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. 20-22, 2019

Weekend Box Office:

2. Ad Astra (2019, 92nd) – $19,001,398 ($19,001,398 total) {week 1}
6. The Lion King (2019, 92nd) – $2,677,788 ($537,698,092 total) {week 10}
17. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd) – $650,189 ($138,163,619 total) {week 9}
20. Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd) – $289,852 ($432,752,831 total) {week 14}
44. Honeyland (2019, 92nd) – $26,303 ($577,059 total) {week 9}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Ad Astra (2019, 92nd) – $22,361,907 ($22,361,907 total)
6. The Lion King (2019, 92nd) – $3,151,371 ($632,793,169 total)
17. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd) – $765,179 ($162,598,670 total)
20. Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd) – $341,114 ($509,287,720 total)
44. Honeyland (2019, 92nd) – $30,955 ($679,115 total)

Oscar Details:

• Ad Astra (2019, 92nd): Sound Mixing
• Honeyland (2019, 92nd): International Film, Documentary Feature
• The Lion King (2019, 92nd): Visual Effects
• Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd): Picture, Directing, Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Supporting Actor (Brad Pitt) [O], Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Costume Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing
• Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd): Animated Feature [O], Original Song (“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away”)

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 19-21, 2014

Weekend Box Office:

6. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th) – $5,242,286 ($313,731,317 total) {week 8}
20. Boyhood (2014, 87th) – $418,405 ($22,572,321 total) {week 11}
25. Maleficent (2014, 87th) – $270,147 ($240,069,747 total) {week 17}
26. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th) – $268,694 ($207,265,287 total) {week 11}
28. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th) – $237,801 ($175,576,448 total) {week 15}
48. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th) – $44,994 ($233,855,197 total) {week 18}
61. Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th) – $22,400 ($94,600 total) {week 3}
69. Begin Again (2014, 87th) – $12,547 ($16,123,533 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th) – $6,916,994 ($413,956,377 total)
20. Boyhood (2014, 87th) – $552,069 ($29,783,307 total)
25. Maleficent (2014, 87th) – $356,449 ($316,762,775 total)
26. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th) – $354,531 ($273,478,555 total)
28. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th) – $313,769 ($231,666,354 total)
48. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th) – $59,368 ($308,562,916 total)
61. Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th) – $29,556 ($124,821 total)
69. Begin Again (2014, 87th) – $16,555 ($21,274,380 total)

Oscar Details:

• Begin Again (2014, 87th): Original Song (“Lost Stars”)
• Boyhood (2014, 87th): Picture, Directing, Supporting Actor (Ethan Hawke), Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette) [O], Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th): Visual Effects
• Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th): Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects
• How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th): Animated Feature
• Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th): Documentary Feature
• Maleficent (2014, 87th): Costume Design
• X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th): Visual Effects

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 18-20, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

7. Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd) – $3,818,142 ($110,116,807 total) {week 5}
12. Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd) – $1,914,186 ($88,460,267 total) {week 7}
13. District 9 (2009, 82nd) – $1,913,150 ($111,685,356 total) {week 6}
25. Up (2009, 82nd) – $314,758 ($291,819,165 total) {week 17}
31. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd) – $254,295 ($401,485,117 total) {week 13}
34. Bright Star (2009, 82nd) – $189,703 ($206,649 total) {week 1}
40. Star Trek (2009, 82nd) – $100,316 ($257,604,001 total) {week 20}
43. The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd) – $72,193 ($12,402,612 total) {week 13}
48. In the Loop (2009, 82nd) – $54,561 ($2,251,324 total) {week 9}
49. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st) – $50,504 ($299,475 total) {week 5}
58. Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd) – $22,134 ($4,288,938 total) {week 15}
60. Departures (2008, 81st) – $19,551 ($1,369,856 total) {week 17}
63. The Cove (2009, 82nd) – $17,930 ($757,611 total) {week 8}
128. Il Divo (2009, 82nd) – $345 ($233,124 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd) – $5,487,943 ($158,274,557 total)
12. Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd) – $2,751,323 ($127,146,890 total)
13. District 9 (2009, 82nd) – $2,749,834 ($160,529,085 total)
25. Up (2009, 82nd) – $452,412 ($419,441,413 total)
31. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd) – $365,507 ($577,067,942 total)
34. Bright Star (2009, 82nd) – $272,666 ($297,023 total)
40. Star Trek (2009, 82nd) – $144,188 ($370,262,817 total)
43. The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd) – $103,765 ($17,826,688 total)
48. In the Loop (2009, 82nd) – $78,422 ($3,235,903 total)
49. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st) – $72,591 ($430,445 total)
58. Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd) – $31,814 ($6,164,634 total)
60. Departures (2008, 81st) – $28,101 ($1,968,940 total)
63. The Cove (2009, 82nd) – $25,771 ($1,088,940 total)
128. Il Divo (2009, 82nd) – $496 ($335,077 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st): Foreign Language Film
• Bright Star (2009, 82nd): Costume Design
• The Cove (2009, 82nd): Documentary Feature
• Departures (2008, 81st): Foreign Language Film [O]
• District 9 (2009, 82nd): Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, Visual Effects
• Il Divo (2009, 82nd): Makeup
• Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd): Documentary Feature
• The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd): Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Jeremy Renner), Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Film Editing [O]
• In the Loop (2009, 82nd): Adapted Screenplay
• Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz) [O], Original Screenplay, Film Editing, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing
• Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd): Actress (Meryl Streep)
• Star Trek (2009, 82nd): Makeup [O], Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd): Sound Mixing
• Up (2009, 82nd): Picture, Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score [O], Sound Film Editing

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 17-19, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

7. Hero (2002, 75th) – $2,836,698 ($46,090,351 total) {week 1}
9. Collateral (2004, 77th) – $2,265,532 ($95,970,209 total) {week 7}
19. I, Robot (2004, 77th) – $541,457 ($143,011,482 total) {week 10}
24. Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th) – $342,622 ($371,168,083 total) {week 12}
29. Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th) – $281,230 ($5,340,457 total) {week 10}
31. The Village (2004, 77th) – $207,473 ($113,029,508 total) {week 8}
34. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th) – $170,088 ($248,854,854 total) {week 16}
40. Before Sunset (2004, 77th) – $119,867 ($5,563,693 total) {week 12}
68. Zelary (2003, 76th) – $29,002 ($29,002 total) {week 1}
79. Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th) – $17,504 ($1,680,036 total) {week 16}
82. Super Size Me (2004, 77th) – $13,773 ($11,487,995 total) {week 20}
120. The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th) – $2,639 ($523,205 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. Hero (2002, 75th) – $4,924,252 ($80,008,693 total)
9. Collateral (2004, 77th) – $3,932,759 ($166,595,629 total)
19. I, Robot (2004, 77th) – $939,921 ($248,255,036 total)
24. Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th) – $594,761 ($644,314,321 total)
29. Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th) – $488,190 ($9,270,552 total)
31. The Village (2004, 77th) – $360,154 ($196,209,033 total)
34. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th) – $295,257 ($431,989,586 total)
40. Before Sunset (2004, 77th) – $208,078 ($9,658,069 total)
68. Zelary (2003, 76th) – $50,345 ($50,345 total)
79. Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th) – $30,385 ($2,916,391 total)
82. Super Size Me (2004, 77th) – $23,909 ($19,942,123 total)
120. The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th) – $4,581 ($908,237 total)

Oscar Details:

• Before Sunset (2004, 77th): Adapted Screenplay
• Collateral (2004, 77th): Supporting Actor (Jamie Foxx), Film Editing
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th): Original Score, Visual Effects
• Hero (2002, 75th): Foreign Language Film
• I, Robot (2004, 77th): Visual Effects
• Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th): Actress (Catalina Sandino Moreno)
• Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th): Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects [O]
• Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th): Documentary Feature
• Super Size Me (2004, 77th): Documentary Feature
• The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th): Foreign Language Film
• The Village (2004, 77th): Original Score
• Zelary (2003, 76th): Foreign Language Film

