Entertainment

Box Office Showdown: ‘Sinners’ Rakes in $19.2 Million Opening While ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Stays on Top

2025-04-19

Author: Emma

Warner Bros. Dominates the Box Office

This weekend, Warner Bros. has the box office buzzing, snagging the top two spots in domestic earnings. The highly anticipated vampire thriller "Sinners," directed by Ryan Coogler, is off to a robust start, pulling in $19.2 million across its opening day, including previews. However, it appears set to fall short of dethroning the mega-hit "A Minecraft Movie," which continues to reign supreme.

A Strong Opening for ‘Sinners’

Launching in 3,308 theaters (substantially fewer than the 4,302 locations occupied by "Minecraft"), "Sinners" is on track to exceed Warner Bros.' initial projections of a three-day opening weekend of $40 million. With the added allure of Imax screenings and luxury ticket pricing, the film capitalizes on the premium format, reminiscent of the excitement sparked by previous Imax showcases like "Oppenheimer." This may give "Sinners" some much-needed endurance in the coming weeks.

A Bold Investment in Original Storytelling

Produced with a hefty budget of $90 million, "Sinners" is one of the year's most ambitious projects. Warner Bros. won the rights by agreeing to a rare deal that allows Coogler to reclaim them after 25 years, a concession that speaks volumes in the current industry landscape.

Positive Buzz and Great Reviews

The film is already scoring high with critics and audiences alike, achieving an impressive "A" CinemaScore – significantly high for a horror flick. This enthusiasm signals a promising trajectory for "Sinners," particularly as it taps into interest generated from its connection to the acclaimed filmmakers behind it.

A Compelling Narrative Set in the 1930s

Set against the backdrop of the 1930s Mississippi Delta blues scene, "Sinners" follows twins Smoke and Stack, portrayed by Jordan, as they navigate a terrifying world filled with bloodsuckers. The cast is further bolstered by talents such as Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, and Delroy Lindo.

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Keeps Climbing

Meanwhile, "A Minecraft Movie" continues to dominate, collecting another $16 million on Friday alone. After 15 days in theaters, this Legendary Entertainment production has entered the top-100 all-time domestic grossers, potentially headed toward the impressive benchmark of $350 million by the end of the weekend.

Competition Heats Up: 'The King of Kings' and More

In third place, Angel Studios has strategically aligned the release of its animated biblical adaptation, "The King of Kings," with the Easter weekend, earning $6.6 million on Friday. It's enjoying a phenomenal reception, projected to land around $17 million in its second weekend, marking a mere 12% drop from its opening.

Mixed Results for Other New Releases

Disney’s "The Amateur" is holding on with $2.3 million on Friday, still in its second weekend, while A24's "Warfare," a real-time military thriller, aims for a modest $4.8 million total in its sophomore outing.

New Releases Struggling to Find Their Footing

Among the weekend's new releases, Bleecker Street’s remake of "The Wedding Banquet" barely made $360,000 on Friday and looks to have a rocky path ahead, struggling to hit the $1 million mark. Similarly, GKids’ anime feature "Colorful Stage! The Movie" appears set for a modest debut of around $2.7 million.

Last but not least, Briarcliff Entertainment's animated comedy "Sneaks" is not faring well either, with a Friday total of $240,000 and likely to miss a spot in the top 10 as it opens across 1,500 venues.

Conclusion: A Weekend to Remember

As the weekend unfolds, the intensity at the box office only escalates, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between new entrants and established favorites.