The faith-based film Overcomer opened at No. 2 in Brazil last month, demonstrating once again that Christian movies have a reach far beyond the borders of the United States.
Overcomer finished in second place the weekend of Nov. 21-24 with a gross of $464,273, trailing only Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil ($540,199) but leading Joker ($384,603), The Addams Family ($318,690) and Dora and the Lost City of Gold ($290,666), according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.
Overcomer was playing in 426 Brazil theaters.
“Many people are coming to Jesus!” Alex Kendrick, the film’s director, tweeted about the movie’s success in Brazil. He wrote, “One theater had 100 people make a decision for Christ on the first day!!! Praise the Lord!!!”
Praise God!!! Overcomer is #1 in Brazil! Many people are coming to Jesus! One theater had 100 people make a decision for Christ on the first day!!! Praise the Lord!!! @OvercomerMovie
— Alex Kendrick (@AlexHKendrick) November 22, 2019
The movie grossed $34,712,782 in the U.S., where it opened at No. 3 and stayed in the Top 10 for five weeks. Although it’s still in theaters in foreign markets, it released on digital platforms in the U.S. Nov. 26 and will release on Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 17.
It was the sixth movie from the filmmaking brother tandem of Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who also were behind the films War Room, Courageous, Fireproof and Facing the Giants.
“Overcomer is still making its way, theatrically, around the world,” Alex Kendrick told Christian Headlines. “We’re very grateful for that.”
Overcomer also has been released in theaters in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Singapore and South Africa.
The success of the Kendricks’ movies in the U.S. has allowed them to be distributed around the world. Stephen Kendrick, the producer of Overcomer, previously said that the hit status of Fireproof (2008) led China to distribute The Love Dare – a Bible-based book inspired by the film. China wanted it because it was a New York Times bestseller.
“That opened the door for the Gospel to be distributed by a communist publisher in China – putting out this book that’s communicating the Gospel,” Stephen Kendrick said. “It was totally outside of our control, but it was because of that.”
Overcomer tells the story of a high school coach who finds his purpose – his identity – in his basketball team. But when his best players move away and he is forced to coach cross country, he grows discouraged. A joy-filled Christian blind man then helps the coach discover his identity in Christ.
Related:
50 Accept Christ in Theater after Watching ‘Overcomer’
Kendricks Unveil Details of Next Film: ‘It’s Such an Inspirational Story’
5 Things You Should Know about Overcomer
‘Overcomer’ Director: God, and not Feelings, Defines Your Identity
Overcomer Dares to Ask, “Who Do You Think You Are?”
‘Overcomer’ Actor Quit Hollywood Films When Asked to Do Nudity
Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com.
Photo courtesy: Sony/Kendrick Brothers
