The Town with Matthew Belloni How Did ‘Sinners’ Really Do This Weekend?
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Apr 21, 2025 
Franklin Leonard, film executive and founder of the Black List, joins the discussion with Lucas Shaw. They delve into the surprising box office success of 'Sinners' and its profitability challenges. There's a heated debate on Ryan Coogler's studio deal and whether it signals a shift in Hollywood. The duo explores racial biases in media coverage and marketing struggles faced by Black films internationally, emphasizing the need for equitable investment and representation in the industry.
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High Break-Even for 'Sinners'
- 'Sinners' had a strong $48 million domestic opening but faced challenges with its $90-105 million budget.
- Studios generally require films to earn 2.5 times the production budget to break even due to costs and revenue splits.
Complex Narrative of 'Sinners' Success
- The 'Sinners' box office narrative is more complex than headline success implies due to budget and profit challenges.
- Media framing affects audience perception and broader industry responses to black filmmakers' movies.
Racial Bias in Coverage
- Media coverage framed 'Sinners' profitability skeptically compared to similar deals like Tarantino's.
- Franklin Leonard highlights racial bias and inconsistent treatment of black filmmakers in industry critiques.