Many believed that Oscar-nominated motion American Sniper would do well at the box office but it surprised everyone when it took in $90.2 million on its opening weekend; $30.5 million alone on Friday, breaking expectations due to sluggish January ticket sales.

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American Sniper also broke the record previously held by Avatar as the highest-grossing movie for a January weekend performance. Avatar grossed $68.5 million on its opening weekend in 2010.

Likewise, American Sniper was hailed as the highest- grossing movie for a single day in January, raking in $28.5 million. Sniper's big-time gross was a relief for Clint Eastwood, whose last two films, 2014's Jersey Boys and J. Edgar in 2011, had a rather sluggish opening: $13.3 million and $11.2 million, respectively.

American Sniper's wider release seconded its promising prospects at the Oscars. The film garnered the Best Picture nomination, as well as five other nods. The announcement also proved a successful PR for the movie, which may have prodded viewers to head to theaters.

Following American Sniper is the Kevin Hart- comedy starrer Wedding Ringer, which earned $21 million, on its way to breaking even on the $23 million production budget.

Landing at No. 3 is the family-friendly Paddington, which grossed $19.3 million, while Taken Three raked in $14.1 on its second week, a significant drop from its $39.2 million opening gross.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s biopic Selma, which also got an Oscar Best Picture nod, rounded up the top five with its $8.3 million gross.

TagsAmerican Sniper, clint eastwood