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 Apr. 16-18, 2021

Weekend Box Office:

4. Raya and the Last Dragon – $1,921,979 ($37,696,589 total) {week 7}
999. Minari – $140,000 ($2,480,000 total) {week 19}
999. The Father – $139,787 ($1,565,083 total) {week 6}
999. Promising Young Woman – $99,915 ($6,319,300 total) {week 17}
999. Judas and the Black Messiah – $57,393 ($5,352,415 total) {week 10}
999. The 2020 Academy Award Nominated Short Films – $53,401 ($306,395 total) {week 3}
999. News of the World – $26,095 ($12,652,410 total) {week 17}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Raya and the Last Dragon – $2,137,422 ($41,922,165 total)
999. Minari – $155,693 ($2,757,994 total)
999. The Father – $155,456 ($1,740,520 total)
999. Promising Young Woman – $111,115 ($7,027,658 total)
999. Judas and the Black Messiah – $63,826 ($5,952,391 total)
999. The 2020 Academy Award Nominated Short Films – $59,387 ($340,740 total)
999. News of the World – $29,020 ($14,070,674 total)

Oscar Details:

• The 2020 Academy Award Nominated Short Films: Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Short Film
• The Father: Picture, Actor (Anthony Hopkins) [O], Supporting Actress (Olivia Colman), Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Production Design
• Judas and the Black Messiah: Picture, Supporting Actor (Daniel Kaluuya) [O], Supporting Actor (LaKeith Stanfield), Original Screenplay, Original Song (“Fight for You”) [O], Cinematography
• Minari: Picture, Directing, Actor (Steven Yeun), Supporting Actress (Yuh-jung Youn) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score
• News of the World: Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design, Sound
• Promising Young Woman: Picture, Directing, Actress (Carey Mulligan), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing
• Raya and the Last Dragon: Animated Feature

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 15-17, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $103,261,464 ($103,261,464 total) {week 1}
5. Zootopia (2016, 89th) – $8,142,641 ($307,386,397 total) {week 7}
24. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th) – $190,152 ($935,832,841 total) {week 18}
25. The Revenant (2015, 88th) – $155,013 ($183,231,223 total) {week 17}
37. Spotlight (2015, 88th) – $45,247 ($44,808,479 total) {week 24}
42. The Hateful Eight (2015, 88th) – $38,029 ($54,096,599 total) {week 17}
46. Embrace of the Serpent (2015, 88th) – $30,406 ($1,220,819 total) {week 9}
61. Brooklyn (2015, 88th) – $11,967 ($38,231,771 total) {week 24}
73. Room (2015, 88th) – $3,596 ($14,674,753 total) {week 26}
77. Son of Saul (2015, 88th) – $3,038 ($1,767,793 total) {week 18}
91. A War (2015, 88th) – $591 ($121,577 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $135,015,856 ($135,015,856 total)
5. Zootopia (2016, 89th) – $10,646,621 ($401,912,156 total)
24. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th) – $248,626 ($1,223,614,963 total)
25. The Revenant (2015, 88th) – $202,682 ($239,577,472 total)
37. Spotlight (2015, 88th) – $59,161 ($58,587,734 total)
42. The Hateful Eight (2015, 88th) – $49,723 ($70,732,085 total)
46. Embrace of the Serpent (2015, 88th) – $39,756 ($1,596,238 total)
61. Brooklyn (2015, 88th) – $15,647 ($49,988,593 total)
73. Room (2015, 88th) – $4,702 ($19,187,452 total)
77. Son of Saul (2015, 88th) – $3,972 ($2,311,415 total)
91. A War (2015, 88th) – $773 ($158,964 total)

Oscar Details:

