Ryan Coogler won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
With the win, Coogler becomes only the second Black writer to receive the honor in the category, following Jordan Peele, who won in 2018 for Get Out.
During his acceptance speech, the filmmaker began by thanking the many people who helped bring the film to life.
“I want to thank everybody that was involved with this movie, starting with Warner Bros….,” he said.
Coogler then asked members of the cast and crew in the audience to stand.
“Everybody on my cast and crew, please stand up. You guys are amazing. You guys are amazing. You are the winners in my book.”
He also took time to recognize his wife, producer Zinzi Coogler, during the speech.
“You are the best wife and mom in the world. Every day I get to experience was better than the one that came before it,” he said.
His parents were also present for the ceremony, and Coogler made sure to acknowledge them as well.
“Thank y’all for all the memories. Thank y’all for making me believe in myself,” he said.
The director closed his remarks with a message to his children watching from home.
“And to my babies that are at home watching, I apologize for all the time away. Dad loves you. Memories are all we have. I hope I’ve given you some great ones.”
“And when you’re blessed to live a long life and dad becomes just a memory, I want y’all to remember this one thing. I love you all more than anything.”
Ryan Coogler and his wife, producer Zinzi Coogler, married in 2016 and share three children together. The couple generally keeps their family life private. Their first child was born around 2019, and their third arrived in late 2025.
