Ryan Coogler’s Sinners debuted to a strong $45.6 million at the domestic box office, topping the global charts with $61 million total in its opening weekend, according to Variety.
The Southern Gothic horror film, set in 1932 Mississippi, also brought in $15.4 million internationally across 71 territories. Its domestic debut marks one of the strongest openings for an original, non-franchise film this year, surpassing Minecraft: The Movie and several other studio tentpoles.
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Coogler, known for Creed and Black Panther, reunites with Michael B. Jordan, who stars in dual roles as twin brothers who return home to open a juke joint—only to face a rising vampire threat. Sinners marks the fifth project Coogler and Jordan have worked on together.
The cast also includes Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, and Jayme Lawson.
Critics have praised Sinners for its originality and historical resonance. The film currently holds a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received an “A” CinemaScore from audiences. It blends horror with Southern Black folklore, offering a chilling narrative layered with themes of identity, power, and protection.
“That star power for ‘Sinners’ (and) really kind of a fresh, original take on the vampire movie (genre) … helped bring out moviegoers,” Shawn Robbins, director of movie analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory, told CNN.
The film is also making headlines for the unprecedented deal behind its release. Coogler secured a historic agreement with Warner Bros. that gave him creative control, a share of the film’s gross revenue from day one, and full ownership rights of the movie after 25 years. The deal represents a seismic shift in Hollywood’s power dynamics and stands as a cultural statement on the importance of Black ownership in the entertainment industry.
