NEW YORK — In a surprising break from current trends, Ryan Coogler’s innovative film “Sinners,” starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, soared to success at the box office this weekend, earning $45.6 million in ticket sales across the United States and Canada. Released by Warner Bros., the movie defied the norm that recognizable franchises dominate, instead drawing audiences with its unique storytelling and the combined star power of Coogler and Jordan.
Produced for around $90 million, “Sinners” is a daring blend of originality and genre flair. Ryan Coogler, known for his work on “Creed” and “Black Panther,” directed and produced this vampire-themed narrative set in 1932, revolving around twin brothers involved in bootlegging. Taking place in Mississippi, the film showcases Jordan in a compelling twin role.
Not far behind in the box office rank was “A Minecraft Movie,” this year’s blockbuster, which grossed $41.3 million in its third week. This impressive number adds to its global revenue, which has reached $720.8 million. With these figures, Warner Bros. savored a fruitful weekend, combining success in both original content and established intellectual property.
Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, who lead Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, acknowledged the impact of both movies on audiences, capturing 64% of domestic box office sales over the Easter weekend. Their official statement praised the cinematic experience and reaffirmed Warner Bros.’ dedication to offering unparalleled theater experiences, whether through original stories or adaptations of well-known works.
“Sinners” turned heads, particularly due to the extraordinary terms Warner Bros. agreed to with Coogler, including a share of the box office and eventual ownership of the film—a rare deal—indicative of confidence in Coogler’s vision. This collaboration, along with Jordan, has yielded a rich legacy since their first team-up in “Fruitvale Station.” With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 98% “fresh” and an “A” CinemaScore from audiences, “Sinners” delighted viewers with its supernatural drama.
Internationally, however, “Sinners” faced greater challenges, accumulating $15.4 million across 71 markets. Within the U.S., it attracted a varied audience: 38% were Black, 35% white, 18% Hispanic, and 5% Asian.
Previously, Warner Bros. experienced difficulties with films featuring dual roles; for example, “The Alto Knights” with Robert De Niro and “Mickey 17” featuring Robert Pattinson both underperformed. Yet, “Sinners” managed a strong opening, likely to be upheld by positive word of mouth, further enhancing Coogler’s reputation as a director who can draw significant audiences. Comparatively, Jordan Peele’s “Nope” had a similar debut with $44.3 million.
In another weekend release, Angel Studios’ “The King of Kings,” an animated retelling of Jesus’ life, performed strongly during its second week owing to Easter, bringing in $17.2 million, nearly matching its launch earnings of $19.1 million and totaling $45.3 million domestically.
Meanwhile, Andrew Ahn’s “The Wedding Banquet,” a modern rendition of Ang Lee’s 1993 film, opened in 1,142 theaters in North America, earning $922,906. It garnered attention at the Sundance Film Festival, featuring a talented ensemble cast including Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang.
The weekend box office rankings, factoring in estimated earnings from Friday to Sunday, were as follows:
1. “Sinners,” $45.6 million.
2. “A Minecraft Movie,” $41.3 million.
3. “The King of Kings,” $17.3 million.
4. “The Amateur,” $7.2 million.
5. “Warfare,” $4.9 million.
6. “Drop,” $3.4 million.
7. “Colorful Stage: The Movie,” $2.8 million.
8. “Pride & Prejudice” (2005), $2.7 million.
9. “The Chosen: Last Supper,” $1.8 million.
10. “Snow White,” $1.2 million.