Ranking Ryan Coogler’s 5 Movies: Which One Reigns Supreme?

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Ryan Coogler boasts an exceptional filmmaking career, scarcely matched by many others in the industry. Not only has he never produced a subpar film, but each of his movies exceed expectations, often against considerable challenges. For instance, he revitalized the Rocky franchise with a fresh underdog boxer narrative, and remarkably, he managed to craft an engrossing sequel to a highly acclaimed Best Picture nominee after having to completely rethink it following the sad and untimely demise of his lead actor. Each time, Coogler has delivered a film that’s captivating, emotionally resonant, and brimming with thought-provoking themes.

As a devoted admirer, I’d say that much like Spielberg, Ryan Coogler seamlessly navigates various film genres – from sports films to superhero epics, even venturing into gangster tales that twist into supernatural horror. Yet, regardless of the genre, Coogler remains a consistent master of visual storytelling, delving deeply into human characters and universal emotions.

Coogler’s collaborative efforts with leading man Michael B. Jordan have yielded an impressive portfolio of five movies thus far. Ranging from the visually stunning Black Panther series to the gripping real-life tale of Fruitvale Station, Coogler has undeniably left his indelible mark as a true cinematic visionary, from the opening scenes of Fruitvale Station to the final frames of Sinners.

5. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

As a great admirer, I must say that while some might argue that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” isn’t Ryan Coogler’s strongest work, it’s far from being a bad movie. On the contrary, it stands as one of the most compelling offerings in Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Four. The production of this film faced an unprecedented challenge when Ryan Coogler had to rewrite the sequel to “Black Panther” following the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman. This sudden change required Coogler to completely overhaul the sequel’s narrative, focusing instead on T’Challa’s sister, Shuri. Remarkably, despite this heart-wrenching production hurdle, Coogler has delivered one of Marvel’s finest post-“Endgame” movies.

In the film “Wakanda Forever,” director Ryan Coogler chose to address the sorrow of everyone involved by dedicating an emotional homage to the late Chadwick Boseman. At the start of the movie, we see Wakanda in mourning for their deceased king. Unfortunately, the sequel doesn’t hold up as well as the original; flooding the capital city could have provided a more impactful climax rather than the CGI-heavy battle on the warship. Additionally, some viewers may find that the character Ironheart, played by Dominique Thorne, seems out of place in this lengthy movie. Despite these criticisms, “Wakanda Forever” offers an engaging antagonist in Namor and serves as a touching tribute to Boseman.

4. Black Panther

Ryan Coogler earned Marvel Studios their initial Best Picture nomination with the release of “Black Panther” in 2018. Following his introduction in “Captain America: Civil War,” T’Challa’s solo outing established him as one of the most intriguing new characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unlike many MCU films, “Black Panter” delves beyond superficial comic-book action to examine complex themes, particularly colonialism. Erik Killmonger, much like Heath Ledger’s Joker, presents morally ambiguous actions, yet his message holds weight. His objective is to utilize Wakanda’s resources to retaliate against the cruelty of colonization by turning it back on the colonizers.

In a slightly different wording: Some minor flaws keep Black Panther from being Ryan Coogler’s top movie. The final battle between T’Challa and Killmonger lacks the punch of their initial fight, as weightless CGI reduces the impact, and the overall climactic fight appears quite formulaic. However, Black Panther remains one of the finest superhero films ever produced. It was the first time a Marvel movie demonstrated that it could offer more than mere surface-level blockbuster enjoyment. Superhero tales are modern myths, and Coogler brilliantly depicted this with T’Challa’s initial solo venture.

3. Sinners

Ryan Coogler’s latest masterpiece, titled “Sinners“, showcases one of his most daring, unique, and exceptional works. Similar to “Everything Everywhere All at Once“, “Sinners” seamlessly combines various genres, making it a riveting gangster movie, an intense horror film, a captivating musical, and a profound Jim Crow-era historical drama all in one. Remarkably, each genre complements the others, creating a harmonious blend that is nothing short of extraordinary. The narrative revolves around twin gangsters revisiting their Mississippi hometown to establish a juke joint, a compelling tale on its own, even without the addition of vampires.

In the gritty and stylish film titled “Sinners“, there’s a rich blend of visual appeal and deep emotional and thematic depth. It’s an intense, action-packed saga that pits gangsters against vampires, but it also serves as a profound exploration of racism, mortality, American history, and artistic expression. Ryan Coogler’s regular collaborators are in top form with this movie. Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw captures stunning images on film, Ludwig Göransson delivers another captivating musical score, and production designer Hannah Beachler and costume designer Ruth E. Carter bring the 1930s Mississippi to life on screen. Coogler’s first original blockbuster is a true masterpiece, showcasing his unique creative vision.

2. Creed

Ryan Coogler skillfully breathed new life into the Rocky series and sparked a trend of follow-up films based on established franchises with the 2015 release of Creed. This movie introduces Adonis, Apollo Creed’s unknown son, as an ambitious new boxer gearing up for his debut fight. Creed offers a fresh take on Rocky Balboa’s tale, with Donnie serving as another underdog striving to establish himself in the boxing world. Unlike Rocky, however, Donnie has the challenge of living up to the illustrious legacy of his father, whom he never knew. He must not only demonstrate his prowess in the ring but also embody the iconic image of his absent parent.

In essence, “Creed” follows the typical pattern common in such films: there’s a renowned contender, a motivational training sequence, and a climactic battle – all of which underscore why this formula resonates so deeply. These tales serve as a powerful allegory for life’s challenges. The journey of Donnie, battling adversity and self-doubt to emerge victorious, mirrors any personal struggle one might encounter. Coogler skillfully captures the essence of this narrative, echoing the fundamental dramatic aspect of “Rocky”: it wasn’t truly about boxing; rather, it was a heartfelt love story that centers around a boxer.

1. Fruitvale Station

Since making his directorial debut, Ryan Coogler has consistently produced excellent films, but his first movie, “Fruitvale Station,” remains his most impressive work. This powerful film recounts the true story of the tragic events leading to a police officer’s fatal shooting of 22-year-old African American man Oscar Grant. Michael B. Jordan’s compelling portrayal of Grant marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with Coogler that continues to thrive today. While it serves as a powerful protest against police brutality and the systemic racism and corruption underlying Grant’s death, “Fruitvale Station” is also a heartfelt tribute to Grant’s life. Coogler skillfully navigates this delicate balance.

Ryan Coogler’s method of dramatizing this tragic event in Fruitvale Station is exceptionally impactful. Instead of delving deep into the murder itself, the film emphasizes on humanizing Oscar Grant. It’s less about a true crime tale and more about understanding a character – Oscar Grant. The movie portrays the events leading up to his death, highlighting his relationships with his girlfriend, daughter, and mother, as well as his struggles to secure stable employment. The film doesn’t sugarcoat Grant’s imperfections; it presents him as a multi-dimensional human being. Fruitvale Station is considered Ryan Coogler’s finest work among the diverse stories and genres he has explored since then.

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2025-04-22 12:20