2006, 79th): Costume Design [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]
• The Prestige (2006, 79th): Cinematography, Art Direction
• The Queen (2006, 79th): Picture, Director, Actress (Helen Mirren [O]), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Costume Design
• Superman Returns (2006, 79th): Visual Effects

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 19-21, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

3. Training Day (2001, 74th) – $9,325,443 ($57,283,521 total) {week 3}
15. Mulholland Drive (2001, 74th) – $960,558 ($1,859,343 total) {week 2}
20. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $271,870 ($266,636,479 total) {week 23}
34. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $111,652 ($5,792,350 total) {week 14}
35. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $106,723 ($198,245,981 total) {week 22}
999. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $15,009 ($56,689,748 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Training Day (2001, 74th) – $19,359,356 ($118,918,970 total)
15. Mulholland Drive (2001, 74th) – $1,994,091 ($3,859,944 total)
20. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $564,394 ($553,529,793 total)
34. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $231,786 ($12,024,755 total)
35. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $221,554 ($411,553,052 total)
999. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $31,158 ($117,686,314 total)

Oscar Details:

• Ghost World (2001, 74th): Adapted Screenplay
• Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th): Picture, Actress (Nicole Kidman), Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup, Sound
• Mulholland Drive (2001, 74th): Director
• Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th): Original Song (“There You’ll Be”), Sound, Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects
• Shrek (2001, 74th): Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay
• Training Day (2001, 74th): Actor (Denzel Washington [O]), Supporting Actor (Ethan Hawke)

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 18-20, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

1. Sleepers (1996, 69th) – $12,305,745 ($12,305,745 total) {week 1}
2. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996, 69th) – $7,507,928 ($20,241,321 total) {week 2}
3. First Wives Club (1996, 69th) – $6,737,593 ($82,155,146 total) {week 5}
5. That Thing You Do! (1996, 69th) – $3,866,648 ($17,754,851 total) {week 3}
10. Fly Away Home (1996, 69th) – $1,407,425 ($19,758,779 total) {week 6}
11. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $1,344,607 ($299,213,307 total) {week 16}
999. Michael Collins (1996, 69th) – $187,692 ($460,992 total) {week 2}
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $133,536 ($133,768,962 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Sleepers (1996, 69th) – $32,713,236 ($32,713,236 total)
2. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996, 69th) – $19,958,858 ($53,808,942 total)
3. First Wives Club (1996, 69th) – $17,911,022 ($218,398,861 total)
5. That Thing You Do! (1996, 69th) – $10,278,985 ($47,198,982 total)
10. Fly Away Home (1996, 69th) – $3,741,458 ($52,526,166 total)
11. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $3,574,464 ($795,419,990 total)
999. Michael Collins (1996, 69th) – $498,955 ($1,225,488 total)
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $354,988 ($355,607,535 total)

Oscar Details:

• First Wives Club (1996, 69th): Original Comedy or Musical Score
• Fly Away Home (1996, 69th): Cinematography
• The Ghost and the Darkness (1996, 69th): Sound Effects [O]
• Independence Day (1996, 69th): Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Michael Collins (1996, 69th): Original Score, Cinematography
• The Rock (1996, 69th): Sound
• Sleepers (1996, 69th): Original Dramatic Score
• That Thing You Do! (1996, 69th): Original Song (“That Thing You Do”)

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 18-20, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Fisher King (1991, 64th) – $3,381,180 ($27,372,072 total) {week 5}
12. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th) – $964,175 ($163,012,523 total) {week 19}
999. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $566,489 ($198,849,143 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Fisher King (1991, 64th) – $9,436,785 ($76,394,738 total)
12. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th) – $2,690,987 ($454,963,692 total)
999. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $1,581,056 ($554,982,763 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Fisher King (1991, 64th): Actor (Robin Williams), Supporting Actress (Mercedes Ruehl) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Art Direction
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th): Original Song (“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You”)
• 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 Oct. 17-19, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

1. Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th) – $7,434,202 ($42,667,910 total) {week 4}
2. The Color of Money (1986, 59th) – $6,357,877 ($6,357,877 total) {week 1}
4. Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th) – $4,209,201 ($12,309,278 total) {week 2}
6. Children of a Lesser God (1986, 59th) – $203,890 ($6,991,691 total) {week 3}
7. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $1,874,879 ($156,548,833 total) {week 23}
9. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $1,392,995 ($35,359,341 total) {week 11}
10. That’s Life (1986, 59th) – $703,982 ($2,955,920 total) {week 4}
11. The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th) – $65,408 ($111,476,372 total) {week 18}
999. Blue Velvet (1986, 59th) – $386,542 ($3,986,512 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th) – $23,544,979 ($135,134,216 total)
2. The Color of Money (1986, 59th) – $20,136,133 ($20,136,133 total)
4. Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th) – $13,331,027 ($38,984,910 total)
6. Children of a Lesser God (1986, 59th) – $645,743 ($22,143,496 total)
7. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $5,937,959 ($495,808,299 total)
9. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $4,411,777 ($111,987,131 total)
10. That’s Life (1986, 59th) – $2,229,593 ($9,361,741 total)
11. The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th) – $207,155 ($353,058,591 total)
999. Blue Velvet (1986, 59th) – $1,224,223 ($12,625,746 total)

Oscar Details:

• Blue Velvet (1986, 59th): Director
• Children of a Lesser God (1986, 59th): Picture, Actor (William Hurt), Actress (Marlee Matlin [O]), Supporting Actress (Piper Laurie), Adapted Screenplay
• The Color of Money (1986, 59th): Actor (Paul Newman [O]), Supporting Actress (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), Adapted Screenplay, Art Direction
• Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th): Original Screenplay
• The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Glory of Love”)
• Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th): Actress (Kathleen Turner), Cinematography, Costume Design
• Stand By Me (1986, 59th): Adapted Screenplay
• That’s Life (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Life in a Looking Glass”)
• Top Gun (1986, 59th): Original Song (“Take My Breath Away” [O]), Film Editing, Sound, Sound Effects

45 Years Ago: The Weekend of Oct. 16-18, 1981

Weekend Box Office:

3. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $2,136,948 ($59,956,546 total) {week 14}
5. The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981, 54th) – $1,700,000 ($4,150,000 total) {week 5}
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $1,533,105 ($141,812,813 total) {week 19}
19. Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $119,695 ($764,983 total) {week 4}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $9,032,064 ($253,413,459 total)
5. The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981, 54th) – $7,185,252 ($17,540,468 total)
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $6,479,850 ($599,388,688 total)
19. Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $505,905 ($3,233,291 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]
• Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th): Picture [O], Director, Supporting Actor (Ian Holm), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Film Editing, Costume Design [O]
• The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981, 54th): Actress (Meryl Streep), Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, Art Direction, Costume Design
• 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]