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. 27-29, 2019

Weekend Box Office:

5. Ad Astra (2019, 92nd) – $10,014,914 ($35,397,514 total) {week 2}
7. Judy (2019, 92nd) – $2,916,548 ($2,916,548 total) {week 1}
9. The Lion King (2019, 92nd) – $1,656,937 ($540,079,599 total) {week 11}
16. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd) – $560,089 ($139,045,239 total) {week 10}
20. Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd) – $202,271 ($433,033,071 total) {week 15}
43. Honeyland (2019, 92nd) – $22,017 ($617,397 total) {week 10}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Ad Astra (2019, 92nd) – $11,786,111 ($41,657,773 total)
7. Judy (2019, 92nd) – $3,432,357 ($3,432,357 total)
9. The Lion King (2019, 92nd) – $1,949,976 ($635,595,860 total)
16. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, 92nd) – $659,144 ($163,636,209 total)
20. Toy Story 4 (2019, 92nd) – $238,044 ($509,617,522 total)
43. Honeyland (2019, 92nd) – $25,911 ($726,587 total)

Oscar Details:

• Ad Astra (2019, 92nd): Sound Mixing
• Honeyland (2019, 92nd): International Film, Documentary Feature
• Judy (2019, 92nd): Actress (Renee Zellweger) [O], Makeup & Hairstyling
• 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. 26-28, 2014

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Boxtrolls (2014, 87th) – $17,275,239 ($17,275,239 total) {week 1}
8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th) – $3,765,941 ($319,169,216 total) {week 9}
23. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th) – $236,803 ($207,604,340 total) {week 12}
24. Boyhood (2014, 87th) – $223,669 ($23,016,519 total) {week 12}
25. Maleficent (2014, 87th) – $219,582 ($240,366,802 total) {week 18}
26. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th) – $204,555 ($175,859,659 total) {week 16}
49. Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th) – $53,100 ($161,300 total) {week 4}
59. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th) – $27,479 ($233,893,992 total) {week 19}
77. Begin Again (2014, 87th) – $6,222 ($16,135,671 total) {week 14}
82. Ida (2014, 87th) – $4,286 ($3,702,720 total) {week 22}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Boxtrolls (2014, 87th) – $22,794,012 ($22,794,012 total)
8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014, 87th) – $4,969,014 ($421,131,475 total)
23. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, 87th) – $312,452 ($273,925,922 total)
24. Boyhood (2014, 87th) – $295,123 ($30,369,409 total)
25. Maleficent (2014, 87th) – $289,730 ($317,154,728 total)
26. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014, 87th) – $269,902 ($232,040,040 total)
49. Last Days in Vietnam (2014, 87th) – $70,063 ($212,829 total)
59. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014, 87th) – $36,257 ($308,614,104 total)
77. Begin Again (2014, 87th) – $8,210 ($21,290,396 total)
82. Ida (2014, 87th) – $5,655 ($4,885,596 total)

Oscar Details:

• Begin Again (2014, 87th): Original Song (“Lost Stars”)
• The Boxtrolls (2014, 87th): Animated Feature
• 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. 25-27, 2009

Weekend Box Office:

10. Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd) – $2,683,198 ($114,420,733 total) {week 6}
13. Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd) – $1,263,283 ($90,600,766 total) {week 8}
15. District 9 (2009, 82nd) – $1,082,176 ($113,522,260 total) {week 7}
17. Bright Star (2009, 82nd) – $671,895 ($962,153 total) {week 2}
22. Coco Before Chanel (2009, 82nd) – $406,768 ($406,768 total) {week 1}
31. Up (2009, 82nd) – $255,540 ($292,155,222 total) {week 18}
35. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd) – $195,247 ($401,750,700 total) {week 14}
50. Star Trek (2009, 82nd) – $65,844 ($257,704,099 total) {week 21}
53. The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd) – $45,164 ($12,486,356 total) {week 14}
57. In the Loop (2009, 82nd) – $38,667 ($2,317,833 total) {week 10}
59. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st) – $35,888 ($361,190 total) {week 6}
65. Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd) – $24,335 ($4,330,801 total) {week 16}
72. The Cove (2009, 82nd) – $15,875 ($786,294 total) {week 9}
77. Departures (2008, 81st) – $13,269 ($1,391,017 total) {week 18}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

