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: 2020

Weekend Box Office:

1. The pandemic shut down theaters in March 2020. As such, the 2020 box office numbers won’t begin to update again until the beginning of September 2020.

10 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 28-30, 2015

Weekend Box Office:

1. Straight Outta Compton (2015, 88th) – $13,133,560 ($134,019,735 total) {week 3}
19. Inside Out (2015, 88th) – $1,349,972 ($344,519,079 total) {week 11}
20. Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015, 88th) – $1,092,821 ($16,339,388 total) {week 4}
38. Amy (2015, 88th) – $101,871 ($7,847,596 total) {week 9}
41. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015, 88th) – $86,633 ($153,011,860 total) {week 16}
61. Cinderella (2015, 88th) – $16,460 ($201,108,150 total) {week 25}
72. Cartel Land (2015, 88th) – $9,516 ($661,343 total) {week 8}
78. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2015, 88th) – $4,066 ($1,076,672 total) {week 33}
79. Ex Machina (2015, 88th) – $3,690 ($25,440,971 total) {week 19}
87. The Look of Silence (2015, 88th) – $1,744 ($94,540 total) {week 7}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Straight Outta Compton (2015, 88th) – $17,620,470 ($179,805,837 total)
19. Inside Out (2015, 88th) – $1,811,172 ($462,219,547 total)
20. Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015, 88th) – $1,466,169 ($21,921,528 total)
38. Amy (2015, 88th) – $136,674 ($10,528,625 total)
41. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015, 88th) – $116,230 ($205,286,374 total)
61. Cinderella (2015, 88th) – $22,083 ($269,814,137 total)
72. Cartel Land (2015, 88th) – $12,767 ($887,282 total)
78. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2015, 88th) – $5,455 ($1,444,503 total)
79. Ex Machina (2015, 88th) – $4,951 ($34,132,548 total)
87. The Look of Silence (2015, 88th) – $2,340 ($126,838 total)

Oscar Details:

• The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2015, 88th): Makeup & Hairstyling
• Amy (2015, 88th): Documentary Feature [O]
• Cartel Land (2015, 88th): Documentary Feature
• Cinderella (2015, 88th): Costume Design
• Ex Machina (2015, 88th): Original Screenplay, Visual Effects [O]
• Inside Out (2015, 88th): Animated Feature [O], Original Screenplay
• The Look of Silence (2015, 88th): Documentary Feature
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015, 88th): Picture, Directing, Film Editing [O], Cinematography, Production Design [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup & Hairstyling [O], Sound Mixing [O], Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects
• Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015, 88th): Animated Feature
• Straight Outta Compton (2015, 88th): Original Screenplay

15 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 27-29, 2010

Weekend Box Office:

7. Inception (2010, 83rd) – $4,876,356 ($270,519,920 total) {week 7}
15. Salt (2010, 83rd) – $1,883,890 ($113,260,644 total) {week 6}
19. Toy Story 3 (2010, 83rd) – $1,010,710 ($405,659,221 total) {week 11}
21. The Kids Are All Right (2010, 83rd) – $522,172 ($19,149,701 total) {week 8}
38. Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd) – $146,921 ($5,432,117 total) {week 12}
39. Animal Kingdom (2010, 83rd) – $123,594 ($372,511 total) {week 3}
44. I Am Love (2010, 83rd) – $64,776 ($4,535,786 total) {week 11}
50. Restrepo (2010, 83rd) – $40,812 ($1,123,818 total) {week 10}
66. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010, 83rd) – $12,769 ($3,200,414 total) {week 20}
74. The Secret in Their Eyes (2009, 82nd) – $7,497 ($6,330,411 total) {week 20}
89. The Milk of Sorrow (2009, 82nd) – $1,914 ($1,914 total) {week 1}
92. Dogtooth (2010, 83rd) – $1,453 ($47,304 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

7. Inception (2010, 83rd) – $6,990,062 ($387,779,505 total)
15. Salt (2010, 83rd) – $2,700,481 ($162,354,611 total)
19. Toy Story 3 (2010, 83rd) – $1,448,812 ($581,496,298 total)
21. The Kids Are All Right (2010, 83rd) – $748,513 ($27,450,332 total)
38. Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd) – $210,605 ($7,786,723 total)
39. Animal Kingdom (2010, 83rd) – $177,167 ($533,980 total)
44. I Am Love (2010, 83rd) – $92,854 ($6,501,868 total)
50. Restrepo (2010, 83rd) – $58,502 ($1,610,948 total)
66. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010, 83rd) – $18,304 ($4,587,666 total)
74. The Secret in Their Eyes (2009, 82nd) – $10,747 ($9,074,391 total)
89. The Milk of Sorrow (2009, 82nd) – $2,744 ($2,744 total)
92. Dogtooth (2010, 83rd) – $2,083 ($67,808 total)

Oscar Details:

