NORTH AMERICA: ‘American Sniper’ Eyes Record-Breaking Haul; ‘Paddington’ and ‘The Wedding Ringer’ In Close Race; ‘Blackhat’ Bombs

Friday Update #2: Sources tell BoxOffice that American Sniper is on pace for $56 million-$58 million over the 4-day weekend. A debut that high would be a new January record, topping the $48.6 million 4-day haul that Ride Along posted during the same weekend last year. At 84, director Clint Eastwood will also snag his biggest wide opening of all time. The Oscar-winning helmer’s previous best was Gran Torino‘s $29.5 million tally in January 2009.

Paddington and The Wedding Ringer are performing quite well. Both films are set to open in the $25 million-$30 million range.

Blackhat is on pace to end up with less than $10 million over four days. It’s clear that the cyber thriller is losing the attention of key male demos to Sniper.

Check back tomorrow for updated projections and official studio numbers.

Friday Update #1: Warner Bros. reports that American Sniper earned an impressive $5.3 million haul from Thursday evening shows. Clint Eastwood’s latest was already tracking really well before getting a boost from six Oscar nominations–including Best Picture and Best Actor–yesterday.

By comparison, Sniper‘s early haul is leagues above comparable titles. Lone Survivor earned $1.5 million from Thursday shows last January, Captain Phillips earned $0.6 million in October 2013, and Act of Valor took $1.1 million almost three years ago. American Sniper clearly has a big weekend ahead.

Meanwhile, sources report that Blackhat started with a much slower $179,000 from 1,755 locations.

More as it comes…

News Stories