Warner Bros. has announced the return of Ryan Coogler’s breakout hit “Sinners” to select Imax 70mm theaters for a limited engagement, responding to what the studio describes as “overwhelming popular and critical response” to the film.
The thriller will screen in nine premium locations across North America from May 15 to May 21, offering audiences another chance to experience the film in the immersive large-format presentation. Tickets are now available for purchase at participating theaters.
Box office triumph for original storytelling
“Sinners” has established itself as a significant commercial success in an industry often dominated by franchise releases. The film represents the most successful debut for an original movie since 2019, demonstrating the enduring appeal of fresh storytelling when paired with technical excellence and strong performances.
As of April 27, the thriller has accumulated $122.5 million at the North American box office and $161.6 million globally, against a production budget of $90 million. These impressive figures highlight the film’s strong audience appeal beyond typical franchise fare.
The Imax format played a crucial role in the film’s initial success, accounting for 20% of opening weekend revenue. The movie had temporarily vacated these premium screens to make way for Marvel’s “Thunderbolts,” but will now reclaim select Imax venues for this special engagement.
Premium format showcase
Warner Bros. Pictures president of global distribution Jeff Goldstein emphasized the unique suitability of “Sinners” for the premium 70mm format. According to Goldstein, the studio responded to audience enthusiasm by bringing the film back to this larger-than-life presentation.
He noted that Coogler created a film that resonates with viewers who appreciate the craftsmanship involved in producing content for the screen-filling format, and the studio wanted to provide another opportunity for audiences to experience it in 70mm Imax.
The limited re-release will bring the film to 9 specific Imax 70mm locations:
- City Walk Stadium 19 + Imax in Los Angeles
- Irvine Spectrum and Imax in Irvine
- Lincoln Square 13 + Imax in New York
- Metreon 16 + Imax in San Francisco
- Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis
- Arizona Mills IMAX in Phoenix
- Autonation Imax in Fort Lauderdale
- Webb Chapel Imax in Dallas
- Colossus Imax in Toronto
Creative collaboration yields success
Written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Coogler, “Sinners” features Michael B. Jordan in a challenging dual role. The acclaimed cast includes Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller and Delroy Lindo.
The narrative follows twin brothers attempting to escape their troubled past by returning to their hometown, only to discover that an even greater evil awaits them there.
The film represents a reunion of several key creative collaborators from Coogler’s “Black Panther” films, including director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler, editor Michael P. Shawver, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson, and Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.
This assembly of top-tier talent behind the camera has contributed to the film’s distinctive visual style and atmospheric storytelling that critics have praised as particularly suited to the immersive Imax format.
The production team includes Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler as producers, with Ludwig Göransson, Will Greenfield and Rebecca Cho serving as executive producers.
The success of “Sinners” demonstrates that audiences continue to respond to original filmmaking when presented with technical excellence and compelling storytelling, even in a marketplace increasingly dominated by established intellectual property and franchise continuations.
This limited Imax engagement offers both new viewers and returning fans the opportunity to experience the film in what many consider its optimal presentation format before it eventually transitions to home video and streaming platforms.
