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. 23-25, 2021

Weekend Box Office:

5. Raya and the Last Dragon – $1,741,058 ($39,905,227 total) {week 8}
999. Minari – $141,000 ($2,710,000 total) {week 20}
999. The Father – $80,206 ($1,707,213 total) {week 7}
999. The 2020 Academy Award Nominated Short Films – $76,625 ($418,694 total) {week 4}
999. Promising Young Woman – $56,945 ($6,436,740 total) {week 18}
999. Judas and the Black Messiah – $32,293 ($5,416,063 total) {week 11}
999. News of the World – $7,670 ($12,665,020 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Raya and the Last Dragon – $1,936,221 ($44,378,379 total)
999. Minari – $156,805 ($3,013,776 total)
999. The Father – $89,197 ($1,898,582 total)
999. The 2020 Academy Award Nominated Short Films – $85,214 ($465,627 total)
999. Promising Young Woman – $63,328 ($7,158,262 total)
999. Judas and the Black Messiah – $35,913 ($6,023,173 total)
999. News of the World – $8,530 ($14,084,698 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. 22-24, 2016

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $61,538,821 ($192,213,247 total) {week 2}
4. Zootopia (2016, 89th) – $6,579,545 ($316,404,151 total) {week 8}
28. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th) – $153,949 ($936,064,861 total) {week 19}
31. The Revenant (2015, 88th) – $108,895 ($183,416,276 total) {week 18}
41. Spotlight (2015, 88th) – $31,253 ($44,867,903 total) {week 25}
52. Embrace of the Serpent (2015, 88th) – $21,851 ($1,260,313 total) {week 10}
53. The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $21,869 ($305,613 total) {week 4}
60. Brooklyn (2015, 88th) – $10,972 ($38,251,390 total) {week 25}
83. The Hateful Eight (2015, 88th) – $1,819 ($54,116,191 total) {week 18}
84. Son of Saul (2015, 88th) – $1,709 ($1,772,944 total) {week 19}
89. Room (2015, 88th) – $1,090 ($14,677,674 total) {week 27}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Jungle Book (2016, 89th) – $80,462,898 ($251,321,598 total)
4. Zootopia (2016, 89th) – $8,602,850 ($413,703,000 total)
28. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, 88th) – $201,291 ($1,223,918,333 total)
31. The Revenant (2015, 88th) – $142,382 ($239,819,431 total)
41. Spotlight (2015, 88th) – $40,864 ($58,665,432 total)
52. Embrace of the Serpent (2015, 88th) – $28,570 ($1,647,877 total)
53. The Lobster (2016, 89th) – $28,594 ($399,593 total)
60. Brooklyn (2015, 88th) – $14,346 ($50,014,245 total)
83. The Hateful Eight (2015, 88th) – $2,378 ($70,757,702 total)
84. Son of Saul (2015, 88th) – $2,235 ($2,318,150 total)
89. Room (2015, 88th) – $1,425 ($19,191,271 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 Lobster (2016, 89th): Original Screenplay
• 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
• Zootopia (2016, 89th): Animated Feature [O]

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 29-May 1, 2011

Weekend Box Office:

