Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Returns to Theaters Ahead of Highly Anticipated Sequel

Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ is returning to theaters ahead of the release of its long-awaited sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One.

Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment announced that Gibson’s 2004 biblical drama will return to the big screen from September 10 through September 17. The film has been restored in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound, giving audiences a chance to experience the movie with updated picture and audio quality.

The theatrical re-release will also give fans an early look at The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One, the upcoming sequel that continues the story after the events of the original film. According to the studios, the preview will offer a first glimpse at what they describe as one of Gibson’s biggest filmmaking projects.

Kevin Grayson, president of worldwide distribution at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said the original movie remains a special experience for many viewers. “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,” Grayson said.

He added that the new restoration will allow longtime fans to see the movie in a different way while also introducing it to younger audiences who may never have watched it in theaters.

The upcoming sequel will be released as two separate films. The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 6, 2027, while Part Two is planned for May 25, 2028. Both movies will be released on Ascension Day, a Christian holiday celebrating Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven.

The sequel will focus on the events following the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. The story will continue the biblical journey that began in The Passion of the Christ, which followed Jesus during the final hours before his death.

The original movie starred Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. For the sequel, Jaakko Ohtonen and Mariela Garriga will take over the roles of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The cast will also include Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett.

The Passion of the Christ became one of the most successful independent films in history. Made with a reported budget of around $30 million, the movie earned approximately $610 million worldwide. It also held the record as the highest-grossing R-rated movie in the United States for years before being surpassed by Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024.

Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, said the film had a major impact when it first arrived in theaters.

“Few modern-day films have made as much of an impact on the cultural landscape as The Passion of the Christ,” Nutt said. He added that the movie connected with both faith-based viewers and general audiences, helping create more opportunities for religious films. The sequel will be executive produced by Cedar Hill and Mike Ilitch Jr. Productions, which are also investors in the project.

The return of The Passion of the Christ comes as Gibson continues his career as a director. His most recent film, Flight Risk, marked his return to studio filmmaking after several years away. Gibson previously directed films including Braveheart, Apocalypto, and Hacksaw Ridge, with Braveheart winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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