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 Sep. 24-26, 2021

Weekend Box Office:

1. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – $13,031,411 ($196,205,495 total) {week 4}
3. Free Guy – $4,111,021 ($114,121,092 total) {week 7}
11. The Eyes of Tammy Faye – $622,453 ($1,536,373 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – $15,055,957 ($226,687,765 total)
3. Free Guy – $4,749,705 ($131,850,819 total)
11. The Eyes of Tammy Faye – $719,157 ($1,775,062 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Eyes of Tammy Faye: Actress (Jessica Chastain) [O], Makeup & Hairstyling [O]
• Free Guy: Visual Effects
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Visual Effects

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 23-25, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

3. Sully (2016, 89th) – $13,537,270 ($92,100,717 total) {week 3}
8. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $3,108,351 ($318,131,694 total) {week 8}
10. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $1,124,384 ($45,975,957 total) {week 6}
11. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $1,069,226 ($24,809,653 total) {week 7}
23. Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th) – $302,897 ($158,092,980 total) {week 10}
29. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th) – $175,803 ($26,954,148 total) {week 7}
44. Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th) – $55,404 ($5,699,826 total) {week 12}
61. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $13,331 ($363,995,937 total) {week 24}
99. Life, Animated (2016, 89th) – $2,239 ($244,031 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Sully (2016, 89th) – $18,388,777 ($125,107,910 total)
8. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $4,222,327 ($432,144,209 total)
10. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $1,527,342 ($62,452,890 total)
11. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $1,452,417 ($33,700,974 total)
23. Star Trek: Beyond (2016, 89th) – $411,450 ($214,750,580 total)
29. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, 89th) – $238,808 ($36,614,016 total)
44. Captain Fantastic (2016, 89th) – $75,260 ($7,742,538 total)
61. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $18,109 ($494,445,348 total)
99. Life, Animated (2016, 89th) – $3,041 ($331,487 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]
• Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th): Animated Feature, Visual Effects
• Life, Animated (2016, 89th): Documentary Feature
• 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 Sep. 30-Oct. 2, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

2. Moneyball (2011, 84th) – $12,031,592 ($38,000,130 total) {week 2}
11. Drive (2011, 84th) – $3,289,714 ($27,003,029 total) {week 3}
12. The Help (2011, 84th) – $3,015,995 ($159,373,023 total) {week 8}
15. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $541,075 ($174,482,629 total) {week 9}
17. Warrior (2011, 84th) – $460,263 ($13,082,667 total) {week 4}
26. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $273,263 ($379,245,610 total) {week 12}
28. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, 84th) – $200,720 ($352,222,098 total) {week 14}
31. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $180,622 ($54,697,329 total) {week 20}
67. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $17,740 ($13,246,069 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Moneyball (2011, 84th) – $17,827,390 ($56,305,363 total)
11. Drive (2011, 84th) – $4,874,419 ($40,010,793 total)
12. The Help (2011, 84th) – $4,468,845 ($236,145,400 total)
15. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $801,719 ($258,533,530 total)
17. Warrior (2011, 84th) – $681,979 ($19,384,784 total)
26. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $404,898 ($561,933,911 total)
28. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, 84th) – $297,410 ($521,892,768 total)
31. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $267,630 ($81,045,853 total)
67. The Tree of Life (2011, 84th) – $26,286 ($19,626,899 total)

Oscar Details:

• Drive (2011, 84th): Sound Film Editing
• 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])
• 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
• 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
• Warrior (2011, 84th): Supporting Actor (Nick Nolte)

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 29-Oct. 1, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

7. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $2,738,411 ($31,381,309 total) {week 7}
9. The Black Dahlia (2006, 79th) – $2,129,070 ($20,742,610 total) {week 3}
10. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $1,991,723 ($53,133,641 total) {week 10}
20. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $464,719 ($420,331,126 total) {week 13}
22. Superman Returns (2006, 79th) – $403,377 ($198,935,940 total) {week 14}
28. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $232,823 ($2,175,988 total) {week 8}
30. Monster House (2006, 79th) – $229,411 ($72,595,621 total) {week 11}
32. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $201,463 ($123,887,149 total) {week 14}
34. Cars (2006, 79th) – $200,202 ($243,735,463 total) {week 17}
37. The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th) – $142,899 ($172,036 total) {week 1}
38. The Queen (2006, 79th) – $122,014 ($122,014 total) {week 1}
40. Jesus Camp (2006, 79th) – $97,674 ($180,573 total) {week 3}
58. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $31,776 ($23,672,685 total) {week 19}
94. Water (2006, 79th) – $5,536 ($3,259,649 total) {week 23}
116. My Country, My Country (2006, 79th) – $1,736 ($26,822 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $4,912,417 ($56,294,715 total)
9. The Black Dahlia (2006, 79th) – $3,819,324 ($37,210,026 total)
10. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $3,572,938 ($95,316,074 total)
20. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $833,656 ($754,029,119 total)
22. Superman Returns (2006, 79th) – $723,615 ($356,869,816 total)
28. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $417,660 ($3,903,490 total)
30. Monster House (2006, 79th) – $411,539 ($130,228,786 total)
32. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $361,403 ($222,240,305 total)
34. Cars (2006, 79th) – $359,141 ($437,235,373 total)
37. The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th) – $256,346 ($308,614 total)
38. The Queen (2006, 79th) – $218,880 ($218,880 total)
40. Jesus Camp (2006, 79th) – $175,217 ($323,929 total)
58. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, 79th) – $57,003 ($42,466,267 total)
94. Water (2006, 79th) – $9,931 ($5,847,462 total)
116. My Country, My Country (2006, 79th) – $3,114 ($48,116 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Black Dahlia (2006, 79th): Cinematography
• Cars (2006, 79th): Animated Feature, Original Song (“Our Town”)
• 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]
• Jesus Camp (2006, 79th): Documentary Feature
• The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th): Actor (Forest Whitaker [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]
• The Queen (2006, 79th): Picture, Director, Actress (Helen Mirren [O]), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Costume Design
• Superman Returns (2006, 79th): Visual Effects
• Water (2006, 79th): Foreign Language Film

