Faith-Based Film, 'I Can Only Imagine' Has Strong Opening Weekend, Ranks 3rd With $17M

Christian Post ^ | 03/18/2018 | Anugrah Kumar

[SeekAndFind]

The faith-based film "I Can Only Imagine" brought in $17.1 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend, going far beyond early expectations and ranking third, behind "Tomb Raider" and "Black Panther."

Based on the true-story of Christian artist Bart Millard's life, the family drama opened at 1,629 locations in the United States and received an A+ CinemaScore with an audience that was 67 percent female and 80 percent over 35.

This is the distributor Roadside Attractions' highest grossing opening ever. "We felt that the film's inspiring story of hope and forgiveness made for a very compelling collaboration," Roadside's co-president, Howard Cohen, said in a statement.

The weekend estimates include $6.2 million for Friday; $5.9 million on Saturday; and a projected $4.8 million for Monday. "I Can Only Imagine" has become the top faith-based movie of 2018.

About a decade ago, MercyMe's crossover hit song, "I Can Only Imagine," sold over 2 million digital downloads and was certified almost 3x platinum. Now, Millard's life story showcased in the Erwin Brothers movie is hitting a high note.

Lee Strobel, the atheist-turned-Christian author behind the "The Case for Christ" book and movie, urged Christians to support the film. "Let's get out to theaters and support the new faith-based movie 'I Can Only Imagine,' which is stunning Hollywood with its strong opening box office performance. It's an excellent movie and we need to get behind solid Christian films if we expect more of them in the future," he wrote on Twitter.

Journalist and blogger Michael Foust noted that the film beat "A Wrinkle in Time" and "Love, Simon."

"I Can Only Imagine finishes weekend No. 1 in theater average, No. 3 overall according to estimates. Beats Disney's 'Wrinkle In Time.' Wow," Foust tweeted.

Author Julie Roys wrote, "… So glad to see a solid Christian movie perform so well!"

Cohen expects the movie to continue to "play solidly" through the Easter holiday and well into spring.

Nearly eight years ago, Millard was approached about making a movie of his story after he shared his testimony during a concert. "It's the most random, surreal thing that happened," Millard recently told The Christian Post of having his life made into a film. "We thought they were crazy, but we were like, 'OK, whatever.'"

His story illustrates that "nobody is ever too far from God's love — or too far from an eternal home in Heaven," according to the movie's summary.

Andrew Erwin, co-director and co-editor, said, "God's hand has been on this song and on this story from the beginning. We are delighted to see a story about forgiveness and redemption connect with so many people. We are humbled for the privilege of telling Bart's story."

Jon Erwin, co-director and co-screenwriter, added, "We are amazed and humbled to see the response to this story. We set out to honor Bart Millard's journey and the band's amazing, life-changing song. It's our privilege to watch this film engage in such a powerful way with the audience."

[fungoking]

Saw it. Great movie.

[RedWing9]

Sorry, meant to say “uproarious clapping”...

[kempster]

I will not waste my time on anything that Oprah is in anymore.

[tbw2]

Love the song and the group. Haven’t seen the movie yet.

[longfellowsmuse]

I read that he viewed his father’s conversion as being happier with God than wanting to return to be with his family. Is this the case? If so how would that be possible when the man had passed from cancer? Can you explain it to me?

[unlearner]

Sounds like a film worth going to the theaters for.

Thanks for sharing.

Here is a review from PluggedIn.com :

http://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/i-can-only-imagine

[unlearner]

“If you make a movie that promotes family values, or at least doesn’t mock them, people will come in droves to see it. It always amazes me how Hollywood can’t figure that out.”

Hollywood tries. But it simply does not comprehend family values.

[longfellowsmuse]

I have read that Amy Grant has a large place in the plot of this movie, is that the case?

[Buckeye McFrog]

There is money to be made in wholesome, values-based entertainment.

Will Hollywood ever get the message? I doubt it.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I hate cheesy contemporary Christian music

Yeah, well, apparently the test audiences did not click with the Gregorian Chant.

[Guenevere]

It’s a Must See movie....we loved it!

[Guenevere]

There was nothing cheesy about this movie or music!

[Guenevere]

Nominal, but significant

[longfellowsmuse]

If contemporary Christian music helps bring people back to God then I am all for it. It sounds like a breath of fresh air when compared to what Hollywood usually pedals these days.

Sometimes Catholics ( I am one) express dislike for contemporary Praise and Worship music because they feel it has desecrated sacred liturgy and they are resentful of the genre because of it. Let’s try to understand each other here without animosity. Gregorian Chant is beautiful for Catholic liturgy and contemporary Christian music has a place in the world as well.

More of an issue with me would be the holding up of Amy Grant as an ideal due to her unrepentant adultery...and before I am accused of casting stones, I make regular use of the confessional.

[philetus]

I see Dennis Quaid plays the boy’s father, but why are they saying that the song is “his tune”?

“Dennis Quaid, one who is known in film, little in song, shares a very adequate performance in his tune “I Can Only Imagine”.

[MayflowerMadam]

“There was nothing cheesy about this movie or music!”

I’m sure it will be loved by many people. All people’s opinions can’t be the same.

[Clay+Iron_Times]

This film lingers in conscious still days after seeing it.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Interesting to see how it stacks up side-by-side against A Wrinkle in Time, the Christian themed story with the faith-based messages removed, but Liberal icon Oprah inserted.

_________________________________

From the article:

Journalist and blogger Michael Foust noted that the film beat “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Love, Simon.”

[Albion Wilde]

Click to listen:

On My Way to Heaven

written and sung by Dennis Quaid,
who appears in the film “I Can Only Imagine”

My life may not be roses
But still I’m gonna be all right
Long as I got my Savior by my side

He freed me from the heavy chains
That had bound my broken heart
Picked me up; gave me a brand new start

Now I’m on my way to heaven
On my way to heaven
I’m on my way to heaven
So i can’t be stayin’ long

I was servin’ time in prison
In a solitary cell
Sentenced by a judge and jury of myself

And He blessed me, forgave me
Touched me with His love
Shined down all his glory from above

Now I’m on my way to heaven
On my way to heaven
I’m on my way to heaven
So i can’t be stayin’ long

And He walks with me every day
Holds my hand and points the way
And He will walk with you every day
The shepherd’s lamp will guide you
Every step along the way

Now I’m on my way to heaven
I’m on way to heaven
On my way to heaven
So i can’t be stayin’ long

I’m on my way to heaven
I’m on my way to heaven
I’m on my way to heaven
Would you like to come along?

Come along
Come along friend
Amen

In theaters for the next few days only

“I Can Only Imagine” film: Trailer (only)

Official site: “I Can Only Imagine” – locations, tickets, trailer

The Faith of Dennis Quaid – The Story behind “On My Way to Heaven”

[Albion Wilde]

I see Dennis Quaid plays the boy’s father, but why are they saying that the song is “his tune”?

See post 39. Dennis did not write "I Can Only Imagine", but he did write and performs "On My Way to Heaven", while he was working on the film. There is a link at the bottom of post 39 that tells the whole story.