(RNS) Evangelical Christian inspiration and apologetics are filling theater seats, with two films in the top five for box office last weekend.
“God’s Not Dead 2,” the sequel to a 2014 argument for Christian faith, came in fourth behind “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” ”Zootopia” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz hosted a showing in Wisconsin where he lauded it in his remarks about supporting “religious liberty.”
RELATED STORY: Ted Cruz hosts ‘God’s Not Dead 2’ showing at Wisconsin campaign stop
Critics were less enthusiastic. Variety slammed it as superficial, leaden and graceless and “a torturous exercise in one-note proselytizing.” But even as the showbiz publication predicted the film would win few converts, it also acknowledged the might of the faith-based audience.
The opening earnings of “God’s Not Dead 2” were $8.1 million from April 1-3. That is less than the original earned at its debut, according to The Associated Press, but the first film went on to earn $60 million.
“Miracles from Heaven,” starring Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah, came in fifth and added $7.6 million to its three-week run that now totals $46.8 million.
Jennifer Garner, left, and Queen Latifah star in “Miracles from Heaven,”
which did well at the box office in early April 2016.
REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
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“People underestimate not just about how much the core faith-based community, but also the public at large, wants movies that can inspire and uplift them,” Devon Franklin, a producer on “Miracles from Heaven” and an ordained minister, told Variety.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore, told USA Today the film’s success is a testament to a “loyal and passionate” faith-based audience: “Closing in on $50 million,” he said, “it’s a total moneymaking machine.”
(Cathy Lynn Grossman is senior national reporter for RNS)
