{{Short description|American film and television studio}} {{Infobox company | name = Kingdom Story Company | former_name = Kingdom Studios (2019) | logo = Kingdom Studios.png | logo_caption = Logo since 2019 | logo_size = 200px | predecessor = | type = Film production | foundation = {{start date and age|2019|3|26}} | location_city = | location = Nashville, Tennessee<br> Los Angeles, California | locations = | owner = Lionsgate Studios <br> Erwin brothers <br> Kevin Downes <br> Tony Young | founder = Erwin Brothers<br> Kevin Downes<br> Tony Young | divisions = | key_people = Jon Erwin (CEO)<br> Andrew Erwin (CCO)<br> Kevin Downes (chief of production and distribution)<br> Tony Young (chairman) | industry = Faith-based entertainment | products = Motion pictures<br> Television programming | homepage = {{URL|www.kingdomstorycompany.com}} | footnotes = <ref name="THR">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/i-can-imagine-producers-lionsgate-set-faith-based-film-slate-1197642|title='I Can Only Imagine' Producers, Lionsgate Set Faith-Based Film Slate|author=Mia Galuppo|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 27, 2019|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name="BP2" /> }}
'''Kingdom Story Company''' (formerly known as '''Kingdom Studios''') is an American independent film and television studio in partnership with Lionsgate specializing in the production of Christian films. It was founded on March 26, 2019 by the Erwin Brothers (Jon and Andrew Erwin), Kevin Downes, and Tony Young and is based in Franklin, Tennessee.
==History== Kingdom was funded by profits from the Erwins' film ''I Can Only Imagine'', which was released in early 2018 by Lionsgate, grossing more than $83 million at the domestic box office on a $7 million budget.<ref name="BP">{{cite web|url=http://www.bpnews.net/51788/erwins-unveil-next-plans-envision-christian-pixar|title=Erwins unveil next plans, envision 'Christian Pixar'|author=Michael Foust|publisher=Baptist Press|date=October 18, 2018|accessdate=August 24, 2019|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824160721/http://www.bpnews.net/51788/erwins-unveil-next-plans-envision-christian-pixar|url-status=dead}}</ref> Subsequent negotiations with Lionsgate culminated in a multi-year deal in which it was agreed that the Erwin Brothers and Kevin Downes would create faith-based feature films and television programming for the company.<ref name="CP2">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/new-christian-movies-and-tv-coming-soon-lionsgate-signs-deal-with-i-can-only-imagine-filmmakers.html|title=New Christian Movies and TV Coming Soon; Lionsgate Signs Deal With 'I Can Only Imagine' Filmmakers|author=Jeannie Law|publisher=Christian Post|date=August 15, 2018|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name="PRN">{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lionsgate-signs-multi-platform-film-and-television-first-look-deal-with-the-erwin-brothers-and-kevin-downes-300695145.html|title=Lionsgate Signs Multi-Platform Film and Television First-Look Deal With the Erwin Brothers and Kevin Downes|author=<!--Not stated-->|publisher=PRNewswire.com|date=August 9, 2018|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christiancinema.com/news/lionsgate-studios-sign-erwin-brothers-to-deal-for-film-tv-projects|title=Lionsgate Studios Sign Erwin Brothers to Deal for Film & TV Projects|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=August 10, 2018|publisher=ChristianCinema.com|access-date=August 23, 2019|quote=|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824021715/https://www.christiancinema.com/news/lionsgate-studios-sign-erwin-brothers-to-deal-for-film-tv-projects|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman, Joe Drake, and Television Group Chairman, Kevin Beggs announced the agreement on August 9, 2018.<ref name="PRN" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vitalthrills.com/2018/08/10/lionsgate-signs-film-tv-deal/|title=Lionsgate Signs Film and TV Deal with the I Can Only Imagine Team|author=Mirko Parlevliet|publisher=Vital Thrills|date=August 10, 2018|accessdate=January 18, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
Kingdom Story Company was announced to have been launched on March 26, 2019, at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Anaheim, California.<ref name="BP" /><ref name="Deadline">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/kingdom-studios-faith-based-slate-lionsgate-jesus-christ-1202584085/|title=Kingdom Studios Unveils Faith-Based Lionsgate Slate: 'Jesus Revolution', 'Apostles: Resurrection Of Christ', 'Drummer Boy'|author=Anthony D'Allessandro|date=March 27, 2019|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=August 23, 2019|quote=}}</ref><ref name="BP2">{{cite web|url=http://www.bpnews.net/52649/erwins-unveil-details-of-unprecedented-film-venture|title=Erwins unveil details of unprecedented film venture|author=Michael Foust|publisher=Baptist Press|date=March 28, 2019|accessdate=August 24, 2019|archive-date=August 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825025205/http://www.bpnews.net/52649/erwins-unveil-details-of-unprecedented-film-venture|url-status=dead}}</ref>
''I Still Believe'', Kingdom's first film project, began filming in the spring of 2019 and was released on March 13, 2020.<ref name="FN">{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/gary-sinise-kj-apa-to-role-in-faith-based-film-i-still-believe-about-singer-jeremy-camp|title=Gary Sinise, KJ Apa will star in faith-based film 'I Still Believe' about singer Jeremy Camp|author=Caleb Parke|date=April 8, 2019 |publisher=Fox News|access-date=August 23, 2019|quote=}}</ref><ref name="Deadline2">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/jeremy-camp-faith-based-movie-i-still-believe-lionsgate-i-can-only-imagine-team-1202552190/|title=Lionsgate Reunites With 'I Can Only Imagine' Team For 'I Still Believe' About Faith-Based Singer Jeremy Camp|author=Anthony D'Allessandro|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 7, 2019|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name="VT" />
