Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
So what does this mean for "American Sniper" in the long run? It means that the war film has already done better than "Pearl Harbor," which grossed $198.5 million at box offices in this country. It also means that "Saving Private Ryan," which took in a total of $216.5 million after its release in 1998, will likely be overtaken even when inflation is figured into the equation.
The story of this popular flick about Chris Kyle is one that digs deep into America's role in the Iraq war and what happens to the fighters who make it back home physically unscathed. Bradley Cooper plays a Navy SEAL who served four tours of duty and who became known as arguably the best sniper in United States history. The fact that Kyle suffers PTSD after finally returning to U.S. soil and to his waiting family is extensively explored in the film.
"American Sniper" is up for six Academy Awards. The movie has been given nods in the form of nominations for a half dozen Oscars, including best picture, best adapted screenplay for Jason Hall and best actor for Bradley Cooper.
That said, a second weekend win at theaters for this highly debated film about war and its aftermath has everyone talking money, too. In fact, at this point, another $17.6 million has come in from more than two dozen markets outside the United States. In Australia and in Europe -- especially in Italy where Eastwood is considered a legend -- "American Sniper is going strong at these off shore destinations' box offices.
