‘Heaven Is for Real’ Rides Faith-Based Wave to Big Easter Score at Box Office.

 

Sony's Christian drama doubles its budget, showing that bigger isn't necessarily better when it comes to inspirational movies

When it comes to faith-based movies at the box office, “Heaven Is for Real” is the latest to show that smaller may be better, at least in terms of return on investment.

The drama, based on the 2010 best-selling Christian book written by Kansas pastor Todd Burpo and conservative author Lynn Vincent, scored an Easter weekend surprise with its strong $21.5 million three-day haul, and has taken in more than $28 million since opening on Wednesday.
That's a major score for Sony and producers Joe Roth and pastor Thomas “T.D.” Jakes, who produced “Heaven Is for Real” for $12 million and more than doubled that in its first week at the box office. Directed by Randall Wallace (“Braveheart”), the film stars Greg Kinnear as a small-town pastor whose son claims to have seen heaven after a near-death experience. Kelly Reilly, Thomas Hayden Church and newcomer Connor Corum co-star.