Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper Now Available on Netflix
After more than a decade since its initial release and multiple accolades, Clint Eastwood’s most commercially successful film, American Sniper, is now available for streaming on Netflix. At 94 years old, Eastwood remains an iconic figure in Hollywood, having directed numerous critically acclaimed films and having maintained a prolific career as an actor, particularly recognized for his contributions to the Western genre. His journey as a director began with his 1971 debut, Play Misty for Me, a psychological thriller that explores the turmoil faced by a DJ named Dave after a romantic entanglement with a dangerously obsessed fan, Evelyn.
Success and Accolades of American Sniper
American Sniper, based on Chris Kyle’s 2012 autobiography, depicts the harrowing experiences of the Navy SEAL sniper, revealing a raw glimpse into warfare. The film, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, garnered six Oscar nominations in 2015, including a Best Actor nod for Cooper. The book from which the film is adapted sold over 1.2 million copies, placing it among the top-selling books globally in 2015.
In addition to Bradley Cooper, the film features notable performances from Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Jake McDorman, and Luke Grimes. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 72% and an audience rating of 84%, American Sniper has drawn mixed reviews. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian criticized the film as “a disappointment,”while Kenneth Turan from the LA Times praised its action sequences and craftsmanship, suggesting that viewers become immersed in the film’s combat chaos.
The Box Office Triumph of American Sniper
Released theatrically on December 25, 2014, American Sniper strategically timed its debut for the holiday season and awards buzz. The film emerged as Clint Eastwood’s highest-grossing project both as a director and an actor, bringing in a staggering $548 million globally and solidifying its status as a box office phenomenon.
With a production budget of just $59 million, the film represented a remarkable financial triumph for its creators, including Eastwood and Cooper. Furthermore, it stands as Bradley Cooper’s highest-grossing film outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bested only by The Hangover II.
As reported by Box Office Mojo, nearly 64% of the film’s total earnings came from domestic audiences, amounting to over $350 million from both the United States and North America, while international markets contributed approximately $197.5 million. After a modest opening weekend grossing around $633,000, the film expanded to 3,885 theaters by January 16, 2015, drawing in $107.2 million during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
Award Recognition for Bradley Cooper
With American Sniper, Bradley Cooper secured his third Academy Award nomination following his previous nods for Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. Although the film only captured one Oscar for Best Sound Editing, it remains a significant landmark in Cooper’s career, though it lost the Best Picture title to Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman.
Cooper’s accolades extend to a total of 12 Oscar nominations, including a Best Picture nomination for American Sniper as a producer. He has also been recognized for his roles in films like A Star Is Born, Joker, Nightmare Alley, and Maestro. While American Sniper did not secure him an Oscar, its overwhelming success at the box office has solidified it as one of his most influential and popular films.
Sources: The Guardian, LA Times, Box Office Mojo