Fans of the Ryan Coogler-directed film “Sinners” were no doubt overjoyed on Thursday when they learned that the blockbuster film received a record-breaking and history-making 16 nominations for the 2026 Oscars race—the most for any film ever. In nearly every category they qualified for, the multi-genre film received recognition for their efforts both on-camera and off. And now, they’re speaking out about their monumental feat!
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As we previously told you, Coogler cinched yet another Best Director nomination as well as one for Best Original screenplay. The film itself is also up for Best Picture. Speaking with Deadline shortly after learning about his honors, Coogler expressed that he was surprised at how things played out but that he was ultimately grateful to the moviegoers who showed up time and time again and the creative partners who helped bring this film to life.
Describing the nominations as “pretty crazy,” Coogler explained: “I was so thankful that everybody said yes to this movie. My partners included, because I knew that the movie on the surface could be read as very strange. And I say that in the best of ways, because I also really love strange movies. Those are the movies that I always admired. And I always admired the bravery of artists that were able to make movies that were kind of undefinable when it came to genre, and scary movies and movies that went there in any particular way.”
He later added, “I did not have any expectations when it came to the recognition of what they [the team] did. For me, people just showing up to the movies and having a good time, that would’ve been enough. That is worth all the effort. But that people would consider the craft and the achievements that went into it individually. It’s so rewarding.”
For Michael B. Jordan, who played dual roles as identical twin brothers Smoke and Stack and earned his first ever Oscar nomination reflected on the gravity of the moment and shared how this film will now sit amongst other projects that were influential to him as an artist.
“To be a part of a project that will live in cinema history right up there with the movies that have inspired me as an artist — it is really a surreal feeling, and it’s a testament to the movie, to every piece of the puzzle that went into making this film,” he told Deadline.
Speaking to his frequent collaborator and friend Coogler, Jordan asserted that film is ultimately “a testament to the empathy and the humanity that Ryan pours into the world and the movies that he makes, that forever remain timeless and somehow become a mirror to the world and to the audience of what’s going on today.”
And perhaps what makes “Sinners” even more special is the recognition that it received for the work that was being put in by artists off-camera. Specifically, when it comes to their legendary costume designer Ruth E. Carter, production designer Hannah Beachler (both Black women, by the way), and songwriter Raphael Saadiq (yes the same Raphael Saadiq of Tony! Toni! Toné! fame)—their efforts were also honored with Oscar nominations.
In a statement sent to The Root, Beachler expressed gratitude and amazement, thanking the Academy and others for considering the film.
“Y’all! Wow! So humbled, and grateful! This is truly amazing. Thank you to all the voting members of the Academy for this incredible, spectacular nomination, and for all the nominations for Sinners. Thank you for feeling the love and reverence, and the ancestors in this film,” Beachler said.
Saadiq echoed similar sentiments and took the time out to shoutout his collaborator Ludwig Göransson, actor and singer Miles Caton (who sang the song and shares in the nomination with him) and Coogler for trusting him and tasking him with helping to create a fitting song for a film that honors both Black history and blues music.
“I am so proud of what Ludwig and I were able to create with ‘I Lied To You.’ This song was written with my family in mind, generations of men and women from the South,” Saadiq said in a stament. “Nothing is more powerful than when music and film come together and seeing this on the big screen, in a cinema was special. Miles brought this song to life in ways I could have never imagined, and his talent completes the power of this piece.”
He concluded: “I also want to say thank you to Ryan Coogler, thank you for allowing me to be part of your vision and trusting me with this now iconic scene. ‘I Lied to You’ not only honors our ancestors but allows us to shine a light on our musical history, it’s an honor I will never forget.”
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