Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ Hits N600 Million in Nigerian Box Office
Entertainment Correspondent
May 17, 2025
Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror film Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, has achieved a remarkable milestone, grossing N600 million at the Nigerian box office after five weeks in cinemas. The film, which premiered on April 18, 2025, has dominated local charts, holding the number-one spot for five consecutive weekends, driven by its gripping narrative and strong cultural resonance.
According to data from the Nigerian Box Office, Sinners has seen consistent growth, with earnings climbing from N269.9 million after nine days to N445.9 million after three weeks, and now reaching N600 million as of May 11. The film’s success in Nigeria reflects a 43% surge in ticket sales over its initial weeks, fueled by word-of-mouth buzz and the star power of Coogler and Jordan, known for their work on Black Panther and Creed. The film’s debut weekend alone brought in N79.6 million, outpacing typical openings for original horror titles in the region.
Set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta, Sinners follows twin brothers, both played by Jordan, who return to their hometown to open a juke joint, only to confront supernatural horrors and the racial tensions of the Jim Crow South. The film’s blend of horror, historical drama, and blues-infused musicality has resonated deeply with Nigerian audiences, likely due to its universal themes of struggle and redemption, as well as Coogler’s established fan base in African markets. Critics have praised its 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and genre-bending storytelling, with an “A” CinemaScore reflecting strong audience approval.
Globally, Sinners has grossed over $330 million, with $216 million from North America alone, making it the highest-grossing original film domestically since Pixar’s Coco in 2017. Despite a hefty $90–$100 million production budget, the film has surpassed its break-even point of approximately $250 million, cementing its status as a commercial and critical triumph. In Nigeria, its performance underscores the growing appetite for high-quality global blockbusters, outpacing competitors like Marvel’s Thunderbolts, which earned N142 million in its first two weeks.
Coogler’s bold creative choices, including shooting in both Ultra Panavision 70 and IMAX formats, have elevated Sinners as a cinematic event. The film’s success, coupled with its unique Warner Bros. deal granting Coogler ownership after 25 years, positions it as a landmark achievement for original storytelling in Hollywood. As Nigerian audiences continue to embrace Sinners, its trajectory suggests it could join the ranks of horror classics like Get Out and A Quiet Place.
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Ryan Coogler’s latest film, Sinners, has hit a major milestone in Nigerian cinemas, earning over N600.7 million and drawing more than 100,000 admissions nationwide.
The film now ranks as the 10th highest-grossing title of all time in the country, according to the Nigerian Box Office.
The film, which premiered in Nigerian cinemas on April 18, has now held the No. 1 spot for four consecutive weekends, according to data from the Nigerian Box Office as of May 11. Just last week, the film crossed N567 million after only four weeks in theatres, Nairametrics reported.
Starring Michael B. Jordan and produced by Coogler’s Proximity Media, Sinners has generated buzz since reports first emerged in January about its unusual premise and production terms.
Set in the American South during the Jim Crow era with elements that hint at the supernatural, the film quickly attracted attention from major studios. Warner Bros. ultimately secured distribution rights after agreeing to Coogler’s terms, including final cut, first-dollar gross, and rights reversion after 25 years.
What to know
Globally, Sinners has grossed $294.7 million, $225.4 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $69.3 million from international markets. The film opened domestically with $48 million, outperforming early estimates and marking the strongest debut for an original film since Us in 2019.
- In Nigeria, the film’s sustained run reflects both its broad appeal and a growing cinema audience. Its box office success comes amid heightened interest in the performance of global films in African markets, where well-received titles can enjoy long theatrical runs bolstered by word-of-mouth and weekend crowds.
- While some U.S. publications have raised questions about the film’s break-even point, citing its $90 million production budget and estimated $50–60 million in marketing costs, fans and industry insiders have pushed back against what they see as a narrow focus on profitability over impact.
Regardless of the debate, Sinners continues to attract moviegoers across continents. In Nigeria, it joins a small group of foreign titles that have managed to break through the local box office in a big way, and its success could signal a shift in how international films engage audiences in the region.
Coogler, best known for Black Panther and Creed, has once again demonstrated his ability to deliver both commercial hits and conversation-starting stories. Sinners adds to that legacy and is now making history far beyond Hollywood.
