If you want proof that our American pals love a good shoot-em-up then the box-office performance of American Sniper is all the ammo you need.

The movie has smashed box-office records by raking in over $90 million this past weekend, the highest for a January or February release in recorded history. That amounts to more than double the previous January record, previously held by Ride Along. Some more records from Mic:

American Sniper also became the largest R-rated IMAX opening with $11.5 million over four days, outranking Prometheus’ $9 million.

…with a Friday pull of $30.5 million, it’s the biggest January Friday ever, beating Cloverfield and its $17.2 million.

The list of records is extensive, and considering that the beginning of the year usually means lower numbers for motion picture releases the movie is generating a massive buzz. This from Mic:

…one studio executive described the weekend by saying, “It felt like we opened against a Marvel movie. The people portrayed in American Sniper— these are real life heroes to people in the same way that Marvel characters are heroes to fanboys. But it’s the Marvel concept for adults.

American Sniper is due to hit cinemas in South Africa this Friday. Check out the trailer above and click HERE for the rest of the records.

[source:mic]