Mel Gibson’s The Resurrection of the Christ Sets 2027 and 2028 Release Dates

The Resurrection of the Christ first look Rrvealed as Mel Gibson sequel sets new release dates.

Mel Gibson’s long-awaited follow-up to The Passion of the Christ is officially moving closer to theaters.

Lionsgate, in collaboration with Gibson, Bruce Davey and, Icon Productions, has completed principal photography on The Resurrection of the Christ. The biblical epic will release as a two-part film event, with The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One arriving May 6, 2027, and The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two following May 25, 2028.

The first film lands on Ascension Day 2027. The second film arrives on Ascension Day and Memorial Day weekend in 2028, giving the project a major faith-based and holiday release window.

The Resurrection of the Christ stars Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus, alongside Mariela Garriga, Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett.

The Original Passion of the Christ Became a Box Office Phenomenon

Released in 2004, The Passion of the Christ became one of the most talked-about biblical dramas in modern movie history. Directed by Mel Gibson, the film followed the final hours of Jesus and drew massive attention from faith-based audiences, filmgoers and cultural commentators.

The movie opened to $83 million in North America and went on to earn $370 million domestically and more than $610 million worldwide against a reported $30 million production budget. That performance made The Passion of the Christ one of the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time and one of the biggest faith-driven theatrical releases ever.

More than 20 years later, The Resurrection of the Christ arrives with that legacy behind it. Rather than retelling the crucifixion, Gibson’s follow-up shifts toward the story after the tomb, giving audiences a new chapter connected to one of the most successful religious films ever released.

The Passion of the Christ Follow-Up Has Wrapped Filming

The Resurrection of the Christ completed production ahead of schedule after a 134-day shoot across Italy. Filming took place in Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi, Torre Guaceto, and Matera.

That production footprint gives the film a massive canvas. It also signals Gibson’s continued commitment to staging the story with a grand, old-world visual scale.

The film follows Gibson’s 2004 biblical drama The Passion of the Christ, which became a major box office phenomenon. The original film opened with $83 million and went on to earn $370 million in North America and more than $610 million worldwide against a reported $30 million production budget.

More than 20 years later, The Resurrection of the Christ is positioned as one of the most anticipated faith-based films in modern movie history.

Jaakko Ohtonen Leads the New Cast as Jesus

Jaakko Ohtonen leads The Resurrection of the Christ as Jesus. He steps into one of the most-watched and discussed roles in biblical cinema, especially because of the original film’s cultural impact.

The cast also includes Mariela Garriga, Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett. Lionsgate has not framed the project as a small sequel. Instead, the studio is treating it as a large-scale, two-part theatrical event.

The two-part release also gives Gibson room to explore the story beyond a single film’s runtime. That approach could make The Resurrection of the Christ feel less like a traditional sequel and more like a sweeping continuation of the world introduced in The Passion of the Christ.

Mel Gibson Returns to One of His Most Important Films

Gibson described the project as a deeply personal mission that he has carried for more than 20 years.

“I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production,” Gibson said. “Together, we created something powerful.”

He also called the film “far more than a film” and described it as “a mission” connected to what he believes is “the most important story in human history.”

Gibson’s return to this material is significant because The Passion of the Christ remains one of the most commercially successful religious films ever released. It also sparked intense conversation around faith, violence, history, interpretation, and the cinematic portrayal of Jesus’ final hours.

Now, The Resurrection of the Christ shifts the focus from the crucifixion to what comes after.

Lionsgate Positions the Film as a Global Theatrical Event

Lionsgate will release The Resurrection of the Christ in North America and the U.K. The studio will also distribute the film in Latin America through IDC, its joint venture in the region.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, praised Gibson’s vision for the film and described footage from the set as having the look of “a masterwork painting brought to life.”

That description gives audiences one of the biggest reasons to pay attention. The Resurrection of the Christ is not being sold only as a sequel. It is being positioned as a visually ambitious theatrical experience built for global audiences.

Reasons Audiences Will Be Watching The Resurrection of the Christ

The biggest draw is clear. The Resurrection of the Christ continues one of the most successful and debated biblical films ever made.

The two-part structure gives the story more room to breathe. The release dates also connect directly to the Christian calendar, which could make the films major event releases for faith-based audiences.

Gibson’s return behind the camera adds another layer of interest. His recent relationship with Lionsgate includes Hacksaw Ridge, which earned multiple Oscar nominations, and Flight Risk, the thriller starring Mark Wahlberg.

The casting of Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus will also draw attention as audiences compare this new chapter to the legacy of The Passion of the Christ.

Most importantly, the film has built-in curiosity. Viewers who saw The Passion of the Christ in theaters, churches, homes or group screenings will likely want to see how Gibson approaches the resurrection story after two decades of development and anticipation.

When Does The Resurrection of the Christ Come Out?

The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One will be released May 6, 2027.

The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two will be released May 25, 2028.

Both films will be released by Lionsgate in North America and the U.K., with major international partners handling the film across several global territories.

Film Details

Director: Mel Gibson
Cast: Jaakko Ohtonen, Mariela Garriga, Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio and Rupert Everett
Part One Release Date: May 6, 2027
Part Two Release Date: May 25, 2028

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