Ben Stiller Defends Sinners' $61 Million Opening Amid Criticism

Ben Stiller and several Hollywood figures have pushed back against media coverage, particularly from Variety and The New York Times, that downplayed the box office success of Ryan Coogler's original film 'Sinners.' Despite a $61 million global opening weekend—considered strong for a non-franchise, R-rated horror film—headlines focused on the movie's $90 million production cost and uncertain profitability. Stiller and others argued that expecting instant profitability is unrealistic, especially for original films, and that such reporting discourages creative risks in Hollywood. Social media users and filmmakers highlighted the film's strong domestic performance and critical acclaim, with 'Sinners' holding a 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Supporters noted that the industry should celebrate successful original films, rather than framing them as disappointments due to high budgets or slow international returns. The debate underscores broader concerns about how media narratives can influence perceptions of box office success and the value of originality in filmmaking.