[1]ALBANY, Ga. (BP) — The church-made film “Courageous” ended its second weekend at No. 6 in total gross, although it finished No. 3 on a per-theater average.
The movie from Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., made $16.1 million, far more than its $1 million budget. By comparison 2008’s “Fireproof” — which was playing in fewer theaters and was the most recent Sherwood film — didn’t pass $16 million until its third weekend.
Courageous’ per-theater average of $4,193 was third, trailing only new films “Real Steel” and “The Ides of March.” Its average was No. 1 among holdover movies. Fireproof did slightly better in its per-theater average on its second weekend at $4,680.
In one stat closely watched by studios, Courageous’ second-weekend revenue was 46.6 percent off its first weekend. Fireproof’s second-weekend did better, losing 41.7 percent. The difference could be due to Courageous’ expanded market of 1,161 theaters compared to Fireproof’s 839 theaters, which put Courageous outside of its strongest markets.
Courageous finished its first weekend at No. 4 in total gross and No. 1 in per-theater average. It was the No. 1 new movie.
The movie follows the story of five men — four of them police officers — as they seek to become better fathers.
[2]The film is having an impact. In Douglasville, Ga., 17 people were saved during Thursday and Friday showings of the movie, said Michael Catt, Sherwood Baptist’s pastor, on his Facebook page. The tickets were purchased by area churches and given to local policeman and firefighters.
–30–
Compiled by Michael Foust, associate editor of Baptist Press.