Following a triumphant run in theaters, the blockbuster movie “Sound of Freedom,” produced by Angel Studios, will commence streaming on Amazon Inc.’s AMZN Prime Video from Dec. 26, 2023 in the U.S.
What Happened: The thriller, starring Jim Caviezel, raked in over $180 million domestically and nearly $250 million globally. However, the exact financial terms of the streaming rights acquisition by Amazon Prime Video have not been disclosed, reported CNBC.
The film’s release was initially shelved after 20th Century Fox, the initial rights owner, was bought by the Walt Disney Co. DIS. However, by taking the crowdfunding route, it managed to raise $5 million for distribution.
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The movie “Sound of Freedom” narrates the heart-stopping story of a government agent who resigns to rescue a girl from sexual traffickers in Colombia. The film, which opened over the July 4 holiday weekend, has been a magnet for audiences, grossing $14.2 million in its debut.
It struck a chord with older audiences and conservative political circles, many of whom returned to theaters after a long absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, in July, former U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a private movie screening at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club.
Moreover, a unique “pay it forward” campaign is credited with part of the film’s success. This initiative encouraged moviegoers to purchase tickets that could be used by those unable to afford them in future screenings.
Meanwhile, Angel Studios, known for its faith-based content, has an array of projects in the pipeline, including a sci-fi thriller, “The Shift,” releasing in December, and a biographical drama, “Cabrini” set for March, the report noted.
Why It Matters: The acquisition of “Sound of Freedom” by Amazon Prime Video comes amidst significant movements in the streaming market.
Previously, it was reported that Apple Inc. AAPL has been making strategic moves into the film industry with high-profile theatrical releases. Martin Scorsese’s latest film “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which premiered last month, will be available for streaming on Apple TV+ after its worldwide theatrical release.
Cupertino has also been reportedly planning a major TV app overhaul to bolster its position in the streaming market. This includes discontinuing specific apps on the Apple TV box that enable users to rent and purchase shows and movies and removing sections for movies and TV shows in the iTunes Store app on iPhones.
Amazon also has a long history of helping develop films.
For instance, “The Burial” starring Jamie Fox and Tommy Lee Jones, was released by Amazon MGM Studios in a limited release earlier this year on Oct. 6 before streaming it on Prime Video.
Similarly, last year, Amazon Studios along with Blumhouse Productions acquired distribution rights to the film “Nanny,” a 2022 American psychological horror movie, and gave it a limited theatrical release, prior to making it available on Prime Video.
In this light, Amazon’s move appears strategically aimed at maintaining a competitive edge in the evolving streaming landscape.
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo via Shutterstock.
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