5 Movies To Watch Before Sinners, Michael B. Jordan & Hailee Steinfeld’s New Vampire Movie

Michael B. Jordan is set to star in a period horror movie called Sinners, and these related films are must-watches before the movie’s premiere. Set to be released on April 18, 2025, Sinners is about twin brothers, both played by Jordan, who return to their hometown in the South in the 1930s only to find that an insidious evil has been waiting for them. Alongside Jordan, the movie also stars Hailee Steinfeld and Jack O’Connell. Additionally, it is directed by Ryan Coogler, who previously directed films such as Creed and Black Panther.

Sinners is highly-anticipated due to its unique premise and blending of genres, from horror to history to action. It is exciting to know that the movie will not only tell a terrifying tale, but will also include true historical horrors, such as the Jim Crow South. On top of that, Coogler and Jordan have long been collaborators, and considering the success of their past movies, it seems likely that Sinners will once again show off their talents. To prepare for this viewing experience, audiences may want to check out other Coogler/Jordan projects or films with similar premises.

5

Black Panther

Coogler & Jordan’s Most Notable Collaboration

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Black Panther

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Science Fiction

ScreenRant logo

8/10

34

8.6/10

Release Date

February 16, 2018

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To get a taste of Coogler and Jordan’s work before Sinners, a great place to start is with Black Panther. Though not their first collaboration, Black Panther is definitely one of their most notable and well-received movies. First released in 2018, the superhero film follows T’Challa, a man who returns to his home country of Wakanda after the death of his father in order to take the throne. However, faced with an unexpected enemy, T’Challa’s place as king and a Black Panther are put at risk.

At first glance, Black Panther is nothing like Sinners. The movies are set in vastly different worlds and tell separate stories. However, on a thematic level, the movies do share some similarities. Like Black Panther, Sinners revolves around power, who holds it, and who has the most right to it. Jordan may be the hero in Sinners, but like his character Erik, he is put into a position where violence may be the only path to survival and freedom.

4

Interview With The Vampire

An Iconic Southern Vampire Movie

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Interview with the Vampire

R

Drama

Horror

9.3/10

Release Date

November 11, 1994

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If you are more excited about Sinners due to its vampiric aspects, then an ideal watch would be Interview with the Vampire. Based on a novel of the same name by Anne Rice, this 1994 film centers on Louis, a man whose grief leads him to a vampire, who persuades him to become his companion. However, the more violence Louis sees, the more committed he becomes to leaving his maker and his bloodthirsty tendencies behind. Notably, the film stars Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Christian Slater, and Kirsten Dunst.

Characters from Midnight Mass and Boys from County Hell on an edited icon with the forest in the background.

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The most obvious connection between Sinners and Interview with the Vampire is the inclusion of vampires as villains. As shown by Sinners’ trailer, the protagonists are hunted by a group of ruthless (and racially motivated) vampires. Yet, even more than that, Interview with the Vampire is a good choice because it will prepare audiences for a dark Southern setting. Viewers will get the chance to see how history and horror can be combined in a thrilling way.

3

Fruitvale Station

Coogler & Jordan’s First Movie Together

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Fruitvale Station

Unrated

Drama

Release Date

July 12, 2013

Runtime

85 Minutes

Director

Ryan Coogler

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Another Coogler movie that is worth checking out before Sinners is Fruitvale Station. This is Coogler’s first-ever feature film, and also the first time that Coogler and Jordan worked together. The movie is about a young man who previously spent time in prison, but is now working hard to maintain a better life for himself, his girlfriend, and his daughter. Yet, on one fateful New Year’s Eve, he gets pulled into a misunderstanding, and ends up facing a tragic fate. Fruitvale Station is based on a true story.

While Black Panther represents the grand scale that Coogler is capable of, Fruitvale Station really gets to the heart of his storytelling.

While Black Panther represents the grand scale that Coogler is capable of, Fruitvale Station really gets to the heart of his storytelling. It is a tale that is heartbreaking, raw, and shockingly true. There is no doubt after watching Fruitvale Station that Coogler is concerned with stories of race and prejudice. Though Sinners has its own paranormal twist, it also tackles these ideas in its own way. Thus, Fruitvale Station may be the best primer for Coogler’s work (and Jordan’s early acting career.)

2

Get Out

A Classic Horror Story About Race

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Get Out

R

Horror

Mystery

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

7/10

15

7.3/10

Release Date

February 24, 2017

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When it comes to horror movies that involve race, there is no better film to watch than Get Out. Released in 2017, this movie is about Chris, a black man who is invited to visit his white girlfriend’s family home for the first time. Although Chris tries to overlook the family’s strange behavior, he eventually realizes that their intentions may be far more nefarious than he ever could have imagined. By the time he understands this, it may be too late. Get Out stars Daniel Kaluuya and is directed by Jordan Peele.

Get Out and Sinners have quite different styles in terms of ambiance and plot, yet they are completely connected by their themes of racism. Get Out’s villains may not be vampires, but they have evil schemes brewing, and Chris is essentially alone in trying to escape with his life. Ultimately, both of these films are horrifying, not just because of jump scares or gore, but because of their real-life implications.

1

Near Dark

A Forgotten Sinners Companion

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Near Dark

R

Thriller

Romance

Drama

Crime

Action

Horror

Release Date

October 2, 1987

Runtime

94 minutes

Director

Kathryn Bigelow

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Last but not least, a perfect movie to watch before Sinners is Near Dark. This 1987 horror movie is about cowboy Caleb who meets a young woman named Mae and immediately falls in love. However, before long, he discovers that she is actually a vampire, and she wants him to join up with her band of bloodsuckers. As a result, Caleb must decide what is more important to him: love or his humanity.

Near Dark may not be a super recognizable title, but it is still a solid watch. With a Certified Fresh 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie successfully blends horror, Western, and romance to create an evocative story that takes itself seriously, despite its paranormal qualities. Though it lacks the racial elements of Sinners, it is a great introduction to serious vampire movies and cross-genre projects. All in all, this is the type of movie that will get audiences ready for Sinners.

Sinners (2025) - Poster

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Sinners

R

Horror

Release Date

April 18, 2025

Runtime

138 Minutes

Director

Ryan Coogler

Writers

Ryan Coogler

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Michael B. Jordan

    Michael B. Jordan

    Smoke / Stack

  • Headshot OF Hailee Steinfeld

    Hailee Steinfeld

    Mary

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Jack O’Connell

    Remmick

  • Headshot Of Wunmi Mosaku

    Wunmi Mosaku

    Annie

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