Kevin Smith Gets Candid About Dogma’s 25- Year Journey and Rediscovery – Interview

Kevin Smith chats about his fan-favorite film Dogma’s enduring legacy.

Filmmaker Kevin Smith is taking the film on the road to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his 1999 cult classic Dogma. Newly restored in 4K by original cinematographer Robert Yeoman (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Bridesmaids), Dogma is being re-released in 1,500 theaters across North America beginning June 5, 2025.

The re-release is part of Dogma: The Resurrection Tour. It is a 20-city, sold-out event that kicked off Easter Sunday at The Grove in Los Angeles. Due to overwhelming demand, second shows were added in nearly every city, with Smith himself appearing for post-screening Q&As. The fanfare also led to Dogma being featured in the prestigious Cannes Classics lineup, joining the ranks of cinema’s most celebrated works.

An Unlikely Classic That Keeps Converting New Fans

In our exclusive interview, Smith reflected on the film’s unexpected longevity.

“When I made it, I felt it was so original,” he shared. “I remember thinking, ‘There ain’t nothing like this out there.’ And then Linda Fiorentino—who plays Bethany—tells me during filming, ‘This is kind of like The Wizard of Oz, isn’t it?’ I was like, ‘F—, she’s right.’ I had no idea I had just copied the structure!”

Though he laughs about that revelation now, the comparison holds up. Like Oz, Dogma has proven to be a timeless tale of spiritual questioning, fantastical world-building, and bold characters—some of whom are literal angels and demons.

Restored in 4K and Resonating With New Audiences

Thanks to the new 4K remaster by Triple Media Film and Yeoman’s hands-on work, Dogma looks better than ever. And despite being over two decades old, Smith says the movie is still connecting with new viewers.

“We did a 20-city tour—two, sometimes three shows a night,” he said. “And there were always a handful of people seeing Dogma for the first time. I’d always ask, ‘Why would you pay $50 to see a movie you’ve never seen before?’ But they loved it. It still worked.”

He added, “It blew me away that it held up for younger audiences, even with no cell phones on screen. That kind of timelessness? I never thought I’d make a movie like that.”

From Indie Dreams to Box Office Impact

Originally released in November 1999, Dogma starred an all-star cast including Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Alan Rickman, Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, Jason Lee, George Carlin, and Smith’s iconic duo Jay and Silent Bob. The film grossed over $44 million worldwide and earned critical acclaim for blending religious satire with sharp humor and surprisingly heartfelt themes.

The journey to making the film, however, wasn’t guaranteed. Smith explained how he seized the opportunity after Chasing Amy brought him back into Hollywood’s good graces following Mallrats’ disappointing box office performance.

“I had Clerks. Then Mallrats tanked. Then Chasing Amy put me back. When Ben and Matt were coming off Good Will Hunting, I knew it was my shot to get Dogma made. So I took it.”

A Personal Legacy, Still Growing

Smith is still taken aback by how the film continues to resonate—and even influence relationships.

“I’m just delighted your wife didn’t divorce you after watching it,” he joked when told the film was a new favorite in the Tajipour household. “I’ve been a divisive subject in some marriages—my own especially!”

Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Dogma for the first time, this new release allows audiences to see the film as it was meant to be seen: on the big screen, in glorious 4K, and introduced by the man himself. Visit the Dogma website.

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