• Brooklyn (2015, 88th): Picture, Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Adapted Screenplay
• Embrace of the Serpent (2015, 88th): Foreign Language Film
• The Hateful Eight (2015, 88th): Supporting Actress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Original Score [O], Cinematography
• The Jungle Book (2016, 89th): Visual Effects [O]
• The Revenant (2015, 88th): Picture, Directing [O], Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) [O], Supporting Actor (Tom Hardy), Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup & Hairstyling, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• Room (2015, 88th): Picture, Directing, Actress (Brie Larson) [O], Adapted Screenplay
• Son of Saul (2015, 88th): Foreign Language Film [O]
• Spotlight (2015, 88th): Picture [O], Directing, Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Supporting Actress (Rachel McAdams), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th): Original Score, Film Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects
• A War (2015, 88th): Foreign Language Film
• Zootopia (2016, 89th): Animated Feature [O]

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 22-24, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

1. Rio (2011, 84th) – $26,323,321 ($80,806,562 total) {week 2}
19. Jane Eyre (2011, 84th) – $737,177 ($7,857,176 total) {week 7}
21. Rango (2011, 84th) – $386,224 ($119,522,471 total) {week 8}
43. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $72,836 ($292,001 total) {week 4}
46. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $50,679 ($50,679 total) {week 1}
48. True Grit (2010, 83rd) – $48,942 ($171,031,347 total) {week 18}
55. Tangled (2010, 83rd) – $31,368 ($199,665,782 total) {week 22}
65. Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd) – $17,116 ($4,368,074 total) {week 15}
67. Biutiful (2010, 83rd) – $13,833 ($5,039,756 total) {week 13}
75. The Illusionist (2010, 83rd) – $6,052 ($2,206,462 total) {week 17}
85. Black Swan (2010, 83rd) – $5,561 ($106,948,143 total) {week 21}
91. Another Year (2010, 83rd) – $3,833 ($3,199,007 total) {week 17}
99. Inside Job (2010, 83rd) – $2,466 ($4,309,596 total) {week 29}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Rio (2011, 84th) – $37,543,097 ($115,248,703 total)
19. Jane Eyre (2011, 84th) – $1,051,384 ($11,206,136 total)
21. Rango (2011, 84th) – $550,844 ($170,466,475 total)
43. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $103,881 ($416,460 total)
46. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $72,280 ($72,280 total)
48. True Grit (2010, 83rd) – $69,803 ($243,929,954 total)
55. Tangled (2010, 83rd) – $44,738 ($284,769,230 total)
65. Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd) – $24,411 ($6,229,876 total)
67. Biutiful (2010, 83rd) – $19,729 ($7,187,849 total)
75. The Illusionist (2010, 83rd) – $8,632 ($3,146,921 total)
85. Black Swan (2010, 83rd) – $7,931 ($152,532,597 total)
91. Another Year (2010, 83rd) – $5,467 ($4,562,518 total)
99. Inside Job (2010, 83rd) – $3,517 ($6,146,473 total)

Oscar Details:

• Another Year (2010, 83rd): Original Screenplay
• Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd): Makeup
• Biutiful (2010, 83rd): Actor (Javier Bardem), Foreign Language Film
• Black Swan (2010, 83rd): Picture, Direcing, Actress (Natalie Portman) [O], Film Editing, Cinematography
• The Illusionist (2010, 83rd): Animated Feature
• In a Better World (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film [O]
• Incendies (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film
• Inside Job (2010, 83rd): Documentary Feature
• Jane Eyre (2011, 84th): Costume Design
• Rango (2011, 84th): Animated Feature [O]
• Rio (2011, 84th): Original Song (“Real in Rio”)
• Tangled (2010, 83rd): Original Song (“I See the Light”)
• True Grit (2010, 83rd): Picture, Directing, Actor (Jeff Bridges), Supporting Actress (Hailee Steinfeld), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 21-23, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

27. Tsotsi (2005, 78th) – $144,531 ($2,503,137 total) {week 9}
50. Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th) – $34,170 ($913,127 total) {week 19}
52. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, 78th) – $33,655 ($291,685,219 total) {week 20}
54. Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th) – $28,031 ($465,775 total) {week 10}
56. Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th) – $26,508 ($10,893,249 total) {week 20}
67. Transamerica (2005, 78th) – $17,847 ($8,865,622 total) {week 21}
75. Walk the Line (2005, 78th) – $11,466 ($119,506,852 total) {week 23}
81. Capote (2005, 78th) – $7,418 ($28,747,570 total) {week 30}
107. The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th) – $2,578 ($138,863 total) {week 9}
118. Evil (2003, 76th) – $906 ($14,025 total) {week 7}
127. Darwin’s Nightmare (2005, 78th) – $629 ($195,048 total) {week 38}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

