n a stunning Easter weekend upset, Ryan Coogler’s supernatural vampire thriller Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, claimed the top spot at the box office with a powerful $45.6 million domestic opening. This marks a major victory not only for Coogler but for Warner Bros., who also saw continued global success with its family-friendly blockbuster, Minecraft, now surpassing $720 million worldwide.
What began as a solid Friday showing of $19.2 million for Sinners surged unexpectedly over Saturday and Sunday, driven by strong word-of-mouth and walk-in traffic. Originally projected to land around $40 million, the film exceeded expectations thanks to glowing 97% critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes and an impressive A CinemaScore from audiences. Internationally, it racked up an additional $15.4 million, bringing its global debut to $61 million.
Set in 1932 Mississippi, Sinners features Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers Smoke and Stack—entrepreneurs returning to their segregated hometown to open a juke joint, only to confront supernatural horrors. The film, crafted entirely under the creative leadership of WB’s Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, had a production budget of $90 million. It’s the first original R-rated period genre film to debut this strong since Jordan Peele’s Us in 2019.
“Movies have the power to transport us to worlds only seen on the big screen,” said De Luca and Abdy. “We’re thrilled to see how Ryan Coogler’s original film and a movie based on the beloved Minecraft game have resonated with audiences so strongly.”
Meanwhile, Minecraft, entering its third weekend, posted a still-impressive $41.3 million from 4,032 North American locations. With an additional $59 million overseas this weekend, it now sits at $720.8 million globally, making it the first contender of 2025 to flirt with the coveted $1 billion milestone.
Demographically, Sinners played to an ethnically diverse audience:
- 38% Black
- 35% White
- 18% Latino
- 5% Asian
- 4% Native American/Other
according to PostTrak.
The film’s strong appeal, powerful performances, and rich Southern gothic themes have sparked buzz among critics and fans alike. Coogler, known for Fruitvale Station, Creed, and the Black Panther series, has now directed five consecutive hits with Jordan in the lead.
Elsewhere at the box office:
- Angel Studios’ The King of Kings earned $17.3 million, holding strong in its second weekend with only an 11% drop.
- Disney/20th Century’s The Amateur, starring Rami Malek, made $7.2 million for a $64.3M global total.
- A24’s Warfare, the gritty Iraq War drama, closed the top five with $4.9 million.
While Minecraft may still dominate global numbers, Sinners has delivered a jolt of fresh energy to original filmmaking and R-rated genre cinema—an unexpected Easter gift for fans and Warner Bros. alike.
