‘Jesus Revolution’ Smashing Records and ‘Cultural Desperation’
“Jesus Revolution” is apparently resonating with everyone—believers and non-believers alike—and the box office numbers are showing it.
In its three-week run since debuted in theaters on Feb. 24, the film starring Kelsey Grammer and “The Chosen’s” Jonathan Roumie has surpassed $40 million in sales and is showing no signs of slowing down. In its opening weekend, it earned a third-place position at the box office, far exceeding its expectations while raking in $15 million.
In an exclusive interview with Charisma News this week, co-producer and director Jon Erwin shared how the movie’s delay in getting made turned out to be God working in His perfect timing.
“It’s great to see those headlines that say the faith audience shocks the industry,” Erwin said. “After such a long, long season of an industry being rebuilt, the last three years have been the most disruptive time ever in the history of theatrical movies.”
Indeed the film is shocking the world. Lionsgate Entertainment, the studio that made the film, has reported that “Jesus Revolution” has become its highest-grossing movie—secular or Christian—since 2019.
“The numbers are incredible, especially coming out of a pandemic,” co-producer Kevin Downes told Christian Headlines. And, Downes said, moviegoers eager for faith films are “not going away.”
Pastor Greg Laurie, portrayed by Joel Courtney and whom the film is centered on as he meets hippie street preacher Lonnie Frisbee (portrayed by Roumie), told Fox & Friends Weekend that “the timing of this film is incredible, and I believe God’s hand has been on it from the beginning.
“[The film] seems to be resonating with everyone, believers and non-believers. Young and old … God is still in the business of changing lives. … What happened to us some 50 years ago can still happen for people today.” {eoa}
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Shawn A. Akers is the online editor for Charisma Media.
