Performing better than anyone expected this weekend at the box-office were two episodes from an online faith-based series. These two episodes were packaged as a two-hour feature film, titled “The Chosen Season 3: Episodes 1 & 2.” It grossed close to $9 million in 2,012 theaters.
If you haven’t heard of Angels Studios production, I haven’t either, but this show, on-paper, seemed out of my realm of interests. That is until none other than Paul Schrader raved about it on Facebook. Do I have to catch up with “The Chosen” now? Has anybody seen it here?
These box-office numbers for “The Chosen” do not even include a fundraiser screening for 3,000 people in Atlanta
on November 15, which took away from ticket sales this past weekend. [thanks Woody]
The series tackles Jesus and his disciples, the journey will inevitably lead to a final season where he is put to death on the cross. Initially it was made available via YouTube and other outlets, earlier seasons are now streaming on Peacock.
It’s no surprise that there is an audience in America for strong faith-based content, but what’s even more fascinating about the theatrical success of this show is that it could lead to other episodic programs playing in theater screens. You have to think that other streamers are paying close attention to its success this past weekend.