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 17-19, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd) – $11,207,422 ($213,275,834 total) {week 7}
11. American Beauty (1999, 72nd) – $861,531 ($1,021,385 total) {week 1}
13. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd) – $799,369 ($423,299,088 total) {week 18}
23. Tarzan (1999, 72nd) – $384,901 ($169,067,188 total) {week 14}
37. Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd) – $148,234 ($4,927,855 total) {week 16}
39. The Red Violin (1999, 72nd) – $135,903 ($9,291,544 total) {week 36}
51. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd) – $56,778 ($51,932,314 total) {week 12}
58. The Matrix (1999, 72nd) – $42,761 ($171,383,253 total) {week 25}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd) – $23,782,679 ($452,581,396 total)
11. American Beauty (1999, 72nd) – $1,828,209 ($2,167,427 total)
13. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd) – $1,696,299 ($898,260,663 total)
23. Tarzan (1999, 72nd) – $816,778 ($358,768,560 total)
37. Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd) – $314,560 ($10,457,141 total)
39. The Red Violin (1999, 72nd) – $288,393 ($19,717,095 total)
51. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd) – $120,486 ($110,202,824 total)
58. The Matrix (1999, 72nd) – $90,741 ($363,683,360 total)

Oscar Details:

• American Beauty (1999, 72nd): Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Kevin Spacey) [O], Actress (Annette Bening), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography
• Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd): Documentary Feature
• The Matrix (1999, 72nd): Film Editing [O], Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Red Violin (1999, 72nd): Original Score [O]
• The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Haley Joel Osment), Supporting Actress (Toni Collette), Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd): Original Song (“Blame Canada”)
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd): Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects
• Tarzan (1999, 72nd): Original Song (“You’ll Be In My Heart”)

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 23-25, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

3. Forrest Gump (1994, 67th) – $5,457,584 ($263,646,568 total) {week 12}
4. Quiz Show (1994, 67th) – $2,925,602 ($4,098,362 total) {week 2}
5. Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th) – $2,755,767 ($112,879,094 total) {week 8}
7. The Mask (1994, 67th) – $1,571,237 ($108,557,722 total) {week 9}
9. True Lies (1994, 67th) – $1,465,254 ($139,358,691 total) {week 11}
999. Jurassic Park (1993, 66th) – $448,800 ($355,658,400 total) {week 68}
999. The Shawshank Redemption (1994, 67th) – $727,327 ($727,327 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Forrest Gump (1994, 67th) – $14,074,822 ($679,930,623 total)
4. Quiz Show (1994, 67th) – $7,544,974 ($10,569,460 total)
5. Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th) – $7,106,978 ($291,109,242 total)
7. The Mask (1994, 67th) – $4,052,138 ($279,964,651 total)
9. True Lies (1994, 67th) – $3,778,813 ($359,398,729 total)
999. Jurassic Park (1993, 66th) – $1,157,432 ($917,224,295 total)
999. The Shawshank Redemption (1994, 67th) – $1,875,738 ($1,875,738 total)

Oscar Details:

• Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th): Sound, Sound Effects
• Forrest Gump (1994, 67th): Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Tom Hanks) [O], Supporting Actor (Gary Sinise), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Art Direction, Makeup, Sound, Sound Effects, Visual Effects [O]
• Jurassic Park (1993, 66th): Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Mask (1994, 67th): Visual Effects
• Quiz Show (1994, 67th): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Paul Scofield), Adapted Screenplay
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994, 67th): Picture, Actor (Morgan Freeman), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Sound
• True Lies (1994, 67th): Visual Effects

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 22-24, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

