Bible at the Box Office: NOAH Falls Short while GOD's NOT DEAD and SON of GOD Triumph
Paramount's NOAH misses potential faith-driven, record-breaking opening weekend with only $44 million gross
RALEIGH, NC, March 31, 2014 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Faith Driven Consumer™ -- the group behind the recent IStandWithPhil.com movement that played a leading role in Phil Robertson's return to
Duck Dynasty, is tracking the commercial viability of major Hollywood films courting faith audiences. In 2014, the
Year of the Bible Movie, studios are targeting 46 million Faith Driven Consumers who spend $1.75 trillion annually. While recent films such as
SON OF GOD and
GOD'S NOT DEAD are exceeding expectations at the US box office, the organization finds that
NOAH has underperformed its opening weekend relative to its potential with a faith-based audience.
"10 years ago,
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, an independent, Biblically-themed film with a $30 million dollar production budget, raked in nearly $84 million in gross earnings, in 2004 dollars, during its opening weekend. That film, which grossed nearly $612 million worldwide, garnered the enthusiastic and passionate support of Faith Driven Consumers.
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST blended high production values with a strong adherence to the core Biblical message and narrative.
The largest grossing independent film of all time,
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST afforded Hollywood an historic 'ah-ha' moment as industry experts recognized the power of the Faith Driven Consumer audience, an audience hungry for high-quality entertainment choices that resonate with their deeply held, Biblically-based worldview and values," said Chris Stone, a Certified Brand Strategist and Founder of Faith Driven Consumer.
"By contrast
NOAH, a film with a $125 million production budget and the promotional backing of one of the world's leading studios, grossed only an
estimated $44 million, in 2014 dollars, at the box office during its opening weekend. This film, which deviates far enough from the Biblical message and narrative as to render the original story largely unrecognizable, has clearly failed to garner the broad support of Faith Driven Consumers. Paramount is free to make whatever kind of film it wants to make, but the company's leadership would be well-advised to consider the tens of millions of dollars they have already left and the hundreds of millions they will potentially be leaving on the table.
"What kind of records could NOAH have shattered if the film's tone and story had resonated with faith-based audiences as they did with THE PASSION? Paramount will never know.
"We are confident that the next blockbuster that targets Faith Driven Consumers -- and aligns closely with expectations of this core audience -- will realize unparalleled success. THE PASSION remains a strong favorite in faith communities across the nation today. Will the same be said of NOAH?"
Faith-friendly films GOD's NOT DEAD and SON OF GOD continue to shatter expectations. GOD's NOT DEAD is smashing expectations, it saw a meager 1% drop this weekend compared to opening weekend, taking in another $9 million to add to its $9.2 million opening. And SON OF GOD is still going strong, closing in on $60 million at the US box office to date.
· Overall Faith and/or Biblical Relevance: NOAH scored 2 out of 5 stars
· Faith-compatible Depiction of Characters and Character Relationships: NOAH scored 2 out of 5 stars
· Faith-compatible Depiction of Situations: NOAH scored 2.5 out of 5 stars
· Family Viewing Suitability: NOAH scored 2 out of 5 stars
· Entertainment Value: NOAH scored 1.5 out of 5 stars
Paramount's NOAH scored an overall 2 out of 5 stars, meaning that NOAH will likely not resonate with Faith Driven Consumers.
About Faith Driven Consumer
Faith Driven Consumer is a movement connecting Christian consumers with companies that are relatively more compatible with a biblical worldview. By educating and engaging Christian consumers, Faith Driven Consumer provides a community forum offering resources for making more faith-conscious decisions, encourages companies to meet the unique needs of Faith Driven Consumers, and offers a national voice for this rapidly emerging, economically powerful and Christ-centered consumer market segment. Visit www.faithdrivenconsumer.com for more information.
