Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' Defies Box Office Norms, Raking in $45 Million in Second Weekend

In a remarkable twist for the horror genre, Ryan Coogler’s film 'Sinners' is proving itself as a cinematic phenomenon, pulling in $45 million in ticket sales during its second weekend across U.S. and Canadian theaters. This is only a slight 6% drop from its Easter holiday debut, marking the smallest second-week decline for any film since 'Avatar' released in 2009. By now, 'Sinners' totals an impressive $161.6 million worldwide, showcasing its ability to transcend traditional genre boundaries as it attracts not just dedicated horror fans but a broader mainstream audience. The film features Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins and is noted for its unique blend of horror, drama, action, and musical elements, set against a southern gothic backdrop. This genre-bending aspect could be pivotal in explaining its appeal to a wider demographic, as evidenced by the shift in audience gender demographics, going from 56% male to an even 50/50 split this past weekend. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, highlights the significance of the film's sustained performance. He remarks that the lower-than-usual drop in ticket sales for a sequel indicates a validation of the film’s quality and audience approval. In contrast, 'The Accountant 2' starring Ben Affleck only made $24.5 million in its opening weekend, showcasing the stiff competition that 'Sinners' was able to overcome. Furthermore, a re-release of 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith' managed to claim second place at the box office, contributing to a significant overall boost for the April 2025 box office, which is up 102% compared to the same month last year. Despite the common expectation in Hollywood of a considerable decline in revenue during a film's second week, 'Sinners' has shattered expectations, exemplifying the potential for innovative storytelling and a fresh approach to filmmaking in an often predictable industry. With the summer movie season approaching, marked by the impending release of Disney’s 'Thunderbolts,' experts suggest that this strong showing from 'Sinners' may indicate a robust slate of films to come as audiences flock to theaters again. With the film facing minimal competition, its triumph may very well signal a positive change for the box office landscape as it heads into what is typically a lucrative season for movie releases.