The demand for tickets to a new Chosen film was so great that it briefly crashed its ticketing website Sunday evening.
The finale for Season 3 of The Chosen will debut in theaters on February 2 and 3 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time before transitioning to its free platforms. The finale includes Episodes 7 and 8 and the Feeding of the 5,000, creator and director Dallas Jenkins said Sunday during a Chosen livestream.
"These are huge episodes," Jenkins said.
The dash for tickets briefly crashed the website for Fathom Events, the film's distributor.
"[The episodes] are so big they demand to be on the big screen," said a message on the series' official Facebook page. "And apparently, you demand it, too, as the rush for tickets initially crashed the Fathom Events website."
The website is now back online.
It will be the third theatrical event for the series following successful ventures with a Christmas-themed film in 2021 and a fall 2022 movie that included the first two episodes of Season 3. Fans who don't want to watch the film on the big screen can view the new episodes, for free, on its regular platforms – which includes the app – on February 5 (Episode 7) and February 7 (Episode 8).
The Bible-based hit series has been streamed more than 400 million times worldwide.
Three factors led to a theatrical release for the Season 3 finale, Jenkins said: 1) "Theaters have demanded it," 2) fans are "demanding it," and 3) the scope of the story demands it.
"Because of the success of the Christmas special last year, theaters are saying, 'We want The Chosen in our theater,'" Jenkins said. "... They're saying, 'Please release as many episodes as you can in theaters.'"
Many fans of the series, Jenkins said, believe the big-screen experience is more personal and engaging, allowing them to laugh and cry alongside other fans.
The Season 3 finale includes visual effects for the Feeding of the 5,000, he added.
"That was, by far, the biggest thing we've ever done," Jenkins said of filming the scene.
Related:
'Chosen' Scene about Disabilities Goes Viral: 'It's Resonated with So Many,' Jordan Walker Ross Says
Dallas Jenkins: My Own Faith Has Grown While Making 'The Chosen': It's 'Impacted Me'
4 Things to Know about The Chosen: Season 3 Movie
Photo courtesy: ©The Chosen, used with permission.
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
