Every Ryan Coogler Movie In Order – From 'Fruitvale Station' to 'Sinners'
Thanks to its record-breaking premiere, many associate Ryan Coogler with Black Panther (2018). However, the director has been around longer than that. Releasing his debut feature film at 27, Coogler earned a well-deserved spot on Time's list of "30 People Under 30 Who Are Changing the World" in 2013. With all of his films earning acclaim from critics and audiences alike, Coogler is on track to be one of the most influential filmmakers of the 21st century, and the recent success of Sinners (2025) only cements that further.
From superhero epics in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to sexy vampires in historical Southern towns, here's every Ryan Coogler movie and where you can find them on platforms like Hulu and HBO Max.
Ryan Coogler came out the door swinging. His directorial debut, Fruitvale Station, follows Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan) throughout his day until his tragic run-in with police. Based on a true story, Coogler delivers an intimate look into Oscar Grant's life and the senseless violence that took him from the world.
Despite being over a decade old, Fruitvale Station, unfortunately, remains a relevant story about police brutality in the United States and the devastating effect it can have on Black communities. After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, Coogler's debut rightly won Best First Film (Caméra d'Or) at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. If you still haven't watched it, change that, especially if you're a fan of crime thrillers and biopics.
After nearly a decade hiatus, the Rocky franchise returned with Creed. For the first time, Sylvester Stallone's titular boxer takes a backseat, playing the mentor to up-and-comer Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan). However, Adonis isn't just another spirited young boxer—he's the son of Rocky's late rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).
Not only did Coogler direct Creed, but he also wrote the screenplay alongside Aaron Covington. With most of the iconic franchise previously written by Stallone, this was a significant risk that paid off. Coogler managed to revitalize the series while respectfully passing the mantle. Although Coogler didn't return to direct Creed II (2018) or its sequel, he played a part in creating Creed III's (2023) acclaimed story. Fans of the boxing franchise will find a lot to like here, but Creed is friendly enough for newcomers to enjoy, too.
When his home comes under attack, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) must save his people while assimilating to his new roles of king and superhero in Black Panther. Thanks to the juggernaut that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this Marvel adaptation remains one of Coogler's best-known films, and for good reason. In addition to reigning as the highest-grossing movie ever by a Black director, Black Panther was also the third highest-grossing film of all time upon its 2018 release.
The movie's political commentary, earnest performances and beautiful cinematography were just a few of the reasons Black Panther became the first superhero movie to receive a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Perhaps more importantly to us, average audiences, it's an easy access point to the MCU, which has become rather unwieldy and unfriendly to more casual fans. If you want a superhero movie with competent, powerful storytelling, Black Panther is your answer.
Few sequels live up to the original film. However, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever manages to do just that. With the Black Panther franchise's leading man, Chadwick Boseman, tragically passing away in 2020, the movie centers on the people of Wakanda as they band together to defend their kingdom from Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) while a new figure assumes the Black Panther mantle.
Wakanda Forever ends Phase Four of the MCU on a high note, with Coogler showing his ability to weave sociopolitical themes into big-budget, action-packed blockbusters. The performances remain top-notch, especially from Angela Bassett as Ramonda. Although Boseman's absence is felt, Wakanda Forever acts as a bittersweet tribute to both the superhero and the real man behind the mask. If you liked the first Black Panther movie, the sequel is practically mandatory.
Once again, Ryan Coogler proves he is a man of many hats by trading superheroes for the supernatural. Sinners sees the director team up with Michael B. Jordan once again to deliver a daring supernatural period piece about twin brothers uncovering a sinister, vampiric evil after returning to their hometown.
As visually stunning as the rest of Coogler's filmography, the movie uses its vampires as a clever metaphor for race relations and assimilation in the historical South. A little bit Near Dark (1987) and even more like From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Sinners' blood and dark themes make it an easy choice for horror fans hungry for supernatural stories that prioritize atmosphere, charm, and character-driven plot points over cheap jump scares.
