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. 29-31, 2021

Weekend Box Office:

1. Dune – $15,413,486 ($69,284,718 total) {week 2}
3. No Time to Die – $7,753,194 ($133,263,929 total) {week 4}
11. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – $1,078,803 ($222,759,044 total) {week 9}
15. Free Guy – $73,498 ($121,391,617 total) {week 12}
27. The Eyes of Tammy Faye – $6,263 ($2,398,463 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Dune – $17,808,108 ($80,048,715 total)
3. No Time to Die – $8,957,722 ($153,967,666 total)
11. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – $1,246,405 ($257,366,644 total)
15. Free Guy – $84,917 ($140,250,885 total)
27. The Eyes of Tammy Faye – $7,236 ($2,771,086 total)

Oscar Details:

• Dune: Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score [O], Film Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Production Design [O], Costume Design, Makeup & Hairstyling, Sound [O], Visual Effects [O]
• 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. 28-30, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

11. Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th) – $2,094,121 ($58,354,366 total) {week 5}
15. Sully (2016, 89th) – $932,251 ($122,350,216 total) {week 8}
16. Moonlight (2016, 89th) – $850,114 ($1,420,907 total) {week 2}
20. A Man Called Ove (2016, 89th) – $365,314 ($1,296,021 total) {week 5}
24. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $282,639 ($324,673,191 total) {week 13}
31. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $140,036 ($47,612,370 total) {week 11}
45. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $58,061 ($26,749,794 total) {week 12}
69. Fire at Sea (2016, 89th) – $7,255 ($36,984 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

11. Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th) – $2,844,615 ($79,267,491 total)
15. Sully (2016, 89th) – $1,266,353 ($166,198,270 total)
16. Moonlight (2016, 89th) – $1,154,779 ($1,930,134 total)
20. A Man Called Ove (2016, 89th) – $496,236 ($1,760,491 total)
24. Suicide Squad (2016, 89th) – $383,932 ($441,030,057 total)
31. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016, 89th) – $190,222 ($64,675,763 total)
45. Hell or High Water (2016, 89th) – $78,869 ($36,336,425 total)
69. Fire at Sea (2016, 89th) – $9,855 ($50,238 total)

Oscar Details:

• Deepwater Horizon (2016, 89th): Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• Fire at Sea (2016, 89th): Documentary Feature
• 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
• Moonlight (2016, 89th): Picture [O], Directing, Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) [O], Supporting Actress (Naomie Harris), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography
• Suicide Squad (2016, 89th): Makeup & Hairstyling [O]
• Sully (2016, 89th): Sound Film Editing

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 4-6, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

1. Puss in Boots (2011, 84th) – $33,054,644 ($75,527,682 total) {week 2}
7. Real Steel (2011, 84th) – $3,436,086 ($78,779,328 total) {week 5}
9. The Ides of March (2011, 84th) – $1,938,197 ($36,738,482 total) {week 5}
10. Moneyball (2011, 84th) – $1,786,441 ($70,213,831 total) {week 7}
13. Anonymous (2011, 84th) – $1,233,006 ($2,683,332 total) {week 2}
16. Margin Call (2011, 84th) – $717,839 ($2,516,349 total) {week 3}
21. The Help (2011, 84th) – $333,158 ($167,427,819 total) {week 13}
30. Drive (2011, 84th) – $197,534 ($34,064,642 total) {week 8}
31. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $178,230 ($176,140,806 total) {week 14}
35. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $119,755 ($380,873,020 total) {week 17}
40. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $69,104 ($55,478,969 total) {week 25}
94. Hell and Back Again (2011, 84th) – $2,607 ($22,504 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Puss in Boots (2011, 84th) – $48,977,562 ($111,910,500 total)
7. Real Steel (2011, 84th) – $5,091,300 ($116,728,512 total)
9. The Ides of March (2011, 84th) – $2,871,856 ($54,435,960 total)
10. Moneyball (2011, 84th) – $2,646,996 ($104,036,887 total)
13. Anonymous (2011, 84th) – $1,826,963 ($3,975,933 total)
16. Margin Call (2011, 84th) – $1,063,633 ($3,728,512 total)
21. The Help (2011, 84th) – $493,645 ($248,080,312 total)
30. Drive (2011, 84th) – $292,689 ($50,474,091 total)
31. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th) – $264,086 ($260,990,475 total)
35. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011, 84th) – $177,443 ($564,345,269 total)
40. Midnight in Paris (2011, 84th) – $102,392 ($82,204,021 total)
94. Hell and Back Again (2011, 84th) – $3,863 ($33,345 total)

Oscar Details:

