Struggling to find the words to adequately express all of his emotions, film director Ryan Coogler penned a heartfelt letter to fans.

“Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out of this strong. It still humbles me to think that people care enough to spend their money and time watching our film. But to see people of all backgrounds wearing clothing that celebrates their heritage, taking pictures next to our posters with their friends and family, and sometimes dancing in the lobbies of theaters- often moved me and my wife to tears,” he wrote.

He ended the letter simply saying, “Thank you for giving our team of filmmakers the greatest gift: The opportunity to share this film that we poured our hearts and souls into, with you.”

Coogler’s “Black Panther” has achieved something no other film of its kind has before by not just breaking records but shattering them. So Coogler has a good reason to shed a few tears.

Like any filmmaker, Coogler just wanted people to go see his film. He wanted someone to admire his craft and appreciate his and his team’s work. Disney wanted to push the envelope and take a gamble on the superhero film that redefined what a superhero is in the mostly all African American cast movie. All wanted a profit, of course. But none expected what has resulted from this movie.

Breaking Records

Earlier this year “Black Panther” was expected to earn between $100 - $120 million. A far cry from the actual $242 million it made during its debut weekend. Coming in fifth place behind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at $248 million, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” at $220 million, “Jurassic World” at $208.8 million, and “The Avengers” at $207.4 million, “Black Panther is the highest grossing film of all time for a three-day opening weekend. It also holds the record for the second highest moneymaker for a four-day weekend. It set another milestone as the top Monday domestic grossing film ever with $40.2 million; bringing its four-day weekend total to $242 million.

Internationally, “Black Panther” did just as well earning $184.6 million with the majority of that being earned in South Korea and the U.K. Add that to its North America earnings and “Black Panther” has grossed an amazing $426.6 million in just four days. Boom!

With each passing day, it seems “Black Panther” breaks another record. The 2016 film “Deadpool” use to hold the record for the top spot as the highest grossing film for a President’s Day weekend at $152 million but that was before “Black Panther” almost double that. No other African American director has had a film that has made as much money as “Black Panther” has. It has the best showing of any February film. Talk about phenomenal!

#BlackPantherChallenge

Besides its outstanding showing at the box office, “Black Panther” is having a positive effect on the world creating a movement that is causing people to show their Black pride and appreciate their heritage and culture.

This was the first time I saw a film where it felt like the crowd was part of the movie. Walking through the theater was like seeing the film previews live. People were dressed in African prints from head-to-toe. The traditional greeting of “hey” and “hello” are no longer efficient, but have been replaced with the new greeting of crossing your arms over the chest with your hands in fists.

“Black Panther” made African Americans proud for its depiction of showing superheroes that look like them, celebrating the strength of black women, and encouraging girls to go into STEM careers. Thus prompting many to take on the #BlackPanther to get children out to see the film. T.I. partnered with Walmart to give out free tickets. Many celebrities like Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Sheryl Underwood, and Jemele Hill have rented theaters or donated to help as many children as possible see this film. One New York man raised $500K through a Go Fund Me account to send some Harlem kids to the movies. One of Houston Style Magazine’s own writers, Demez White, funded some kids to see the film. And before you think this is just a “Black Thing” don’t. Many caucasians celebrities like J.J. Abrams, Chelsea Clinton, Viola Davis, Ellen DeGeneres have all contributed for kids to see this movie. There is even a list on the entertainment site Rotten Tomatoes of all the Go Fund Me campaigns running to raise money for movie screenings for children.

The “Black Panther” craze seems to be unstoppable. And I am one who is glad about it. Hollywood will undoubtedly be changed by it. This film is so amazing. It’s indescribable. I highly encourage folks to not just see it one time, but multiple times. Don’t go alone. Take a crew of people with you to enjoy and be entertained as you are transported to Wakanda.