‘The King of Kings’ Breaks Box Office Record for Animated Faith-Based Film

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The animated biblical film The King of Kings, featuring the voices of Oscar Isaac and Pierce Brosnan, shattered records during its opening weekend in theaters. The film debuted on Friday and achieved an estimated $19 million from 3,200 North American theaters, making it the highest-grossing opening for an animated faith-based movie.

Based on Charles Dickens’ novel The Life of Our Lord, the film’s impressive cast also includes Kenneth Branagh as Charles Dickens, Uma Thurman as Catherine Dickens, Ben Kingsley as High Priest Caiaphas, and Forest Whitaker as Peter. Roman Griffith Davis lends his voice to Walter Dickens, while James Arnold Taylor voices multiple characters, including Melchior and Young Jesus.

Angel Studios, the film’s distributor, noted that The King of Kings surpassed the previous record set by The Prince of Egypt, which earned $14.5 million in its first three days. Brandon Purdie, Global Head of Theatrical Distribution & Brand Development at Angel Studios, highlighted the film’s success, stating, “Families want quality films to see together in theaters. This weekend simply reflects what audiences are craving.”

The film received an A+ CinemaScore, indicating strong audience approval. Purdie remarked, “The CinemaScore for The King of Kings says it all. It is one of only 128 films to achieve this rating, and only the fifth animated film not produced by Pixar or Disney to hold that title.”

The official summary of the film portrays a father narrating the life of Jesus to his son, describing pivotal moments that illustrate His miracles and the ultimate sacrifice He made. The narrative invokes vivid imagery, allowing viewers to experience Jesus’ journey alongside Him.

Upon its release, The King of Kings emerged as the top newcomer at the box office, despite the competition of five other films that opened widely the same weekend. A Minecraft Movie, featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, retained the No. 1 spot for a second weekend with an estimated earnings, showcasing its ongoing appeal.

Directed by Seong-ho Jang, The King of Kings marks a significant addition to the genre of faith-based animated films, aiming to engage audiences with heartfelt storytelling. Its release not only highlights the potential for animated films in faith-based narratives but also challenges perceptions surrounding animation as a medium for serious storytelling.