‘Sinners’ Soars to Box Office Victory, Toppling ‘Minecraft’

NEW YORK — In an industry dominated by recognizable brands, director Ryan Coogler’s latest film, “Sinners,” has made a remarkable entrance at the box office. The film, featuring twin brothers played by Michael B. Jordan, secured $45.6 million in its opening weekend across U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to studio estimates released Sunday.

Produced by Warner Bros. at a cost of approximately $90 million, “Sinners” stands out as a bold original work—albeit with genre characteristics. The movie, a tale set in 1932, revolves around bootlegging brothers who establish a juke joint in their Mississippi hometown.

In a close second, “A Minecraft Movie” added $41.3 million in its third week of release. The film, co-produced by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, has now garnered a staggering $720.8 million in global ticket sales.

Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, co-chairs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, expressed pride in the studio’s performance. Over the Easter weekend, Warner Bros. accounted for an impressive 64% of the domestic box office.

“Movies have the power to transport us to worlds only seen on the big screen,” Abdy and De Luca stated, emphasizing the commitment to delivering both original and beloved stories to audiences.

The buzz surrounding “Sinners” has been palpable. Warner Bros. made significant concessions to Coogler, granting him a share of gross ticket sales and ownership of the film after 25 years. This rare agreement highlights the studio’s confidence in his vision.

Coogler’s collaboration with Jordan is notable, building on their successful history since “Fruitvale Station.” “Sinners” has received critical acclaim with a 98% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore from audiences.

Internationally, “Sinners” faced challenges, earning $15.4 million across 71 markets. Domestically, its audience was notably diverse: 38% Black, 35% white, 18% Hispanic, and 5% Asian.

Warner Bros. has grappled with dual roles in the past, experiencing disappointments with films like “The Alto Knights” and “Mickey 17.” However, the strong debut of “Sinners” reinforces Coogler’s status as a filmmaker capable of attracting significant audiences.

In other box office news, Angel Studios’ animated film “The King of Kings” grossed $17.3 million in its second week, totaling $45.3 million domestically. Meanwhile, Bleecker Street’s “The Wedding Banquet,” a reimagining of Ang Lee’s classic, opened to modest numbers with $922,906 across 1,142 screens.

As the final domestic figures are outlined, here are the estimated ticket sales for the weekend: “Sinners,” $45.6 million. “A Minecraft Movie,” $41.3 million. “The King of Kings,” $17.3 million. “The Amateur,” $7.2 million. “Warfare,” $4.9 million. “Drop,” $3.4 million. “Colorful Stage: The Movie,” $2.8 million. “Pride & Prejudice” (2005), $2.7 million. “The Chosen: Last Supper,” $1.8 million. “Snow White,” $1.2 million.