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Nia DaCosta Is 1st Black Female Director to Debut at No. 1 at the Domestic Box Office

“Candyman,” a sequel to the 1992 original, claimed No. 1 over the second place “Free Guy”

Director Nia DaCosta
Rachel Murray/Getty Images

“Candyman” hooked the top spot at the North American box office.

The Universal Pictures film starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II impressively pulled in more than $22.3 million through a quiet weekend despite concerns over the delta variant. The R-rated horror movie, co-written by Jordan Peele and directed by Nia DaCosta, delves into an urban legend that believes if someone repeats “Candyman” five times in front of a mirror, that person would summon the hook-handed killer.

The sequel is a follow up to the original “Candyman” in 1992. The new film expects to gross $5.23 million in 51 international markets.

DaCosta has thus made history, becoming the first Black female director to have a movie debut at No. 1 at the domestic box office, according to Deadline.

The highly anticipated Captain Marvel sequel, "The Marvels," is currently in production with DaCosta also directing. She is the first Black woman to direct a Marvel Studios film. It's scheduled to release in 2022.

AP/NBC
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