2. Rio (2011, 84th) – $14,787,836 ($104,014,851 total) {week 3}
21. Jane Eyre (2011, 84th) – $511,827 ($8,739,767 total) {week 8}
28. Rango (2011, 84th) – $253,026 ($119,931,720 total) {week 9}
43. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $71,255 ($395,910 total) {week 5}
45. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $64,622 ($133,639 total) {week 2}
66. Tangled (2010, 83rd) – $16,475 ($199,695,811 total) {week 23}
76. Biutiful (2010, 83rd) – $7,983 ($5,056,098 total) {week 14}
79. Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd) – $7,146 ($4,383,626 total) {week 16}
89. The Illusionist (2010, 83rd) – $4,662 ($2,218,443 total) {week 18}
102. Black Swan (2010, 83rd) – $1,570 ($106,952,327 total) {week 22}
103. Inside Job (2010, 83rd) – $1,458 ($4,311,834 total) {week 30}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Rio (2011, 84th) – $21,090,848 ($148,349,050 total)
21. Jane Eyre (2011, 84th) – $729,983 ($12,464,914 total)
28. Rango (2011, 84th) – $360,873 ($171,050,158 total)
43. In a Better World (2010, 83rd) – $101,626 ($564,659 total)
45. Incendies (2010, 83rd) – $92,166 ($190,600 total)
66. Tangled (2010, 83rd) – $23,497 ($284,812,058 total)
76. Biutiful (2010, 83rd) – $11,386 ($7,211,156 total)
79. Barney’s Version (2010, 83rd) – $10,192 ($6,252,057 total)
89. The Illusionist (2010, 83rd) – $6,649 ($3,164,009 total)
102. Black Swan (2010, 83rd) – $2,239 ($152,538,565 total)
103. Inside Job (2010, 83rd) – $2,079 ($6,149,665 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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”)

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 28-30, 2006

Weekend Box Office:

2. United 93 (2006, 79th) – $11,478,360 ($11,478,360 total) {week 1}
35. Tsotsi (2005, 78th) – $100,244 ($2,657,413 total) {week 10}
42. Water (2006, 79th) – $56,280 ($56,280 total) {week 1}
55. Transamerica (2005, 78th) – $24,615 ($8,900,250 total) {week 22}
56. Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th) – $23,534 ($10,927,578 total) {week 21}
58. Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th) – $21,729 ($947,319 total) {week 20}
60. Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th) – $20,768 ($504,310 total) {week 11}
92. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, 78th) – $6,724 ($291,706,092 total) {week 21}
102. Walk the Line (2005, 78th) – $3,432 ($119,518,352 total) {week 24}
128. The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th) – $738 ($141,036 total) {week 10}
134. Darwin’s Nightmare (2005, 78th) – $550 ($196,092 total) {week 39}
139. Evil (2003, 76th) – $300 ($14,602 total) {week 8}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. United 93 (2006, 79th) – $19,819,886 ($19,819,886 total)
35. Tsotsi (2005, 78th) – $173,093 ($4,588,602 total)
42. Water (2006, 79th) – $97,180 ($97,180 total)
55. Transamerica (2005, 78th) – $42,503 ($15,368,218 total)
56. Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005, 78th) – $40,637 ($18,868,841 total)
58. Joyeux Noel (2005, 78th) – $37,520 ($1,635,752 total)
60. Sophie Scholl (2005, 78th) – $35,860 ($870,801 total)
92. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005, 78th) – $11,610 ($503,694,031 total)
102. Walk the Line (2005, 78th) – $5,926 ($206,374,437 total)
128. The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th) – $1,274 ($243,529 total)
134. Darwin’s Nightmare (2005, 78th) – $950 ($338,595 total)
139. Evil (2003, 76th) – $518 ($25,214 total)

Oscar Details:

• The 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Films (2005, 78th): Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Short Film
• 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]
• United 93 (2006, 79th): Directing, Film Editing
• Walk the Line (2005, 78th): Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Actress (Reese Witherspoon) [O], Film Editing, Costume Design, Sound Mixing
• Water (2006, 79th): Foreign Language Film

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 27-29, 2001

Weekend Box Office:

2. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001, 74th) – $7,528,349 ($36,263,550 total) {week 3}
13. Memento (2001, 74th) – $1,272,481 ($7,064,242 total) {week 7}
17. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd) – $775,304 ($123,907,354 total) {week 21}
20. Traffic (2000, 73rd) – $534,020 ($121,477,376 total) {week 18}
21. Amores Perros (2000, 73rd) – $513,947 ($2,995,605 total) {week 5}
25. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, 73rd) – $369,564 ($42,149,368 total) {week 19}
26. Chocolat (2000, 73rd) – $334,372 ($68,800,770 total) {week 20}
27. Cast Away (2000, 73rd) – $308,176 ($232,073,556 total) {week 19}
30. Pollock (2000, 73rd) – $147,240 ($7,928,534 total) {week 20}
35. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, 73rd) – $122,946 ($88,942,667 total) {week 20}
59. You Can Count on Me (2000, 73rd) – $29,204 ($9,256,450 total) {week 25}
999. Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $3,843 ($187,703,467 total) {week 52}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001, 74th) – $15,043,397 ($72,463,030 total)
13. Memento (2001, 74th) – $2,542,714 ($14,116,003 total)
17. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000, 73rd) – $1,549,238 ($247,595,790 total)
20. Traffic (2000, 73rd) – $1,067,097 ($242,740,128 total)
21. Amores Perros (2000, 73rd) – $1,026,986 ($5,985,917 total)
25. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, 73rd) – $738,475 ($84,224,267 total)
26. Chocolat (2000, 73rd) – $668,153 ($137,479,984 total)
27. Cast Away (2000, 73rd) – $615,808 ($463,737,088 total)
30. Pollock (2000, 73rd) – $294,220 ($15,843,060 total)
35. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000, 73rd) – $245,675 ($177,728,191 total)
59. You Can Count on Me (2000, 73rd) – $58,356 ($18,496,546 total)
999. Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $7,679 ($375,075,302 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amores Perros (2000, 73rd): Foreign Language Film
• 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. 26-28, 1996

Weekend Box Office:

4. Primal Fear (1996, 69th) – $4,704,262 ($39,804,588 total) {week 4}
6. James and the Giant Peach (1996, 69th) – $3,580,612 ($19,673,111 total) {week 3}
7. The Birdcage (1996, 69th) – $3,365,322 ($109,303,042 total) {week 8}
14. Fargo (1996, 69th) – $955,119 ($18,395,787 total) {week 8}
999. Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $42,111 ($75,545,647 total) {week 49}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Primal Fear (1996, 69th) – $12,037,376 ($101,852,916 total)
6. James and the Giant Peach (1996, 69th) – $9,162,154 ($50,340,019 total)
7. The Birdcage (1996, 69th) – $8,611,265 ($279,687,196 total)
14. Fargo (1996, 69th) – $2,443,981 ($47,071,573 total)
999. Braveheart (1995, 68th) – $107,755 ($193,307,979 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)

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Apr. 26-28, 1991

Weekend Box Office:

6. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $2,590,546 ($108,662,853 total) {week 11}
8. Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd) – $2,065,096 ($162,753,745 total) {week 25}
12. Home Alone (1990, 63rd) – $1,122,205 ($266,197,786 total) {week 24}
999. Journey of Hope (1990, 63rd) – $12,489 ($12,489 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. The Silence of the Lambs (1991, 64th) – $6,959,400 ($291,918,496 total)
8. Dances With Wolves (1990, 63rd) – $5,547,799 ($437,231,557 total)
12. Home Alone (1990, 63rd) – $3,014,760 ($715,129,919 total)
999. Journey of Hope (1990, 63rd) – $33,551 ($33,551 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
• Journey of Hope (1990, 63rd): Foreign Language Film
• 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. 25-27, 1986

Weekend Box Office:

1. Legend (1986, 59th) – $2,591,751 ($8,249,015 total) {week 2}
10. The Color Purple (1985, 58th) – $1,011,530 ($89,783,434 total) {week 19}
12. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, 59th) – $835,025 ($29,059,221 total) {week 12}
999. Three Men and a Cradle (1985, 58th) – $25,380 ($25,380 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Legend (1986, 59th) – $7,900,998 ($25,147,267 total)
10. The Color Purple (1985, 58th) – $3,083,667 ($273,706,372 total)
12. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, 59th) – $2,545,588 ($88,587,544 total)
999. Three Men and a Cradle (1985, 58th) – $77,371 ($77,371 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)”)
• Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, 59th): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Michael Caine) [O], Supporting Actress (Dianne Wiest) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Art Direction
• Legend (1986, 59th): Makeup
• Three Men and a Cradle (1985, 58th): Foreign Language Film