HOLY BLOCKBUSTER: ‘The King of Kings’ Breaks Records as Faith-Based Films Dominate the Box Office

In a weekend nothing short of miraculous, Bible-based movies stormed the box office, signaling a powerful cultural shift — and leading the charge was a history-making animated feature that’s already being hailed as a genre-defining moment.

Angel Studios’ The King of Kings roared into theaters with a divine performance, raking in $19,050,397 and claiming the No. 2 spot on the domestic chart. This isn’t just a win — it’s the biggest opening for a faith-based movie in more than a decade, and the fourth-highest of all time in the category. It now sits just behind the genre’s powerhouses: The Passion of the Christ ($83.8M), Son of God ($25.6M), and Heaven Is for Real ($22.5M).

But this wasn’t just a commercial triumph — it was a spiritual touchdown with audiences. The film earned a rare A+ CinemaScore, reflecting near-universal praise from moviegoers. Families, faith groups, and animation lovers alike turned out in droves, breathing new life into a genre that has long battled for mainstream recognition.

“We’re thrilled to see ‘The King of Kings’ connect so deeply with audiences,” said Brandon Purdie, Angel’s global head of theatrical distribution and brand development. “This film is a testament to the power of storytelling that amplifies light and brings families together.”

The King of Kings, creatively inspired by a Charles Dickens tale, reimagines the iconic author taking his son on an imaginative journey through biblical history — culminating in a heartfelt rediscovery of Jesus through a child’s eyes. Its emotional core and stunning animation helped the film outshine The Prince of Egypt’s 1998 debut ($14.5M), becoming the highest-grossing Bible-based animated film ever in its opening weekend.

And the divine momentum didn’t stop there.

Also joining the holy box office blitz were two installments from The Chosen — Last Supper Part 3 debuted at No. 6 with $5.8 million, while Last Supper Part 2 held strong at No. 10 in its second weekend with $931,684. Both episodes serve as the climactic finale to the globally beloved fifth season of the groundbreaking series.

Dallas Jenkins, creator and director of The Chosen, captured the moment beautifully:

“Jesus is having quite a weekend at the box office,” he wrote on social media. “Congrats to the film ‘King of Kings’ for a huge debut… the more the merrier.”

Jon Erwin, the acclaimed director behind Prime Video’s House of David, added:

“Incredible! THREE of the top ten slots at the box office are occupied by projects about JESUS! I’ve never seen a moment like this before in our industry.”

A New Era for Faith on Film

This unprecedented triple appearance of Bible-themed films in the Top 10 is more than a fleeting headline — it’s a movement. Audiences are clearly hungry for uplifting, value-driven, and beautifully crafted stories that don’t shy away from faith.

And if this weekend is any indication, the tide is turning.

Studios once hesitant to bet big on biblical narratives may now be rethinking their strategies. With numbers like these — and the resounding voice of the audience echoing across theaters — the message is loud and clear: faith-based storytelling is not just relevant, it’s resonant.

From pews to popcorn, this was a weekend for the books — and perhaps, the beginning of a new golden age for gospel-inspired cinema.