If next year is too long to wait for Mel Gibson’s Passion follow-up, The Resurrection of the Christ, you’re in luck. Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment are bringing a 4K-remastered version of The Passion of the Christ, with Dolby Atmos sound, back to theaters ahead of the continuation’s release, from September 10 through September 17. If you purchase tickets for the re-release, you’ll get a sneak peek at The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One, which the studio describes as Gibson’s “most ambitious filmmaking achievement” and the “largest faith film ever brought to the screen.”
The Resurrection of the Christ is getting divided into two parts, with “Part One” set to debut May 6, 2027, and “Part Two” scheduled for May 25, 2028. Both dates commemorate Ascension Day, a Christian holiday marking the ascension of Jesus into heaven. The plot of Resurrection, of course, “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 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.”
“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.”
Gibson has previously described the continuations as “an acid trip,” adding that he’s “never read anything like” the script, which he wrote with Randall Wallace. The continuations may make one significant change from the first movie, as it’s been rumored that Gibson will be shooting the film in English, at least in part. The cast of the original movie spoke Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin. If true, this would be a disappointment (to me at least), as the more traditionally accurate languages did lend to a more immersive experience.
Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ caused quite a stir upon release, with everyone from devout followers to protestors showing up for the film’s controversial release. At the end of the day, many celebrate the film for its depiction of Christ’s journey, though some parts are difficult to watch. It will be interesting to see if The Resurrection of the Christ kicks up as much sand as the original and whether the continued story will resonate as much with fans of the 2004 biblical drama.