Sometimes the most powerful word in storytelling is “original.”
After years of working within major franchises and real-life stories, Ryan Coogler returned to something deeply personal with Sinners — a fiercely original story rooted in the Delta Blues traditions of his family history. The film blends music, history, horror, and genre spectacle, culminating in a raucous supernatural finale anchored by Michael B. Jordan’s dual performances as twin brothers.
Now that creative gamble has paid off in a major way.
Ryan Coogler has won his first Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards, marking his first win and first nomination in the category. The recognition adds to an already historic night for the film, which entered the ceremony with a record-breaking 16 nominations.
The Oscar also marks Coogler’s fifth overall Academy Award nomination. His previous nominations include Best Picture for producing Judas and the Black Messiah and Best Original Song for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. He is also nominated tonight for Best Director and Best Picture for Sinners.
With this win, Coogler becomes only the second Black writer to win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, following Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking win for Get Out.
The award further solidifies the film’s impact — both as an artistic achievement and as a major moment for original storytelling in Hollywood.
Below is the full list of winners from the 98th Academy Awards, updating live
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Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn — One Battle After Another
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Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan — Weapons
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Best Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another — Written by Paul Thomas Anderson
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Best Original Screenplay: Sinners — Written by Ryan Coogler
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Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
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Best Animated Short Film: The Girl Who Cried Pearls
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Best Costume Design: Kate Hawley — Frankenstein
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Best Casting: Cassandra Kulukundis — One Battle After Another
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Best Live-Action Short Film: The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva (Tie)
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Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Frankenstein — Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, Cliona Furey
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Best Original Score: Sinners — Ludwig Göransson
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Best Documentary Feature: Mr. Nobody Against Putin
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Best Documentary Short: All the Empty Rooms
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Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
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Best Production Design: Frankenstein — Tamara Deverell & Shane Vieau