Ryan Coogler’s Films Ranked by Critics: ‘Sinners,’ ‘Black Panther’

Critic Score: 84%

Audience Score: 94%

After the success of “Black Panther,” Coogler directed the 2023 sequel that featured the fictional nation of Wakanda fighting its rival, Atlantis.

T’Challa, the original lead character of the franchise, dies early in the film as a tribute to Chadwick Boseman. The actor died in 2020 due to complications from colon cancer.

The sequel follows T’Challa’s sister Shuri, his mother Ramonda, and his closes advisors as they try to govern and protect Wakanda while processing their grief.

Critics praised the emotional handling of Boseman’s tribute and the film’s beautiful score, costumes, and visuals. The inclusion of Ironheart in the story received mixed reviews.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the one instance where the audience score is higher than the critic score for Coogler’s films.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is available to stream on Disney+.

Critic Score: 94%

Audience Score: 87%

Coogler’s directorial debut was “Fruitvale Station,” a biographical film about Oscar Grant, a young man who was shot and killed by a cop during his arrest in Oakland, California, in 2009. After a trial a year later, the officer, Johannes Mehserle, was sentenced to two years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.

The film depicts Grant’s day leading up to his death, with Michael B. Jordan, who has appeared in all of Coogler’s films, playing Grant.

This film immediately launched Coogler on critics’ radar, especially after it won the best first-film prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the grand jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013.

“Fruitvale Station” is available to rent on Apple TV+ and Amazon Video.

Critic Score: 95%

Audience Score: 89%

2015’s “Creed” was the first “Rocky” spin-off movie since the original series ended in 2006.

The film starred Jordan as Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) from the original “Rocky” films, who wants to become a boxing champion. He seeks out his father’s former rival, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), to be his mentor.

Stallone’s performance is a standout in this film, and fans praised Coogler for reinvigorating the “Rocky” franchise.

“Creed” is available to stream on Prime Video.

Critic Score: 96%

Audience Score: 79%

“Black Panther” is Coogler’s most successful film, grossing $1.3 billion and gaining his first best picture nomination.

The film follows T’Challa, the new king of Wakanda, who tries to adapt his country’s traditions to the new world landscape. Meanwhile, T’Challa’s cousin, Killmonger (Jordan), seeks to usurp the throne as part of his revenge plan.

Critics said “Black Panther” stood out from the rest of the Marvel universe due to its imaginative, detailed, and culturally respectful world-building, which created a fictional country that felt real.

“Black Panther” is available to stream on Disney+.

Critic Score: 99%

Set in 1930s Mississippi, “Sinners” follows a group of Black and Chinese citizens at the opening night of a new juke joint, launched by a pair of criminal twins, played by Jordan. The event turns into a nightmare when a vampire arrives, converting the patrons into zombie-like vampires.

The film has received high praise from critics for its score, engrossing story, and terrific performances from the cast. David Ehrlich, the head film critic for Indiewire, also said it is the best movie of Coogler’s career.

“Sinners” is showing in theaters.