In a recent chat with Ebony Magazine, Ryan Coogler, the mastermind behind Black Panther and Creed, made it clear he’s not planning a sequel for his hit vampire thriller Sinners. After years of crafting cinematic universes, Coogler wanted to break free from the franchise mold. “I’ve been making franchise films for a while, and I wanted to step away from that,” he said. “I wanted this movie to feel like a full meal—appetizers, main course, dessert, the works. Just a complete, finished story.” Here’s why Coogler’s sticking to his vision of keeping Sinners a one-off.
Coogler’s built his name on interconnected blockbusters, but Sinners was a chance to try something fresh. Set in the 1930s Jim Crow South, it stars Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers Smoke and Stack, who return to their Mississippi hometown to open a juke joint, only to face vampires and the era’s brutal racism. The film’s a global hit, pulling in over $350 million and landing among 2025’s top 10 movies. It blends horror, crime, and cultural depth, drawing from Coogler’s love for blues music and Mississippi’s history. “This one’s personal,” he said, pointing to the Delta’s storytelling roots as inspiration.
He crafted Sinners to stand alone, not to set up a bigger universe. “I don’t even think about a sequel,” he told Ebony. The story, packed into one intense night, wraps up its main arcs, even if post-credits scenes tease possibilities—like Stack and Mary as vampires in the ‘90s. Coogler’s happy leaving it there, focusing on a complete tale. Some fans love the standalone vibe, praising how the film feels whole. Others are curious about spin-offs, like a Native American vampire hunter or a prequel about the twins’ Chicago days, but Coogler’s not biting.
This choice stands out in an era of endless franchises. As his first fully original film since Fruitvale Station in 2013, Sinners is a knockout, earning a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score and $71 million in its opening weekend. Its unique Warner Bros. deal, giving Coogler ownership of the rights in 2050, sparked industry buzz, with some calling it a bold move. For Coogler, it’s personal—the film’s themes of Black ownership, tied to his Mississippi roots, echo the twins’ fight for their juke joint.
Coogler’s not done with big projects—he’s working on Black Panther 3 and an X-Files reboot—but Sinners proves he can deliver a banger without a sequel. Fans are calling it his Zodiac—a one-off that hits hard. With Sinners in theaters now, it’s clear a single, well-told story can leave a lasting mark.