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. 6-8, 2019

Weekend Box Office:

4. The Lion King (2019, 92nd) – $4,324,341 ($529,237,780 total) {week 8}
10. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd) – $2,166,110 ($134,368,392 total) {week 7}
19. Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd) – $547,483 ($431,810,752 total) {week 12}
39. Honeyland (2019, 92nd) – $50,001 ($466,911 total) {week 7}
55. Avengers: Endgame (2019, 92nd) – $12,680 ($858,366,365 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. The Lion King (2019, 92nd) – $5,089,126 ($622,836,601 total)
10. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd) – $2,549,199 ($158,132,234 total)
19. Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd) – $644,309 ($508,179,029 total)
39. Honeyland (2019, 92nd) – $58,844 ($549,487 total)
55. Avengers: Endgame (2019, 92nd) – $14,923 ($1,010,173,517 total)

Oscar Details:

• Avengers: Endgame (2019, 92nd): Visual Effects
• 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. 5-7, 2014

Weekend Box Office:

1. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th) – $10,357,345 ($294,765,199 total) {week 6}
14. Boyhood (2014, 87th) – $1,163,830 ($20,485,607 total) {week 9}
20. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th) – $543,504 ($174,725,162 total) {week 13}
21. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th) – $518,551 ($206,225,085 total) {week 9}
23. Maleficent (2014, 87th) – $422,207 ($239,251,615 total) {week 15}
35. Begin Again (2014, 87th) – $171,083 ($159,556,665 total) {week 11}
40. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th) – $154,140 ($233,660,474 total) {week 16}
60. Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th) – $30,500 ($30,500 total) {week 1}
80. Ida (2014, 87th) – $8,177 ($3,689,105 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th) – $13,666,117 ($388,931,315 total)
14. Boyhood (2014, 87th) – $1,535,629 ($27,029,969 total)
20. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th) – $717,133 ($230,543,115 total)
21. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th) – $684,208 ($272,106,049 total)
23. Maleficent (2014, 87th) – $557,086 ($315,683,281 total)
35. Begin Again (2014, 87th) – $225,737 ($210,528,868 total)
40. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th) – $203,382 ($308,305,987 total)
60. Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th) – $40,244 ($40,244 total)
80. Ida (2014, 87th) – $10,789 ($4,867,632 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
• Ida (2014, 87th): Cinematography, Foreign Language Film [O]
• 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. 4-6, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

2. Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd) – $11,629,394 ($91,825,002 total) {week 3}
5. District 9 (2009, 82nd) – $7,076,937 ($101,351,058 total) {week 4}
7. Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd) – $5,324,583 ($78,964,977 total) {week 5}
19. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd) – $803,663 ($400,434,854 total) {week 11}
20. Up (2009, 82nd) – $730,953 ($290,631,082 total) {week 15}
26. Star Trek (2009, 82nd) – $329,668 ($257,094,634 total) {week 18}
28. The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd) – $263,755 ($11,990,523 total) {week 11}
37. In the Loop (2009, 82nd) – $146,447 ($1,979,514 total) {week 7}
47. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st) – $44,281 ($118,555 total) {week 3}
51. Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd) – $38,602 ($4,174,118 total) {week 13}
53. The Cove (2009, 82nd) – $31,894 ($677,840 total) {week 6}
61. Departures (2008, 81st) – $20,192 ($1,315,985 total) {week 15}
79. Il Divo (2009, 82nd) – $4,431 ($227,441 total) {week 20}
999. Revanche (2008, 81st) – $1,818 ($257,397 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd) – $16,715,316 ($131,983,136 total)
5. District 9 (2009, 82nd) – $10,171,917 ($145,675,254 total)
7. Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd) – $7,653,201 ($113,498,994 total)
19. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd) – $1,155,132 ($575,558,363 total)
20. Up (2009, 82nd) – $1,050,623 ($417,733,742 total)
26. Star Trek (2009, 82nd) – $473,843 ($369,530,687 total)
28. The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd) – $379,104 ($17,234,378 total)
37. In the Loop (2009, 82nd) – $210,493 ($2,845,221 total)
47. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st) – $63,647 ($170,403 total)
51. Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd) – $55,484 ($5,999,599 total)
53. The Cove (2009, 82nd) – $45,842 ($974,282 total)
61. Departures (2008, 81st) – $29,023 ($1,891,509 total)
79. Il Divo (2009, 82nd) – $6,369 ($326,909 total)
999. Revanche (2008, 81st) – $2,613 ($369,965 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st): Foreign Language Film
• 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)
• Revanche (2008, 81st): Foreign Language Film
• 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. 3-5, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

