Mel Gibson’s ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ gets official release date, to be split into two parts

More than two decades after his blockbuster The Passion of the Christ transformed faith-based filmmaking, Mel Gibson and his team have confirmed a two-part sequel, with both installments slated for release in the same year.

The Resurrection of the Christ, Part One will release in theaters on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, with Part Two following 40 days later on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 6, 2027, Gibson’s studio partner Lionsgate announced last week.

The Passion of the Christ became a box office phenomenon in 2004, holding the No. 1 spot for four weeks and remaining in the top 5 for seven, ultimately earning $370 million domestically and $609 million worldwide. The R-rated film depicted Christ’s final hours on Earth, culminating with His resurrection.

Gibson says the two-part sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ, will explore the period between Jesus’ death and resurrection, as well as the events that followed.

“For many, many people across the globe, The Resurrection of the Christ is the most anticipated theatrical event in a generation. It is also an awe-inspiring and spectacularly epic theatrical film that is going to leave moviegoers worldwide breathless,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “Mel is one of the greatest directors of our time, and this project is both deeply personal to him and the perfect showcase for his talents as a filmmaker.

“My relationship with Mel and [Gibson filmmaking associate] Bruce [Davey] dates back 30 years, and I am thrilled to be partnering with them once again on this landmark event for audiences.”

Gibson worked with Lionsgate on Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and Flight Risk (2025). Hacksaw Ridge was marketed to faith audiences and told the true story of World War II medic Desmond Doss, a Christian and conscientious objector who saved 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa without carrying a weapon.

“Lionsgate’s brave, innovative spirit and nimble, can-do attitude have inspired me for a long time, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect distributor for The Resurrection of the Christ,” Gibson said. “I’ve enjoyed working with Adam and the team several times over recent years. I know the clever ingenuity, passion, and ambition the entire team commits to their projects and I’m confident they will bring everything they can to the release of this movie.”

Gibson told podcaster Joe Rogan earlier this year that the sequel will be gospel-centric but will not be “linear.”

“I think in order to really tell the story properly you have to really start with the fall of the angels, which means you’re in another place, you’re in another realm. You need to go to hell,” Gibson said on The Joe Rogan Experience.

Meanwhile, Gibson told Rogan that he views the Gospels as accurate accounts of actual events.

“I regard the Gospels as history,” Gibson said. “It’s verifiable history. Some people say, ‘Well, it’s a fairy tale. He never existed’ – but He did. And there are other accounts, verifiable historical accounts, outside the biblical ones, that also bear this up that yes, He did exist.

“And the other aspect of that is that all the evangelists, the apostles, who went out there, every single one of those guys died rather than deny their belief, and nobody dies for a lie. Nobody. So that’s part of what I’m doing – is showing nobody dies for a lie.”