Why didn't ZDT make American Sniper kind of money?

I thought Zero Dark Thirty was a great film. Had better previews than American Sniper, edgier direction and more interesting subject matter. Overall, a much better movie. But Sniper is making an insane of money. It made more in its first weekend than ZDT grossed in entire run.

Why?

Were (general) audiences not yet ready for an Iraq/Afghanistan War themed movie? Were they turned away by the idea of a female lead in a military movie?

You can't say it's the appeal of Bradley Cooper because he's been involved in some major box office disappointments. Or the Clint Eastwood aspect. Hardly anyone saw his underrated Jersey Girls.

So, what was it? Why wasn't ZDT a bigger hit than it was, and why is Sniper making so much? I would even argue that many of the people who lined up to see Sniper in its first weekend weren't even familiar with Zero.


"Visions are worth fighting for. Why spend your life making someone else's dreams?"