The viral sensation series The Chosen is heading back to theaters.
Nearly one year after a Christmas special set box-office records, The Chosen will hit theaters Friday, Nov. 18. with the debut of Season 3, episodes 1 and 2.
Last year the holiday-themed Christmas with the Chosen grossed more than $14 million during its run – a record for its distributor, Fathom – and also broke the Fathom record for out-of-the-gate ticket sales (for the first 12 hours). Ticket sales were so impressive that the film's theater run was extended.
"The Christmas special showed us that we do have a place in the theatrical realm," said Katherine Warnock, head of original content for The Chosen. We did not expect the Christmas special to perform to the degree that it did."
The success of the Christmas special, she added, demonstrated that fans enjoy watching The Chosen on the big screen.
"It was wonderful to go, okay, there's a hunger for not only faith content in the theatrical space, but there's a hunger for The Chosen here to cross over," she added.
It will be the first time a Chosen film has debuted on a weekend.
"We are excited," said Adam Swerdlow, chief operating officer of The Chosen.
After their theatrical debut, episodes 1 and 2 will move to The Chosen app in December, said director Dallas Jenkins.
The Bible-based series tells the story of Jesus and the disciples. It has been viewed by an estimated 94.8 million people worldwide.
Warnock said the series' depiction of the humanity of Christ is one of the secrets to its success.
"He dances, He laughs, He tells jokes, He blows raspberries. This season, we'll see him play sports," she said.
The series, she added, explores the question of: "What did it mean to be fully God, fully holy … but also fully embracing of the mess of humanity?"
The series is scheduled for seven seasons. It is crowdfunded and available to watch for free on The Chosen app.
Related:
4 Things You Should Know about Season 3 of The Chosen
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.
