The entertainment world is still mourning the recent loss of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer. Over the past few weeks, numerous stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and Cary Elwes have shared their condolences and memories of the couple. Now, Ryan Coogler, the writer and director of Sinners, has spoken out about his sadness and shock at the news.
At the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, Ryan Coogler spoke about the late actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner. Though they never collaborated, Coogler, the director of films like Creed and Black Panther, explained how much Reiner’s movies impacted him as a child, specifically mentioning a beloved romantic comedy from 1989.
I was so sorry to hear of his passing. His work meant a lot to me. I’ll always remember watching ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ with my family when I was young – we were all doubled over with laughter! That was my first experience with a really funny, grown-up romantic comedy, and the movie still feels special to me.
Even after more than 35 years, When Harry Met Sally… remains a top romantic comedy – and with good reason. From longtime fans to first-time viewers, the film starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan has a wide appeal, counting director Ryan Coogler among its admirers. It makes you wonder if he considers it a perfect New Year’s Eve movie.
That’s just one of Rob Reiner’s films that Ryan Coogler loved watching as a kid, and he still admires Reiner’s ability to create captivating movies. As Coogler puts it:
He was incredibly versatile and could fully immerse himself in any role, whether it was in a comedy like ‘This Is Spinal Tap,’ a coming-of-age story like ‘Stand by Me,’ a romantic comedy like ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ or a fantasy adventure like ‘The Princess Bride.’ He had a remarkable ability to let the story guide his performance, and he was truly one of the greats. Although I didn’t know him well personally, I was devastated to hear of his passing.
It’s sad that Ryan Coogler and Rob Reiner never had a chance to meet, especially since Coogler greatly admired Reiner’s work and likely would have loved to tell him so. They might even have found a way to work together. It’s understandable why Reiner’s passing affected Coogler so deeply.
Rob Reiner’s most recent film was Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, released last September. He co-wrote and starred in it with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, just as he did with the first Spinal Tap movie. He also appeared in Season 4 of The Bear as Albert Schnur, a business consultant who played a surprisingly significant role in the series. Reiner is also known for directing popular films like Stand by Me, Misery (now available on Peacock), and A Few Good Men.
Ryan Coogler’s film, Sinners, was a critical and commercial success in 2025, earning $368 million globally on a budget of around $90-100 million. You can watch it on HBO Max. He’s now working on Black Panther 3, though a release date hasn’t been announced yet.
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2026-01-06 06:40