“American Sniper,” the highly-anticipated movie about Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, received a coveted Oscar nomination for best picture of 2015.

The Clint Eastwood-directed film, starring Bradley Cooper in the biographical film about Kyle, received six nominations from the academy, which often shies away from war movies.

Mr. Cooper, the actor who played Kyle in “American Sniper,” also received a nomination for best actor — and “American Sniper’s” Jason Hall, for writing.

“American Sniper” is based on Kyle’s best-selling memoir and is due for general theater release on Friday.

In other developments:

Two extravagant comedies, “Birdman” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” tied for the most Oscar nominations Thursday morning with nine nods each, including best picture.

They were joined in best-picture nominations by “Boyhood,” ”Whiplash,” ”The Theory of Everything,” ”The Imitation Game,” ”American Sniper” and “Selma.”

“The Imitation Game” trailed close behind with eight nominations.

Richard Linklater’s coming-of-age epic “Boyhood,” which remains the best-picture favorite, joined “American Sniper” with six nominations.

Last year’s Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, drew 43 million viewers, making it the most-watched entertainment telecast in a decade. “12 Years a Slave” took best picture.

This year’s ceremony on Feb. 22 will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

- Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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