Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 11/23/22

The decision to release the Season 3 premiere of The Chosen in theaters has yielded surprisingly strong box office results. As a result, what was planned as a five day theatrical run has been extended all the way to December 1st.  With $8.75 million in sales opening weekend, The Chosen two-episode Season 3 theatrical event showed in 2,021 theatersand and grabbed the #3 spot at the domestic box office, with a strong showing in 300+ theaters internationally, as well.

The Chosen Season 3 premiere brought in 45% higher revenues than the Christmas episode edition that ran in theaters for three days of  in 2021. It was also neck and neck with this past weekend’s #2 film, the dark comedy horror film The Menu even though that film opened on over 1000 more screens. As expected, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever again led the box office pack, adding another gazilliondy-billiondy dollars to its total haul.

Of The Chosen‘s theatrical success, series creator Dallas Jenkins says “We have the ability to try new things, such as putting a TV show in theaters, because our fans are so passionate and supportive. Hopefully this causes others to check out Seasons 1 and 2.”

Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt adds that The Chosen‘s surprise  box office success “is the perfect example of how innovative the event cinema business has become and how hungry audiences are for faith-based content.”

The Chosen TV series, meanwhile, remains a global phenomenon. The multi-episode/multi-season television drama based on the life of Jesus has garnered more than 420 million episode views worldwide. With a planned run of seven seasons, the fan-supported drama produced by Angel Studios seeks to create an authentic and intimate picture of Jesus’ life and ministry as seen through the eyes of the people who knew him.  Over the course of its first two seasons, the series has garnered praise from critics and fans alike for its historical and biblical accuracy, playful spirit, stirring drama, genuine humor and overall impact. It has been translated into 62 languages (and counting) and is consistently one of the top-searched shows on streaming platforms.
For a complete list of theaters carrying The Chosen through December 1st (and to buy tickets) click here.
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A Thanksgiving parable from John Stossel.

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Singer-songwriter Ben Rector on creating The Thanksgiving Song: “When I started putting together the Christmas album, I realized I hadn’t ever heard a Thanksgiving song. I feel like everyone has an emotional connection and a lot of memories around Thanksgiving, just like they do Christmas, so I did my best to write a song that honored that. I hope this song captures the magic and nostalgia that we all look forward to at Thanksgiving.”

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I personally thank God for family, friends, good health and to be living in America during the most promising time in the history of civilization. Never before has there been so much opportunity for people of every color, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation as right now. There are challenges but, overall, there’s so much more to be grateful for and hopeful about than there is to be angry, bitter or fearful about. Our future lies in the power of positive optimistic faith, sincerely seeking practical solutions that respectfully balance the legitimate concerns and perspectives of everyone and in choosing humble gratitude over self-righteous calls for reckoning (which is a rabbit hole with no bottom). Out ancestors weren’t perfect but, overall, they managed to leave the world the better than they found it. Let’s hope and pray we can do the same.

Anyway, I’m off until Monday, December 12th. Until then, thanks for reading the blog and have a blessed holiday season!

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

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