Move over, Jennifer Lawrence, because “American Sniper” just surpassed “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1” to become the highest grossing film of 2014.
The war drama raked in more than $337 million in the United States and more than $500 million worldwide, making it the first R-rated film to top the rankings since “Saving Private Ryan” in 1998.
The Clint Eastwood-directed film, which cost about $58 million to make, stars Bradley Cooper and follows the life of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL who was known as one of the most lethal sharpshooters. (RELATED: Kid Rock To Michael Moore: ‘F*** You’)
(Photo: Getty Images)
Though it was nominated for six Oscars, the film took home only one in February, for best sound editing. (RELATED: Did ‘American Sniper’ Get Completely Snubbed At The Oscars?)
The film faced a lot of criticism after its release, like Michael Moore tweeted out that he was taught snipers were cowards and Seth Rogen comparing it to the Nazi propaganda film featured within Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds.”
But that clearly didn’t stop audiences from heading to the box office in droves. Though the film wasn’t released until the end of December, it was able to outgross every other film released in 2014, and is still expected to surpass $350 million.(RELATED: Seth Rogen Backtracks After His ‘American Sniper’ Criticism)