For decades, Black filmmakers have been told their stories don’t travel, their budgets don’t justify the returns, or their names can’t carry blockbusters. Time and time again, they’ve proven that wrong—with receipts to match.
This week, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners joined the $100 million club with $122 million and growing, marking a significant milestone. While Coogler was already part of this list, having previously achieved this feat with franchise films like Black Panther and Creed, Sinners stands out as his first original film to reach this benchmark. This accomplishment underscores the audience’s appetite for fresh, original narratives and highlights Coogler’s versatility and prowess as a filmmaker.
As we celebrate this achievement, let’s recognize the 18 Black directors whose films have crossed the $100 million mark domestically, paving the way for diverse stories to thrive in mainstream cinema.
Julius Onah – 1 Film
- Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Domestic: $200M | Worldwide: $414M
Ryan Coogler – 4 Films
- Sinners (2025)
Domestic: $122.5M | Worldwide: $161M
Note: The numbers will rise - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Domestic: $453.8M | Worldwide: $859.2M - Black Panther (2018)
Domestic: $700.4M | Worldwide: $1.35B - Creed (2015)
Domestic: $109.8M | Worldwide: $174.2M
F. Gary Gray – 3 Films
- The Fate of the Furious (2017)
Domestic: $226.0M | Worldwide: $1.24B - Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Domestic: $161.2M | Worldwide: $201.6M - The Italian Job (2003)
Domestic: $106.1M | Worldwide: $176.1M
Jordan Peele – 3 Films
- Get Out (2017)
Domestic: $176.0M | Worldwide: $255.7M - Us (2019)
Domestic: $175.0M | Worldwide: $255.1M - Nope (2022)
Domestic: $123.3M | Worldwide: $171.2M
Tim Story – 3 Films
- Fantastic Four (2005)
Domestic: $154.7M | Worldwide: $333.5M - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Domestic: $131.9M | Worldwide: $301.9M - Ride Along (2014)
Domestic: $134.2M | Worldwide: $154.5M
Michael B. Jordan – 1 Film
- Creed III (2023)
Domestic: $156.2M | Worldwide: $275.2M
John Singleton – 1 Film
- 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Domestic: $127.2M | Worldwide: $236.4M
Ava DuVernay – 1 Film
- A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
Domestic: $100.5M | Worldwide: $133.4M
Peter Ramsey (Co-director) – 1 Film
- Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Domestic: $103M | Worldwide: $306M - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Domestic: $190.2M | Worldwide: $375.5M
Kemp Powers (Co-director) – 1 Film
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Domestic: $381.3M | Worldwide: $690.5M
Keenan Ivory Wayans – 1 Film
- Scary Movie (2000)
Domestic: $157.0M | Worldwide: $278.0M
Antoine Fuqua – 2 Films
- The Equalizer (2014)
Domestic: $101.5M | Worldwide: $192.3M - The Equalizer 2 (2018)
Domestic: $102.1M | Worldwide: $190.4M
Barry Jenkins – 1 Film
- Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)
Domestic: $254.5M | Worldwide: $722M
Steven Caple Jr. – 1 Film
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
- Creed II (2018)
Domestic: $115.7M | Worldwide: $214.1M
Lee Daniels – 1 Film
- Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013)
Domestic: $116.6M | Worldwide: $176.6M
Malcolm D. Lee – 1 Film
- Girls Trip (2017)
Domestic: $140.0M | Worldwide: $140.5M
Clark Johnson – 1 Film
- S.W.A.T. (2003)
Domestic: $116.9M | Worldwide: $207.2M
Sidney Poitier – 1 Film
- Stir Crazy (1980)
Domestic: $101.3M | Worldwide: N/A
Note: Worldwide box office data for “Stir Crazy” is not available.