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Ryan Coogler honors family in emotional best original screenplay win at 2026 Oscars
The director also thanked the co-producer, his parents, and fellow nominees for their support
Ryan Coogler took a moment to make the 2026 Oscars a deeply personal affair as he accepted the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Sinners on Sunday, March 15.
The 39-year-old director shared the stage with his wife and producer, Zinzi Coogler, while delivering a rare and heartfelt shoutout to their three children.
“To my babies that are at home watching, I apologize for all the time away. Dad loves you,” Coogler said.
“Memories are all we have, and I’ll give you some great ones. And when Dad becomes just a memory, I want you to remember this one thing: I love y’all more than anything. Thank you.”
Coogler also praised his wife, calling her “the best wife and mom in the world,” and thanked co-producer Sev Ohanian.
He acknowledged his parents in the audience, saying, “Thank you for all the memories, thank you for making me believe in myself.”
Sinners, set in the 1930s and centered around a vampire narrative, was the night’s most-nominated film with 16 Oscar nods.
Coogler’s Best Original Screenplay win marked the movie’s first award of the evening, beating fellow nominees Blue Moon, It Was Just an Accident, Marty Supreme, and Sentimental Value.
During his speech, Coogler also thanked the Academy for recognizing the film nearly a year after its release, saying, “This is an incredible honor. I want to thank my fellow nominees… for the gifts your movies were and for your friendship over the last years and months.”