• Anonymous (2011, 84th): Costume Design
• 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
• Puss in Boots (2011, 84th): Animated Feature
• Real Steel (2011, 84th): Visual Effects
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, 84th): Visual Effects

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 3-5, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

1. Borat (2006, 79th) – $26,455,463 ($26,455,463 total) {week 1}
5. The Departed (2006, 79th) – $7,722,388 ($10,204,054 total) {week 5}
6. The Prestige (2006, 79th) – $7,505,268 ($39,135,541 total) {week 3}
7. Flags of Our Fathers (2006, 79th) – $4,419,657 ($26,550,769 total) {week 3}
10. The Queen (2006, 79th) – $2,909,966 ($9,986,970 total) {week 6}
12. Marie Antoinette (2006, 79th) – $2,212,839 ($12,946,803 total) {week 3}
20. Babel (2006, 79th) – $919,235 ($1,470,614 total) {week 2}
26. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $372,431 ($38,785,432 total) {week 12}
27. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $323,863 ($58,268,253 total) {week 15}
28. The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th) – $268,855 ($2,809,919 total) {week 6}
30. Volver (2006, 79th) – $197,703 ($197,703 total) {week 1}
31. Little Children (2006, 79th) – $173,049 ($1,056,474 total) {week 5}
35. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $121,641 ($42,156,001 total) {week 18}
52. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $47,601 ($124,610,018 total) {week 19}
57. Jesus Camp (2006, 79th) – $33,291 ($701,411 total) {week 8}
61. Deliver Us From Evil (2006, 79th) – $25,746 ($116,973 total) {week 4}
86. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $6,288 ($2,653,746 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Borat (2006, 79th) – $47,458,273 ($47,458,273 total)
5. The Departed (2006, 79th) – $13,853,139 ($18,304,982 total)
6. The Prestige (2006, 79th) – $13,463,649 ($70,204,978 total)
7. Flags of Our Fathers (2006, 79th) – $7,928,392 ($47,629,242 total)
10. The Queen (2006, 79th) – $5,220,168 ($17,915,557 total)
12. Marie Antoinette (2006, 79th) – $3,969,597 ($23,225,181 total)
20. Babel (2006, 79th) – $1,649,009 ($2,638,124 total)
26. The Illusionist (2006, 79th) – $668,101 ($69,576,920 total)
27. Little Miss Sunshine (2006, 79th) – $580,976 ($104,527,019 total)
28. The Last King of Scotland (2006, 79th) – $482,297 ($5,040,694 total)
30. Volver (2006, 79th) – $354,658 ($354,658 total)
31. Little Children (2006, 79th) – $310,431 ($1,895,201 total)
35. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006, 79th) – $218,211 ($75,623,361 total)
52. The Devil Wears Prada (2006, 79th) – $85,391 ($223,537,055 total)
57. Jesus Camp (2006, 79th) – $59,720 ($1,258,256 total)
61. Deliver Us From Evil (2006, 79th) – $46,186 ($209,837 total)
86. Half Nelson (2006, 79th) – $11,280 ($4,760,537 total)

Oscar Details:

• Babel (2006, 79th): Picture, Supporting Actress (Adriana Barraza, Rinko Kikuchi), Director, Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Film Editing
• Borat (2006, 79th): Adapted Screenplay
• 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
• 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]
• 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
• Volver (2006, 79th): Actress (Penelope Cruz)

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 2-4, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

1. Monsters, Inc. (2001, 74th) – $62,577,067 ($62,577,067 total) {week 1}
8. Training Day (2001, 74th) – $3,052,422 ($69,569,698 total) {week 5}
19. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001, 74th) – $664,404 ($683,947 total) {week 1}
21. Mulholland Drive (2001, 74th) – $541,015 ($3,725,658 total) {week 4}
28. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $146,841 ($267,202,507 total) {week 25}
29. Amelie (2001, 74th) – $136,470 ($136,470 total) {week 1}
48. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $51,595 ($5,979,791 total) {week 16}
51. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $43,421 ($198,421,875 total) {week 24}
999. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $7,560 ($56,717,986 total) {week 25}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Monsters, Inc. (2001, 74th) – $129,908,222 ($129,908,222 total)
8. Training Day (2001, 74th) – $6,336,742 ($144,424,726 total)
19. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001, 74th) – $1,379,284 ($1,419,855 total)
21. Mulholland Drive (2001, 74th) – $1,123,132 ($7,734,361 total)
28. Shrek (2001, 74th) – $304,838 ($554,704,851 total)
29. Amelie (2001, 74th) – $283,308 ($283,308 total)
48. Ghost World (2001, 74th) – $107,110 ($12,413,877 total)
51. Pearl Harbor (2001, 74th) – $90,141 ($411,918,203 total)
999. Moulin Rouge! (2001, 74th) – $15,694 ($117,744,936 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amelie (2001, 74th): Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Foreign Language Film
• Ghost World (2001, 74th): Adapted Screenplay
• The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001, 74th): Cinematography
• Monsters, Inc. (2001, 74th): Animated Feature, Original Song (If I Didn’t Have You [O]), Original Score, Sound Film Editing
• 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 Nov. 1-3, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

