Ryan Coogler has won the best original screenplay Oscar for Sinners, at the 98th Academy Awards.
Coogler’s victory makes him only the second black writer to win the award, following Jordan Peele, who won in 2018 for Get Out.
Coogler had to overcome a strong field to win, including Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, and Robert Kaplow for Blue Moon.
Sinners, which Coogler also directed, stars Michael B Jordan as twins “Smoke” and “Stack” Moore, whose juke joint is under siege by vampires led by Jack O’Connell. Jordan later won the best actor Oscar for his performance.
Coogler has been heavily featured already in this year’s script awards race, winning best original screenplay at the Baftas, Writers Guild and Critics Choice awards, and picking up a nomination at the Golden Globes.
Coogler thanked the Academy and his fellow nominees, as well as his cast and crew – who he asked to rise from their seats.
He then paid tribute to his producer and wife, Zinzi, saying she made every day better than the preceding, as well as to his parents, saying: “Thank y’all for making me believe in myself.”
He finished by thanking “my babies that are at home watching. I apologise for all the time away. Dad loves you.
“Memories are all we have. I hope I’ll give you some great ones. And that y’all blessed to live a long life, and your dad becomes just a memory. I want y’all to remember this one thing. I love y’all more than anything. Thank you.”
• This article was amended on 16 March 2026 to correct the first name of Zinzi Coogler.
