For the first time since the "The English Patient" won an Oscar in 1997, there's a very real possibility that the winner of the Academy Awards' best picture honor might not top $100 million at the box office.

That milestone has become the norm in Hollywood, where best picture champs have broken the century mark 75% of the time in the past 20 years.

"Brokeback Mountain" is Oscar's sole hope for reaching that level. Director Ang Lee's cowboy love story has corralled a bustling $72.1 million in 74 days. This past weekend, it lassoed nearly three times as much business as its nearest best picture competitor, "Capote."

More importantly, "Brokeback" was popular with filmgoers even before the recognition — in the form of nominations — by the academy.