Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners,” featuring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, exceeded industry expectations with a strong $48 million domestic opening over Easter weekend, topping the chart and surpassing the popular blockbuster “Minecraft,” which took in $40.5 million.
Despite some skepticism due to the film’s substantial $90 million-plus budget, “Sinners” demonstrated the viability of original storytelling in today’s film market. The Warner Bros. release, which earned $63.5 million globally, strategically marketed the film as a cinematic event, heavily emphasizing its visual spectacle and unique storytelling.
Initially envisioned by Coogler as a small-scale, indie-style production, the project’s ambitions expanded significantly after a transformative visit to Mississippi, inspiring a grander, mythic vision. Warner Bros. supported this creative shift, pushing for an expansive release in IMAX and other premium formats, a move that ultimately resonated strongly with audiences.
A significant 45% of the film’s domestic opening weekend revenue came from premium large-format screens, with an unprecedented 20% attributed to IMAX screenings—the highest ever recorded for a horror film in the format.
The success of “Sinners” is notable not only for Warner Bros. but for the industry as a whole, signaling a strong market appetite for original films beyond sequels, remakes, and adaptations. With “Sinners” having the biggest opening for an original movie since the pandemic—beating out previous record-holder “Nope”—the film is well-positioned to continue performing robustly, potentially covering its production costs and proving the enduring power of original content in cinema.