## Hallelujah and Dollars: A Biblical Blockbuster Forget streaming services, this story is about the kind of box office success that makes Hollywood weep with envy. A recent TV series about Jesus, a figure often relegated to quiet contemplation, is smashing records and raking in millions. The Los Angeles Times is calling it a “Biblical blockbuster,” and we’re diving deep into the phenomenon. Why is this story resonating with audiences in a way few others can? Is it faith, spectacle, or something altogether different? Click through to find out how this unexpected hit is rewriting the rules of storytelling.
Bridging the Gap Between Faith and Entertainment
The Chosen’s Unique Approach to Storytelling
This Easter weekend, theaters from Torrance to Temecula will be showing films such as “A Minecraft Movie” and Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners.” Alongside those movies, many will also be showing an eight-hour “binge fest” of the latest season of “The Chosen,” the popular streaming series that chronicles the life of Jesus. Bingeing a series on the big screen is highly unusual, particularly as streaming businesses and movie theaters have become increasingly at odds over attracting audiences. But the unconventional distribution strategy has proved to be a win — for the show’s creator, who sees theatrical presence as a marketing tool, and for theater owners, who are looking for new ways to draw in audiences and see a potential opportunity in popular streaming shows.
“Just think about if the first episode of ‘The White Lotus,’ or the last episode, was shown in theaters, how many people would come,” said Bob Bagby, president and chief executive of B&B Theaters, whose Red Oak 12 theater in Dallas hosted the world premiere for “The Chosen.” “We would certainly welcome other streamers.”
A Marketing Triumph and a Box Office Boon
“The Chosen” was perhaps the ideal candidate for such an experiment. Since its premiere in 2017, “The Chosen” has developed a devoted fan base and spanned five seasons so far. It can be viewed for free online on “The Chosen” app, though the new season will be available to stream on Amazon Prime — after its theatrical run is expected to end April 24, but before it hits the app. Since “The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1” arrived in theaters March 28, the three multi-episode installments of the current season have grossed more than $40 million at the U.S. box office, underscoring the growing niche for faith-based content.
“It’s a great marketing tool,” said Dallas Jenkins, show creator, director and producer. “We make a little bit of money on it. Our actors get more money. It’s a way to help sustain this company that we’ve started.”
Reaching Beyond the Faithful Audience
Though the most passionate fans are Christian, or strongly religious, about 30% to 40% of its audience are not churchgoers or traditional believers in Christianity, Jenkins said.
“It is the greatest story ever told … but it’s always been on stained-glass windows, or statues,” he said. “There’s a formality to it, a rigidity to it. And what we keep hearing over and over from nonbelievers is, ‘Yeah, I’m not a Christian. I don’t go to church. … But this is a great story, and I love seeing a Jesus that laughs with his friends at weddings and dances and tells jokes … and has a lot of the same human experiences that we do.’”
A Theatrical Evolution
Jenkins first brought portions of “The Chosen” to the big screen in 2021, beginning with a Christmas special he intended as a one-night-only showing with specialty distributor Fathom Entertainment to surprise fans. That turned into a multi-week theatrical run that grossed $13.8 million. Buoyed by the success of the special, “The Chosen” then premiered the beginning and the finale of its third season in theaters. By Season 4 the entire eight-episode narrative was available in theaters in multi-episode portions and eventually grossed $32 million.
“Last year we thought that we had reached a bit of a ceiling with how many people were interested in coming to the theater to watch a TV show,” Jenkins said. “Certainly, it was more than the industry would have ever thought or predicted.”
This season’s box office total has already surpassed that amount. In fact, Season 5 of “The Chosen” is now the biggest movie or project in the 21-year history of Fathom Entertainment, a joint venture of movie theater chains AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemark.
“To have this many people come out to a movie theater and pay for it and actually see it is pretty remarkable,” said Ray Nutt, chief executive of Fathom Entertainment. He said that he’s had discussions about other episodic content that could benefit from a theatrical release.
The Future of Content Distribution: A Paradigm Shift?
Streaming Services Embracing Theatrical Releases
The success of “The Chosen” in theaters could signal a potential shift in how streaming services approach content distribution. As streaming platforms face increasing competition and the challenge of attracting and retaining viewers, theatrical releases could become a valuable tool for generating buzz, boosting viewership, and creating a unique communal experience for fans.
Bridging the Gap Between Platforms
Morningpicker’s analysis suggests that this trend could benefit both streaming services and movie theaters. Theater chains, in particular, are looking for innovative ways to draw audiences back to the big screen, and streaming content offers a compelling alternative to traditional theatrical releases. This could lead to a more synergistic relationship between the two industries, with streaming services using theaters to amplify their content’s reach and impact, while theaters gain access to popular shows that might not otherwise be available on the big screen.
A New Era of Entertainment Consumption
The success of “The Chosen” and its theatrical run raises several important questions about the future of content consumption. Will other streaming services follow suit and embrace theatrical releases for popular shows? Could this lead to a hybrid release model, where content is initially released on streaming platforms and then given a limited theatrical run? How will this impact the traditional theatrical release calendar and the overall film industry?
These are complex questions with no easy answers. However, the growing popularity of “The Chosen” and its theatrical success suggest that the lines between streaming and traditional entertainment are becoming increasingly blurred. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how these trends play out and shape the way we consume content in the years to come.
Conclusion
The Resounding Success of Jesus on the Big Screen
In a fascinating recent article from the Los Angeles Times, we explore the phenomenon of a TV series about Jesus raking in millions at the box office. The series, which has garnered massive attention worldwide, has sparked debate, curiosity, and a renewed interest in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. As we delve into the article, we uncover key points that highlight the significance of this phenomenon. Firstly, the series’ commercial success is a testament to the enduring power of faith and its ability to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. Secondly, the film’s depiction of Jesus’ life offers a fresh perspective, with the lead actor’s nuanced performance humanizing the iconic figure and sparking crucial conversations about the historical and cultural context of Jesus’ time.
The implications of this series’ success are far-reaching and multifaceted. By drawing in secular and devout audiences alike, it underscores the timelessness of Jesus’ message and its relevance in modern society. Furthermore, the film’s financial success paves the way for a new wave of faith-based productions, which could lead to a renaissance in storytelling that tackles complex themes with sensitivity and depth. As we move forward, it’s likely that we’ll witness a surge in faith-inspired content, with the series serving as a catalyst for a new era of cinematic storytelling.