Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection, starring Jim Caviezel, could be the biggest hit of 2025/26—here’s why!
Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection may be facing a wave of online mockery, but what many critics don’t realize is that the sequel could become one of the biggest cinematic hits of 2025 or 2026. While skeptics argue that there’s “not enough material” for a follow-up to the crucifixion, the story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection and the 40 days He spent on Earth after is a rich, untapped well of dramatic moments, teachings, and historical significance. From Christ’s miraculous post-resurrection appearances to the incredible journeys of His apostles and the rise of the early Church, Resurrection has the potential to be a groundbreaking film. In this article, we explore why the sequel not only deserves a place in theaters but could also inspire and captivate a new generation of moviegoers.
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Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection (working title), starring Jim Caviezel (Sound of Freedom) and Maia Morgenstern (The Oak) is already stirring up online buzz, but not all of it is positive. From Reddit’s atheist factions to various skeptics, the sequel is being mocked with comments like, “Didn’t Jesus die in the first one?” or “There’s not enough material for an entire sequel.”
However, these criticisms miss the profound depth and cinematic potential of what happens after the resurrection of Jesus. In fact, Resurrection could easily become the biggest hit of 2025/26, if not beyond. Here’s why.
The Greatest Story Ever Told – Expanded
The life of Jesus Christ has been called “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” a phrase that even inspired a blockbuster film in 1965 featuring Hollywood legends like Charlton Heston, John Wayne, and Max von Sydow as Jesus. This story, which has touched billions of lives, doesn’t end with the crucifixion. It continues even after Jesus’ resurrection, inspiring a global faith that has endured for over 2,000 years.
After His resurrection, Jesus didn’t disappear into history; for 40 days, He continued to move among His disciples, performing miraculous acts and delivering teachings that would shape the foundation of Christianity. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth,” Jesus declared in Matthew 28:18-20. In this brief but powerful period, Jesus laid out the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Contrary to skeptics’ claims that “there’s simply not enough material” for a sequel, Jesus’ time on Earth after the resurrection is filled with transformative moments. In Mark 16:15-18, He calls His followers to “go into all the world and preach the gospel,” promising signs and miracles to accompany their mission. The resurrection wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning of the Christian movement that would soon change the world.
The Early Church: A Story Begging to Be Told
The early days of Christianity, following the Ascension, are a cinematic goldmine. Imagine a film exploring the lives of the Apostles—ordinary men transformed into the spiritual leaders of a faith destined to spread across the globe. From Peter’s fiery leadership to Paul’s missionary journeys, these men carried Christ’s message into a hostile world. Their bravery in the face of persecution and martyrdom is the stuff of epic storytelling.
Historically, the survival and spread of Christianity in those early years offer compelling evidence for the resurrection. How else could a small group of apostles, most of whom were executed for their faith, have remained steadfast unless they had encountered the risen Christ? Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and The Synaxarion are filled with stories of Apostles enduring torture, imprisonment, and death, refusing to renounce their belief in the resurrection. This is the kind of dramatic material that would captivate any audience, Christian or otherwise. If The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection doesn’t cover these stories, it sets the stage for a potential third film that dives into the lives and martyrdoms of the Apostles.
The Fates of the Apostles: A Testament to Their Faith
Each Apostle’s fate serves as a testament to the power of Christ’s resurrection. Peter, the rock of the Church, was crucified upside down in Rome. Thomas, the doubter, took the Gospel all the way to India, where he was killed by a spear. James, the brother of John, was beheaded in Jerusalem, while Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece. These are powerful, heroic stories that echo through history, demonstrating the unshakable faith of those who walked with Jesus.
The courage of the Apostles underlines why The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection is so relevant today. These men, transformed by the resurrected Christ, spread the faith despite facing certain death. The Christian Church not only survived but thrived, prevailing through persecution to become the largest faith in the world. A film depicting these early days of the Church would offer a gripping narrative of endurance, courage, and hope.
Fulfilled Prophecies and a Living Story
The power of Resurrection doesn’t just lie in historical or religious significance—it resonates with the fulfillment of centuries-old prophecies. In Luke 24:44, Jesus explained to His disciples, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Throughout the Old Testament, prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—events still relevant today. The story of Jesus is ongoing, His teachings echoing through centuries, and His influence felt in the modern world.
Why The Passion of the Christ Deserves More Films
The resurrection isn’t the end of Jesus’ story; it’s the beginning of a global movement that changed the course of history. The early Church, the Apostles, and the continued spread of Christianity are just the next chapter of a story that still resonates. Imagine a sequel that explores the rise of the Church in a world hostile to its message—a cinematic depiction of faith under fire. The success of Christian television series like The Chosen and the rise of Christian media, such as Angel Studios, show that there’s a hunger for more faith-based content. The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection isn’t just justified—it’s long overdue.
Mel Gibson’s original The Passion of the Christ shattered box office expectations, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. With the world still captivated by the life and message of Jesus, there’s no doubt that Resurrection has the potential to be a massive hit. The question isn’t whether there’s enough story for a sequel—it’s how much of this extraordinary story can be fit into one film. If done well, it could be the beginning of a whole series of films exploring the lives of the Apostles and the early Church, stories that deserve to be told on the big screen.
The legacy of Jesus Christ endures, and His story is still the greatest ever told. Resurrection might just be the next great chapter in cinematic history.
