Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ scares up big $30.5 million debut

LOS ANGELES >> Great reviews and buzz propelled comedian Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, the micro-budget thriller “Get Out,” to a chart-topping opening weekend with $30.5 million according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Blumhouse-produced and Universal Pictures-distributed film cost an estimated $4.5 million to make. While it was expected to perform well against its budget, few people foresaw a debut this big — especially with a relatively unknown star in Daniel Kaluuya leading the film.

Part of the reason is positive reviews. “Get Out” has a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is extremely rare for a thriller and only added to the excitement going into the weekend, said Universal President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution Nick Carpou.

“Jordan Peele is an absolute talent,” he said. “As we got closer and closer to opening, it’s amazing how many people were rooting for it.”