Mel Gibson‘s biblical drama “The Passion of the Christ” is returning to theaters ahead of the 2027 sequel, “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One.”
Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment are bringing “The Passion of the Christ,” which has been newly remastered in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound, back to the big screen from Sept. 10 through Sept. 17. Ticket buyers will get a sneak peek at “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One,” which the studio describes as Gibson’s “most ambitious filmmaking achievement” as well as the “largest faith film ever brought to the screen.”
“’The Passion of the 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,” says Kevin Grayson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s president of worldwide distribution. “Bringing it back to theaters in a stunning new restoration allows longtime audiences to experience it in an entirely new way while inviting a new generation to discover it in theaters for the very first time.”
The follow-up has been split into two movies, with “Part One” set to debut May 6, 2027 and “Part Two” scheduled for May 25, 2028. Each installment will open in theaters on Ascension Day, a Christian holiday that celebrates the ascension of Jesus into heaven. A press release details that the sequel “tells the story of Christ’s victory over death after His greatest sacrifice—a moment that forever changed the course of humanity and continues one of history’s most consequential and enduring stories.”
“The Resurrection of the Christ” takes place after the events of “The Passion of the Christ,” which followed Jim Caviezel as Jesus of Nazareth and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene in the final 12 hours before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The plot for the sequel, as the title suggests, will focus on Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Jaakko Ohtonen and Mariela Garriga, who are taking over as Jesus and Mary Magdalene, will star alongside Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio and Rupert Everett.
Until recently, “The Passion of the Christ” was the highest-grossing R-rated domestic release of all time with $370 million. However that record was supplanted by Disney’s 2024 blockbuster “Deadpool & Wolverine” with $636 million domestically. “The Passion of the Christ” remains one of the biggest independent films ever, earning $610 million globally against a $30 million production budget.
“Few modern-day films have made as much of an impact on the cultural landscape as ‘The Passion of the Christ,’” said Ray Nutt, Fathom Entertainment’s chief executive officer. “Twenty years ago, faith-based and more secular-leaning audiences alike embraced Mel Gibson’s film cinematic masterpiece and made it a true success, ushering in an era of opportunity for future religious-themed projects.”
Lionsgate also announced “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One” will be executive produced by Cedar Hill and by Mike Ilitch Jr. Productions. Both companies are investors in the film.
Gibson, whose career was derailed by several off-screen controversies, returned to studio filmmaking for the first time in eight years with last year’s “Flight Risk.” Lionsgate’s plane-set thriller, starring Mark Wahlberg, failed to ignite at the box office with just $48 million globally. Gibson previously directed 2016’s “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Braveheart” and “Apocalypto.”
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