From Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, to Quentin Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson, to Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro, the film industry has proved time and time again that it thrives when actor and director duos find their rhythm and grow together. Some of the most influential eras in cinema history have been shaped when exceptionally creative actors and visionary directors are paired together.
Last Sunday, the 98th Academy Awards reminded audiences that Jordan and Coogler may be next in line to join that legacy. Their success with Sinners did more than dominate the night. It strengthened the case that they are one of the defining actor-director duos of their generation.
Over the past decade, this Hollywood duo has become one of the industry’s most influential partnerships. Their collaboration began with Fruitvale Station in 2013. Since then, Coogler has cast Jordan in every one of his feature films. That run includes Creed (2015), Black Panther (2018), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) and now Sinners (2025).
Michael B. Jordan accepts the award for Actor in a Leading Role award for Sinners.
At this year’s Oscars, Jordan won his first Academy Award for actor in a leading role for his dual performance in Sinners as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Coogler also won his first Oscar for original screenplay for the same film.
Jordan thanked Coogler, who sat in the audience at the Dolby Theatre, during his acceptance speech.
“I’m so honored to call you a collaborator and a friend,” said Jordan to Coogler. “You gave me the opportunity and space for me to be seen, and I love you too, bro, love you to death.”
He also thanked his mother, his father and his castmates, including Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosaku and Hailee Steinfeld. With the win, Jordan became the sixth Black man to win the Oscar for a leading role.
“I stand here because of the people that came before me: Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forrest Whitaker, Will Smith,” Jordan said through tears. “To be amongst those giants, amongst those greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys.”
Ryan Coogler after winning Best Original Screenplay
Coogler, an Oakland, California, native would go on to make history of his own as the second Black filmmaker to win the Academy Award for best Original Screenplay, after actor and award-winning filmmaker, Jordan Peele, became the first in 2018. In his acceptance speech, Coogler addressed the audience who gave him a standing ovation.
“Please sit down because I’m very nervous, and they’re going to play me off. I grew up in Richmond in Oakland, California, and we can talk a lot,” said Coogler. “I wanna thank the Academy for thinking of our movie that came out almost a year ago. This is an incredible honor, you are all winners in my book.”
Directors sometimes shape their characters around an actor’s specific strengths, emotional range and personality. In the case of Jordan, Coogler consistently crafts his characters that lean into Jordan’s commanding presence, vulnerability and intensity, allowing his performances as characters such as Adonis Creed, Erik Killmonger, and both Smoke and Stack, to feel relatable, powerful and human.
Beyond Jordan and Coogler’s respective wins, Sinners, which came into the 2026 Oscars with 16 nominations, the most of any film in history, would also win both Best Cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw) and Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson). This marked four total Oscar wins of the night for Sinners.
