NASHVILLE — The church-made film “Courageous” is No. 1 in ticket sales among all movies according to a leading ticketing website — a significant feat considering it is an independent movie that will open in far fewer theaters than most big-time movies.
It opened Sept. 30. Made by the same church that filmed the 2008 hit “Fireproof” — the top independent film that year — “Courageous” will open in 1,126 theaters in the United States. By comparison, “The Lion King 3D” opened in 2,300 theaters and “Dolphin Tale 3D” opened in 3,500.
As of Sept. 29, “Courageous” had reached $2 million in pre-sales, officials close to the film said. Despite the data, “Courageous” almost certainly won’t finish No. 1 at the box office over the weekend. For starters, it is not opening in enough theaters. Its pre-release sales have been boosted by churches across the country buying out entire showings for the film and using it as a ministry tool, particularly to men. They then resell the tickets to members.
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