Mel Gibson’s 2004 biblical epic The Passion of the Christ will return to theaters nationwide for a limited run from September 10 to 17, newly remastered in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound.
Tickets go on sale July 24.
Audiences who attend will also receive a sneak peek at Gibson’s upcoming sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One.
The re-release comes more than 22 years after the original film’s debut on February 25, 2004. Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment are distributing the special engagement.
Original Release and Impact
Produced on a $30 million budget, it grossed $370,782,930 domestically and $610,065,221 worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time at the time of its release, per Box Office Mojo.
The film, directed by Mel Gibson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Benedict Fitzgerald, depicted the final 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life. It featured dialogue primarily in Aramaic and Latin with English subtitles. Jim Caviezel starred as Jesus.
Re-Release Details
The 2026 theatrical return features a 4K remaster from the original camera negative. The limited one-week run will include a behind-the-scenes look at the sequel. Gibson remains the director for the upcoming The Resurrection of the Christ films.
Jim Caviezel will not reprise his role as Jesus in the sequel, per The Hollywood Reporter. A new cast is being assembled for The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One, scheduled for release in 2027.
Story Differences
The original film focused on the Passion — the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus. The sequel will explore the Resurrection and its aftermath. The two-part follow-up is described as Gibson’s most ambitious project.
Before the Victory, there was the Sacrifice.
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST returns to theaters September 10–17, digitally remastered in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound. Tickets on sale July 24. pic.twitter.com/2D0qVayztB
— The Resurrection of The Christ (@ResurrectFilm) July 1, 2026
Production Challenges and Spiritual Warfare
During the filming of the original The Passion of the Christ, cast and crew reported several unusual incidents. Jim Caviezel was struck by lightning during the Sermon on the Mount scene. He also suffered a dislocated shoulder while carrying the cross and was hospitalized for hypothermia and pneumonia.
Multiple crew members experienced accidents, and some described a sense of spiritual opposition during production. Gibson and others have spoken publicly about these events in past interviews. Similar reports have surfaced during sequel filming, though details remain limited.
Overarching Message
The film centers on the Christian account of Jesus Christ’s final hours, emphasizing themes of sacrifice, redemption, and faith. Gibson has described it as a meditation on love and suffering. The re-release aims to bring the story back to the big screen for both longtime fans and new audiences.
After wrapping principal photography on the sequel, Mel Gibson addressed the cast and crew on set, thanking them for their efforts, reportedly saying, “Now it’s time to make sure the Lord gets glorified in all of this.”
The original film remains a significant cultural and commercial milestone in faith-based cinema.
