Oscars 2013: A box-office milestone for best picture nominees

By Daniel Miller

Feb. 24, 2013 12 AM PT

Although “Argo” took home the Oscar for best picture, it fell short against several of its competitors in another category: the domestic box office.

The thriller from Warner Bros. has grossed $129.8 million through Sunday, according to Hollywood.com, which compiles box office data. That is only the fourth biggest take among the nine films that were nominated for the top prize.

Atop the list is “Lincoln,” which so far has taken in $178.6 million. The Steven Spielberg-directed film, which was distributed by Walt Disney Co., is followed closely by the Weinstein Co.’s “Django Unchained” with $158.8 million. At No. 3, Universal Pictures’ “Les Misérables” has grossed $146.7 million.

Oscars 2013: Nominee list | Red carpet | Highlights

For the first time ever, six best picture nominees took in more than $100 million domestically. That bests the 2010 Oscars, when five films nominated for best picture crossed the $100-million mark.

In total, the nine movies have collectively grossed $944 million, and most remain in theaters. That’s far more than the $628 million made by the nine nominated best picture films a year earlier. But it doesn’t top 2010, when 10 films, led by mega-blockbuster “Avatar,” grossed $1.7 billion.

This year, just three films nominated for best picture fell short of the $100 million mark at the domestic box office, though Sony Pictures Entertainment’s “Zero Dark Thirty” is close. The film, which is still in theaters, has made $91.6 million.

FULL COVERAGE: Oscars 2013 | Winners

But the other two lower-budget movies aren’t even close -- Fox Searchlight Pictures’ “Beasts of the Southern Wild” has grossed $12.5 million and Sony Pictures Classics’ “Amour” has taken in $5.2 million.

On the international front, 20th Century Fox’s “Life of Pi” led the pack, generating more than than $469 million in overseas ticket sales. It has grossed $113.5 million domestically.

ALSO:

‘Life of Pi’ a surprise success story around the world

‘Identity Thief’ reclaims top spot in slow weekend at box office

‘Snitch’ will fight for No. 1 on a slow weekend at the box office

Follow @DanielNMiller