2025’s Top Original Box Hit Finally Set for Streaming Release
Ryan Coogler’s vampire movie, Sinners, is set to arrive on Max streaming starting July 4, Warner Bros. has confirmed. The horror film has been a huge success in theaters, making over $361 million worldwide, with the majority of that coming from the U.S. Its domestic earnings of more than $275 million have made it the highest-grossing original horror movie ever in the United States, beating the long-standing record held by Jaws.
Unlike many horror hits that are based on books or established franchises, Sinners is an original story. This has helped it stand out, not only in the U.S. but also globally, where it now holds the record as the top original horror film worldwide.
The movie opened strong with $48 million during its first weekend, a rare feat for an original film. Its performance stayed steady, dropping only 4.9% in its second weekend—a decline usually seen only with huge hits like Avatar and Shrek. It went on to make $33 million in the third weekend and crossed the $200 million mark in the U.S. during its fourth, a milestone no original film has reached since Coco in 2017.
When compared with original films released over the last 15 years, Sinners ranks second in total box office revenue, trailing only behind Inception and surpassing movies like Interstellar and Get Out. Much of its success came from premium screenings, with nearly half of the opening weekend’s earnings coming from IMAX and other large-format theaters, which is unusual for a horror movie.
Audience reactions have been very positive. The film earned an “A” rating from CinemaScore, a rare achievement for horror movies and one that hasn’t happened in 35 years. According to PostTrak, 92% of viewers gave it a positive rating, and 84% said they would recommend it to others.
Set in the 1930s American South, Sinners follows twin brothers, both played by Michael B. Jordan, as they return home to Mississippi. They organize a night of music and dancing, but things take a violent turn when vampire hunters attack. The story mixes horror elements with themes of community and pride.
The cast includes Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Delroy Lindo, Omar Benson Miller, and Jayme Lawson. Autumn Durald Arkapaw, known for her work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, shot the film using 70mm IMAX film, giving it a distinctive look.
The film has been praised for its direction, performances, and soundtrack. Coogler’s direction and Jordan’s dual role received particular attention from critics.
It’s refreshing to see an original horror movie perform this well at the box office, especially one without franchise ties. It proves that audiences still crave new and original stories. Will you be watching Sinners when it arrives on Max? Share your thoughts in the comments below!