Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are back—and this time, they’re taking a bite out of the vampire genre. Sinners, the highly anticipated R-rated original thriller from the powerhouse duo behind Creed and Black Panther, is projected to earn between $45 million to $50 million at the domestic box office in its opening weekend, according to reports.
While Warner Bros. is cautiously predicting a more modest $35–$40 million, independent trackers and rival studios believe the film could overperform, potentially crossing the $50 million mark.
Whether it will be enough to dethrone A Minecraft Movie, the current box office champ, remains to be seen. But Sinners is already a standout for an original genre film in a market dominated by sequels, superheroes, and gaming IP.
The supernatural thriller stars Jordan in dual roles and is helmed by Coogler, whose directorial credits include Black Panther—a cultural juggernaut that earned over $2.2 billion globally between its two installments. Jordan, who made his directorial debut with Creed III, delivered the franchise’s most successful outing with $275 million worldwide.
With Sinners, both Coogler and Jordan are betting big on originality, a move that’s increasingly rare in today’s IP-driven industry.
And it’s not just a creative gamble. Sinners cost $90 million to produce—not including its international marketing blitz—and is expected to pull in an additional $10 to $15 million overseas during its debut weekend. For Warner Bros. to see a profit, the film will need to perform consistently over the coming weeks, especially given the absence of built-in fanbases or comic book ties.
Still, there’s a reason for the studio’s confidence. Coogler has earned a level of trust rarely granted in Hollywood—Warner Bros. has reportedly given him ownership rights to the film after 25 years, a deal usually reserved for the Spielbergs and Lucases of the industry.
If early projections hold true, Coogler and Jordan may join a rarefied class of filmmakers who can open an original R-rated film with blockbuster numbers, powered not by capes or franchises, but by craft, star power, and storytelling.
