Ryan Coogler paid tribute to the late Rob Reiner at the Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 Red Carpet.
Speaking with “Extra’s” Mona Kosar Abdi, Coogler praised the late director’s acclaimed work.
“Condolences to his family. His work impacted me incredibly,” Coogler said.
Coogler then went on to share seeing Reiner’s classic film, When Harry Met Sally.
“I remember being young and me and my parents watching ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ and just laughing, laughing they ass off at the scenes,” he said. That was, like, my first real interaction with an adult rom-com. That movie holds a special place in my heart.”
Coogler also spoke about the range of Reiner’s skills as a director.
“He was so able to adapt to whatever the story was, you know? You look at This Is Spinal Tap versus something like Stand by Me, you know what I mean? Versus something like When Harry Met Sally or ‘The Princess Bride,” he said. “ He was able to be so fluid and let the story come to him.”
“He was the best of us. I didn’t get a chance to get to know him personally, but my heart broke in a million pieces upon hearing that news,” Coogler continued.
He then shared his feelings about the reception of his latest film, Sinners.
“I’m definitely taking it in as best I can, moving with gratitude because it doesn’t always work out like this, you know? You can put your heart into something and not connect. So, feeling definitely very blessed that this one did.”
He added, “I’m just riding a wave of gratitude, to be honest with you.”
Coogler also spoke of his longtime working relationship with star Michael B. Jordan,
“It’s incredibly important to me… A relationship with somebody this talented, this focused, this gifted, this selfless, you know… we’ve been able to cultivate the relationship… for me, it’s something that I never want to take for granted.”