Jordan Peele’s Us has made big bucks in its opening weekend, but it also made history.
After the film generated $70 million over the weekend, it reportedly became the best opening weekend for an original horror movie ever, beating A Quiet Place, according to Variety. It also became the best opening for an original R-rated movie.
Peele also surpassed his freshman debut, Get Out, which debuted with a $33 million in 2017. Us nearly doubled projections, which estimated a three-day total in the $38 million to $45 million range.
The horror flick tells the story of Gabe (Winston Duke) and Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o), who take their kids on a family trip to Adelaide’s old childhood beach house. Soon, the vacation becomes a nightmare when Adelaide becomes increasingly paranoid that something will happen to her family.
Peele told ESSENCE earlier this month that he wanted Black audiences to see Us first because “I make these [Black horror] movies because I want to push the boundaries of representation in my favorite genre. If a version went out there into the world without Black people seeing it first, I would’ve had a problem. It doesn’t make sense to me.”
What a way to end opening weekend! I’ve felt the support all around (woweee New York Times this week!) and am grateful for this moment.
I’m having so much fun and looks like many of you had a scary good time at the theater this weekend too. ✂️🎟❤️ pic.twitter.com/483bz6VtG1
