'Sinners' Oscar losses outrage fans - 'Academy got this one wrong'

Edward Segarra, USA TODAYMon, March 16, 2026 at 5:37 AM UTC

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"Sinners" was the movie to beat at this year's Oscars, and some viewers aren't happy with the final results.

The acclaimed Ryan Coogler vampire horror, starring Michael B. Jordan, Jack O'Connell and Hailee Steinfeld, was a top contender at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, after it racked up a historic 16 nominations.

The film took home four prizes, including best original screenplay (Coogler), best original score (Ludwig Göransson), best achievement in cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw) and best leading actor (Jordan).

Despite the victories, "Sinners" was also dealt several losses throughout the night, most notably best picture ("One Battle After Another") and best director (Paul Thomas Anderson).

From left: "Sinners" director Ryan Coogler (winner of best original script), Ludwig Göransson (winner of best original score), Autumn Durald Arkapaw (winner of best cinematography) and Michael B. Jordan (winner of best actor in a leading role) pose in the press room during the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026.F

"'Sinners' was a generational triumph in terms of storytelling, acting, writing, a commentary on race relations in this country, on top of being one of the most enjoyable film experiences in years," Threads user Matt Lombardo wrote after the ceremony. "The Academy got this one wrong. An all-time snub."

Released last April, "Sinners" grossed $369.4 million at the global box office and currently holds a 97% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In his review of the film, USA TODAY movie critic Brian Truitt lauded "Sinners" as something "devilishly special," praising both Coogler's "methodical world-building" and Jordan's dynamic performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack.

"There's a lot of movie to be had here, and even when you think it's over, Coogler is nowhere near done," Truitt wrote. "With 'Sinners,' an inimitable auteur makes the most of every surrealist detail and crafts a fright fest that's musical and meaningful, mesmerizing and memorable."

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'Sinners' fans say beloved film was 'robbed' at Oscars

Several "Sinners" fans took to social media to criticize the film's losses for best picture and best director.

"I'm just going to say it… 'SINNERS' WAS ROBBED OF THE OSCAR FOR BEST PICTURE!!!!" @itsjohnjoseph_ wrote on Threads.

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"'Sinners' is the most nominated film in Academy Awards history. And its director just lost best director," @mikehamiltonjr wrote. "What this tells me is that they have systemically decided that no Black director will ever win that category."

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Host Conan O'Brien welcomes viewers and audience members to the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 15, 2026.

Including Coogler, only seven Black men have ever been nominated for best director, although none have ever won. Two of those films, "Moonlight" and "12 Years a Slave," won best picture, although Damien Chazelle ("La La Land") and Alfonso Cuarón ("Gravity") took home best director in their respective years.

"If you can direct a film to the most nominations in history and STILL lose, what Black director will ever win?" the Threads user concluded.

"'One Battle After Another' winning over 'Sinners' is so 'Green Book' over 'Black Panther' coded," @fredtjoseph wrote, referring to the 2019 loss of Coogler's Marvel film "Black Panther" to the Peter Farrelly dramedy "Green Book."

'Sinners' Oscar wins encourage fans after best picture loss

Although "Sinners" came away empty-handed in the best picture category, the film's wins in other Oscar races became a consolation prize for many fans and commentators online.

"A mixed bag tonight. But Ryan, Autumn and Michael winning tonight was a huge score!" @blackgirlnerds wrote on Threads. "Ryan only has five movies under his belt, and he's accomplished so much in a few years than what many filmmakers have done in a lifetime. Congratulations 🍾"

"'Sinners' not winning best picture is actually CRAZY, like what exactly more does The Academy want from a film," @michaelamcgrady wrote. "That being said, hell yes to [Michael B. Jordan's] huge and well-deserved win."

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"These dying institutions are trying to pander to youth and marginalized viewers for their survival while baiting us with full intent to disrespect our support the whole time," @lilymeade wrote. "Congratulations to Michael, Ryan and all the awards this film won tonight and at all the other shows. Goodbye to the Academy."

"While I didn't agree with 'Sinners' not winning best picture, I think this overall was a very good award season for that movie," @jemelehill wrote. "They received so much love and recognition because they deserved it. 'Sinners' left a mark, and that's all you can ask for when you make anything."

Contributing: Brian Truitt and Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Sinners' Oscars loss for best picture, best director outrages fans

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