A Christian-based TV show stormed the box-office this weekend. No, I’m not kidding. It’s not even a movie. The first two episodes of the third season of “The Chosen” were packaged together as a feature and released in theaters this weekend.
The Angel Studios show, focusing on the life and times of Jesus Christ, started off as a crowdfunded endeavour three years ago, now it’s competing against the big boys at the box-office and embarrassing the big Hollywood titles. The budget for these two episodes is said to be around $2 million.
“The Chosen” is set to make $10 million in its opening weekend. Meanwhile, “She Said” could only muster up $2 million. Both films opened in 2,000 screens nationwide. The Jesus “movie” even made more money that “The Menu” which screened in around 3000 theaters.
Just to put things into perspective, “The Chosen” made more money this weekend than the box-office totals of Oscar contenders “Armageddon Time,” “Till,” Tar” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.”