‘Get Out’ dominates box office with $30.5 M

LOS ANGELES (AP) — 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.

AP Writer-director and producer Jordan Peele instructs actress Betty Gabriel on the set of ‘Get Out.’