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. 13-15, 2019

Weekend Box Office:

5. The Lion King (2019, 92nd) – $3,649,905 ($534,087,680 total) {week 9}
12. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd) – $1,501,323 ($136,872,950 total) {week 8}
21. Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd) – $412,524 ($432,368,783 total) {week 13}
43. Honeyland (2019, 92nd) – $34,069 ($534,163 total) {week 8}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. The Lion King (2019, 92nd) – $4,295,412 ($628,544,235 total)
12. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd) – $1,766,841 ($161,079,738 total)
21. Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd) – $485,481 ($508,835,751 total)
43. Honeyland (2019, 92nd) – $40,094 ($628,633 total)

Oscar Details:

• 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. 12-14, 2014

Weekend Box Office:

3. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th) – $8,102,358 ($305,987,190 total) {week 7}
16. Boyhood (2014, 87th) – $882,716 ($21,826,167 total) {week 10}
24. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th) – $392,039 ($206,827,518 total) {week 10}
26. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th) – $372,012 ($175,236,284 total) {week 14}
28. Maleficent (2014, 87th) – $334,700 ($239,703,484 total) {week 16}
49. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th) – $70,681 ($233,783,836 total) {week 17}
54. Begin Again (2014, 87th) – $57,714 ($16,084,607 total) {week 12}
65. Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th) – $22,200 ($63,400 total) {week 2}
93. Ida (2014, 87th) – $3,382 ($3,696,159 total) {week 20}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th) – $10,690,749 ($403,738,300 total)
16. Boyhood (2014, 87th) – $1,164,710 ($28,798,786 total)
24. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th) – $517,280 ($272,900,936 total)
26. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th) – $490,855 ($231,217,520 total)
28. Maleficent (2014, 87th) – $441,624 ($316,279,505 total)
49. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th) – $93,261 ($308,468,758 total)
54. Begin Again (2014, 87th) – $76,151 ($21,223,019 total)
65. Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th) – $29,292 ($83,654 total)
93. Ida (2014, 87th) – $4,462 ($4,876,939 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. 11-13, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

3. Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd) – $6,140,617 ($103,903,469 total) {week 4}
8. District 9 (2009, 82nd) – $3,538,769 ($108,456,233 total) {week 5}
10. Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd) – $3,156,316 ($85,216,398 total) {week 6}
22. Up (2009, 82nd) – $423,746 ($291,390,456 total) {week 16}
26. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd) – $370,040 ($401,127,275 total) {week 12}
30. Star Trek (2009, 82nd) – $190,314 ($257,424,306 total) {week 19}
32. The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd) – $141,017 ($12,263,550 total) {week 12}
37. In the Loop (2009, 82nd) – $102,688 ($2,156,804 total) {week 8}
42. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st) – $69,039 ($214,729 total) {week 4}
52. Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd) – $33,292 ($4,238,694 total) {week 14}
59. The Cove (2009, 82nd) – $24,005 ($726,699 total) {week 7}
67. Departures (2008, 81st) – $13,595 ($1,343,723 total) {week 16}
86. Il Divo (2009, 82nd) – $4,174 ($231,615 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd) – $8,826,114 ($149,343,919 total)
8. District 9 (2009, 82nd) – $5,086,391 ($155,887,759 total)
10. Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd) – $4,536,678 ($122,484,369 total)
22. Up (2009, 82nd) – $609,064 ($418,825,215 total)
26. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd) – $531,871 ($576,553,603 total)
30. Star Trek (2009, 82nd) – $273,545 ($370,004,536 total)
32. The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd) – $202,688 ($17,626,809 total)
37. In the Loop (2009, 82nd) – $147,597 ($3,100,046 total)
42. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st) – $99,232 ($308,637 total)
52. Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd) – $47,852 ($6,092,416 total)
59. The Cove (2009, 82nd) – $34,503 ($1,044,509 total)
67. Departures (2008, 81st) – $19,541 ($1,931,378 total)
86. Il Divo (2009, 82nd) – $5,999 ($332,908 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)
• 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. 10-12, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

