Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper dominated the box office with a record-breaking $90.2 million in its debut weekend, the largest opening of all time for the month of January.
Produced by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow, the war drama is expected to pull in roughly $105 million over the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. It now ranks as Eastwood’s top opening, which was previously Gran Torino with $29.5 million when it debuted back in 2008.
American Sniper cost $58 million to produce and is based on the real-life story of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. Initially, the film debuted on Christmas Day in four theaters across Los Angeles, New York and Dallas, earning $4 million during its limited run. It then expanded nationwide after nabbing six Oscar nominations on Thursday, including for best picture and best actor (Bradley Cooper).
“The movie has become a cultural phenomenon,” said Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. head of domestic distribution. “It tore apart the record book and not by a little. By an enormous amount.”
Moviegoers gave the film a solid A plus CinemaScore, while critics gave it a 73 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The weekend’s comical wide release was Kevin Hart’s The Wedding Ringer, placing in second with $21 million for the three-day weekend. Costing $23 million to produce, Sony and Screen Gems’ film is predicted to pick up $25 million for the four-day weekend. It co-stars Josh Gad and has been given an A minus CinemaScore from moviegoers.
“Kevin Hart really is that guy that everybody wants to hang with,” said Rory Bruer, Sony Pictures president of worldwide distribution. “Not only is he always funny, but he’s that guy that you want to sit down and have a beer with. He exudes charisma.”
By Monday, the R-rated comedy may end up losing its crown for the holiday’s second-highest grossing film to a lovable bear. AT the moment, Paddington resides in third place with $19.3 million from the three-day weekend. It is expected to earn $25.6 million for the four-day weekend.
“The parents like it just as much as the kids and getting some adult business is always a good sign with films like this,” said Erik Lomis, distribution chief for The Weinstein Company.
The critically acclaimed British film earned an A CinemaScore from moviegoers and a 98 percent “fresh” rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
Meanwhile, hacker film Blackhat flopped at the box office when it debuted over the weekend, grossing a woeful $4 million from 2,567 locations. The $70 million production stars Chris Hemsworth and is expected to make $4.6 million over the holiday. Directed by Michael Mann, Blackhat scored a C minus with audiences on CinemaScore.
“We wish the film would have found a bigger audience,” said Nick Carpou, Universal’s president of domestic distribution. “We think, based on the director and Chris Hemsworth, that it’s got strong international appeal.”
Holdovers are staying strong at the box office, with Liam Neeson’s Taken 3 in fourth place with $14 million for three days and a predicted $16.4 million for the long weekend. Rounding out the top five is Ava DuVernay’s Selma with $8.3 million for the three-day weekend. The civil rights drama is estimated to earn $10.3 million for the full MLK holiday.
“What a great way to kick off the box office,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak. “If this is going to end up as the first $11 billion year in history, it’s going to be because of weekends like this and unexpected performances like ‘American Sniper.’”
Top 10 Films at Weekend Box Office: January 16-18
- American Sniper – $90.2 million
- The Wedding Ringer – $21 million
- Paddington – $19.3 million
- Taken 3 – $14 million
- Selma – $8.3 million
- The Imitation Game – $7.2 million
- Into the Woods – $6.5 million
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – $4.9 million
- Unbroken – $4.3 million
- Blackhat – $4 million
