In a stunning box office upset, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s new vampire thriller, Sinners, has claimed the top spot in its debut weekend. The R-rated horror film raked in an impressive $45.6 million, surpassing expectations and dethroning the family-friendly blockbuster A Minecraft Movie. The win signals a powerful start for the horror genre in 2025 and reaffirms the immense drawing power of the Coogler-Jordan collaboration.
A Surprise Victory at the Box Office
Few analysts predicted that Sinners would outperform A Minecraft Movie, which had dominated theaters for two consecutive weeks. The video game adaptation still had a strong showing, earning $41.3 million in its third weekend and pushing its domestic total to nearly $345 million. However, it wasn’t enough to hold off the vampire flick’s ferocious debut.
The buzz around Sinners grew rapidly in the days leading up to its release, with ticket pre-sales spiking just 48 hours before its premiere. This surge was fueled by incredible early reviews and strong social media word-of-mouth, turning a potential hit into a certified blockbuster.
| Movie Title | Opening Weekend (Domestic) | Current Domestic Total |
|---|---|---|
| Sinners | $45.6 Million | $45.6 Million |
| A Minecraft Movie | $41.3 Million (Third Weekend) | $345 Million |
Rave Reviews and the Coogler-Jordan Effect
A key factor in the film’s success is its near-universal critical acclaim, a rarity for the horror genre. Sinners currently holds a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 84 on Metacritic, with critics praising its originality and Michael B. Jordan’s intense performance.
This marks the fourth successful collaboration between director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan, who previously worked together on Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther. Their proven chemistry and track record brought an automatic level of interest to the project.
Shawn Robbins of Box Office Theory noted that the combination of “that star power” and a “fresh, original take on the vampire movie” was instrumental in bringing audiences to theaters. The duo has proven that their fan base will follow them into any genre, from superhero films to supernatural horror.
What This Means for Horror in 2025
The massive success of Sinners is a significant moment for horror and a clear sign for Hollywood studios. The genre has consistently proven to be a reliable earner, but this film’s breakout performance is already shaping 2025 to be a banner year.
Industry experts point out that horror films are incredibly attractive to studios for several reasons. According to analyst Paul Dergarabedian, the genre is a smart investment because it is:
- Relatively inexpensive to produce
- Often generates high profit margins
- Brings loyal fanbases who love showing up on opening weekend
- Works well with viral marketing and word-of-mouth
With major horror sequels like M3GAN 2.0 and Black Phone 2 scheduled for later in the year, the success of Sinners sets a high bar and builds momentum for a chillingly profitable 2025.
Minecraft Continues Its Strong Run
Despite being knocked to the number two spot, A Minecraft Movie is far from slowing down. Its minimal week-over-week drop indicates strong staying power, particularly with younger audiences. The film’s momentum is being fueled by viral social media trends, especially a “chicken jockey” scene that has spawned countless memes on TikTok.
With a domestic total already approaching $345 million, many analysts believe the film has a clear path to hitting the billion-dollar mark globally. As box office expert David A. Gross stated, “This is mainstream action-adventure entertainment at its best. Audiences are totally engaged.”
The Summer Box Office Heats Up
The combined success of Sinners and Minecraft has reversed a downward trend at the box office. After starting the year down 13% compared to 2024, the year-to-date total is now showing a 5.3% gain. This positive momentum is expected to continue into a packed summer season, with major releases like Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning on the horizon. This past weekend suggests the 2025 summer movie season could be one of the biggest in years.
