Ryan Coogler: From $200K in Student Debt to Billion-Dollar Box Office Success

Despite becoming one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors, Ryan Coogler’s path to success was paved with financial hardship.

Speaking recently on the WTF With Marc Maron podcast, the Black Panther and Creed director opened up about the substantial student debt he faced early in his career.

“I was always 200 grand in debt for film school. It was bad,” Coogler said, recalling his time at the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts. “We don’t come from no money.”

Today, Ryan Coogler stands at the helm of another critical and commercial hit: Sinners, a genre-bending vampire drama set in 1930s Mississippi. The film, which Coogler co-wrote and directed, has grossed over $175 million worldwide in its first two weeks in theaters, earning praise for its bold storytelling and unique blend of horror, drama, and blues music.

Sinners continues Ryan Coogler’s tradition of genre-defying work, following acclaimed projects like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther.
Produced alongside his wife, Zinzi Coogler, and featuring a score by longtime collaborator Ludwig Göransson, the film has been celebrated for its originality — a rare feat in today’s crowded cinematic landscape.

Even more impressive is Sinners’ second-week box office drop of just 6%, an almost unheard-of figure signaling strong audience retention and word-of-mouth success.

Ryan Coogler also secured an innovative first-dollar gross deal with Warner Bros. for the film, guaranteeing him a share of the profits from the moment Sinners hit theaters — a major advantage rarely afforded to most directors, even at his level.