The faith-based box office is poised for another strong showing as I Can Only Imagine 2 opens nationwide this weekend on approximately 3,000 screens. Distributed by Lionsgate, the sequel is projected to debut between $8 million and $10 million, positioning it as a solid contender in a competitive but cooling post-Presidents Day marketplace.
After a holiday frame that delivered one of the strongest post-pandemic Presidents Day weekends on record, overall box office revenue is expected to contract slightly before the next major studio tentpole arrives. Still, industry analysts note that faith-based audiences have historically demonstrated strong turnout and word-of-mouth momentum-often outperforming early projections.
A Sequel to a Breakout Hit
The original I Can Only Imagine surprised Hollywood in 2018 when it opened to $17.1 million on a modest $7 million production budget before going on to earn more than $83 million domestically. Its success cemented Kingdom Story Company as a major force in inspirational filmmaking.
The new installment brings the story of MercyMe frontman Bart Millard full circle, exploring themes of fatherhood, perseverance, and sustaining faith during life's most challenging seasons. The film is inspired by the true story behind the hit single "Even If."
Cast & Creative Team
The sequel stars:
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John Michael Finley
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Milo Ventimiglia
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Sophie Skelton
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Arielle Kebbel
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Trace Adkins
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Dennis Quaid
Ventimiglia portrays Christian artist Tim Timmons, who joins the band during a pivotal season and forms an unlikely friendship with Bart-one that forces him to confront deeper personal questions about faith and identity.
The film is co-directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle, with McCorkle also penning the screenplay.
Faith Audiences Could Drive Momentum
With previews beginning Thursday afternoon, box office observers note the potential for strong turnout from church groups and family audiences, particularly if positive word-of-mouth spreads quickly. Faith-based films have repeatedly demonstrated staying power beyond opening weekend when embraced by core audiences.
While animated feature GOAT and Warner Bros.' Wuthering Heights are currently in a tight race for the top spot, industry insiders suggest that I Can Only Imagine 2 could overperform expectations if early audience response mirrors the enthusiasm that propelled the original film to breakout status.
As the faith-based community returns to theaters, all eyes will be on whether this inspirational sequel can once again turn devotion into box office momentum.
