In spite of the COVID-19 outbreak shutting down theaters and keeping many people at home, the Christian movie I Still Believe still managed to hit No. 1 at the Box Office on opening day this Friday. The film beat out Disney’s Onward and Sony’s Bloodshot. The weekend tallies landed I Still Believe in the No. 2 slot, pulling in a total of $12 million in ticket sales.
The Lionsgate movie, starring KJ Apa, Britt Robertson, Gary Sinise and Shania Twain, was produced by the same team who made I Can Only Imagine. The film was budgeted at $12 million.
I Still Believe is the true story of musician Jeremy Camp’s “journey of love and loss that looks to prove there is always hope.” The faith-based film follows Camp’s romance with his first wife Melissa, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly before their marriage. The Christian musician still decided to marry Melissa in October 2000, though a heartbreaking journey that would be the ultimate test of faith lay before them.
“Riverdale” star KJ Apa gives a stunning performance as 20-year-old Jeremy Camp. Apa even used his own vocals for the movie though he was admittedly “terrified.”
“I’m super uncomfortable when I sing,” said Apa. “I went into the studio in Nashville—I did that first before we shot anything—and I think that really gave me perspective on the film.”
“Having that sound and knowing what all that music is going to sound like before you go in is super important,” the actor continued. “It’s either going to boost your confidence and boost your morale or it’s going to be like, ‘Oh, man, that didn’t go so well, so what are we going to work with?’ Luckily, it couldn’t have gone better. I think people are going to love it.”
Jeremy Camp took to Instagram after the movie hit theaters to offer a hopeful word of gratitude to those who came out to watch the film:
“Thanks to everyone who went out yesterday to support the film. I know times are crazy and uncertain right now, but we should never be controlled by fear. Stay healthy and remember God is in control! Love you guys! #istillbelieve“
