Movies

This TV series about Jesus is making millions — at the box office

BBG News

Over the Easter holiday, cinemas stretching from Torrance to Temecula will screen films such as “A Minecraft Movie” and Ryan Coogler’s horror-thriller “Sinners.” Additionally, numerous theaters will offer an extended marathon viewing of the latest season of the widely acclaimed streaming series, “The Chosen,” a show that offers insight into the life of Jesus Christ.

Watching an entire series on a large screen is quite uncommon nowadays, especially since streaming platforms and cinemas have been competing fiercely to draw viewers.

However, an unusual approach to distribution has proven beneficial for both the show’s creator, who views stage performances as a promotional asset, and theater owners, who seek innovative methods to attract patrons and recognize the potential of popular streaming series on stage.

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As an advocate for top-tier theater, I’m advocating for a mandatory 45-day theatrical window. However, some argue that the clock can’t be turned back now.

Imagine if the first or final episode of ‘The White Lotus’ was played in cinemas instead,” Bob Bagby, president and CEO of B&B Theaters, mused, given that their Red Oak 12 theater in Dallas held the world premiere for “The Chosen.” “We would be more than happy to collaborate with other streaming platforms.

“The Chosen” was perhaps the ideal candidate for such an experiment.

Ever since its premiere in 2017, “The Chosen” has garnered a loyal following and completed five seasons thus far. This series can be accessed for free via the dedicated “The Chosen” app. However, the upcoming season will also be streamable on Amazon Prime, following the conclusion of its theatrical run (anticipated to end on April 24), but prior to its release on the app.

Ever since I caught “The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1” on March 28 in cinemas, the three parts of this season have been raking in over $40 million at the U.S. box office, highlighting the ever-expanding demand for faith-based content. As a dedicated movie enthusiast, it’s clear that this genre is striking a chord with audiences!

Jenkins stated, ‘This is an excellent promotional resource for us. It generates a modest income, allows our performers to earn more, and helps keep our newly-established business afloat.’

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve got to share some insights on the audience demographics of our production. While many of the most ardent supporters might be deeply religious or Christian, an impressive 30% to 40% of our viewers actually don’t regularly attend church or identify as traditional Christians, according to Dallas Jenkins, the show’s creator, director, and producer.

He commented that the most remarkable tale of all time has traditionally been depicted on ornate stained-glass windows or statues, lending an air of formality and strictness. However, he continued, there’s a recurring sentiment among non-believers: ‘I may not be Christian, nor frequent church… But this narrative is captivating, and I appreciate the depiction of Jesus as someone who shares laughter at weddings, dances, and tells jokes… and endures human experiences much like our own.’

In 2021, Jenkins initially screened segments of “The Chosen” in cinemas as a one-time Christmas special with Fathom Entertainment, a specialized distributor. Surprisingly, this event expanded into a multiple-week theatrical run that earned $13.8 million at the box office.

Following the triumph of its premiere, “The Chosen” subsequently screened the opening and closing scenes of its third season in cinemas. By Season 4, the entire eight-episode storyline was presented in cinemas in installments, eventually amassing a total gross of $32 million.

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Nowadays, instead of physically going to the theater to check the movie schedule, viewers are finding alternative methods to choose their next film, as the traditional way of doing so has become less common. Theaters are innovating and adapting to new strategies to compensate for this change.

Jenkins mentioned last year, there seemed to be a plateau regarding the number of people eager to attend the theater for a TV show screening. To put it simply, this figure surpassed the industry’s expectations and predictions.

This season’s box-office total has already surpassed that amount.

To put it simply, “Season 5 of ‘The Chosen’ has broken records as the largest film or project in Fathom Entertainment’s 21-year span, a partnership between AMC, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark movie theater chains. It appears that faith-based content, such as ‘The Chosen’, is one of the more prominent categories for this distributor.

Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, noted that it’s truly noteworthy when so many people decide to watch a movie in a theater, part with their money for tickets, and actually attend the screening.

He mentioned that they’ve been considering creating additional content suitable for screening in movie theaters, but it needs to fit the right approach for this strategy.

Nutt stated that it’s not enough for a production to simply be divided into segments and released as separate installments, instead, it should be designed as an ongoing series, providing multiple opportunities for engagement and encouraging viewers to return.

At the world debut a month ago, there was a noticeable buzz surrounding the new season of “The Chosen” at B&B Theaters Red Oak 12 in Dallas.

Enthusiastic spectators started appearing ahead of time, inquiring theater personnel if they could lend a hand for the event. On the day itself, the premiere was graced by approximately 1,000 attendees, comprising cast members, crew, and devoted fans. More people gathered at the sidelines, eager to catch a glimpse of the stars from the popular series.

According to Bagby, who is also the chairman of Cinema United, there’s a burgeoning fanbase for faith-based films. “It’s challenging to engage an older demographic nowadays,” he added, “but this streaming series has resonated with our viewers, and they’re excited to gather with fellow believers and friends to watch it on the big screen.

The television show “The Chosen” is funded by a charitable organization with religious affiliations. This organization contracts 5&2 Studios, owned by Jenkins, to manage its production. Earnings come in from license fees and sales of merchandise to enthusiastic viewers.

As a cinephile, I draw inspiration from the compelling ensemble dynamics of “The West Wing,” the deeply relatable human stories of “Friday Night Lights,” and the diverse narrative perspectives in “The Wire.” Much like these shows, my vision for “The Chosen” is that of a historical drama, not one strictly tied to faith, but rather one that invites viewers to delve into the rich tapestry of the past.

He expressed his dislike for the phrase “faith-based” as it often seems to leave out a significant portion of the intended viewers. “Even though the subject matter revolves around a religious figure,” he added, “I believe we’re demonstrating that our work can resonate with everyone regardless of faith.

In simpler terms, faith-based content represents a specific segment of the theater industry that’s growing rapidly. These stories often revolve around characters rather than relying heavily on actors, leading to generally lower production budgets according to David A. Gross, who writes about film industry news.

Although no movie can match the global box-office success of Mel Gibson’s 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ,” which earned over $610 million, films within this genre have been successful with viewers lately, according to Gross.

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Last week, Angel Studios revealed plans to transition into a publicly traded entity by merging with what’s commonly known as a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

2023’s blockbuster “Sound of Freedom,” distributed by Angel Studios, earned over $250 million globally at the box office last year. To put this into perspective, there were 17 faith-based films released domestically in the past year, collectively raking in a total of $237.4 million worldwide, as reported by Gross.

In his email, he expressed that what truly matters is the narrative and perspective. When these strike a chord with people, they are drawn to it.

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2025-04-19 13:31

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