10. Inglourious Basterds (2009, 82nd) – $3,856,650 ($164,460,734 total)
13. Julie & Julia (2009, 82nd) – $1,815,759 ($130,223,501 total)
15. District 9 (2009, 82nd) – $1,555,448 ($163,169,328 total)
17. Bright Star (2009, 82nd) – $965,737 ($1,382,935 total)
22. Coco Before Chanel (2009, 82nd) – $584,661 ($584,661 total)
31. Up (2009, 82nd) – $367,296 ($419,924,439 total)
35. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, 82nd) – $280,635 ($577,449,673 total)
50. Star Trek (2009, 82nd) – $94,640 ($370,406,692 total)
53. The Hurt Locker (2009, 82nd) – $64,916 ($17,947,056 total)
57. In the Loop (2009, 82nd) – $55,577 ($3,331,499 total)
59. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st) – $51,583 ($519,150 total)
65. Food, Inc. (2009, 82nd) – $34,978 ($6,224,805 total)
72. The Cove (2009, 82nd) – $22,818 ($1,130,167 total)
77. Departures (2008, 81st) – $19,072 ($1,999,355 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, 81st): Foreign Language Film
• Bright Star (2009, 82nd): Costume Design
• Coco Before Chanel (2009, 82nd): Costume Design
• The Cove (2009, 82nd): Documentary Feature
• Departures (2008, 81st): Foreign Language Film [O]
• District 9 (2009, 82nd): Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, Visual Effects
• 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. 24-26, 2004

Weekend Box Office:

10. Hero (2002, 75th) – $2,244,628 ($49,231,569 total) {week 1}
12. Collateral (2004, 77th) – $1,452,516 ($98,127,149 total) {week 8}
22. Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th) – $290,512 ($371,538,616 total) {week 13}
30. I, Robot (2004, 77th) – $213,789 ($143,373,352 total) {week 11}
31. Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th) – $200,295 ($5,639,408 total) {week 11}
35. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004, 77th) – $159,819 ($159,819 total) {week 1}
36. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th) – $137,868 ($249,031,885 total) {week 17}
38. The Village (2004, 77th) – $122,057 ($113,224,335 total) {week 9}
52. Before Sunset (2004, 77th) – $54,143 ($5,650,441 total) {week 13}
70. Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th) – $25,256 ($1,732,803 total) {week 17}
78. Zelary (2003, 76th) – $17,927 ($58,937 total) {week 2}
82. Super Size Me (2004, 77th) – $16,204 ($11,529,368 total) {week 21}
113. The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th) – $3,404 ($529,212 total) {week 23}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

10. Hero (2002, 75th) – $3,896,472 ($85,461,564 total)
12. Collateral (2004, 77th) – $2,521,437 ($170,339,882 total)
22. Spider-Man 2 (2004, 77th) – $504,303 ($644,957,533 total)
30. I, Robot (2004, 77th) – $371,118 ($248,883,210 total)
31. Maria Full of Grace (2004, 77th) – $347,694 ($9,789,504 total)
35. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004, 77th) – $277,431 ($277,431 total)
36. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, 77th) – $239,326 ($432,296,895 total)
38. The Village (2004, 77th) – $211,880 ($196,547,235 total)
52. Before Sunset (2004, 77th) – $93,987 ($9,808,656 total)
70. Story of the Weeping Camel (2004, 77th) – $43,842 ($3,007,990 total)
78. Zelary (2003, 76th) – $31,120 ($102,309 total)
82. Super Size Me (2004, 77th) – $28,129 ($20,013,943 total)
113. The Twilight Samurai (2003, 76th) – $5,909 ($918,664 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)
• The Motorcycle Diaries (2004, 77th): Adapted Screenplay, Original Song (“Al Otro Lado del Rio”) [O]
• 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
• Zelary (2003, 76th): Foreign Language Film

