Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Is Charging Back Into Theaters With a First Look at Its Sequel

Few films have sparked as much conversation, controversy, and devotion as Mel Gibson’s biblical epic. More than two decades after its original release, it remains a touchstone for conversations about faith, filmmaking, and box office history, and it is once again finding its way into the cultural spotlight.

Gibson has spent years teasing a follow up to his 2004 passion project, quietly working behind the scenes on a continuation of the story while his own career shifted toward smaller acting roles and directing gigs. After his directorial debut with ‘The Man Without a Face’ and later ‘Braveheart,’ Gibson took a nine year break from directing before returning with ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ one of the biggest movies of his career. That long buildup is finally paying off.

According to a new announcement, Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment are bringing ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ newly remastered in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound, back to the big screen from September 10 through September 17. The re-release marks the film’s first major theatrical return since it originally hit multiplexes.

Audiences who catch the re-release will also 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 sequel is set to hit theaters starting May 6, 2027, with the re-release helping pave the way for its arrival.

Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer for Fathom Entertainment, said in a statement that the original film made a rare cultural impact, with faith based and secular audiences alike embracing it as a cinematic masterpiece that opened the door for future religious themed projects.

The remastered version has been meticulously restored from the original camera negative, with a new color pass supervised by original cinematographer Caleb Deschanel and a Dolby Atmos audio mix personally reviewed and approved by Gibson. Tickets for the remastered release go on sale online on July 24, 2026.

‘The Passion of the Christ’ remains a box office phenomenon in its own right. Starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus during the final twelve hours before his crucifixion, alongside Maia Morgenstern, Monica Bellucci, and Hristo Naumov Shopov, the film grossed 609 million dollars worldwide and earned Oscar nominations for Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Makeup. It went on to become the highest grossing Christian film and the highest grossing independent film of all time.

The upcoming sequel will see Jaakko Ohtonen stepping into the role of Jesus, joined by a cast including Mariela Garriga, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett, with ‘The Resurrection of the Christ, Part Two’ following a year later on May 25, 2028. The new film will be executive produced by Cedar Hill and Mike Ilitch Jr. With the original film’s return just weeks away, are you planning to revisit Gibson’s crucifixion epic on the big screen before ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ finally arrives.