Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion of the Christ’ returns to theaters ahead of 2027 sequel

Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” is back on the big screen this week, as Lionsgate brings the 2004 biblical epic to theaters nationwide from Sept. 10 through Sept. 17 in a newly remastered 4K re-release timed to build anticipation for Mr. Gibson’s long-delayed sequel. Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment announced the re-release in July, describing it as a remaster from the original camera negative with a new Dolby Atmos mix approved by Mr. Gibson.

The re-release places “Passion” alongside Hollywood’s other landmark biblical epics, including “Ben-Hur,” “The Ten Commandments” and “Jesus of Nazareth.” Made on a modest $30 million budget, the original film went on to gross more than $610 million worldwide.

Critics were divided on the film’s unflinching violence when it debuted, but Roger Ebert gave it four stars in the Chicago Sun-Times. “This is the most violent film I have ever seen,” Ebert wrote in his review, while praising Mr. Gibson’s commitment to depicting the brutality of the crucifixion without sanitizing it.

Mr. Gibson has leaned into that same intensity in describing his approach to the film. Speaking with EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo on the “Arroyo Grande Show” ahead of the re-release, Mr. Gibson told Mr. Arroyo that “I wanted to emphasize that this was not easy,” recalling that star Jim Caviezel initially resisted taking on the physically grueling role.

The re-release also serves as a launchpad for Mr. Gibson’s two-part follow-up, “The Resurrection of the Christ,” with theatergoers this week getting an exclusive behind-the-scenes preview. Part One is slated for release on May 6, 2027, with Part Two following on May 25, 2028.

In a separate interview, Mr. Gibson told The Christian Post that the sequel will draw on material outside the three Synoptic Gospels — Matthew, Mark and Luke — which he noted “don’t tell you everything.” Mr. Gibson pointed out that even John’s Gospel acknowledges its own incompleteness. “There’s a lot of stuff that wasn’t written,” Mr. Gibson told The Christian Post, adding that he intends to fill those narrative gaps without contradicting orthodox Christian teaching.