27. Tsotsi (2005, 78th) – $249,564 ($4,322,211 total)
50. Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th) – $59,002 ($1,576,712 total)
52. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, 78th) – $58,113 ($503,657,989 total)
54. Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th) – $48,402 ($804,262 total)
56. Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th) – $45,772 ($18,809,564 total)
67. Transamerica (2005, 78th) – $30,817 ($15,308,425 total)
75. Walk the Line (2005, 78th) – $19,799 ($206,354,580 total)
81. Capote (2005, 78th) – $12,809 ($49,638,934 total)
107. The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th) – $4,451 ($239,777 total)
118. Evil (2003, 76th) – $1,564 ($24,217 total)
127. Darwin’s Nightmare (2005, 78th) – $1,086 ($336,793 total)

Oscar Details:

• The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th): Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Short Film
• Capote (2005, 78th): Picture, Directing, Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) [O], Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener), Adapted Screenplay
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, 78th): Makeup [O], Sound Mixing, Visual Effects
• Darwin’s Nightmare (2005, 78th): Documentary Feature
• Evil (2003, 76th): Foreign Language Film
• Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film
• Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th): Actress (Judi Dench), Costume Design
• Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film
• Transamerica (2005, 78th): Actress (Felicity Huffman), Original Song (“Travelin’ Thru”)
• Tsotsi (2005, 78th): Foreign Language Film [O]
• Walk the Line (2005, 78th): Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Actress (Reese Witherspoon) [O], Film Editing, Costume Design, Sound Mixing

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 20-22, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

1. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001, 74th) – $10,184,136 ($25,316,371 total) {week 2}
14. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd) – $1,416,939 ($122,744,616 total) {week 20}
16. Memento (2001, 74th) – $1,208,870 ($5,408,475 total) {week 6}
17. Traffic (2000, 73rd) – $1,029,892 ($120,617,379 total) {week 17}
20. Amores Perros (2000, 73rd) – $760,239 ($2,220,881 total) {week 4}
21. Chocolat (2000, 73rd) – $697,178 ($68,226,856 total) {week 19}
22. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, 73rd) – $538,557 ($41,609,686 total) {week 18}
23. Cast Away (2000, 73rd) – $404,386 ($231,653,007 total) {week 18}
26. Pollock (2000, 73rd) – $255,833 ($7,673,774 total) {week 19}
30. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, 73rd) – $211,136 ($88,759,231 total) {week 19}
52. Billy Elliot (2000, 73rd) – $38,395 ($21,920,990 total) {week 28}
56. You Can Count on Me (2000, 73rd) – $30,533 ($9,213,268 total) {week 24}
999. Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $11,075 ($187,694,880 total) {week 51}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001, 74th) – $20,350,279 ($50,588,013 total)
14. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd) – $2,831,375 ($245,272,369 total)
16. Memento (2001, 74th) – $2,415,604 ($10,807,394 total)
17. Traffic (2000, 73rd) – $2,057,964 ($241,021,653 total)
20. Amores Perros (2000, 73rd) – $1,519,135 ($4,437,838 total)
21. Chocolat (2000, 73rd) – $1,393,124 ($136,333,170 total)
22. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, 73rd) – $1,076,162 ($83,145,857 total)
23. Cast Away (2000, 73rd) – $808,058 ($462,896,733 total)
26. Pollock (2000, 73rd) – $511,214 ($15,333,990 total)
30. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, 73rd) – $421,899 ($177,361,644 total)
52. Billy Elliot (2000, 73rd) – $76,722 ($43,803,250 total)
56. You Can Count on Me (2000, 73rd) – $61,012 ($18,410,258 total)
999. Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $22,130 ($375,058,144 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amores Perros (2000, 73rd): Foreign Language Film
• Billy Elliot (2000, 73rd): Directing, Supporting Actress (Julie Walters), Original Screenplay
• Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001, 74th): Actress (Renee Zellweger)
• Cast Away (2000, 73rd): Actor (Tom Hanks), Sound
• Chocolat (2000, 73rd): Picture, Actress (Juliette Binoche), Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd): Picture, Directing, Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“A Love Before Time”), Original Score [O], Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Art Direction [O], Costume Design, Foreign Language Film [O]
• The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, 73rd): Original Song (“My Funny Friend and Me”)
• Gladiator (2000, 73rd): Picture [O], Directing, Actor (Russell Crowe) [O], Supporting Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) [O], Original Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design [O], Sound [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Memento (2001, 74th): Original Screenplay, Film Editing
• O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, 73rd): Cinematography
• Pollock (2000, 73rd): Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Marcia Gay Harden) [O]
• Traffic (2000, 73rd): Picture, Directing [O], Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro) [O], Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing [O]
• You Can Count on Me (2000, 73rd): Actress (Laura Linney), Original Screenplay