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 28-30, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

19. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $461,902 ($265,448,253 total) {week 20}
27. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $253,020 ($5,091,609 total) {week 11}
46. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $76,018 ($197,507,447 total) {week 19}
58. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $44,003 ($56,578,627 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

19. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $958,895 ($551,063,069 total)
27. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $525,262 ($10,570,036 total)
46. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $157,811 ($410,019,877 total)
58. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $91,349 ($117,455,630 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
• 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

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 27-29, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

1. First Wives Club (1996, 69th) – $15,314,530 ($41,784,740 total) {week 2}
5. Fly Away Home (1996, 69th) – $3,004,901 ($13,327,850 total) {week 3}
6. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $2,550,338 ($293,617,050 total) {week 13}
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $262,461 ($133,126,119 total) {week 17}
999. Secrets & Lies (1996, 69th) – $60,813 ($60,813 total) {week 1}
999. The Line King (1996, 69th) – $5,677 ($5,677 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. First Wives Club (1996, 69th) – $40,711,703 ($111,079,343 total)
5. Fly Away Home (1996, 69th) – $7,988,142 ($35,430,370 total)
6. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $6,779,745 ($780,543,063 total)
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $697,719 ($353,898,620 total)
999. Secrets & Lies (1996, 69th) – $161,664 ($161,664 total)
999. The Line King (1996, 69th) – $15,092 ($15,092 total)

Oscar Details:

• First Wives Club (1996, 69th): Original Comedy or Musical Score
• Fly Away Home (1996, 69th): Cinematography
• Independence Day (1996, 69th): Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• The Line King (1996, 69th): Documentary Feature
• The Rock (1996, 69th): Sound
• Secrets & Lies (1996, 69th): Picture, Director, Actress (Brenda Blethyn), Supporting Actress (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), Original Screenplay

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 27-29, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Fisher King (1991, 64th) – $7,067,908 ($7,570,360 total) {week 2}
7. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $1,252,960 ($195,572,034 total) {week 13}
9. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th) – $1,116,435 ($159,282,457 total) {week 16}
10. Rambling Rose (1991, 64th) – $1,105,468 ($1,550,973 total) {week 2}
12. The Commitments (1991, 64th) – $1,075,816 ($10,713,842 total) {week 7}
999. Barton Fink (1991, 64th) – $376,920 ($3,426,154 total) {week 6}
999. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $55,467 ($130,643,286 total) {week 33}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Fisher King (1991, 64th) – $19,726,347 ($21,128,677 total)
7. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $3,496,979 ($545,836,437 total)
9. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991, 64th) – $3,115,941 ($444,553,176 total)
10. Rambling Rose (1991, 64th) – $3,085,332 ($4,328,725 total)
12. The Commitments (1991, 64th) – $3,002,574 ($29,902,053 total)
999. Barton Fink (1991, 64th) – $1,051,974 ($9,562,306 total)
999. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $154,807 ($364,621,998 total)

Oscar Details:

• Barton Fink (1991, 64th): Supporting Actor (Michael Lerner), Art Direction, Costume Design
• The Commitments (1991, 64th): Film Editing
• The Fisher King (1991, 64th): Actor (Robin Williams), Supporting Actress (Mercedes Ruehl) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Art Direction
• Rambling Rose (1991, 64th): Actress (Laura Dern), Supporting Actress (Diane Ladd)
• 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 Sep. 26-28, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

1. Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th) – $8,038,855 ($8,038,855 total) {week 1}
2. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $2,740,017 ($27,917,486 total) {week 8}
3. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $2,568,684 ($147,499,998 total) {week 20}
5. The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th) – $1,437,046 ($108,087,358 total) {week 15}
7. The Fly (1986, 59th) – $1,089,025 ($32,637,940 total) {week 7}
9. Aliens (1986, 59th) – $1,042,070 ($75,201,373 total) {week 11}
12. Blue Velvet (1986, 59th) – $645,016 ($1,770,509 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th) – $25,459,986 ($25,459,986 total)
2. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $8,677,951 ($88,417,914 total)
3. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $8,135,320 ($467,149,589 total)
5. The Karate Kid Part II (1986, 59th) – $4,551,291 ($342,325,190 total)
7. The Fly (1986, 59th) – $3,449,068 ($103,368,139 total)
9. Aliens (1986, 59th) – $3,300,356 ($238,171,464 total)
12. Blue Velvet (1986, 59th) – $2,042,840 ($5,607,407 total)

Oscar Details:

• Aliens (1986, 59th): Actress (Sigourney Weaver), Original Score, Film Editing, Art Direction, Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Blue Velvet (1986, 59th): Director
• Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th): Original Screenplay
• 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 Sep. 25-27, 1981

Weekend Box Office:

4. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $2,396,551 ($50,053,029 total) {week 11}
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $1,871,521 ($134,396,731 total) {week 16}
15. The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981, 54th) – $136,187 ($335,497 total) {week 2}
17. Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $68,907 ($68,907 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $10,129,307 ($211,555,069 total)
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $7,910,206 ($568,043,737 total)
15. The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981, 54th) – $575,611 ($1,418,018 total)
17. Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $291,244 ($291,244 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]