Four Huge Records 'American Sniper' Is About to Break -- or Already Did

"American Sniper" is filling theaters across the nation — and destroying old records.

The Sunday estimate of its debut weekend haul: $90.2 million.

In this image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Bradley Cooper appears in a scene from "American Sniper." (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures) 

Here's a look at the records that the Academy Award-nominated "American Sniper" already broke — or could break when final figures are released Monday:

1. Biggest January debut of all time.

   As Business Insider noted, "American Sniper" has easily outdone the previous record-holder, 2014's "Ride Along," which brought in $41.5 million its opening weekend.

2. Biggest debut ever for an R-rated movie.

   "The Matrix Reloaded" earned $91.7 million on its opening weekend back in 2003. When final figures are released Monday, "American Sniper" could surpass the sci-fi sequel.

3. Biggest Clint Eastwood opening.

   The Eastwood-directed "American Sniper" easily shot past the $29.5 million debut of 2008's "Gran Turino."

4. Biggest debut for an Oscar Best Picture nominee.

   That's right — even such blockbusters as "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (debut $72.6 million) and "Titanic" (debut $28.6 million) can't compare to the $90+ million haul of "American Sniper."

See the trailer for "American Sniper" below:

—

Follow Zach Noble (@thezachnoble) on Twitter

[instory-firewire]