4. Hero (2002, 75th) – $4,420,702 ($41,652,507 total) {week 1}
8. Collateral (2004, 77th) – $2,718,073 ($92,691,776 total) {week 6}
20. Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th) – $573,618 ($370,651,825 total) {week 11}
23. The Village (2004, 77th) – $355,933 ($112,703,100 total) {week 7}
24. I, Robot (2004, 77th) – $345,281 ($142,364,418 total) {week 9}
26. Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th) – $290,124 ($4,932,193 total) {week 9}
30. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th) – $203,877 ($248,619,248 total) {week 15}
36. Before Sunset (2004, 77th) – $133,484 ($5,377,753 total) {week 11}
62. Super Size Me (2004, 77th) – $33,177 ($11,450,330 total) {week 19}
65. Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th) – $30,283 ($1,653,200 total) {week 15}
102. The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th) – $3,283 ($516,685 total) {week 21}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Hero (2002, 75th) – $7,673,940 ($72,304,996 total)
8. Collateral (2004, 77th) – $4,718,330 ($160,904,564 total)
20. Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th) – $995,749 ($643,418,144 total)
23. The Village (2004, 77th) – $617,868 ($195,642,418 total)
24. I, Robot (2004, 77th) – $599,377 ($247,131,792 total)
26. Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th) – $503,629 ($8,561,842 total)
30. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th) – $353,912 ($431,580,595 total)
36. Before Sunset (2004, 77th) – $231,716 ($9,335,294 total)
62. Super Size Me (2004, 77th) – $57,592 ($19,876,740 total)
65. Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th) – $52,569 ($2,869,806 total)
102. The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th) – $5,699 ($896,919 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

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 10-12, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

2. The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd) – $16,511,464 ($197,665,281 total) {week 6}
19. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd) – $653,324 ($422,252,998 total) {week 17}
21. Tarzan (1999, 72nd) – $542,026 ($168,548,792 total) {week 13}
38. Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd) – $170,014 ($4,692,689 total) {week 15}
40. The Red Violin (1999, 72nd) – $163,411 ($8,609,924 total) {week 35}
42. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999, 72nd) – $134,544 ($205,399,422 total) {week 14}
44. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd) – $124,479 ($51,820,421 total) {week 11}
49. The Mummy (1999, 72nd) – $74,670 ($155,247,825 total) {week 19}
53. The Matrix (1999, 72nd) – $62,463 ($171,321,460 total) {week 24}
999. Speaking in Strings (1999, 72nd) – $1,519 ($1,519 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd) – $35,038,107 ($419,455,065 total)
19. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd) – $1,386,384 ($896,040,811 total)
21. Tarzan (1999, 72nd) – $1,150,205 ($357,668,500 total)
38. Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd) – $360,778 ($9,958,108 total)
40. The Red Violin (1999, 72nd) – $346,766 ($18,270,665 total)
42. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999, 72nd) – $285,509 ($435,867,277 total)
44. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd) – $264,150 ($109,965,382 total)
49. The Mummy (1999, 72nd) – $158,453 ($329,443,219 total)
53. The Matrix (1999, 72nd) – $132,549 ($363,552,232 total)
999. Speaking in Strings (1999, 72nd) – $3,223 ($3,223 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”)
• Speaking in Strings (1999, 72nd): Documentary Feature
• 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. 16-18, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

2. Forrest Gump (1994, 67th) – $6,066,317 ($256,260,919 total) {week 11}
3. Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th) – $3,240,950 ($109,151,175 total) {week 7}
5. The Mask (1994, 67th) – $1,955,502 ($106,538,845 total) {week 8}
8. The Lion King (1994, 67th) – $1,623,687 ($266,901,023 total) {week 14}
10. True Lies (1994, 67th) – $1,555,809 ($137,398,094 total) {week 10}
12. The Client (1994, 67th) – $1,201,825 ($86,373,733 total) {week 9}
999. Blue Sky (1994, 67th) – $763,890 ($763,890 total) {week 1}
999. Jurassic Park (1993, 66th) – $350,375 ($355,123,870 total) {week 67}
999. Quiz Show (1994, 67th) – $757,714 ($757,714 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

