Ryan Coogler is officially having the best year in Hollywood history. We aren’t just talking about “good for a director”—we’re talking about a complete reimagining of what a modern filmmaker can achieve. His latest masterpiece, the Southern Gothic vampire epic Sinners, didn’t just captivate audiences; it fundamentally broke the Academy Awards.
With a staggering 16 Oscar nominations, Sinners has officially surpassed the 14-nomination record previously held by Titanic, All About Eve, and La La Land. But while the world is still reeling from the blood-soaked brilliance of Michael B. Jordan’s dual performance in the Mississippi Delta, Coogler is already looking toward a much softer horizon. In a move that few fans saw coming, the director revealed he wants his next creative “itch” to be scratched by a genre far removed from vibranium or vampires: the romantic comedy.
The “Sinners” Effect: How a Vampire Epic Broke the Academy
Before we can understand where Coogler is going, we have to look at the sheer gravity of where he is now. Sinners became the surprise hit of 2025, pulling in over $365.9 million worldwide. For an R-rated, original horror-drama, those numbers are astronomical. It proved that Coogler’s name on a marquee is as powerful as any franchise IP.
The film’s 16 nominations aren’t just technical nods, either. From Best Picture and Directing to acting nods for Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and Wunmi Mosaku, the Academy has finally embraced horror with open arms. But for Coogler, the thrill of the “monster movie” might be reaching a saturation point. As he told Deadline this week, his goal is to become a “soup-to-nuts” filmmaker—one who can navigate every corner of the cinema.
Honoring a Legend: The Tragic Influence of Rob Reiner
The inspiration for this genre pivot is bittersweet. Coogler’s desire to tackle a Ryan Coogler rom-com is deeply tied to his respect for the late Rob Reiner. The industry is still mourning the tragic loss of Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, who were killed in a shocking incident at their Brentwood home this past December.
Reiner wasn’t just a director; he was a genre-architect. From the mockumentary brilliance of This Is Spinal Tap to the childhood nostalgia of Stand By Me, Reiner had a Midas touch. But it’s his 1989 classic, When Harry Met Sally, that Coogler finds himself returning to as he plans his future.
“When Harry Met Sally is one of my movies that I think about with him,” Coogler shared. “To me, that’s such a solid romantic comedy that feels adult in whole, and it has eternal relevance.”
The director’s “rest in peace” to Reiner highlights a torch-passing moment. In an era where rom-coms are often relegated to streaming “comfort watches,” Coogler seems interested in bringing the “Adult Rom-Com” back to the big screen with the same prestige and weight he brought to the MCU and the Creed franchise.
The “When Harry Met Sally” Blueprint
What does a Ryan Coogler version of When Harry Met Sally look like? If Sinners is any indication, it will likely be grounded in deep character work and impeccable pacing. Written by the legendary Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally succeeded because it didn’t rely on “zany” tropes; it relied on the chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan and the universal question of whether men and women can truly be just friends.
Coogler’s interest in this “eternal relevance” suggests he wants to move away from the high-concept world-building of Wakanda or the X-Files and focus on the intimate, conversational magic of two people falling in love.
“I got kids, so I’m hoping to be around for a long time,” Coogler explained, suggesting that his personal life is influencing his professional desire to create films that celebrate life and connection rather than just survival and violence.
What’s Next? The X-Files and Beyond
While we might have to wait a few years for a Ryan Coogler rom-com, his immediate future is still very much rooted in the supernatural. Coogler is currently hard at work on the X-Files reboot for Hulu. Just this week, it was confirmed that Danielle Deadwyler (Till) has been cast as one of the two lead FBI agents, signaling that Coogler is bringing a fresh, diverse perspective to the iconic 90s mythology.
Between the X-Files and his potential dip into romance, Coogler is proving that he refuses to be boxed in. He is a fan of movies first and a director second.
“There’s not a genre of movie that I don’t love,” he told Deadline. “So, I hope to work on all of them.”
Can Coogler Save the Rom-Com?
We’ve seen Ryan Coogler redefine the superhero movie and resurrect the boxing drama. We’ve seen him make a vampire movie that is currently the frontrunner to sweep the Oscars. If anyone can bring the prestige romantic comedy back to the forefront of pop culture, it’s him.
The idea of a director who can pivot from the grit of the Mississippi Delta to the wit of a New York deli is exactly why we love movies. Ryan Coogler isn’t just following in the footsteps of legends like Rob Reiner; he’s carving out a path that is entirely his own.
What do you think, film fans? Could Ryan Coogler deliver the next great romantic classic, or should he stick to the “scary as hell” vibes of Sinners and The X-Files? Also, who would you cast as the leads in a Coogler-led rom-com? (Our vote is always for more Michael B. Jordan!) Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
