Ryan Coogler Breaks Silence as Sinners Shatters Oscar Record with 16 Noms
The Hollywood spotlight turned electric on January 22, 2026, as Ryan Coogler‘s supernatural thriller Sinners shattered Academy history, earning an unprecedented 16 Oscar nominations—the most ever for a single film in the 98-year legacy of the awards.
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Join NowSurpassing the longstanding record of 14 nods held by classics like All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997), and La La Land (2016), Sinners swept across nearly every eligible category.
The blues-infused vampire epic, starring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role that blends Southern Gothic horror with sharp commentary on America’s racial past, secured nods for Best Picture, Best Director (Coogler), Best Actor (Jordan), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo), Best Original Screenplay, and a full technical arsenal: cinematography, production design, costume design, film editing, makeup and hairstyling, sound, visual effects, original score, original song (“I Lied to You”), and even the Academy’s newer casting award.
In a rare trifecta, Coogler earned nominations for producing, directing, and writing—making him only the second Black filmmaker to achieve that in the same year, following Jordan Peele for Get Out.
The film’s dominance underscores a seismic shift: a genre-blending horror tale rooted in cultural depth can command universal acclaim from the Academy.
Hours after the nominations were announced, Coogler broke his silence in a heartfelt statement shared via his production company Proximity Media and echoed across social platforms. “This is beyond anything we dreamed when we started telling this story,” he said.
“Sinners was made with love, with respect for the blues that shaped us, the history that haunts us, and the people who lived it.
To see the Academy embrace it so fully—with 16 nominations—is humbling and affirming. It’s not just for us; it’s for every artist who’s been told their story doesn’t fit the mold. Thank you to the cast, crew, Michael [B. Jordan], our partners at Warner Bros., and every voter who saw what we saw. This record belongs to the entire team—and to the ancestors whose voices echo in every frame.”
Co-star Jordan, earning his first-ever Oscar nod for Best Actor, called the moment “surreal” in a separate post, praising Coogler as “a visionary who never compromises.”
The film’s box-office success earlier in 2025, combined with critical raves for its atmospheric direction, haunting score (featuring contributions from artists like Christone “Kingfish” Ingram), and fearless storytelling, positioned it as the clear frontrunner heading into the March 15 ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.
As the industry buzzes, Sinners stands as proof that bold, boundary-pushing cinema can rewrite not just records, but expectations. For Coogler, already celebrated for Black Panther and Creed, this milestone cements his place among the greats—while reminding the world that true innovation still has the power to make history.
