Posted on 03/19/2018 9:54:13 AM PDT by 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."
Try the link at post 39. Quaid’s song is not cheesy Christian pop; it’s old-fashioned American country music.
This looks r-e-a-l-l-y good; I watched the “blurry” trailer. Thank you!
Thank you for posting. I don’t pay attention to movies much, but I am going to take my 13 year old to see this tomorrow after we finish our schoolwork for the day.
What I find is that we’re all human beings and that it’s all very similar, what we believe. At the bottom, there’s really not that much difference between Christians and Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists. We all worship God.
Dennis Quaid
I see that everyone piled on your comment just a bit. What I want to know is if you’ve ever heard the song - and/or even know anything about the story?
Here is the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lrrq_opng
Here is their story:
https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/02/13/bart-millard-mercyme-can-only-imagine-movie-book-father-abuse/320728002/
And a little more back-story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o_gdqtcCEw
I know the story and it’s interesting. I have heard the song and do not like it. But I don’t like any contemporary “Christian” music. My major was in Church Music and I prefer traditional hymns heavy with Theology. That’s just me.
I’m fine that some people like it. I don’t. It’s almost like people were forcing me to like it, and that’s just weird.
Give me Isaac Watts, the Wesleys, or John Newton.
“It’s almost like people were forcing me to like it, and that’s just weird.”
Fair enough.
However, I hope you’d admit that declaring: “I hate cheesy contemporary Christian music” - might have had something to do with the response you received.
In a thread like this - celebrating a decent movie - your comment was the equivalent of (please pardon my French) ‘p!ssing in the punch bowl’.
I just found out about this but mr. mm and ai are going to go.
We’re not much for theaters as a rule, but do want to support a Christian film.
You'll have to provide us with the article before we can make any legitimate comment.........
I hope it is not because you have failed to pray for Amy!
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
--Jesus
$20M Production
$5M Post-Production/Packagining
$75M Opraaaaah Cameo
That interview with Dennis Quaid is powerful. He did an outstanding job as the father.
It's lovely, isn't it? So good that he is not a one-hit wonder, but a genuine musical talent, propelled by sincere belief.
Can’t wait to see it. It’s snowing today, but I think we can make it to the theater.
Faith bath films are a great business if you can execute them well and spend advertising money on outreach as opposed to traditional media ad buys.
They can have great openings but then tend to fall off significantly. The trajectory is that, on balance, most people who are going to see it go to the theaters opening weekend/week and then nobody attendance drops off.
I’ve always loved Dennis Quaid and the characters he creates, so I am very happy to hear that he loves and is a believer in the King of Glory!
Do you have a link for that quote, and the year he said that?
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