• Animal Kingdom (2010, 83rd): Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver)
• Dogtooth (2010, 83rd): Foreign Language Film
• Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010, 83rd): Documentary Feature
• I Am Love (2010, 83rd): Costume Design
• Inception (2010, 83rd): Picture, Original Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography [O], Art Direction, Sound Mixing [O], Sound Film Editing [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Kids Are All Right (2010, 83rd): Picture, Actress (Annette Bening), Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Original Screenplay
• The Milk of Sorrow (2009, 82nd): Foreign Language Film
• Restrepo (2010, 83rd): Documentary Feature
• Salt (2010, 83rd): Sound Mixing
• The Secret in Their Eyes (2009, 82nd): Foreign Language Film
• Toy Story 3 (2010, 83rd): Picture, Animated Feature [O], Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“We Belong Together”) [O], Sound Film Editing
• Winter’s Bone (2010, 83rd): Picture, Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), Adapted Screenplay

20 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 2-4, 2005

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Constant Gardener (2005, 78th) – $8,673,803 ($10,395,799 total) {week 1}
8. March of the Penguins (2005, 78th) – $4,059,429 ($62,064,296 total) {week 11}
14. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, 78th) – $1,755,422 ($200,713,172 total) {week 8}
24. War of the Worlds (2005, 78th) – $447,055 ($232,500,642 total) {week 10}
26. Batman Begins (2005, 78th) – $348,212 ($203,550,460 total) {week 12}
29. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005, 78th) – $244,917 ($379,743,566 total) {week 16}
30. Junebug (2005, 78th) – $231,739 ($1,069,097 total) {week 5}
35. Hustle & Flow (2005, 78th) – $97,063 ($21,916,181 total) {week 7}
36. Crash (2005, 78th) – $95,229 ($53,278,804 total) {week 18}
52. Cinderella Man (2005, 78th) – $40,880 ($61,541,000 total) {week 14}
53. Murderball (2005, 78th) – $33,257 ($1,382,401 total) {week 9}
70. Howl’s Moving Castle (2005, 78th) – $13,879 ($4,665,620 total) {week 13}
104. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005, 78th) – $2,944 ($4,058,998 total) {week 20}
106. Darwin’s Nightmare (2005, 78th) – $25,573 ($49,113 total) {week 5}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Constant Gardener (2005, 78th) – $15,304,323 ($18,342,666 total)
8. March of the Penguins (2005, 78th) – $7,162,581 ($109,508,142 total)
14. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, 78th) – $3,097,320 ($354,144,458 total)
24. War of the Worlds (2005, 78th) – $788,798 ($410,231,242 total)
26. Batman Begins (2005, 78th) – $614,396 ($359,150,656 total)
29. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005, 78th) – $432,139 ($670,031,159 total)
30. Junebug (2005, 78th) – $408,887 ($1,886,347 total)
35. Hustle & Flow (2005, 78th) – $171,261 ($38,669,580 total)
36. Crash (2005, 78th) – $168,025 ($94,006,751 total)
52. Cinderella Man (2005, 78th) – $72,130 ($108,584,822 total)
53. Murderball (2005, 78th) – $58,680 ($2,439,151 total)
70. Howl’s Moving Castle (2005, 78th) – $24,489 ($8,232,163 total)
104. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005, 78th) – $5,194 ($7,161,820 total)
106. Darwin’s Nightmare (2005, 78th) – $45,122 ($86,656 total)

Oscar Details:

• Batman Begins (2005, 78th): Cinematography
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, 78th): Costume Design
• Cinderella Man (2005, 78th): Supporting Actor (Paul Giamatti), Film Editing, Makeup
• The Constant Gardener (2005, 78th): Supporting Actress (Rachel Weisz) [O], Adapted Screenplay, Origianl Score, Film Editing
• Crash (2005, 78th): Picture [O], Directing, Supporting Actor (Matt Dillon), Original Screenplay [O], Original Song (“In the Deep”), Film Editing [O]
• Darwin’s Nightmare (2005, 78th): Documentary Feature
• Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005, 78th): Documentary Feature
• Howl’s Moving Castle (2005, 78th): Animated Feature
• Hustle & Flow (2005, 78th): Actor (Terrence Howard), Original Song (“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp”) [O]
• Junebug (2005, 78th): Supporting Actress (Amy Adams)
• March of the Penguins (2005, 78th): Documentary Feature [O]
• Murderball (2005, 78th): Documentary Feature
• Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005, 78th): Makeup
• War of the Worlds (2005, 78th): Sound Mixing, Sound Film Editing, Visual Effects

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 1-3, 2000

Weekend Box Office:

