Ryan Coogler’s Sinners Wraps Up with N775M in West Africa, Becomes 5th Highest-Grossing Film
Ryan Coogler’s supernatural crime thriller Sinners has officially concluded its box office run across West African cinemas, earning a remarkable ₦775,803,516 after 13 weeks on screen. The film ended its theatrical journey on Thursday, July 17, 2025, securing its place as the fifth highest-grossing film in West African history, unadjusted for inflation.
Produced, written, and directed by Ryan Coogler — the celebrated filmmaker behind Black Panther and Creed — Sinners first debuted in Nigerian cinemas with an impressive ₦79.6 million opening weekend. Its strong debut signaled a powerful appetite among West African audiences for genre films that combine horror, crime, and supernatural elements.
The story, set during the Great Depression, follows twin brothers portrayed by Michael B. Jordan as they return to their Mississippi hometown and uncover a terrifying supernatural force threatening their community. The film’s cast includes major names such as Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Jack O’Connell, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and veteran actor Delroy Lindo.
Sinners struck a chord with moviegoers across Nigeria and neighboring countries, thanks to its emotional themes of redemption, legacy, and good versus evil. Critics and fans alike praised its haunting score, rich visuals, and compelling narrative. The setting and cultural undertones also helped it resonate with African audiences, many of whom saw parallels in their own traditions and storytelling.
In Nigeria alone, Sinners now ranks just behind Black Panther (₦818.1 million) and ahead of Spider-Man: No Way Home (₦750.2 million) on the all-time box office list. Even more notably, it is the highest-grossing original (non-franchise) film of the 2020s, surpassing numerous sequels and reboots that have dominated global screens.
Globally, Sinners performed equally well. With a $90 million production budget, the film earned $365.7 million worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time. It now trails only a few genre giants — It (2017), Jaws, It: Chapter Two, and The Exorcist.
The film reached $100 million globally within nine days, soared past $200 million by the end of its fourth weekend, and crossed the $300 million mark by its sixth week. Analysts attribute the film’s success to a combination of Coogler’s storytelling prowess, Michael B. Jordan’s star power, and strong word-of-mouth promotion.
Coogler’s reputation in Africa played a big role, too. His impact from Black Panther has cultivated a loyal audience across the continent. Sinners continued that legacy by delivering a cinematic experience that both honored and entertained West African viewers.
The film’s box office milestone highlights a broader shift in cinema culture in Nigeria and West Africa. The region now celebrates a healthy mix of local blockbusters and international hits. Films like A Tribe Called Judah (₦1.408 billion) and Battle on Buka Street (₦668.4 million) continue to prove that African stories hold their own against global releases.
Ultimately, Sinners serves as a benchmark for what’s possible in the African box office, especially for Hollywood films that strike the right cultural chord. Its success reinforces that West African audiences are ready and eager to embrace high-quality, thought-provoking cinema, whether local or international.
