American Sniper Box Office Prediction

Expanding nationwide one day after Oscar nominations are revealed, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper hits theaters Friday. Bradley Cooper has been getting some of the best reviews of his career playing the real life title character Chris Kyle, known for having the most kills in U.S. military history. Sienna Miller costars as his wife.

Trailers and TV spots have been quite effective and the solid critical reaction helps. Sniper seems likely to receive a Best Picture nomination, though that’s not guaranteed (my final predictions arrive Tuesday). The pic could particularly play well in middle America.

Last January, another war themed flick Lone Survivor debuted to higher than anticipated grosses with $38 million. That would seem to be a fair range to put Sniper in. In fact, I believe it could contend for biggest January premiere ever. That honor currently belongs to Ride Along, which took in $41.5 million a year ago. My estimate has Sniper falling just shy of that mark.

American Sniper opening weekend prediction: $40.6 million

For my prediction on The Wedding Ringer, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2015/01/10/the-wedding-ringer-box-office-prediction/

For my Paddington prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2015/01/11/paddington-box-office-prediction/

For my Blackhat prediction, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2015/01/11/blackhat-box-office-prediction/