The movie tells the story of Bart Millard, the lead singer of Christian rock band MercyMe, and what led him to write the bestselling Christian single of all time: "I Can Only Imagine."

Millard told CBN News in Nashville, following the film's premiere, that the filmmakers did a great job capturing the heart of his story.

"The first time I saw it, it was really emotional," he said. "I guess they did a good job because they stirred some emotions that I spent most of my life trying to bury."

The film earned nearly double its expected outcome raking in $17.1 million across North America.

It came in third for the weekend behind the opening of "Tomb Raider" and Marvel's "Black Panther."

"Tomb Raider" had a $94 million production budget while "I Can Only Imagine" had a tiny $7 million budget by comparison.

And "I Can Only Imagine" only played in 1,629 theaters, making the $17.1 million earnings even more remarkable.

Compare that to "Tomb Raider" which opened in more than twice as many theaters, 3,854, and only beat "I Can Only Imagine" by about $6 million to take second place for the weekend.

The Christian-themed "I Can Only Imagine" beat out Disney's "A Wrinkle in Time," a movie which had all of its original Christian elements removed by the screenwriter. It also beat a new film about a gay teenage romance.

Meanwhile, "A Wrinkle in Time" is still playing in an incredible 3,980 theaters but hasn't lived up to expectations. Critics believe that's because the prominent Christian themes from the beloved children's novel were replaced by a New Age agenda, as CBN News reported here.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'Melania' Film a Huge Success, Shocking Hollywood Press on Opening Weekend

Give Him 15: Sanctifying the Night with the 'Big Ben Moment' of Prayer for America

Trump Issues Executive Order to Expedite Rebuilding after Los Angeles County Wildfires

CA, NY Set to Lose Congressional Seats after Mass Migration to Southern States

NYC Democrat Wants Newsmax Banned in Taxis

DHS: 6,947 Criminal Illegal Aliens Released into NY Since Jan. 20, with Thousands More to Come

President Trump's HHS Rescinds Biden-Era Abortion Pill Rule That Forced Pharmacies to Supply It

Shocking Email from Epstein Files Implicates Former US Ambassador, Clintons, Bidens, and More

First Lady: 'Melania' Documentary Movie is 'Emotional,' 'Cinematic'

A Different Kind of Classroom Is Outperforming Expectations

Elon Musk's Warning to Parents: 'Woke Programming Is Everywhere in Children's 'Educational Shows,' Even Peppa Pig

School Fires 'Character Coach' after Atheists Complain

Marine Vet Missionary Killed During Facebook Marketplace Meetup Sent Heartbreaking Text Before Death

Maximum Pressure on Iran as US Military Positions for Strikes

Bill and Hillary Clinton Contempt Vote Set for Next Wednesday

Don Lemon Arrested for Role in Church Service Disruption by Anti-ICE Activists

Nicki Minaj? Creed? Who Will Headline Turning Point USA's Rival Super Bowl Halftime Show?

'Trump Accounts' Savings for Kids: How They Work and Who Is Eligible

Here's Why Many Say the Ilhan Omar Assault Was Staged

VIDEO: Alex Pretti Attacked Federal Agents' SUV 2 Weeks Before His Death