"Sinners"was themovie to beatat this year'sOscars, and some viewers aren't happy with the final results.
The acclaimedRyan Cooglervampire horror, starringMichael B. Jordan,Jack O'ConnellandHailee Steinfeld, was a top contender at the98th Academy Awardson Sunday, March 15, after it racked up a historic 16 nominations.
The filmtook home four prizes, including best original screenplay (Coogler), best original score (Ludwig Göransson), best achievement in cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw) and best leading actor (Jordan).
Despite the victories, "Sinners" was alsodealt several lossesthroughout the night, most notably best picture ("One Battle After Another") and best director (Paul Thomas Anderson).
"'Sinners' was a generational triumph in terms of storytelling, acting, writing, a commentary on race relations in this country, on top of being one of the most enjoyable film experiences in years," Threads userMatt Lombardowrote after the ceremony. "The Academy got this one wrong. An all-time snub."
Released last April, "Sinners"grossed $369.4 millionat the global box office and currently holds a 97% critical rating onRotten Tomatoes.
In hisreview of the film, USA TODAY movie critic Brian Truitt lauded "Sinners" as something "devilishly special," praising both Coogler's "methodical world-building" and Jordan's dynamic performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack.
"There's a lot of movie to be had here, and even when you think it's over, Coogler is nowhere near done," Truitt wrote. "With 'Sinners,' an inimitable auteur makes the most of every surrealist detail and crafts a fright fest that's musical and meaningful, mesmerizing and memorable."
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The biggest A-listers in Hollywood brought their most lavish looks to the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15. See the best fashion of the night, starting with Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
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Zinzi Evans and Ryan Coogler" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gwyneth Paltrow" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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The biggest A-listers in Hollywood brought their most lavish looks to the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15.See the best fashion of the night, starting with Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson
'Sinners' fans say beloved film was 'robbed' at Oscars
Several "Sinners" fans took to social media to criticize the film's losses for best picture and best director.
"I'm just going to say it… 'SINNERS' WAS ROBBED OF THE OSCAR FOR BEST PICTURE!!!!"@itsjohnjoseph_wrote on Threads.
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"'Sinners' is the most nominated film in Academy Awards history. And its director just lost best director,"@mikehamiltonjrwrote. "What this tells me is that they have systemically decided that no Black director will ever win that category."
Host Conan O'Brien welcomes viewers and audience members to the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 15, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zoe Saldaña gives actress Amy Madigan the Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for Madigan's work in "Weapons."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amy Madigan accepts the Oscar for best actress in a supporting role during the 98th Annual Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Conan O'Brien performs at the start of the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Host Conan O'Brien onstage at the start of the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Emma Stone and Demi Moore share a moment before the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Host Conan O'Brien onstage at the start of the Oscars show." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actress Teyana Taylor, nominated for best supporting actress, and Lynette Howell Taylor, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, before the Oscars show." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner attend the 98th Annual Academy Awards." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner talking with Elle Fanning at the 2026 Oscars." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Host Conan O'Brien welcomes viewers and audience members to the Oscars show at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 15, 2026.
Including Coogler,only seven Black men have ever been nominatedfor best director, although none have ever won. Two of those films,"Moonlight"and"12 Years a Slave,"won best picture, although Damien Chazelle ("La La Land") and Alfonso Cuarón ("Gravity") took home best director in their respective years.
"If you can direct a film to the most nominations in history and STILL lose, what Black director will ever win?" the Threads user concluded.
"'One Battle After Another' winning over 'Sinners' is so 'Green Book' over 'Black Panther' coded,"@fredtjosephwrote, referring to the 2019 loss of Coogler's Marvel film"Black Panther"to the Peter Farrelly dramedy"Green Book."
'Sinners' Oscar wins encourage fans after best picture loss
Although "Sinners" came away empty-handed in the best picture category, the film's wins in other Oscar races became a consolation prize for many fans and commentators online.
"A mixed bag tonight. But Ryan, Autumn and Michael winning tonight was a huge score!"@blackgirlnerdswrote on Threads. "Ryan only has five movies under his belt, and he's accomplished so much in a few years than what many filmmakers have done in a lifetime. Congratulations 🍾"
"'Sinners' not winning best picture is actually CRAZY, like what exactly more does The Academy want from a film,"@michaelamcgradywrote. "That being said, hell yes to [Michael B. Jordan's] huge and well-deserved win."
From Emma Stone and Demi Moore having a catch-up to all the winners embracing their major moment backstage, here's a look at everything going on behind the scenes at the 98th Academy Awards.Pictured here, Conan O'Brien talks to Amy Madigan, winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for "Weapons," backstage during the Oscars." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti speak during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Performer Josh Groban poses backstage. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Howell Taylor and actress Elle Fanning share a laugh." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Demi Moore greets this year's best actress nominee (and two time winner) Emma Stone." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The best Oscars moments you didn't see on TV, from backstage sightings to celeb hangouts
FromEmma Stone and Demi Moorehaving a catch-up to all the winners embracing their major moment backstage, here's a look at everything going on behind the scenes at the98th Academy Awards.Pictured here,Conan O'Brientalks to Amy Madigan,winner of the Oscarfor Best Supporting Actress for "Weapons," backstage during the Oscars.
"These dying institutions are trying to pander to youth and marginalized viewers for their survival while baiting us with full intent to disrespect our support the whole time,"@lilymeadewrote. "Congratulations to Michael, Ryan and all the awards this film won tonight and at all the other shows. Goodbye to the Academy."
"While I didn't agree with 'Sinners' not winning best picture, I think this overall was a very good award season for that movie,"@jemelehillwrote. "They received so much love and recognition because they deserved it. 'Sinners' left a mark, and that's all you can ask for when you make anything."
Contributing: Brian Truitt and Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Sinners' Oscars loss for best picture, best director outrages fans