The faith-based sequel I Can Only Imagine 2 opened to a strong box office showing over its first weekend, proving that inspirational storytelling continues to resonate with moviegoers even amid a crowded theatrical landscape. The film currently stands at approximately $8 million in domestic grosses, placing it firmly within the top tier of this weekend's releases.
Opening in more than 3,100 theaters across North America, I Can Only Imagine 2 generated an estimated $3.7 million on opening day, including $1.8 million from advance preview screenings - robust numbers for a faith-based release. The sequel debuted third at the box office, trailing only two high-profile studio films: the family-friendly animated adventure GOAT from Sony Pictures Animation and the literary adaptation Wuthering Heights from Warner Bros. Pictures. Both competitors drew large mainstream audiences, yet I Can Only Imagine 2 proved resilient, outperforming many releases without built-in fan bases.
Industry projections ahead of the weekend had forecast a $7 million-$10 million opening for I Can Only Imagine 2, and the actual performance reflects solid alignment with those expectations - particularly commendable given the strong box office draws on either side of it. While the 2018 original film earned more than $85 million worldwide and became one of the most successful independent faith-driven films of the past decade, the sequel's debut underscores ongoing support from faith communities and general audiences alike.
Distributed by Lionsgate in partnership with Kingdom Story Company, I Can Only Imagine 2 continues the inspirational journey rooted in the life and legacy of Bart Millard - lead vocalist of MercyMe - and the enduring impact of the song that sparked millions of hearts worldwide.
The film's performance signals that there remains a vibrant market for spiritually uplifting cinema, a trend reflected in strong early audience engagement and enthusiastic responses from church groups, families, and faith-based networks. As I Can Only Imagine 2 continues its theatrical run, industry observers will be watching closely to see if its box office trajectory can mirror the long-lasting success of its predecessor.
Additional weekend totals and international box office figures will be released as they become available.
