In the wake of a triumphant box office debut, acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler is extending heartfelt gratitude to audiences worldwide for their overwhelming support of his latest cinematic work, Sinners. The emotionally resonant horror drama, which stars longtime collaborator Michael B. Jordan, topped the domestic box office over the Easter weekend, pulling in an impressive $48 million and outpacing even the heavily anticipated Minecraft Movie.
But for Coogler, the numbers tell only part of the story.
“Eternal gratitude. My heart is bursting with it,” the director penned in a deeply personal open letter addressed to fans. “I want to thank each and every one of you who bought a ticket to see Sinners. Who decided to drive to see the film in different formats. Who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a sitter and carpooled, and stood in the lobby afterward and talked and made a friend. Who changed their work schedules. Who saw the film in groups.”
Sinners follows twin brothers who return to their hometown in hopes of starting fresh, only to find themselves haunted by a greater, ancestral evil that refuses to let go. The film’s haunting beauty and emotionally complex storytelling resonated powerfully with audiences, earning near-perfect reviews and stellar audience scores.
“I want to thank you all who watched more than once, who recommended the film to others, both in person and on social media or on your text message chains,” Coogler added, his words drenched in sincerity.
For Coogler, this project was deeply personal. “I had the gift of the opportunity of making a film inspired by my family and my ancestry,” he wrote. “But it was always a film that we wanted to make for audiences, in theaters. We always had our minds on you, the audience, and felt a deep responsibility to entertain you, and move you in the way only cinema can.”
Known for modern classics like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther, Coogler reaffirmed his unshakable belief in the theatrical experience:
“I believe in cinema. I believe in the theatrical experience. I believe it is a necessary pillar of society”
In an age where streaming dominates, Coogler’s dedication to in-theater storytelling feels both nostalgic and revolutionary. “The global theatrical audience has allowed me to dream, find a career, and build a more sustainable life for me and my family. And the only way that I know how to thank you for that,” he continued,
“is by continuing to mine my personal human experience and my relationships for more stories to bring to you in cinematic language”
The director also took a moment to acknowledge the creative giants whose influence helped shape Sinners. “When penning the script and bringing the film to life, I unabashedly reached towards my cinematic influences,” he revealed, listing a powerful pantheon of industry visionaries: Spike Lee, John Singleton, Ernie Barnes, Steve McQueen, Ava DuVernay, Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Jordan Peele, David Cronenberg, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, and Stephen King, among others.
With Sinners, Ryan Coogler has not only crafted a box office success but delivered a film that taps into cultural memory, spiritual dread, and the resilience of the human spirit. And for him, the reward isn’t just in the numbers—it’s in the connection.
“To see your response to the film has invigorated me and many others who believe in this art form”