25 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 24-26, 1999

Weekend Box Office:

3. The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd) – $8,435,193 ($225,042,276 total) {week 8}
5. American Beauty (1999, 72nd) – $5,939,646 ($7,484,984 total) {week 2}
12. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd) – $801,935 ($424,399,730 total) {week 19}
18. Tarzan (1999, 72nd) – $303,692 ($169,497,568 total) {week 15}
32. Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd) – $161,883 ($5,163,493 total) {week 17}
45. The Red Violin (1999, 72nd) – $88,941 ($9,510,414 total) {week 37}
60. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd) – $51,530 ($52,008,288 total) {week 13}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

3. The Sixth Sense (1999, 72nd) – $17,899,878 ($477,550,342 total)
5. American Beauty (1999, 72nd) – $12,604,209 ($15,883,490 total)
12. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999, 72nd) – $1,701,744 ($900,596,277 total)
18. Tarzan (1999, 72nd) – $644,449 ($359,681,847 total)
32. Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd) – $343,523 ($10,957,176 total)
45. The Red Violin (1999, 72nd) – $188,737 ($20,181,548 total)
60. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999, 72nd) – $109,349 ($110,364,044 total)

Oscar Details:

• American Beauty (1999, 72nd): Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (Kevin Spacey) [O], Actress (Annette Bening), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography
• Buena Vista Social Club (1999, 72nd): Documentary Feature
• 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. 30-Oct. 2, 1994

Weekend Box Office:

4. Forrest Gump (1994, 67th) – $4,368,160 ($269,670,909 total) {week 13}
5. Quiz Show (1994, 67th) – $3,365,119 ($8,430,084 total) {week 3}
7. Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th) – $2,003,122 ($115,669,022 total) {week 9}
9. The Mask (1994, 67th) – $1,253,951 ($110,190,781 total) {week 10}
11. True Lies (1994, 67th) – $975,803 ($140,779,782 total) {week 12}
999. Ed Wood (1994, 67th) – $71,566 ($71,566 total) {week 1}
999. Jurassic Park (1993, 66th) – $409,590 ($356,190,495 total) {week 69}
999. The Shawshank Redemption (1994, 67th) – $604,259 ($1,642,635 total) {week 2}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

4. Forrest Gump (1994, 67th) – $11,265,255 ($695,467,081 total)
5. Quiz Show (1994, 67th) – $8,678,465 ($21,740,743 total)
7. Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th) – $5,165,946 ($298,304,320 total)
9. The Mask (1994, 67th) – $3,233,874 ($284,176,225 total)
11. True Lies (1994, 67th) – $2,516,545 ($363,063,648 total)
999. Ed Wood (1994, 67th) – $184,565 ($184,565 total)
999. Jurassic Park (1993, 66th) – $1,056,311 ($918,596,540 total)
999. The Shawshank Redemption (1994, 67th) – $1,558,352 ($4,236,269 total)

Oscar Details:

• Clear and Present Danger (1994, 67th): Sound, Sound Effects
• Ed Wood (1994, 67th): Supporting Actor (Martin Landau) [O], Makeup [O]
• 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 Mask (1994, 67th): Visual Effects
• Quiz Show (1994, 67th): Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Paul Scofield), Adapted Screenplay
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994, 67th): Picture, Actor (Morgan Freeman), Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Sound
• True Lies (1994, 67th): Visual Effects

35 Years Ago: The Weekend of Sep. 29-Oct. 1, 1989

Weekend Box Office:

