Universal's slasher film 'Candyman'&nbsp;has topped North American box offices in its opening weekend, with an estimated $22.4 million take nearly equal to its production budget, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

Analysts said that three-day total surpassed expectations for an R-rated film opening in the Covid-19 era -- and with powerful Hurricane Ida depressing attendance in some Southern states.

The film, written by Jordan Peele and with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the blood-spattered starring role, had a budget of $25 million, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Last week's box office leader, Twentieth Century's sci-fi comedy 'Free Guy,'&nbsp;slipped to second place, at $13.6 million. The family-friendly film stars Ryan Reynolds as an Everyman bank teller who finds he is a character in a huge video game.

In the third spot, also down one position, was Paramount animation 'Paw Patrol: The Movie,'&nbsp;at $6.6 million. Based on a popular kids' television show, it tells the story of a boy named Ryder and the brave pooches who help him save Adventure City from an evil mayor.

In fourth was Disney's family adventure film 'Jungle Cruise'&nbsp;at $5 million, bringing its North American total just past $100 million. The studio is also offering the movie on its Disney Plus streaming service.

And in fifth was horror feature 'Don't Breathe 2'&nbsp;from Sony, at $2.8 million. &nbsp;

Rounding out the top 10 were:

"Respect" ($2.3 million)

"The Suicide Squad" ($2 million)

"The Protege" ($1.7 million)

"The Night House" ($1.2 million)

"Black Widow" ($855,000)

Universal's slasher film 'Candyman' has topped North American box offices in its opening weekend, with an estimated $22.4 million take nearly equal to its production budget, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

Universal's slasher film 'Candyman' has topped North American box offices in its opening weekend, with an estimated $22.4 million take nearly equal to its production budget, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday. Analysts said that three-day total surpassed expectations for an R-rated film opening in the Covid-19 era -- and with powerful Hurricane Ida depressing attendance in some Southern states. The film, written by Jordan Peele and with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the blood-spattered starring role, had a budget of $25 million, according to Hollywood Reporter. Last week's box office leader, Twentieth Century's sci-fi comedy 'Free Guy,' slipped to second place, at $13.6 million. The family-friendly film stars Ryan Reynolds as an Everyman bank teller who finds he is a character in a huge video game. In the third spot, also down one position, was Paramount animation 'Paw Patrol: The Movie,' at $6.6 million. Based on a popular kids' television show, it tells the story of a boy named Ryder and the brave pooches who help him save Adventure City from an evil mayor. In fourth was Disney's family adventure film 'Jungle Cruise' at $5 million, bringing its North American total just past $100 million. The studio is also offering the movie on its Disney Plus streaming service. And in fifth was horror feature 'Don't Breathe 2' from Sony, at $2.8 million. Rounding out the top 10 were: "Respect" ($2.3 million) "The Suicide Squad" ($2 million) "The Protege" ($1.7 million) "The Night House" ($1.2 million) "Black Widow" ($855,000)

Slasher film 'Candyman' slices way to top North America box office

As news release ‘Candyman’ wows audiences in the US, director Nia DaCosta has achieved a feat that no other Black female filmmaker has before. She has become the first Black female director to debut a movie in the number 1 spot at the US box office.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-slasher-film-candyman-slices-way-to-top-namerica-box-office-409302" hreflang="en">Slasher film 'Candyman' slices way to top N.America box office</a>

The film has witnessed an opening of $20.4 million and has pushed down all other films in the competition for space and numbers.&nbsp;

The film ‘Candyman’ also marks the second-highest grossing 3-day domestic weekend box office opening for a Black female director; that record owned by Ava DuVernay and her Disney movie ‘A Wrinkle In Time’ which debuted in the No. 2 spot over the weekend of March 9-11, 2018.

Nia DaCosta not only directed the film but also co-wrote ‘Candyman’ with Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld.

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The top five openings for movies at the US box office helmed by Black women directors are ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ ($33.1M), ‘Candyman’ ($20.4M), ‘Little’ ($15.4M, dir. Tina Gordon),’ The Photograph’ ($12.1M, dir. Stella Meghie), and ‘Queen &amp; Slim’ ($11.89M, dir. Melina Matsoukas).

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/good-news-for-michael-jackson-fans-brother-reveals-a-new-album-in-works-with-music-he-left-behind-409340" hreflang="en">Good news for Michael Jackson fans! Brother reveals a new album in works with music 'he left behind'</a></h2>

Nia DaCosta is currently in production on the highly anticipated ‘Captain Marvel’ sequel, ‘The Marvels’. Directing this film makes her the first Black woman to direct a Marvel Studios picture. The superhero film, starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani, is scheduled to be released November 11, 2022.

As news release ‘Candyman’ wows audiences in the US, director Nia DaCosta has achieved a feat that no other Black female filmmaker has before. She has become the first Black female director to debut a movie in the number 1 spot at the US box office.

As news release ‘Candyman’ wows audiences in the US, director Nia DaCosta has achieved a feat that no other Black female filmmaker has before. She has become the first Black female director to debut a movie in the number 1 spot at the US box office. Slasher film 'Candyman' slices way to top N.America box office The film has witnessed an opening of $20.4 million and has pushed down all other films in the competition for space and numbers. The film ‘Candyman’ also marks the second-highest grossing 3-day domestic weekend box office opening for a Black female director; that record owned by Ava DuVernay and her Disney movie ‘A Wrinkle In Time’ which debuted in the No. 2 spot over the weekend of March 9-11, 2018. Nia DaCosta not only directed the film but also co-wrote ‘Candyman’ with Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld. After much hype and delay, Kanye West's 'Donda' has arrived The top five openings for movies at the US box office helmed by Black women directors are ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ ($33.1M), ‘Candyman’ ($20.4M), ‘Little’ ($15.4M, dir. Tina Gordon),’ The Photograph’ ($12.1M, dir. Stella Meghie), and ‘Queen & Slim’ ($11.89M, dir. Melina Matsoukas). Good news for Michael Jackson fans! Brother reveals a new album in works with music 'he left behind' Nia DaCosta is currently in production on the highly anticipated ‘Captain Marvel’ sequel, ‘The Marvels’. Directing this film makes her the first Black woman to direct a Marvel Studios picture. The superhero film, starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani, is scheduled to be released November 11, 2022.

'Candyman' director Nia DaCosta becomes the first Black female filmmaker to debut film at No 1 box office spot

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Slasher film 'Candyman' slices way to top North America box office

'Candyman' director Nia DaCosta becomes the first Black female filmmaker to debut film at No 1 box office spot