2023 Review: The box office success of religious films is at odds with Hollywood standards

sAll faith-based films have been a surprise hit at the box office throughout 2023.

Movies like Angel Studios His only son, the voice of freedom And after death They outperformed their competitors with pre-sale tickets that helped them reach the top of the box office. They followed the success jesus revolution, Which hit the big screen in February.

Successes of faith-based films encourage Jesus Revolution producer: ‘There’s a hunger for that’

Freedom’s voice Details the true story of how Tim Ballard, a former federal agent with the Department of Homeland Security, left his job and risked his life on a journey into the jungles of Colombia to rescue children from sex slavery. It took first place ahead of the latest Disney movie Indiana Jones The film has its first theatrical release on the Fourth of July.

“During the nineteenth century, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote uncle tom’s cabin, Jeff Harmon, chief content officer at Angel Studios, told… Washington Examiner. “Our hope isFreedom’s voice) could be the modern version of Uncle Tom’s cabin.”

His only son It also shocked the box office just before Easter, It placed third on its opening weekend as it became the first-ever crowdfunded nationwide theatrical release. The film made history when fans gifted tickets to others by paying in advance.

Following this success, Angel Studios also released the documentary after death in October. The film explores what happens after death, based on people’s near-death experiences, including the perspectives of scientists and survivors. It became the highest-grossing documentary film of 2019.

Moviegoers also challenged film critics’ opinions about the film Jesus revolutionwhich appeared Freezer Stars Kelsey Grammer as Southern California pastor Chuck Smith, who invites hippies to his church, starting the real-life Christian movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film placed third at the box office on its opening weekend and has since more than quadrupled its original earnings projections to gross nearly $50 million domestically.

“If the audience comes out and shows they are hungry for it, more of this content will continue to be produced.” Jesus revolution Producer Kevin Downs told Washington Examiner. “Some of these smaller releases that have gained some interest in theaters and actually done a good number at the box office have become very encouraging as a whole – the entire market.”

the blind It is another religious film that exceeded expectations. While it detailed the dark times that preceded the beloved Ducks breed A television series that aims to show the hope found in God.

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“There’s definitely a place and an appetite for it,” said Willie Robertson, the film’s producer and son Ducks breed Patriarch Phil Robertson said Washington Examiner. “We have seen (Ducks breed) A show that dominated the ratings and ended with a prayer — things I never thought would happen, especially in modern America. … Not only does it work, it works well.

the blind It reached nearly 2,000 theaters nationwide in September, finishing fourth at the box office on its opening weekend. The film has since grossed over $16 million domestically.