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 19-21, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

1. Primal Fear (1996, 69th) – $6,585,472 ($33,094,598 total) {week 3}
3. James and the Giant Peach (1996, 69th) – $5,267,802 ($14,848,806 total) {week 2}
4. The Birdcage (1996, 69th) – $4,737,737 ($104,500,000 total) {week 7}
12. Fargo (1996, 69th) – $1,464,714 ($16,962,127 total) {week 7}
999. Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $112,868 ($75,457,649 total) {week 48}
999. Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $10,156 ($184,868,369 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Primal Fear (1996, 69th) – $16,851,061 ($84,683,236 total)
3. James and the Giant Peach (1996, 69th) – $13,479,376 ($37,995,474 total)
4. The Birdcage (1996, 69th) – $12,123,033 ($267,397,059 total)
12. Fargo (1996, 69th) – $3,747,945 ($43,403,090 total)
999. Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $288,809 ($193,082,808 total)
999. Toy Story (1995, 68th) – $25,987 ($473,045,532 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Birdcage (1996, 69th): Art Direction
• Braveheart (1995, 68th): Picture [O], Directing [O], Original Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Film Editing, Cinematography [O], Costume Design, Makeup [O], Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing [O]
• Fargo (1996, 69th): Picture, Director, Actress (Frances McDormand) [O], Supporting Actor (William H Macy), Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Cinematography
• James and the Giant Peach (1996, 69th): Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Primal Fear (1996, 69th): Supporting Actor (Edward Norton)
• Toy Story (1995, 68th): Original Screenplay, Original Song (“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”), Original Musical or Comedy Score

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 19-21, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

4. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $3,476,287 ($104,928,786 total) {week 10}
5. Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd) – $2,940,860 ($159,710,493 total) {week 24}
9. Home Alone (1990, 63rd) – $1,648,188 ($264,650,281 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $9,338,909 ($281,887,071 total)
5. Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd) – $7,900,505 ($429,055,980 total)
9. Home Alone (1990, 63rd) – $4,427,792 ($710,972,608 total)

Oscar Details:

• Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd): Picture [O], Directing [O], Actor (Kevin Costner), Supporting Actor (Graham Greene), Supporting Actress (Mary McDonnell), Adapted Screenplay [O], Original Score [O], Film Editing [O], Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound [O]
• Home Alone (1990, 63rd): Original Song (“Somewhere in My Memory”), Original Score
• 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

40 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 18-20, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

1. Legend (1986, 59th) – $4,261,154 ($4,261,154 total) {week 1}
8. The Color Purple (1985, 58th) – $1,200,069 ($88,219,316 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Legend (1986, 59th) – $12,990,203 ($12,990,203 total)
8. The Color Purple (1985, 58th) – $3,658,431 ($268,938,130 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Color Purple (1985, 58th): Picture, Actress (Whoopi Goldberg), Supporting Actress (Margaret Avery, Oprah Winfrey), Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)”)
• Legend (1986, 59th): Makeup