2. Forrest Gump (1994, 67th) – $15,644,712 ($660,883,423 total)
3. Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th) – $8,358,239 ($281,495,136 total)
5. The Mask (1994, 67th) – $5,043,137 ($274,758,074 total)
8. The Lion King (1994, 67th) – $4,187,403 ($688,323,691 total)
10. True Lies (1994, 67th) – $4,012,350 ($354,342,453 total)
12. The Client (1994, 67th) – $3,099,443 ($222,753,311 total)
999. Blue Sky (1994, 67th) – $1,970,032 ($1,970,032 total)
999. Jurassic Park (1993, 66th) – $903,599 ($915,845,770 total)
999. Quiz Show (1994, 67th) – $1,954,105 ($1,954,105 total)

Oscar Details:

• Blue Sky (1994, 67th): Actress (Jessica Lange) [O]
• 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
• Quiz Show (1994, 67th): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Paul Scofield), Adapted Screenplay
• True Lies (1994, 67th): Visual Effects

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 15-17, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

3. Parenthood (1989, 62nd) – $3,730,560 ($74,532,158 total) {week 7}
4. When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd) – $2,655,860 ($75,290,510 total) {week 10}
6. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd) – $2,206,481 ($137,872,405 total) {week 11}
7. The Abyss (1989, 62nd) – $2,150,879 ($47,594,385 total) {week 6}
8. sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd) – $1,751,442 ($13,260,801 total) {week 7}
10. Batman (1989, 62nd) – $1,472,406 ($243,139,754 total) {week 13}
11. Dead Poets Society (1989, 62nd) – $1,116,274 ($89,089,973 total) {week 16}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. Parenthood (1989, 62nd) – $10,129,833 ($202,382,031 total)
4. When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd) – $7,211,630 ($204,441,234 total)
6. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd) – $5,991,402 ($374,373,936 total)
7. The Abyss (1989, 62nd) – $5,840,422 ($129,236,139 total)
8. sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd) – $4,755,805 ($36,007,918 total)
10. Batman (1989, 62nd) – $3,998,120 ($660,213,236 total)
11. Dead Poets Society (1989, 62nd) – $3,031,092 ($241,911,816 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]
• 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. 14-16, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

1. Ghostbusters (1984, 57th) – $3,457,626 ($197,279,137 total) {week 15}
3. Purple Rain (1984, 57th) – $2,474,970 ($52,511,403 total) {week 8}
4. The Karate Kid (1984, 57th) – $2,210,145 ($75,512,142 total) {week 13}
5. The Woman in Red (1984, 57th) – $2,132,776 ($19,597,511 total) {week 5}
11. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984, 57th) – $1,065,032 ($170,306,545 total) {week 17}
999. A Soldier’s Story (1984, 57th) – $156,383 ($156,383 total) {week 1}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Ghostbusters (1984, 57th) – $11,093,217 ($632,937,231 total)
3. Purple Rain (1984, 57th) – $7,940,529 ($168,474,085 total)
4. The Karate Kid (1984, 57th) – $7,090,882 ($242,268,122 total)
5. The Woman in Red (1984, 57th) – $6,842,656 ($62,875,348 total)
11. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984, 57th) – $3,416,978 ($546,400,165 total)
999. A Soldier’s Story (1984, 57th) – $501,729 ($501,729 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]
• 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. 14-16, 1979

Weekend Box Office:

1. Alien (1979, 52nd) – $485,711 ($58,443,685 total) {week 17}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Alien (1979, 52nd) – $2,086,042 ($251,005,149 total)

Oscar Details:

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