1. Black Rain (1989, 62nd) – $9,677,102 ($9,677,102 total) {week 1}
4. Parenthood (1989, 62nd) – $3,007,850 ($78,393,013 total) {week 8}
5. When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd) – $2,042,900 ($78,144,204 total) {week 11}
6. sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd) – $1,801,816 ($15,701,978 total) {week 8}
7. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd) – $1,608,068 ($140,144,384 total) {week 12}
8. The Abyss (1989, 62nd) – $1,512,309 ($49,710,458 total) {week 7}
11. Batman (1989, 62nd) – $1,101,767 ($244,670,914 total) {week 14}
999. Dry White Season, A (1989, 62nd) – $202,507 ($219,777 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Black Rain (1989, 62nd) – $26,276,866 ($26,276,866 total)
4. Parenthood (1989, 62nd) – $8,167,411 ($212,865,663 total)
5. When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd) – $5,547,220 ($212,190,055 total)
6. sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd) – $4,892,589 ($42,636,605 total)
7. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd) – $4,366,492 ($380,543,189 total)
8. The Abyss (1989, 62nd) – $4,106,471 ($134,982,050 total)
11. Batman (1989, 62nd) – $2,991,700 ($664,370,895 total)
999. Dry White Season, A (1989, 62nd) – $549,880 ($596,775 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Abyss (1989, 62nd): Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Batman (1989, 62nd): Art Direction [O]
• Black Rain (1989, 62nd): Sound, Sound Effects
• Dry White Season, A (1989, 62nd):
• Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd): Sound Effects
• Parenthood (1989, 62nd): Supporting Actress (Dianne Wiest), Original Song (“I Love To See You Smile”)
• sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd): Original Screenplay
• When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd): Original Screenplay

40 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 21-23, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

3. Ghostbusters (1984, 57th) – $2,850,809 ($201,036,554 total) {week 16}
4. Purple Rain (1984, 57th) – $2,157,231 ($55,547,623 total) {week 9}
7. The Karate Kid (1984, 57th) – $1,871,102 ($78,148,511 total) {week 14}
8. The Woman in Red (1984, 57th) – $1,508,284 ($21,752,769 total) {week 6}
999. Amadeus (1984, 57th) – $505,276 ($505,276 total) {week 1}
999. Places in the Heart (1984, 57th) – $274,279 ($274,279 total) {week 1}
999. A Soldier’s Story (1984, 57th) – $166,401 ($417,655 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Ghostbusters (1984, 57th) – $9,146,346 ($644,992,277 total)
4. Purple Rain (1984, 57th) – $6,921,116 ($178,215,290 total)
7. The Karate Kid (1984, 57th) – $6,003,119 ($250,726,473 total)
8. The Woman in Red (1984, 57th) – $4,839,078 ($69,790,134 total)
999. Amadeus (1984, 57th) – $1,621,094 ($1,621,094 total)
999. Places in the Heart (1984, 57th) – $879,978 ($879,978 total)
999. A Soldier’s Story (1984, 57th) – $533,870 ($1,339,976 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amadeus (1984, 57th): Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (F. Murray Abraham [O], Tom Hulce), Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound [O]
• Ghostbusters (1984, 57th): Original Song (“Ghostbusters”), Visual Effects
• The Karate Kid (1984, 57th): Supporting Actor (Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita)
• Places in the Heart (1984, 57th): Picture, Director, Actress (Sally Field) [O], Supporting Actor (John Malkovich), Supporting Actress (Linsday Crouse), Original Screenplay [O], Costume Design
• Purple Rain (1984, 57th): Original Song Score [O]
• A Soldier’s Story (1984, 57th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Adolph Caesar), Adapted Screenplay
• The Woman in Red (1984, 57th): Original Song (“I Just Called to Say I Love You”) [O]

45 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 21-23, 1979

Weekend Box Office:

1. Alien (1979, 52nd) – $540,887 ($59,154,839 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Alien (1979, 52nd) – $2,323,013 ($254,059,428 total)

Oscar Details:

• Alien (1979, 52nd): Art Direction, Visual Effects [O]