If you say Nia DaCosta’s name 5 times in the mirror, you might just summon a box office champion. DaCosta’s Candyman sequel surpassed expectations, hooking audiences for a debut atop the box office last weekend with over 23 million. History has been made with DaCosta now being the first Black woman director to EVER top the domestic box office. Candyman also boasts the largest opening weekend for any horror film directed by a woman.
Only Ava DuVernay has ever had a higher domestic box office opening for A Wrinkle in TIme with 33 million. However, A Wrinkle in Time still technically debuted at number two it’s opening week. While DaCosta’s achievement is worth celebrating, it’s a pretty embarrassing reflection of the industry as a whole that it took so long for a Black woman director to top the box office.
All in all, Candyman’s 23 million bodes well in pandemic times, especially with the newest wave of local restrictions due to the Delta variant surge. Candyman took a risk by not being available for streaming or video-on-demand services, unlike most theatrical releases in the past year. Surely, being produced and co-written by Oscar winner Jordan Peele helped the project’s numbers regardless.
Director Nia DaCosta is already working on her next blockbuster feat with Captain Marvel sequel The Marvels, which is set to reunite her with Candyman actress Teyonah Parris. Here’s hoping DaCosta is summoned once more for a potential Candyman sequel.