2. The Cell (2000, 73rd) – $8,929,313 ($46,270,539 total) {week 3}
2. Space Cowboys (2000, 73rd) – $6,715,332 ($72,609,786 total) {week 5}
9. Hollow Man (2000, 73rd) – $2,026,625 ($69,711,366 total) {week 5}
10. The Perfect Storm (2000, 73rd) – $1,348,499 ($177,487,674 total) {week 10}
26. The Patriot (2000, 73rd) – $677,602 ($111,802,610 total) {week 10}
27. Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $513,553 ($183,479,397 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. The Cell (2000, 73rd) – $18,736,648 ($97,090,871 total)
2. Space Cowboys (2000, 73rd) – $14,090,984 ($152,359,310 total)
9. Hollow Man (2000, 73rd) – $4,252,529 ($146,277,467 total)
10. The Perfect Storm (2000, 73rd) – $2,829,596 ($372,427,754 total)
26. The Patriot (2000, 73rd) – $1,421,833 ($234,598,798 total)
27. Gladiator (2000, 73rd) – $1,077,604 ($385,000,367 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Cell (2000, 73rd): Makeup
• 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]
• Hollow Man (2000, 73rd): Visual Effects
• The Patriot (2000, 73rd): Original Score, Cinematography, Sound
• The Perfect Storm (2000, 73rd): Sound, Visual Effects
• Space Cowboys (2000, 73rd): Sound Film Editing

30 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 1-3, 1995

Weekend Box Office:

6. Babe (1995, 68th) – $4,561,765 ($43,211,875 total) {week 5}
8. The Usual Suspects (1995, 68th) – $3,727,472 ($5,701,133 total) {week 3}
9. Waterworld (1995, 68th) – $3,476,230 ($81,255,765 total) {week 6}
10. Apollo 13 (1995, 68th) – $2,507,065 ($161,481,355 total) {week 10}
18. Batman Forever (1995, 68th) – $944,204 ($180,939,732 total) {week 12}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

6. Babe (1995, 68th) – $11,860,589 ($112,350,875 total)
8. The Usual Suspects (1995, 68th) – $9,691,427 ($14,822,946 total)
9. Waterworld (1995, 68th) – $9,038,198 ($211,264,989 total)
10. Apollo 13 (1995, 68th) – $6,518,369 ($419,851,523 total)
18. Batman Forever (1995, 68th) – $2,454,930 ($470,443,303 total)

Oscar Details:

• Apollo 13 (1995, 68th): Picture, Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Supporting Actress (Kathleen Quinlan), Adapted Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Film Editing [O], Art Direction, Sound [O], Visual Effects
• Babe (1995, 68th): Picture, Directing, Supporting Actor (James Cromwell), Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, Art Direction, Visual Effects [O]
• Batman Forever (1995, 68th): Cinematography, Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing
• The Usual Suspects (1995, 68th): Supporting Actor (Kevin Spacey) [O], Original Screenplay [O]
• Waterworld (1995, 68th): Sound

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 31-Sep. 2, 1990

Weekend Box Office:

1. Ghost (1990, 63rd) – $9,953,630 ($125,016,532 total) {week 8}
4. Flatliners (1990, 63rd) – $5,229,574 ($40,051,138 total) {week 4}
9. Young Guns II (1990, 63rd) – $2,393,521 ($34,297,847 total) {week 5}
14. Wild at Heart (1990, 63rd) – $1,858,379 ($8,824,818 total) {week 3}
999. Total Recall (1990, 63rd) – $453,096 ($116,559,402 total) {week 14}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Ghost (1990, 63rd) – $26,613,606 ($334,264,061 total)
4. Flatliners (1990, 63rd) – $13,982,620 ($107,087,085 total)
9. Young Guns II (1990, 63rd) – $6,399,698 ($91,704,172 total)
14. Wild at Heart (1990, 63rd) – $4,968,857 ($23,595,435 total)
999. Total Recall (1990, 63rd) – $1,211,469 ($311,651,734 total)

Oscar Details:

• Flatliners (1990, 63rd): Sound Effects Film Editing
• Ghost (1990, 63rd): Picture, Supporting Actress (Whoopi Goldberg) [O], Original Screenplay [O], Original Score, Film Editing
• Total Recall (1990, 63rd): Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing, Visual Effects (Special Achievement Award) [O]
• Wild at Heart (1990, 63rd): Supporting Actress (Diane Ladd)
• Young Guns II (1990, 63rd): Original Song (“Blaze of Glory”)

40 Years Ago: The Weekend of Aug. 30-Sep. 1, 1985

Weekend Box Office:

1. Back to the Future (1985, 58th) – $7,149,345 ($130,764,095 total) {week 9}
12. Cocoon (1985, 58th) – $1,778,029 ($69,183,076 total) {week 11}
14. Silverado (1985, 58th) – $1,298,206 ($27,748,105 total) {week 8}
15. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985, 58th) – $1,241,951 ($145,810,737 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Back to the Future (1985, 58th) – $22,777,209 ($416,603,356 total)
12. Cocoon (1985, 58th) – $5,664,650 ($220,411,434 total)
14. Silverado (1985, 58th) – $4,135,975 ($88,403,118 total)
15. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985, 58th) – $3,956,751 ($464,540,686 total)

Oscar Details:

• Back to the Future (1985, 58th): Original Screenplay, Original Song (“The Power of Love’), Sound, Sound Effects Film Editing [O]
• Cocoon (1985, 58th): Supporting Actor (Don Ameche) [O], Visual Effects [O]
• Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985, 58th): Sound Effects Film Editing
• Silverado (1985, 58th): Original Score, Sound