One thing about Ryan Coogler — he doesn’t just make films. He builds teams that win.
Over the years, Coogler has become known for working with a tight circle of collaborators across departments — from actors and cinematographers to designers, editors, producers, and composers. And time and time again, those collaborators end up making awards history right alongside him.
With Sinners, that pattern reached a whole new level. The film became the most nominated film in Oscars history with 16 nominations, while also delivering multiple first-time nominations, career-defining wins, and historic milestones across the industry.
Coogler himself earned his first Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, ultimately taking home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
But the story of Sinners isn’t just about one filmmaker — it’s about the entire creative team behind the work. From actors and producers to cinematographers, designers, and sound artists, here are the collaborators who reached major Oscar milestones while working on Coogler’s films.
Across Sinners, Black Panther, and Wakanda Forever, 26 collaborators from Ryan Coogler’s creative circle have now earned Academy Award nominations or wins — including six Oscar winners.
Oscar Milestones From Ryan Coogler Collaborations
Ryan Coogler – Earned his first Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay
Zinzi Coogler & Sev Ohanian – Earned their first Academy Award nominations for Best Picture as producers of Sinners
Michael B. Jordan – Received his first Oscar nomination and first win for Sinners
Delroy Lindo – Became a first-time Oscar nominee for his performance in Sinners
Wunmi Mosaku – Earned her first Academy Award nomination for Sinners
Ruth E. Carter – After previously earning two Academy Award nominations for Malcolm X and Amistad, Ruth E. Carter won her first Oscar for Best Costume Design for Black Panther, becoming the first Black woman to win in the category. She later won her second Oscar for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw – Made history as the first woman and first Black cinematographer to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for Sinners.
Ludwig Göransson – Won his first Academy Award for Best Original Score for Black Panther and later earned a nomination for Best Original Song for “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Michael P. Shawver – Received his first Oscar nomination for Best Film Editing for Sinners.
Shunika Terry – Earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Sinners.
Francine Maisler – Received her first Oscar nomination for Best Casting at the 98th Academy Awards for Sinners, marking the debut year of the category.
Jay Hart – Won his first Oscar for Best Production Design as set decorator on Black Panther.
Hannah Beachler – Made history as the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Production Design for Black Panther and returned to the Oscars conversation with Sinners.
Monique Champagne – Received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Production Design for Sinners, alongside Hannah Beachler.
Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Sounwave & Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith – Received Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song for “All the Stars” from Black Panther.
Benjamin A. Burtt, Brandon Proctor, Felipe Pacheco & Chris Welcker – Earned Academy Award nominations for Best Sound for their work on Sinners. Pacheco also made history as the first person from Costa Rica ever nominated for an Oscar.
Donnie Dean, Guido Wolter, Espen Nordahl & Michael Ralla – Received Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects for Sinners.
From Black Panther to Sinners, Ryan Coogler has built more than just successful films — he’s built a creative community. One where actors, designers, musicians, and filmmakers continue to grow together, push the industry forward, and make history along the way.