NEW YORK – Jordan Peele has done it again. Two years after the filmmaker’s “Get Out” became a box-office sensation, his frightening follow-up, “Us,” debuted with $70.3 million in ticket sales, according to estimates Sunday.

“Us” took over the top spot at the box office from “Captain Marvel,” which had reigned for two weeks. The Marvel Studios superhero release slid to second place with $35 million in its third week.

But all eyes were on Peele in anticipation of his sophomore effort. In today’s franchise-driven movie world, seldom has a young director been such a draw for moviegoers.

“Get Out” opened with $33.4 million domestically before grossing $255.4 million on a $4.5 million budget. “Us” cost $20 million to make, meaning it’s already a huge hit.

Rounding out the rest of the top five: The animated family film “Wonder Park” fell to third with $9 million, teen romance “Five Feet Apart” was fourth with $8.8 million and “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” the final film in the franchise, finished fifth with $6.5 million

Final numbers are expected Monday.

Contributing: Kim Willis

 

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2019/03/24/jordan-peeles-us-totally-kills-box-office-70-3-m-debut/3261366002/