For Greater Glory' debuts in box office Top 10

As I noted on Friday, For Greater Glorydebuted in theaters this weekend.  It's a film telling the true story of Mexico's Cristero War for religious freedom that left nearly 100,000 dead.  The film was made with limited funding and had a limited release release this weekend on just 757 screens nationwide.  (For a little perspective, the weekend's No. 1 picture -- Snow White and the Huntsman -- played on 3,773 screens.)  Nevertheless, For Greater Glory still managed to finish in the top 10, bringing in an estimated $1.8 million in box office receipts.

CNS News has more:

In a top 10 dominated by light fare ranging from a “Men In Black” sequel to a new “Snow White” movie, “For Greater Glory” shows that thoughtful, pro-religious freedom, pro-Christian, historical dramas can attract viewers.

It took in the tenth highest weekend gross despite showing in only a little over half the number of theaters of any other film in the top 10. It was the only movie in the top 10 that was not shown in at least 1,000 theaters nationally (757, compared to the next-lowest theater count of 1,294 and the 2,500-4,300 enjoyed by other top-grossers).

Per theater, “For Greater Glory” actually ranked fifth, with an average take of $2,378 for the weekend.

All this success, without resorting to the Hollywood staples of sex, gratuitous violence, or gross-out humor. Hollywood moguls must be dumbfounded.

Rush Limbaugh also talked about the film on Friday calling it “as moving as it could be, and it's so unexpected. When's the last movie you saw, a mainstream Hollywood movie, that was pro-Catholic or pro-Christianity?”

And after taking my suggestion to catch the film this weekend, Blaze reader Leon emailed me with his thoughts:

I saw the film today and was completely blown away. Even though the plot took place 90 years ago in Mexico it is very appropriate for current conditions in the United States... It illustrates the importance of understanding the values that are at risk for 2012. It was exciting and I wept many tears. I read a preview from a liberal think tank earlier in the week that completely trashed it. You have to see this for yourself to really appreciate it.  I give it five stars, one of the best films I have seen in my lifetime.

In case you missed it, here's a peek:

Click here to find For Greater Glory at a theater near you.