Who Was The First Christian Martyr Among The Apostles?

Christian Film Shoots To Top Of Charts

In the realm of movies, 2023 witnessed the surprising ascent of the faith-centered film “Sound of Freedom” into the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year, marking a period where several faith-driven movies resonated deeply with audiences.

As per data from the Internet Movie Database’s Box Office Mojo, “Sound of Freedom” secured the 10th spot in domestic box office sales for 2023, amassing $184,178,046 in nearly six months post its July 4 debut across a maximum of 3,411 theaters in the United States. This impressive figure surpasses the earnings of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which garnered $179,650,565 after approximately two-and-a-half months across up to 3,855 theaters nationwide.

Sitting close behind both films in ticket sales is “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” the fifth installment in the “Indiana Jones” series, grossing $174,480,468 from showings in up to 4,600 theaters since June 30. This places it as the 12th highest-grossing film of 2023 in the U.S.

“Sound of Freedom” narrates the remarkable tale of Tim Ballard, a former government agent who resigned to rescue a child from sex traffickers in the Colombian jungle. His efforts led to the rescue of over 123 individuals, including 55 children, from the clutches of modern slavery. Distributed by Angel Studios, the film features actor Jim Caviezel, known for “Passion of the Christ,” affirming, “God’s children are not for sale.”

The impact of “Sound of Freedom” extended beyond the film industry into international politics. Eduardo Verastegui, starring in and producing the film, announced his candidacy for the Mexican presidency, basing his platform on “God, Fatherland, and Family,” emphasizing the urgency to combat child trafficking.

Apart from its impressive box office performance, “Sound of Freedom” received a warm reception from American audiences. With a 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 10,000 ratings, it slightly edged out “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” at 98% and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” at 88%.

Moreover, 2023 saw the release of various other faith-based films. “Jesus Revolution,” portraying the spiritual revival in Southern California during the late ’60s and ’70s, earned $52,102,987 at the box office and boasts a 99% Rotten Tomatoes audience score. Additionally, “The Blind,” depicting the conversion of “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson, accrued $17,265,487 in domestic sales and holds a 98% audience score.

Other notable films include “After Death,” a documentary capturing experiences post near-death, gathering $11,476,750 in sales and an 87% audience score. “Journey to Bethlehem,” offering a fictionalized account of Jesus’s birth, earned $6,821,214 and holds a 94% score. Additionally, the documentary “Come Out in Jesus Name,” profiling controversial deliverance ministries, garnered $2,500,574 and holds a 95% audience score.

Lastly, “Divine Influencer,” despite not hitting theaters, gained popularity as a faith-based film. Topping the charts on the Great American Pure Flix streaming service, it features Lara Silva from “The Chosen” as an influencer embracing a life of service after losing everything.