Los Angeles, California – Despite facing strong competition from other films, the original R-rated vampire thriller “Sinners,” helmed by director Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, dominated the box office in its debut weekend. The film’s success can be attributed to glowing reviews and the popularity of Coogler and Jordan.
“Sinners” raked in an impressive $45.6 million from 3,308 theaters in North America, making it the best opening for an original film since 2019’s “Us.” However, the film’s hefty $90 million production cost poses a question regarding its profitability, especially considering the additional global marketing expenses.
Internationally, “Sinners” continued its success, bringing in an additional $15.4 million for a total global gross of $61 million. David A. Gross, who leads the FranchiseRe movie consulting firm, commended the film’s opening performance but noted the challenge posed by its high production cost.
In contrast, Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie” was expected to top the box office for the third consecutive weekend but fell to second place with a strong $41.3 million. The PG video game adaptation, starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, has been a massive hit, grossing $344 domestically and $720.8 million worldwide.
“Sinners” introduces Jordan portraying identical twins in a 1930s setting, where they encounter vampires in a Southern town. The film received high praise from moviegoers, earning an “A” grade on CinemaScore exit polls. Additionally, “Sinners” boasts outstanding reviews, with a near-perfect 98% average on Rotten Tomatoes, setting a positive tone for word-of-mouth success.
Diverse audiences turned out to watch “Sinners,” with Black, white, Hispanic, and Asian viewers all well-represented in the initial ticket sales. Furthermore, premium large formats like Imax, Dolby, and 4DX garnered significant sales, with Imax alone accounting for 20% of the film’s revenues.
The successful collaboration between Coogler and Jordan, known for their work on films like “Creed” and “Black Panther,” solidifies their position as Hollywood talents capable of drawing crowds based on their names alone. Warner Bros.’ investment in “Sinners” not only involved massive funding but also a rare agreement for Coogler to eventually own the film rights after 25 years.
Overall, the performances of “Sinners” and “A Minecraft Movie” mark a turning point for Warner Bros. after previous theatrical disappointments. The box office landscape, although showing improvement from previous weeks, is still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Upcoming releases like Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” and Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” remake are hoped to revitalize box office revenues further.