1. Hero (2002, 75th) – $8,807,757 ($32,530,260 total) {week 1}
7. Collateral (2004, 77th) – $5,011,582 ($87,427,974 total) {week 5}
19. Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th) – $1,165,913 ($369,534,309 total) {week 10}
20. The Village (2004, 77th) – $840,020 ($111,955,089 total) {week 6}
21. I, Robot (2004, 77th) – $719,977 ($141,686,064 total) {week 8}
22. Shrek 2 (2004, 77th) – $855,054 ($438,477,864 total) {week 16}
24. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th) – $413,441 ($248,195,631 total) {week 14}
27. Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th) – $361,353 ($4,444,119 total) {week 8}
31. Before Sunset (2004, 77th) – $255,711 ($5,094,425 total) {week 10}
65. Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th) – $45,936 ($1,589,276 total) {week 14}
79. Super Size Me (2004, 77th) – $26,644 ($11,391,226 total) {week 18}
115. The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th) – $2,995 ($511,916 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Hero (2002, 75th) – $15,289,472 ($56,469,598 total)
7. Collateral (2004, 77th) – $8,699,654 ($151,767,079 total)
19. Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th) – $2,023,920 ($641,478,237 total)
20. The Village (2004, 77th) – $1,458,199 ($194,343,939 total)
21. I, Robot (2004, 77th) – $1,249,815 ($245,954,230 total)
22. Shrek 2 (2004, 77th) – $1,484,297 ($761,158,031 total)
24. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th) – $717,696 ($430,845,234 total)
27. Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th) – $627,276 ($7,714,590 total)
31. Before Sunset (2004, 77th) – $443,891 ($8,843,462 total)
65. Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th) – $79,741 ($2,758,840 total)
79. Super Size Me (2004, 77th) – $46,252 ($19,774,141 total)
115. The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th) – $5,199 ($888,640 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)
• Shrek 2 (2004, 77th): Animated Feature, Original Song (“Accidentally in Love”)
• 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

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 3-5, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

1. The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd) – $22,896,967 ($176,245,282 total) {week 5}
17. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd) – $1,148,842 ($420,995,738 total) {week 16}
22. Tarzan (1999, 72nd) – $806,735 ($167,862,342 total) {week 12}
27. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999, 72nd) – $482,641 ($205,120,694 total) {week 13}
31. The Red Violin (1999, 72nd) – $301,243 ($8,369,857 total) {week 34}
34. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd) – $251,915 ($51,612,637 total) {week 10}
38. Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd) – $224,715 ($4,455,157 total) {week 14}
45. The Matrix (1999, 72nd) – $104,573 ($171,206,947 total) {week 23}
47. The Mummy (1999, 72nd) – $101,640 ($155,116,090 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd) – $48,588,446 ($374,000,815 total)
17. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd) – $2,437,897 ($893,372,846 total)
22. Tarzan (1999, 72nd) – $1,711,930 ($356,211,820 total)
27. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999, 72nd) – $1,024,187 ($435,275,803 total)
31. The Red Violin (1999, 72nd) – $639,252 ($17,761,232 total)
34. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd) – $534,576 ($109,524,454 total)
38. Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd) – $476,856 ($9,454,054 total)
45. The Matrix (1999, 72nd) – $221,909 ($363,309,230 total)
47. The Mummy (1999, 72nd) – $215,685 ($329,163,671 total)

Oscar Details:

• Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999, 72nd): Makeup
• Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd): Documentary Feature
• The Matrix (1999, 72nd): Film Editing [O], Sound [O], Sound Effects [O], Visual Effects [O]
• The Mummy (1999, 72nd): Sound
• 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. 9-11, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

