Faith-based films continue to maintain their momentum at the box office and 2017’s list of top-grossing inspirational movies produced by Christians includes films about loss, the journey to faith, and even the first religious animation film in nearly 20 years. Here is a list of the five highest-grossing Christian films of 2017 in order of top-earnings.
1. “The Shack” grossed $57,386,418. “The Shack” is based on The New York Times best-selling novel of the same name. The film was released on 2,888 silver screens on March 3 and as the film’s synopsis says, the cinematic journey takes viewers on a father’s uplifting spiritual journey.
2. “The Star” grossed $38,641,925. “The Star” hit 2,976 theaters on Nov. 17 as the first faith-based animated film since 1998’s “Prince of Egypt.” It tells the story of the first Christmas through the perspective of the animals that traveled with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and witnessed Jesus’ birth.
3. “The Case for Christ” grossed $14,682,684. From Lee Strobel’s award-winning and best-selling book, the feature film “The Case For Christ” premiered in wide release on Friday, April 7, The movie explores Strobel’s journey as an unwavering atheist who used his skills as an award-winning investigative journalist to try and disprove Christianity. His findings, however, led him to become a believer in Christ.
4. “Let There Be Light” grossed $7,203,808. Actors Kevin and Sam Sorbo and Fox News political commentator Sean Hannity released their faith-based film on Oct. 27 in 774 theaters nationwide. “Let There Be Light,” had the second highest per screen average of all wide releases in 2017.
5. “Same Kind of Different as Me” grossed $6,360,709. Hollywood actress Renee Zellweger is the lead star of the Oct. 20 release. Shown in 1,362 theaters, the movie follows the true story of a wife who salvages her marriage and transforms her adulterous husband’s life by getting him involved in her work at a homeless shelter.