Horror films often have fleeting success at the box office, but Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” is breaking expectations and establishing itself as event cinema.
In its second weekend across theaters in the U.S. and Canada, “Sinners” generated $45 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. This figure marks a minimal 6% decline from its Easter holiday debut, making it the smallest drop for a film in any genre since “Avatar” in 2009. Globally, “Sinners” has accumulated $161.6 million.
The film’s performance indicates that its appeal extends beyond horror enthusiasts, reaching mainstream audiences curious about its acclaim. Initially, 56% of the audience consisted of men, but this statistic has shifted to an even gender split. Premium large format screenings, such as 70mm IMAX, are contributing significantly, with IMAX accounting for approximately 21% of the second weekend’s global revenue—an increase of nearly 9% from the previous weekend.
Featuring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role, “Sinners” entered theaters amid positive reviews. While primarily a horror film, it also incorporates drama, action, and musical elements within its southern gothic setting.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, commented, “That’s one of the lowest second weekend holds for an overperforming wide release ever. It’s an absolute phenomenon.”
Typically, Hollywood anticipates a substantial decline in a film’s second week, with even a 50% dip considered commendable. A less significant drop is especially noteworthy.
Dergarabedian added, “A strong opening can be achieved with marketing, but sustained performance depends on quality. A second weekend hold like this is a key indicator of success.”
Produced by Coogler’s Proximity Media and Warner Bros., which managed its theatrical release, “Sinners” follows the earlier success of “A Minecraft Movie,” which invigorated box office figures earlier in the month.
This weekend, “Sinners” surpassed its main competitor, “The Accountant 2,” starring Ben Affleck and released by Amazon MGM Studios. The film premiered in third place, earning approximately $24.5 million. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, it was shown in 3,610 theaters in North America and received an A- CinemaScore from audiences.
Taking second place was the re-release of “Revenge of the Sith,” a 20-year-old Star Wars movie, which brought in an estimated $25.2 million over the weekend. Internationally, it earned $17 million from 34 territories, totaling $42.2 million globally—ranking it among the top grossing re-releases ever.
“A Minecraft Movie” secured fourth place with $22.7 million, increasing its domestic earnings to approximately $380 million.
Sony Pictures’ “Until Dawn,” a horror adaptation of a popular video game, rounded out the top five with an estimated $8 million, reaching $18.1 million globally.
The success of “Minecraft” and “Sinners” has significantly boosted the April box office, which has surged by 102% compared to April 2024. The annual box office figures have also improved by over 10% from the previous year, recovering from a double-digit deficit in March. This success preludes the summer movie season, which begins on May 2 with Disney’s “Thunderbolts.”
Paul Dergarabedian stated, “There cannot be a better opening act for the summer movie season than this weekend.”
Here are the top 10 movies by domestic box office, based on estimated ticket sales from Friday through Sunday in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. “Sinners,” $45 million.
2. “Revenge of the Sith,” $25.2 million.
3. “The Accountant 2,” $24.5 million.
4. “A Minecraft Movie,” $22.7 million.
5. “Until Dawn,” $8 million.
6. “The King of Kings,” $4 million.
7. “The Amateur,” $3.8 million.
8. “Warfare,” $2.7 million.
9. “Pink Floyd at Pompeii — MCMLXXII,” $2.6 million.
10. “The Legend of Ochi,” $1.4 million.