1. Forrest Gump (1994, 67th) – $6,760,367 ($247,778,090 total) {week 10}
3. Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th) – $4,321,189 ($104,527,650 total) {week 6}
5. The Mask (1994, 67th) – $2,825,711 ($103,901,001 total) {week 7}
8. True Lies (1994, 67th) – $2,153,995 ($135,124,659 total) {week 9}
9. The Client (1994, 67th) – $1,832,751 ($84,724,683 total) {week 8}
11. The Lion King (1994, 67th) – $1,805,418 ($264,718,828 total) {week 13}
999. Jurassic Park (1993, 66th) – $461,250 ($354,666,740 total) {week 66}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Forrest Gump (1994, 67th) – $17,434,631 ($639,006,653 total)
3. Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th) – $11,144,119 ($269,571,308 total)
5. The Mask (1994, 67th) – $7,287,360 ($267,955,213 total)
8. True Lies (1994, 67th) – $5,555,040 ($348,479,384 total)
9. The Client (1994, 67th) – $4,726,568 ($218,500,498 total)
11. The Lion King (1994, 67th) – $4,656,078 ($682,695,925 total)
999. Jurassic Park (1993, 66th) – $1,189,539 ($914,666,856 total)

Oscar Details:

• Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th): Sound, Sound Effects
• The Client (1994, 67th): Actress (Susan Sarandon)
• 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 Lion King (1994, 67th): Original Song (“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” [O], “Circle of Life”, “Hakuna Matata”), Original Score [O]
• The Mask (1994, 67th): Visual Effects
• True Lies (1994, 67th): Visual Effects

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 8-10, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

2. Parenthood (1989, 62nd) – $4,406,913 ($69,642,398 total) {week 6}
4. When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd) – $3,113,154 ($71,564,498 total) {week 9}
5. The Abyss (1989, 62nd) – $2,865,779 ($44,540,211 total) {week 5}
6. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd) – $2,597,052 ($134,775,306 total) {week 10}
7. sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd) – $2,135,236 ($10,821,382 total) {week 6}
9. Batman (1989, 62nd) – $1,887,559 ($241,089,760 total) {week 12}
13. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, 62nd) – $1,173,418 ($191,231,088 total) {week 16}
15. Dead Poets Society (1989, 62nd) – $943,859 ($87,624,941 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Parenthood (1989, 62nd) – $11,966,378 ($189,104,547 total)
4. When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd) – $8,453,350 ($194,323,750 total)
5. The Abyss (1989, 62nd) – $7,781,637 ($120,942,941 total)
6. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd) – $7,051,945 ($365,964,181 total)
7. sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd) – $5,797,946 ($29,384,005 total)
9. Batman (1989, 62nd) – $5,125,412 ($654,646,754 total)
13. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, 62nd) – $3,186,258 ($519,262,249 total)
15. Dead Poets Society (1989, 62nd) – $2,562,922 ($237,933,719 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Abyss (1989, 62nd): Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Batman (1989, 62nd): Art Direction [O]
• Dead Poets Society (1989, 62nd): Picture, Director, Actor (Robin Williams), Original Screenplay [O]
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, 62nd): Original Score, Sound, Sound Effects [O]
• 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. 7-9, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

2. Ghostbusters (1984, 57th) – $3,666,200 ($192,781,806 total) {week 14}
3. Purple Rain (1984, 57th) – $2,555,084 ($49,105,044 total) {week 7}
4. The Karate Kid (1984, 57th) – $2,459,536 ($72,886,052 total) {week 12}
5. The Woman in Red (1984, 57th) – $2,440,930 ($16,742,768 total) {week 4}
10. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984, 57th) – $1,136,221 ($168,868,276 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Ghostbusters (1984, 57th) – $11,762,392 ($618,508,294 total)
3. Purple Rain (1984, 57th) – $8,197,561 ($157,545,350 total)
4. The Karate Kid (1984, 57th) – $7,891,011 ($233,842,750 total)
5. The Woman in Red (1984, 57th) – $7,831,317 ($53,716,381 total)
10. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984, 57th) – $3,645,376 ($541,785,719 total)

Oscar Details:

• Ghostbusters (1984, 57th): Original Song (“Ghostbusters”), Visual Effects
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984, 57th): Original Score, Visual Effects [O]
• The Karate Kid (1984, 57th): Supporting Actor (Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita)
• Purple Rain (1984, 57th): Original Song Score [O]
• The Woman in Red (1984, 57th): Original Song (“I Just Called to Say I Love You”) [O]

45 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 7-9, 1979

Weekend Box Office:

1. Alien (1979, 52nd) – $649,505 ($57,733,690 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Alien (1979, 52nd) – $2,789,508 ($247,955,848 total)

Oscar Details:

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