Ryan Coogler’s box office hit Sinners will arrive on HBO Max with an unprecedented new viewing option not available during its theatrical run. The film launches on the streaming service on July 4th and will be presented in both its original version and a groundbreaking new version featuring a Black American Sign Language (BASL) interpretation. The new version will feature a performance by interpreter Nakia Smith, working under the direction of Rosa Lee Timm, who previously directed the American Sign Language (ASL) versions for other major Warner Bros. Pictures releases, including Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and A Minecraft Movie. This innovative release strategy provides a new layer of accessibility for the critically acclaimed horror film, ensuring its celebrated story can be experienced by a wider audience upon its streaming debut.

Sinners offers an atmospheric genre blend that is uniquely suited for a BASL presentation. Set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta, the story centers on twin brothers, both played by Michael B. Jordan, who establish a local juke joint. Their ambitions become endangered with the arrival of vampires, forcing them to confront a supernatural threat in their community. The narrative uses this horror framework to explore the deep-seated issues of structural racism in America, grounding its fantastical elements in a very real and harrowing historical context.

A key component of Sinners‘ celebrated identity is its deep connection to the blues music of the era. The score, composed by Ludwig Göransson, was widely praised for its authenticity, drawing inspiration from 1930s and 1940s blues and featuring performances from legendary musicians like Buddy Guy. Much of the music was recorded live on set to capture a raw and immersive soundscape. This focus on Black culture, music, and history makes the addition of a BASL interpretation a particularly inspired choice, offering a visual language that aligns with Sinners‘ thematic core.

Sinners‘ Shattering Box Office Success and Critical Acclaim

Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The streaming release for Sinners comes on the heels of a dominant theatrical run that established the film as a major commercial and critical success. The original horror movie defied industry expectations, earning a massive $361.7 million at the worldwide box office against a production budget of around $90 million. In addition, its domestic opening weekend of $48 million marked the best debut for a live-action original film since 2019. This remarkable performance secured Sinners‘ place as one of the year’s highest-grossing movies and one of the most profitable original films of the decade, driven by stellar reviews and strong audience word-of-mouth.

The film’s financial success is all the more impressive given its status as a completely original story in a marketplace often saturated with sequels and established franchises. Sinners now stands as one of the highest-grossing original horror movies of all time, joining the ranks of modern classics like A Quiet Place and Get Out. Despite the monumental success and a narrative that left open the possibility of a follow-up, director Ryan Coogler has been clear that he has no plans to develop a sequel. He stated that his creative intention was to tell a complete and self-contained story that functioned as a “full meal” with a definitive beginning, middle, and end. This commitment to artistic integrity over potential franchise expansion makes the film’s commercial triumph even more significant, highlighting it as a project that succeeded entirely on its own creative merits.

Sinners premieres on HBO Max on July 4th.

Will you be watching the BASL version of Sinners, and what did you think of the film in theaters? Let us know in the comments.