The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›American Sniper
Entertainment • Film

American Sniper

American Sniper is a 2014 American biographical war drama film directed and co-produced by Clint Eastwood.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

American Sniper is a 2014 American biographical war drama film directed and co-produced by Clint Eastwood. It stars Bradley Cooper as U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and is based on Kyle’s memoir, written with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. The film follows Kyle’s four tours in Iraq and the strain his service places on his family life.

Plot and subject

American Sniper dramatizes the life of Chris Kyle, a U.S. Navy SEAL sniper who served four tours in Iraq. The film emphasizes both his battlefield role and the pressures his military service placed on his marriage and family.

Production and release

The film was directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Jason Hall, with Bradley Cooper in the lead role. It was released in 2014 and is adapted from Kyle’s memoir American Sniper.

Reception and awards

The film was a major box-office success and received six Academy Award nominations. Sources also describe it as Eastwood’s most commercially successful film and the highest-grossing war film ever released.

Historical basis

The film is based on Kyle’s memoir, but later commentary noted that it takes dramatic liberties with parts of his life story. Its central factual frame remains Kyle’s military service and death in 2013.

Key facts

  • The film is based on Chris Kyle’s memoir of the same name.
  • Bradley Cooper portrays Chris Kyle.
  • The story centers on Kyle’s service as a Navy SEAL sniper during the Iraq War and the effects on his home life.
  • It received six Academy Award nominations.
  • The film became the highest-grossing war film of all time, with worldwide box office reported at over $547 million.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was widely discussed in Canada as part of broader international coverage of the Iraq War, military memoir adaptations, and awards-season cinema. Canadian readers may also know it through streaming, television, and home-video release availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is American Sniper about?
It is about U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, focusing on his service in Iraq and the effects of war on his family life.
Who directed American Sniper?
Clint Eastwood directed and co-produced the film.
Who plays Chris Kyle?
Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle.
What is American Sniper based on?
It is based on Chris Kyle’s memoir American Sniper, written with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice.
How many Oscars was it nominated for?
It received six Academy Award nominations.
Was American Sniper a box-office success?
Yes. Sources describe it as the highest-grossing war film of all time, with worldwide gross reported at over $547 million.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Sniper
    Supports: 2014 release, director Clint Eastwood, writer Jason Hall, memoir basis, and Chris Kyle background
  2. American Sniper — https://americansniper.com/pages/american-sniper-movie
    Supports: Director, starring Bradley Cooper, and box-office claim of over $547 million worldwide
  3. Movie Insider — https://www.movieinsider.com/m10335/american-sniper
    Supports: Plot synopsis and release information
  4. Time — https://time.com/3672295/american-sniper-fact-check/
    Supports: Chris Kyle’s four tours in Iraq, memoir basis, and biographical context
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_sniper
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, rating, and theatrical release date
  6. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2179136/
    Supports: Cast, plot summary, and Chris Kyle identification