‘THE CASE FOR CHRIST’ OPENS IN BOX
OFFICE TOP 10; SETS 40% BOOST
IN THEATERS FOR EASTER WEEK
Feature Film Version of Lee Strobel’s Best-Selling Book
Rates a Rare A+ CinemaScore on Opening Weekend
SOURCE: Lovell/Fairchild Comm.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—April 10, 2017—THE CASE FOR CHRIST—the feature film based on Lee Strobel’s best-selling book of the same name—with an A+ CinemaScore drew $3.9 million box office in its opening weekend, ranking in the weekend’s top 10 films.
With that strong showing, producers are expanding THE CASE FOR CHRIST to approximately 1600 theaters nationwide this weekend, a 40 percent jump.
The film traces Strobel’s true story of an award-winning investigative journalist—and determined atheist—who sets out to disprove his wife’s new-found Christian faith.
“It’s a love story and a thriller detective film,” Strobel said. “I’m delighted it resonated with audiences and opened so strong.”
“THE CASE FOR CHRIST offers an honest and compelling look at the reliability of the resurrection through the eyes of a man desperate to disprove it,” said Pure Flix CEO and producer Michael Scott. “For those with questions, and others who just want to affirm their faith, Lee Strobel’s dramatic on-screen investigation is clearly resonating with people. Seeing this film is the perfect way to celebrate Easter this Sunday.”
From Pure Flix and Triple Horse Studios, THE CASE FOR CHRIST stars Mike Vogel (THE HELP), Erika Christensen (Parenthood), Academy Award® winner Faye Dunaway and Academy Award®nominee Robert Forster. Jonathan M. Gunn (DO YOU BELIEVE?) directs THE CASE FOR CHRIST, written by Brian Bird (When Calls the Heart, Touched by An Angel).
A hard-driving journalist, Strobel was where he expected to be at work: on top. His award-winning investigative reporting had earned him a promotion to legal editor at the Chicago Tribune. But things were going less well at home where his wife Leslie’s newfound faith in Christ flew against everything he believed—or didn’t believe—as an avowed atheist.
Utilizing his journalistic and legal training, Strobel begins a quest to debunk the claims of Christianity in order to save his crumbling marriage. Chasing down the biggest story of his career, he comes face-to-face with unexpected results that could change everything he knows to be true.
THE CASE FOR CHRIST is distributed by Pure Flix and produced by Michael Scott, David A.R. White, Karl Horstmann and Brittany Lefebvre. It premiered nationwide in a Fathom one-night event on April 6 and began wide release on April 7.
Mike Vogel and Erika Christensen on the red carpet during Chicago premiere April 6. Photo: Getty Images
Leslie and Lee Strobel on the red carpet during Chicago premiere April 6. Photo: Getty Images
Cast, crew and Pure Flix executives on the red carpet during Chicago premiere April 6. Photo: Getty Images