Ryan Coogler’s Acclaimed Horror Masterpiece Becomes Netflix’s Biggest Hit
By Denis Kimathi
Published Oct 12, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT
Denis is a news writer for Collider with close to five years of experience in the industry. He has analyzed shows across different genres, formats, and styles. His favorite types of articles to write are exciting news updates and episodic deep-dives. He might say he doesn't have a favorite show, but he has watched The Wire, Shameless, The Big Bang Theory, and The Blacklist more than once. Denis is increasingly becoming focused on the global streaming arena and how media connects with audiences in various markets.
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Ryan Coogler has a career that would make most Hollywood directors a bit jealous. The writer-director has produced history-making movies at a very young age, ranging from Hollywood IP blockbusters to original ideas. He has directed the Creed franchise since the mid-2010s, before joining Marvel to direct the massive hit Black Panther and its sequel, Wakanda Forever.
At this stage, many directors get comfortable and settle into what's familiar, but last year, Coogler did something different, and it worked. The director moved away from the gritty, action-oriented narratives he's known for and directed a horror movie. This movie was his first original idea and was a major gamble. He also enlisted long-time collaborator Michael B. Jordan in the lead role.
The film, titled Sinners, became a massive critical and box-office success. With a near-perfect score from critics and viewers, Sinners remains Coogler's best movie to date. Critics called it "a rip-roaring fusion of masterful visual storytelling and toe-tapping music," while viewers called it a "deliciously vicious vampire movie" that is "unapologetically Black."
Sinners closed with an estimated worldwide lifetime total of $371 million against a $90 million production budget and approximately $60 million in additional costs. The film recently arrived on Netflix in international territories, giving viewers who missed the chance to see it in theaters a chance to experience the riveting tale of music and horror.
Sinners has been one of the most-watched movies on the streamer in the last week, peaking at number five according to FlixPatrol's rankings.