In a stunning turn of events, the controversial film “Sound of Freedom” has defied expectations, making waves at the box office and leaving industry experts astounded. Despite its mixed reactions and lingering controversies, the movie has now outperformed big-budget sequels from the “Indiana Jones” and “Mission: Impossible” franchises in the domestic box office arena.
Director Alejandro Monteverde expressed his surprise at the film’s remarkable success, admitting that it came as a “complete surprise, including to myself.” “Sound of Freedom,” which hit theaters on July 4, has garnered an impressive $174 million in the U.S. since its release, according to Deadline. This staggering figure eclipses the earnings of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” which amassed $172.9 million after its June 30 release, as well as “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” which brought in $160.8 million after its July 12 debut.
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While “Dial of Destiny” and “Dead Reckoning Part One” have achieved impressive global earnings of over $375 million and $522 million respectively, “Sound of Freedom” is poised for international release in the upcoming months.
The film’s budget of approximately $14.5 million stands in stark contrast to the astronomical production costs of its counterparts, with both “Dead Reckoning” and “Dial of Destiny” reportedly reaching nearly $300 million each, excluding marketing expenses.
Loosely based on a true story, “Sound of Freedom” centers around a man’s mission to rescue children from a human trafficking operation in Colombia. Starring Jim Caviezel, known for his role in “Passion of the Christ,” the film has stirred controversy due to Caviezel’s promotion of QAnon conspiracy theories on far-right platforms while promoting the movie.
Director Alejandro Monteverde, who has distanced himself from Caviezel’s views, revealed that “Sound of Freedom” underwent a unique journey to reach the screen. Originally owned by Disney following its acquisition of Fox in 2019, the film was later repurchased by its producers. The unforeseen challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic further impacted the film’s release strategy.
The film’s distributor, Universal Pictures, suggests that “Sound of Freedom” will likely find its online home on platforms such as Peacock and Prime Video. This aligns with Universal’s distribution strategy, which aims to maximize the film’s reach and viewership by landing on Peacock after its theatrical release before moving to Prime Video.
Despite the controversy and unconventional marketing tactics, “Sound of Freedom” has triumphed at the box office, earning its place as a bipartisan phenomenon. Director Monteverde expressed excitement and humility as he observed the film’s transcendent journey from conception to unexpected success. The film’s global performance will ultimately determine its universal appeal, shedding light on its reception beyond the political landscape of its home country.
As “Sound of Freedom” prepares to make its mark on international audiences, the world eagerly anticipates whether this cinematic triumph will continue to captivate hearts and minds across the globe.