I Can Only Imagine

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I Can Only Imagine

PG

2018

1h 50m

Biography

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur. When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son. Years later, Bart's troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him to write the hit song I Can Only Imagine as singer of the Christian band MercyMe.

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Critics Consensus

I Can Only Imagine's message will have the most impact among Christian audiences, but overall, its performances and storytelling represent a notable evolution in faith-based cinema.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

Aug 8, 2018

2/5

[A] slickly assembled tale of redemption and reconciliation.

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David Ehrlich

IndieWire

Mar 21, 2018

C-

Art can be affirmation, but affirmation cannot be art.

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Peter Debruge

Variety

Mar 18, 2018

The movie works for the same reason the song does: It lightens the burden of the pain people are shouldering today, and gives them something to look forward to.

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Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Aug 24, 2021

Fortunately, this trend in faith-based filmmaking seems to be shifting to a more real, lived faith. I Can Only Imagine is a good example of this shift...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aug 10, 2021

2.5/4

An inspirational drama that, unlike most faith-based endeavors, at least looks like a real movie rather than something even Ed Wood would have rejected.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 11, 2020

3.5/4.0

This is exactly what a faith-based film should be.

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Mario

Feb 19, 2025

We need more spiritual movies at the theaters. Loved it.

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Brian S

@RT50360722 Sep 19, 2026

One of the best makes you smile and cry all in the same movie

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Nathan J

@TribianiRamoray Aug 25, 2026

Rated: 7.2/10 ⭐️ Threw this on because I was curious about the hit song’s real story. I honestly loved this heavy movie; it tackles tough family trauma but wraps it up with a hopeful, redemptive vibe. What Worked: • Quaid knocks it out of the park; his shift from an abusive dad to a repentant man is powerful. • Finley brings raw heart to Bart, and his vocals are incredible to listen to. • The Erwin Brothers keep it super grounded, avoiding cheesy pitfalls. The Friction: • The high school romance part really dragged for me and felt cliché compared to the father-son stuff. • The music industry montages felt rushed when I just wanted more of the songwriting process. Verdict: Watch for a tear-jerker about forgiveness and music’s healing power. Skip if heavy family trauma overwhelms you.

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Evan V

@Evan-Vaughan_Offical Aug 24, 2026

Emotional, inspirational, and topped with excellent acting leads, "I Can Only Imagine" cements itself as one of the better biopics.

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J J

@Tomatothrower9 Jun 22, 2026

It was better than I thought it would be, and I ended up genuinely crying with snot and everything. Good singing by John Michael Finley, and good portrayal of the father by Dennis Quaid.

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Brighton N

@RT09904023 May 29, 2026

Unlike its superb sequel, I Can Only Imagine rushes through plot points in the most generic fashion without providing any breathing room. Unfortunately, the acting and script here make Bart Millard feel like a monster, even though it's supposed to make him sympathetic. By the end, I was completely dissatisfied with how unceremoniously drab its story was told, especially given how great the sequel is. Check out my more in-depth review at The Reel Ranker by searching "I Can Only Imagine" ;)

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Andrew Erwin

Director

Jon Erwin

Director

John Michael Finley

Bart

Madeline Carroll

Shannon

Dennis Quaid

Arthur

Trace Adkins

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Synopsis

Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur. When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son. Years later, Bart's troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him to write the hit song I Can Only Imagine as singer of the Christian band MercyMe.

Director: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Producer: Kevin Downes, Cindy Bond, Daryl C. Lefever, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon
Screenwriter: Jon Erwin, Brent McCorkle
Distributor: Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Kevin Downes, Mission Pictures International, City on a Hill Productions
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Violence)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 16, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 5, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $83.5M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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