Box Office: ‘American Sniper’ still no. 1 on Friday, but for how much longer?

Superbowl weekend can often be slow at the box office. Especially since most of America is in front of their TV sets all day on Sunday.  Many studios have tried to counter program with female or teen themed films, but it rarely works.  One movie studio, Warner Bros., won't be ignoring the returns this year because they have “American Sniper” on their team.

Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated blockbuster took in another $10 million on Friday for a $227.1 million overall come that was mostly earned over 15 days of wide release. The Super Bowl does make three-day projections difficult, but “Sniper” should clear at least $28-30 million over the frame with a final tally of $300 million plus a given at this point. It will easily be no. 1 for a third straight weekend, but beyond that? “Jupiter Ascending” and “The Spongebob Movie: A Sponge Out of Water” have a shot at taking the top spot next weekend. If not, “Sniper's” reign will absolutely end when “50 Shades of Grey” finally arrives on Valentine's Day.

Debuting at no. 2 on Friday was Paramount Pictures' long delayed Sci-Fi adventure “Project Almanac.” The MTV Films branded flick took in just $3.1 million for what could be a $7-9 million weekend.  That would be under pre-release projections and even though it cost only a reported $12 million its dicey that “Almanac” will end up anything more than break even for the studio.

The Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer melodrama “Black or White” came in third with $2.2 million.  It should end up with $6-7 million by end of day Sunday.  Critics didn't embrace the Costner produced and financed film, but audiences gave it an strong A- grade which may help its word of mouth.

Jennifer Lopez's “The Boy Next Door” took in $2.1 million for $20.6 million in just eight days.  With a reported $4 million budget, “Next Door” is a solid single for star Jennifer Lopez whose next film, “Lila & Eve,” closed the 2015 Sundance Film Festival Friday night.

“Paddington” rounded out the top five on Friday with another $1.9 million and $43.9 million to date.  The critically acclaimed family film hasn't held up as many had hoped for based on the reviews, but it will be a very profitable endeavor for The Weinstein Company who picked it up for U.S. distribution.

Look for final weekend estimates tomorrow on HitFix.

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