Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

American Sniper set to be named top-grossing war film of all-time

Bradley Cooper's new movie is approaching the $250 million mark worldwide

Jess Denham
Monday 26 January 2015 13:12 GMT
Comments
Bradley Cooper as Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in American Sniper
Bradley Cooper as Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in American Sniper

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper could soon be named the number one war film of all time after continuing its impressive box office domination this weekend.

The hit Warner Bros movie, starring Bradley Cooper as Navy SEAL Chris ‘Legend’ Kyle has already passed the $200 million milestone in the US and is fast approaching the $250 million mark worldwide, Rentrak figures confirm.

Within days, American Sniper is expected to surpass Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan to become the highest-grossing film with a war theme in North America. It has already beaten Michael Bay’s World War II movie Pearl Harbor and is on track to score Eastwood his biggest film to date.

The film’s second week hold has been the best ever for a movie opening after domestic ticket sales fell just 28 per cent, perhaps thanks to a boost from its six Oscar nominations.

American Sniper is in the running to take home Best Picture at the star-studded ceremony on 22 February, with Cooper competing with Michael Keaton and Eddie Redmayne for Best Actor.

Set during the second Iraq war, American Sniper has sparked widespread political conversation and debate. Clearly, audiences want to know what everyone is talking about.

Elsewhere, Johnny Depp’s new film Mortdecai disappointed with takings of $9.3 million worldwide – his worst opening since the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and his third big budget flop after Transcendence and The Lone Ranger.

Warner Bros added to its excellent weekend with The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies crossing the $600 million mark and topping the international chart with $54.3 million.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in