Known for big-budget hits like Creed and Black Panther, Ryan Coogler is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the future of Hollywood. Starting his career with the acclaimed drama Fruitvale Station, the screenwriter and director is often known for his collaborations with actor Michael B Jordan and composer Ludwig Göransson.
Even though he has just directed three feature films so far, Coogler has also produced major projects like Space Jam: A New Legacy and the Oscar Best Picture-nominated Judas and the Black Messiah. Currently, he is attached with the MCU yet again for the upcoming Black Panther sequel titled Wakanda Forever.
7 Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) - 4.4
The basketball-themed Looney Tunes-centric sequel to Space Jam stars LeBron James as a fictional version of himself along with a cast lead by the popular animated characters. Much like the Michael Jordan-led original, the movie finds LeBron James teaming up with the cartoons in a basketball match. This time, the alien threat has been replaced by AI forces.
Even though the movie drew overwhelmingly negative reviews, audience reactions still seemed to be more favorable in comparison. Coogler served as a producer on the project while frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan also showed up in a brief cameo. If there is one thing that is similar between this sports comedy and Coogler's movies, it is a star-studded soundtrack. Space Jam: A New Legacy's OST boasts of names such as SZA, Lil Wayne, Brockhampton, and many more.
6 Homeroom (2021) - 5
Homeroom is an amusing and increasingly relevant documentary on the public schooling system of Oakland as students get ready to graduate amidst growing tensions like the COVID pandemic, budget cuts, and the George Floyd protests. After winning the Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award at Sundance, the documentary was picked up by Hulu for distribution.
While noted documentary auteur Peter Nicks directed Homeroom, Ryan Coogler served as an executive producer along with David Guggenheim, the filmmaker behind documentaries like An Inconvenient Truth and Waiting for Superman.
5 Creed II (2018) - 7.2
The sequel to Creed continues its protagonist's journey at improving his standing on the global boxing ladder as he must take on a new adversary. This combatant turns out to be Viktor Drago, son of the Russian boxer Ivan Drago who was responsible for the death of Adonis' own father.
Even though Coogler didn't return to direct, he produced the movie with Steven Caple Jr. taking over the directorial duties. Creed II proved to be a satisfactory experience for dedicated Rocky fans as it reunited Sylvester Stallone with his Rocky IV co-star Dolph Lundgren. As for the titular hero, he is easily one of the best Michael B. Jordan characters.
4 Black Panther (2018) - 7.3
Starring the late Chadwick Boseman in the titular role, Black Panther drew raves from critics and audiences alike. Being the first superhero movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, the movie was also praised for its cultural significance. Along with Boseman's lead performance as the monarch and protector of Wakanda, the movie also benefited greatly from Michael B Jordan's antagonistic turn as Erik Killmonger who makes for one of the best MCU villains.
Coogler's vision of the fictitious nation of Wakanda was supported by a multi-dimensional blend of costume design and production design. Wakanda was depicted as a land that not only boasted of high-end technology but also respected its traditions from the past. Thrown in the mix was an equally diverse soundtrack curated by the legendary rapper Kendrick Lamar. The combined influence of all these elements made Black Panther the highest-grossing movie of 2018.
3 Fruitvale Station (2013) - 7.5
Winning both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival, Fruitvale Station struck a chord with many viewers in its exploration of police brutality. Focusing on the killing of Oscar Grant by white policemen, Coogler's deeply moving story showcased the lived reality of many African-Americans who face the brunt of such systemic oppression.
Michael B Jordan starred in the lead role in the movie while Oscar winner Octavia Spencer featured in a supporting part. Another major talent behind the movie's development was Forest Whitaker who served as producer. At a budget of $900,000, Fruitvale Station also proved to be a major success as it made $17.4 million at the box office.
2 Judas And The Black Messiah (2021) - 7.5
Doubling as a historical biopic and a socio-political thriller, Judas and the Black Messiah recounts the story of the charismatic Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton and his betrayal by the FBI informant William O'Neal. While dealing with this true story, the movie also exposed systemic racism, police brutality, and the FBI's efforts in suppressing anti-racism voices like Hampton.
With Coogler producing the movie, it was helmed by newcomer Shaka King who served as director and co-writer. The performances of Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield were immensely praised with the former even winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (while the latter got nominated in the same category).
1 Creed (2015) - 7.6
A spin-off from Sylvester Stallone's iconic Rocky franchise, Creed tells the story of Adonis Johnson as he rises through the ranks in the world of professional boxing. A son of his former rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed, former Heavyweight champ Rocky Balboa ends up training and mentoring him for the road ahead.
Creed reinvents the boxing series while retaining some of the classic underdog themes that made Rocky popular in the first place. Michael B Jordan gave his all as the young boxer while it proved to be a memorable comeback for Stallone. The latter had been dabbling in one action flick or the other in recent years but Creed gave him an opportunity to pursue dramatic acting again. His turn as an aged Rocky Balboa earned him a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. As for Ryan Coogler, his sophomore effort following Fruitvale Station proved his diversity in handling both low-budget features and blockbusters.
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