In a surprising turn of events at the Easter box office, the landscape has shifted dramatically as Ryan Coogler’s horror film, “Sinners,” is projected to secure an impressive .6 million opening weekend, overtaking the animated hit “A Minecraft Movie.” This development marks a significant moment for Warner Bros., as “Sinners” is on track to surpass the .3 million opening of Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” establishing itself as the highest opening for an original film since the pandemic began. Given the film’s overwhelmingly positive critical and audience reception, it wouldn’t be astonishing if the final figures exceed current estimates.
Audiences have responded enthusiastically, awarding “Sinners” a rare straight A on CinemaScore—the first such accolade for a horror film since James Cameron’s iconic “Aliens” in 1986. The film boasts a remarkable 5/5 rating and an 84% “definite recommend” score on PostTrak, alongside astonishing Rotten Tomatoes ratings of 98% from critics and 97% from audiences. This wave of acclaim is reflected in ticket sales, with approximately 60% of Friday’s tickets sold being walk-up purchases, indicating a rapid spread of positive word-of-mouth.
The demographic breakdown reveals that Black audiences made up 49% of the opening night viewers, followed by 27% white and 14% Latino, with all groups showing strong support for the film. However, despite this promising start, “Sinners” still faces the challenge of recouping its reported million budget, excluding marketing costs. Yet, the film is poised for a robust run, especially with continued support from IMAX and premium formats leading up to the release of Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts.” There remains a segment of Coogler’s fanbase that may be waiting for the right moment to experience the film in a premium setting.
Meanwhile, “A Minecraft Movie” continues to perform admirably, securing .3 million in its third weekend. This brings its domestic total to 5 million and a global tally of 0 million, solidifying its position as the highest-grossing film of 2025 and paving the way for it to cross the billion mark worldwide. Following a lukewarm reception to its initial trailer, the film has successfully captured the attention of family audiences, bolstered by a wave of meme-driven buzz.
The success of both “Sinners” and “Minecraft” has been instrumental in revitalizing the box office, accounting for 64% of this weekend’s total grosses. This outcome represents a significant triumph for Warner Bros. film executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, who faced speculation regarding their positions amid the leadership of Warner Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
“Sinners” stands out as a testament to De Luca and Abdy’s commitment to fostering original, auteur-driven films, a strategy they embraced to reshape Warner’s identity as a filmmaker-friendly studio following the departure of Christopher Nolan to Universal. Their collaboration with Coogler included favorable terms that returned the film’s rights to the director after 25 years, highlighting a progressive approach to filmmaking.
In a joint statement, De Luca and Abdy expressed their enthusiasm for the audience’s reception of both “Sinners” and “Minecraft,” emphasizing their dedication to delivering unique cinematic experiences. “Movies have the power to transport us to worlds only seen on the big screen, and Warner Bros. Pictures remains committed to bringing singular in-theater experiences to audiences looking for bold movies, both original and those based on beloved existing properties,” they stated.
Looking ahead, Warner Bros. plans to continue its slate of original films, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s crime drama “One Battle After Another” set to debut in late September, followed by Maggie Gyllenhaal’s stylized horror film “The Bride!” in March 2026.
Notably, Angel Studios is also celebrating success this Easter with its first animated release, “The King of Kings,” which has garnered .2 million in its second weekend, bringing its 10-day total to .3 million. The film’s performance underscores the appetite for cinematic interpretations of Gospel stories, as evidenced by its modest 12% drop from its million opening weekend.
Brandon Purdie, distribution chief at Angel Studios, highlighted the importance of their Angel Guild in selecting successful projects, stating, “’The King of Kings’ is an epic, emotional journey made for the big screen. Theaters are responding by making room, and audiences are flocking in droves, speaking loud and clear: they’re here for stories that amplify light.”