1. Romeo + Juliet (1996, 69th) – $11,133,231 ($11,133,231 total) {week 1}
2. Sleepers (1996, 69th) – $8,039,085 ($37,572,441 total) {week 3}
5. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996, 69th) – $3,660,201 ($31,779,391 total) {week 4}
7. First Wives Club (1996, 69th) – $3,561,788 ($93,741,105 total) {week 7}
11. Michael Collins (1996, 69th) – $2,209,786 ($6,067,321 total) {week 4}
12. That Thing You Do! (1996, 69th) – $1,181,717 ($22,164,288 total) {week 5}
14. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $101,723 ($302,279,158 total) {week 18}
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $48,929 ($133,955,936 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Romeo + Juliet (1996, 69th) – $29,596,259 ($29,596,259 total)
2. Sleepers (1996, 69th) – $21,370,871 ($99,881,489 total)
5. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996, 69th) – $9,730,172 ($84,481,413 total)
7. First Wives Club (1996, 69th) – $9,468,554 ($249,198,639 total)
11. Michael Collins (1996, 69th) – $5,874,431 ($16,129,190 total)
12. That Thing You Do! (1996, 69th) – $3,141,442 ($58,920,901 total)
14. Independence Day (1996, 69th) – $270,417 ($803,570,160 total)
999. The Rock (1996, 69th) – $130,071 ($356,104,581 total)

Oscar Details:

• First Wives Club (1996, 69th): Original Comedy or Musical Score
• 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
• Romeo + Juliet (1996, 69th): Art Direction
• Sleepers (1996, 69th): Original Dramatic Score
• That Thing You Do! (1996, 69th): Original Song (“That Thing You Do”)

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Nov. 1-3, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

9. The Fisher King (1991, 64th) – $1,786,480 ($33,515,465 total) {week 7}
999. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $463,755 ($20,348,780 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

9. The Fisher King (1991, 64th) – $4,986,019 ($93,540,787 total)
999. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, 64th) – $1,294,328 ($56,792,913 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Fisher King (1991, 64th): Actor (Robin Williams), Supporting Actress (Mercedes Ruehl) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Art Direction
• 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. 31-Nov. 2, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

1. Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th) – $5,716,215 ($59,675,856 total) {week 6}
2. The Color of Money (1986, 59th) – $5,292,685 ($20,788,665 total) {week 3}
4. Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th) – $3,335,536 ($21,741,232 total) {week 4}
7. Children of a Lesser God (1986, 59th) – $1,571,939 ($11,714,728 total) {week 5}
10. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $1,158,343 ($160,334,394 total) {week 25}
11. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $1,135,510 ($38,632,323 total) {week 13}
999. Blue Velvet (1986, 59th) – $360,162 ($5,050,635 total) {week 7}
999. The Mission (1986, 59th) – $40,366 ($40,366 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Crocodile Dundee (1986, 59th) – $18,103,915 ($189,000,353 total)
2. The Color of Money (1986, 59th) – $16,762,547 ($65,840,112 total)
4. Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th) – $10,564,029 ($68,857,002 total)
7. Children of a Lesser God (1986, 59th) – $4,978,513 ($37,101,901 total)
10. Top Gun (1986, 59th) – $3,668,607 ($507,797,609 total)
11. Stand By Me (1986, 59th) – $3,596,292 ($122,353,045 total)
999. Blue Velvet (1986, 59th) – $1,140,675 ($15,995,946 total)
999. The Mission (1986, 59th) – $127,844 ($127,844 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 Mission (1986, 59th): Picture, Director, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design
• Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, 59th): Actress (Kathleen Turner), Cinematography, Costume Design
• 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 Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 1981

Weekend Box Office:

3. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $1,254,295 ($63,438,928 total) {week 16}
8. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $967,723 ($144,963,710 total) {week 21}
15. Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $174,508 ($1,217,032 total) {week 6}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Arthur (1981, 54th) – $5,301,427 ($268,132,160 total)
8. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, 54th) – $4,090,196 ($612,706,328 total)
15. Chariots of Fire (1981, 54th) – $737,579 ($5,143,930 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]
• 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]