Due to popular demand, The Hopeful has been extended for another week in most cinemas across Australia and New Zealand.

More than 12,000 people have already visited cinemas to view the film. The film is currently ranked third among those newly released in New Zealand and sixth in Australia. It is believed to be the number-one film in Fiji.

Beyond the box office, The Hopeful is having a positive spiritual impact. Stories are emerging of people seeking out Adventist churches after being moved by the film’s message. One local pastor from regional New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has shared a story about two individuals who attended church last Sabbath after watching the movie the previous night, eager to learn more about the Adventist faith.

Another story has been shared from a church member in northern NSW. She spoke about a couple who were already observing Saturday (Sabbath) as a day of worship and were inspired by The Hopeful to take the next step and join the Adventist Church.

“They were very inspired by the life and choices Ellen made in seeking to follow Jesus all the way,” she said. “Now they wish to do the same, living by the power of God’s Word. Thank you for your film; may there be many more who give their lives over to Jesus,” she stated.

The positive reception to The Hopeful has sparked conversations about extending screenings into a third week. However, that will depend on this weekend’s turnout.

“We want to say a big thank you to our Adventist community for supporting The Hopeful,” said Adventist Media CEO Dr. Brad Kemp. “It’s because of the turnout over the opening weekend that the cinema industry has looked at the data and decided to keep the film screening. Please accept our gratitude—this is a really big outcome! For those who haven’t seen the film yet, don’t miss this opportunity! And if you have already seen The Hopeful, here’s your chance to gather friends, family and neighbors to experience this uplifting story together.”

The Hopeful is a film production of Hope Studios that features the beginnings of the Adventist movement. The 90-minute drama, set in 19th-century New England, invites audiences of all ages to imagine how hope can change the world.

About Hope Studios

Hope Studios, the cinematic arm of Hope Channel International, crafts and shares stories across the globe through our footprint in over one hundred countries. With content rooted in faith and values, its mission transcends entertainment. Hope Studios strives to inspire positive change through the universal language of storytelling.

About Hope Channel International

Hope Channel International is a Seventh-day Adventist global media evangelism network that connects every heart globally with eternal hope through media that inspires. Hope Channel produces and distributes content in 100+ languages in more than 80 countries around the world, with each locally operated channel creating tailored messages to meet the spiritual needs of their communities. 

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.