In a stunning box office run, Sinners—a supernatural horror epic directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan—has grossed a whopping ₦736 million from Nigerian cinemas in just six weeks, according to FilmOne Entertainment. This marks one of the biggest Hollywood openings in Nigeria since Black Panther.
The genre-defying blockbuster has captivated Nigerian moviegoers with its blend of vampire horror, Southern Gothic, and Black musical traditions, holding the No. 1 spot in cinemas for over a month. Its massive performance signals a growing appetite among Nigerian audiences for bold, culturally resonant storytelling.
What’s Sinners About?
Set in the Mississippi Delta during the Great Depression, Sinners follows twin brothers Elijah (“Smoke”) and Elias (“Stack”), both portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, as they return home to launch a juke joint after surviving the Chicago underworld. Their dream takes a sinister turn as they battle a cabal of white vampires exploiting Black music and culture.
The film stars Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, and Delroy Lindo, and powerfully explores themes of resistance, racial oppression, and the transformative power of music.
Nigeria’s Box Office Loves Sinners
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₦79 million opening week
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₦567.4 million by week four
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₦736 million by June 1
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₦19.2 million earned over the May 30–June 1 weekend alone
The film outperformed other 2025 releases like Thunderbolts (₦142 million in two weeks), positioning Sinners among Nigeria’s highest-grossing international titles—just behind Black Panther’s inflation-adjusted ₦818 million.
Global Success, Local Impact
Globally, Sinners has raked in $338 million, surpassing most of The Conjuring franchise and approaching The Nun’s $366 million milestone. With a budget of $90–100 million, the film has already soared past its $250 million break-even point, silencing skeptics.
Locally, the film’s strong cultural themes resonate deeply. “Sinners speaks to Nigerians because it’s about fighting back against exploitation while celebrating who we are,” said Lagos-based film enthusiast Chika Okeke. “The music and Michael B. Jordan’s performance make it unforgettable.”
What’s Behind the Success?
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Coogler’s Legacy: The director’s success with Black Panther created a loyal Nigerian fan base.
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Michael B. Jordan’s Dual Role: A cinematic tour de force.
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IMAX Experience: FilmOne’s strategic distribution ensured sold-out premium format screenings.
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Cultural Depth: Audiences embraced the bold narrative and cultural homage.
According to a Nigerian production manager, “Sinners proves Nigerian audiences are ready for bold, original films that blend genre with cultural identity. Its success could inspire Hollywood and Nollywood alike.”
What’s Next?
Sinners continues to dominate Lagos and Abuja cinemas and will be available for digital streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV starting June 3.
Its momentum suggests more box office records could be broken in the coming weeks.
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