"American Sniper" won the box office crushing all newcomers and becoming one of the highest grossing films of 2014.

The Clint Eastwood drama made another $64 million and was down only 27 percent. After two weeks in wide release, the movie has already grossed $200 million and now looks to end its run close to $250 million. "American Sniper" is showing legs especially since it is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and has obtained solid word of mouth. The movie now ranks as the highest grossing film for Clint Eastwood and the highest grossing Best Picture nominee of the year.

In second place, "The Boy Next Door" debuted with an estimated $15 million in 2,602 theaters. The opening was on par with what most analysts expected and was the best opening for a Jennifer Lopez live action film since the 2005 comedy "Monster-in-Law." The film benefited from JLo's appeal even though reviews were dismal. With no other Latino film on the horizon, this thriller could continue strong for the next week.

The Weinstein Company continued strong with "Paddington." The family film made $12.3 million in its second frame and has now made $40 million in two weeks. The lack of family films, strong reviews and a strong marketing campaign are helping the movie become a surprise success. Expect the movie to end its run close to $60 million.

In its second weekend, "The Wedding Ringer" made another $11.6 million. The film has made $39 million in two weeks and is playing strong among Kevin Hart fans. Expect the movie to end its run close to the $55 million mark.

In fifth place, "Taken 3" added another $7.6 million and brought its gross to $76 million. The film is currently on track to become the worst grossing installment of the series.

Meanwhile, the Weinstein Company continued to surge with "The Imitation Game," which made $7.1 million and brought its gross to $60 million. The film has now become the highest grossing Indie film of 2014 and is on track to make $100 million if strong word-of-mouth continues.

The new release "Strange Magic" flopped in seventh place as it only made $5.5 million in 3,020 theaters. Although it was produced by George Lucas' the movie scored terrible reviews and the marketing campaign was not strong. Family audiences also preferred "Paddington" which has gotten strong word-of-mouth.

"Mortdecai" premiered in ninth place and made a dismal $4 million. The film marks the fourth flop for a Johnny Depp vehicle. Not only did the film score terrible reviews but audiences seem to have grown tired of Depp's theatrics and the poor quality of projects the actor has taken on in the past few years. Except for "Into the Woods," in which Depp has a supporting role, his past projects have all scored terrible reviews. Lionsgate hoped that his star power would make this film a success. However, after the opening, this $60 million production is likely to fade in the next week.

In limited release, "Cake" opened to $1 million in 482 theaters. The total was better than most expected, but it is still not satisfactory for a film that stars Jennifer Aniston. However, the lack of enthusiasm was due in part to the Oscar snub and the bad reviews.

Focus Features opened "Black Sea" in five theaters and made $35,000. That is equivalent to $7,000 per theater average and while it is not terrible, it is disappointing especially with the great reviews. However Focus Feature's decision to release the drama during awards season was a risk.

Roadside Attractions also saw mixed results for Canada's Oscar submission "Mommy." The Xavier Dolan film opened to $21,000 in four theaters.

A number of Oscar nominees continued to expand and saw good results. Front-runner "Birdman" expanded into 833 theaters and made an estimated $1.9 million. To date, the dramedy has made $30.9 million and could add another $10 million, especially if it wins the Screen Actors Guild award this weekend.

Focus Features expanded the Oscar nominee "The Theory of Everything" into 858 theaters. The Stephen Hawking drama brought in $1.3 million. The drama has now made $29 million and will likely continue to play to solid figures throughout the next weeks.

Related