1. Black Rain (1989, 62nd) – $6,503,065 ($19,236,379 total) {week 2}
4. Parenthood (1989, 62nd) – $2,629,600 ($81,702,263 total) {week 9}
6. When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd) – $1,961,676 ($80,795,888 total) {week 12}
8. sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd) – $1,368,443 ($17,173,786 total) {week 9}
10. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd) – $1,227,039 ($141,872,763 total) {week 13}
11. The Abyss (1989, 62nd) – $1,206,035 ($51,361,458 total) {week 8}
13. Batman (1989, 62nd) – $877,891 ($245,893,171 total) {week 15}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Black Rain (1989, 62nd) – $17,658,197 ($52,233,795 total)
4. Parenthood (1989, 62nd) – $7,140,324 ($221,851,485 total)
6. When Harry Met Sally… (1989, 62nd) – $5,326,667 ($219,390,346 total)
8. sex, lies and videotape (1989, 62nd) – $3,715,823 ($46,633,102 total)
10. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989, 62nd) – $3,331,859 ($385,236,369 total)
11. The Abyss (1989, 62nd) – $3,274,826 ($139,465,118 total)
13. Batman (1989, 62nd) – $2,383,795 ($667,689,769 total)

Oscar Details:

• The Abyss (1989, 62nd): Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Visual Effects [O]
• Batman (1989, 62nd): Art Direction [O]
• Black Rain (1989, 62nd): Sound, Sound Effects
• 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. 28-30, 1984

Weekend Box Office:

5. Ghostbusters (1984, 57th) – $2,373,369 ($204,079,999 total) {week 17}
6. Purple Rain (1984, 57th) – $1,752,753 ($58,004,255 total) {week 10}
7. The Karate Kid (1984, 57th) – $1,517,087 ($80,058,084 total) {week 15}
12. The Woman in Red (1984, 57th) – $977,439 ($23,200,313 total) {week 7}
999. Amadeus (1984, 57th) – $500,910 ($1,404,057 total) {week 2}
999. Country (1984, 57th) – $24,443 ($24,443 total) {week 1}
999. Places in the Heart (1984, 57th) – $254,524 ($661,632 total) {week 2}
999. A Soldier’s Story (1984, 57th) – $378,914 ($898,706 total) {week 3}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

5. Ghostbusters (1984, 57th) – $7,614,559 ($654,756,663 total)
6. Purple Rain (1984, 57th) – $5,623,416 ($186,096,985 total)
7. The Karate Kid (1984, 57th) – $4,867,321 ($256,853,020 total)
12. The Woman in Red (1984, 57th) – $3,135,950 ($74,434,338 total)
999. Amadeus (1984, 57th) – $1,607,086 ($4,504,683 total)
999. Country (1984, 57th) – $78,421 ($78,421 total)
999. Places in the Heart (1984, 57th) – $816,598 ($2,122,736 total)
999. A Soldier’s Story (1984, 57th) – $1,215,682 ($2,883,348 total)

Oscar Details:

• Amadeus (1984, 57th): Picture [O], Director [O], Actor (F. Murray Abraham [O], Tom Hulce), Adapted Screenplay [O], Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction [O], Costume Design [O], Makeup [O], Sound [O]
• Country (1984, 57th): Actress (Jessica Lange)
• Ghostbusters (1984, 57th): Original Song (“Ghostbusters”), Visual Effects
• The Karate Kid (1984, 57th): Supporting Actor (Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita)
• Places in the Heart (1984, 57th): Picture, Director, Actress (Sally Field) [O], Supporting Actor (John Malkovich), Supporting Actress (Linsday Crouse), Original Screenplay [O], Costume Design
• 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. 28-30, 1979

Weekend Box Office:

1. Alien (1979, 52nd) – $393,452 ($59,735,665 total) {week 19}

Weekend Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation):

1. Alien (1979, 52nd) – $1,689,806 ($256,553,972 total)

Oscar Details:

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