Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ returns to theaters this September in a newly remastered format, building anticipation for the much-anticipated sequel due out next year.
Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment will bring the biblical drama back to the big screen from September 10 to 17, remastered in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound.
Ticket buyers also get a sneak peek at The Resurrection of Christ: Part Onewhich Lionsgate describes as Gibson’s “most ambitious filmmaking” and the “greatest faith film ever brought to the screen.”
Kevin Grayson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s president of worldwide distribution, said the re-release was about giving existing fans a fresh experience while reaching a new generation.
“The Passion of Christ remains one of the most extraordinary theatrical experiences ever created. For millions of people it was far more than a film, it became a powerful shared cultural and faith experience.
Bringing it back to theaters in a stunning new restoration allows longtime audiences to experience it in a whole new way, while inviting a new generation to discover it in theaters for the very first time.”
The sequel is divided into two parts.
Part One opens on May 6, 2027 and Part Two on May 25, 2028, each debuting on Ascension Daythe Christian holiday that marks Jesus’ ascension into heaven.
The follow-up picks up where the original left off, focusing on Christ’s resurrection after his crucifixion.
The original film starred Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene, and tracked the last twelve hours before the crucifixion.
The sequel brings in new lead actors, with Jaakko Ohtonen and Mariela Garriga taking the central roles alongside Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio and Rupert Everett.
The The Passion of Christ remains one of the most commercially notable films ever made, grossing $610 million worldwide against a $30 million production budget.
It held the record for the highest-grossing R-rated domestic release of all time with $370 million until Disney’s Deadpool and Wolverine surpassing it with $636 million domestically in 2024.
Fathom CEO Ray Nutt noted the film’s enduring cultural significance.
“Twenty years ago, faith-based and more secular audiences alike embraced Mel Gibson’s cinematic masterpiece and made it a true success, ushering in an era of opportunity for future projects with a religious theme.”
Gibson’s last directorial effort, the Mark Wahlberg thriller Flight risktook just $48 million globally last year.
The Resurrection of Christ represents his most ambitious return to the director’s chair since Hacksaw Ridge in 2016.