In September 2019, it was announced that Kingdom would be launching a television division, headed by ''The Big Bang Theory'' producer Mona Garcea.<ref name="CP3">{{cite web |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-company-kingdom-launches-tv-division-run-by-big-bang-theory-producer.html|title=Christian company Kingdom launches TV division run by 'Big Bang Theory' producer|author=Jeannie Law|date=September 15, 2019 |publisher=Christian Post|access-date=December 6, 2019|quote=}}</ref><ref name="The Wrap">{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/mona-garcea-joins-faith-based-kingdom-studios-as-head-of-television/|title=Mona Garcea Joins Faith-Based Kingdom Studios as Head of Television|author=Margeaux Sippell|date=September 10, 2019 |publisher=The Wrap|access-date=December 6, 2019|quote=}}</ref>
After Kingdom acquired the film rights to NFL quarterback Kurt Warner's life story, interviews, and memoir, ''American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story'' was announced in February 2020, and released on December 25, 2021.<ref name="DH">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/american-underdog-the-kurt-warner-story-jon-erwin-andrew-erwin-david-aaron-cohen-1202851291/|title=Erwin Brothers To Direct Kurt Warner Biopic, 'Friday Night Lights' Scribe David Aaron Cohen To Write|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|author=Dino-Ray Ramos|date=February 4, 2020|accessdate=February 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vitalthrills.com/2020/02/04/erwin-brothers-to-direct-american-underdog-the-kurt-warner-story/|title=Erwin Brothers to Direct American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story|publisher=Vital Thrills|author=Mirko Parlevliet|date=February 4, 2020|accessdate=February 4, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/kurt-warner-movie-lionsgate-1203492457/|title=Lionsgate Developing Movie on Former NFL Player Kurt Warner|publisher=Variety|author=Dave McNary|date=February 4, 2020|accessdate=February 4, 2020}}</ref><ref name="THR3">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kurt-warner-movie-works-i-can-imagine-team-1276259|title=Kurt Warner Movie in the Works From Lionsgate and 'I Can Only Imagine' Team|work=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Etan Vlessing|date=February 4, 2020|accessdate=February 4, 2020}}</ref>
On November November of 2024, after Jon Erwin departed Kingdom Story Company to launch Wonder Project, it was announced that Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate had renewed their first look deal for the third time, with the additional announcement that President and COO Brandon Gregory had been promoted to partner. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Company |first=Kingdom Story |title=KINGDOM STORY COMPANY RENEWS THREE-YEAR FIRST-LOOK DEAL WITH LIONSGATE |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kingdom-story-company-renews-three-year-first-look-deal-with-lionsgate-302303681.html |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>
In September of 2025, Kevin Downes stepped down from Kingdom to pursue his own productions and producer Joshua Walsh was brought on as Chief Production Officer. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Josh Walsh {{!}} Producer, Additional Crew, Actor |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2158820/ |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Filmography== Kingdom Story Company intends to produce two faith-based films per year.<ref name="Deadline" /><ref name="BP2" /> <ref name="CH">{{cite web |url=https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/filmmaker-erwin-brothers-announce-4-new-movies-launch-studio.html |title=Filmmaker Erwin Brothers Announce 4 New Movies, Launch Studio|author=Michael Foust|date=March 28, 2019 |publisher= ChristianHeadlines.com|access-date=August 23, 2019|quote=}}</ref> ''I Still Believe,'' based on Jeremy Camp's life during his first wife's cancer battle, was Kingdom's first film to be theatrically released. This was followed by ''American Underdog'' and ''The Jesus Music'' in 2021, ''Johnny Cash: The Redemption Of An American Icon'' in 2022, and ''Jesus Revolution'', which is based on the events surrounding the Jesus Movement. ''Ordinary Angels,'' starring Hillary Swank and Alan Ritchson released in February of 2024, with ''Unsung Hero'' releasing in April of that year produced in cooperation with Christian music group For King and Country.<ref name="THR" /><ref name="Deadline" /><ref name="BP2" /><ref name="VT">{{cite web|url=https://www.vitalthrills.com/2019/03/27/kingdom-studios-faith-based-slate-lionsgate/|title=Kingdom Studios Announces Faith-Based Slate with Lionsgate|author=Mirko Parlevliet|publisher=Vital Thrills|date=March 27, 2019|accessdate=August 28, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Dallas Jenkins (creator of ''The Chosen'') then brought Barbara Robinson's story ''The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'' to life with Kingdom Story Company which released on November 7th, 2024.
In April of 2025, Kingdom Story Company began production on ''I Can Only Imagine 2,'' the sequel to their hit ''I Can Only Imagine''. The movie was directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle, earning a 4th A+ Cinema score for Erwin (one of 3 directors to have achieved this in their career).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Michael |last2=Crosswalk.com |title=‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ Director Makes Movie History with Fourth A+ CinemaScore |url=https://kfax.com/articles/contributors/michael-foust/i-can-only-imagine-2-director-makes-movie-history-with-fourth-a-cinemascore |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=AM 1100 KFAX |language=en}}</ref> The sequel followed Bart Millard of MercyMe and newcomer Tim Timmons (portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia) to tell the story of the song "Even If". ===Films=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Film ! scope="col"| Director(s) ! scope="col" style="width:10%;"| Prospective year of release ! scope="col" style="width:10%; text-align:center;"| References |- |style="text-align:center;"|''I Still Believe'' |style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| Erwin brothers |style="text-align:center;"| 2020 |style="text-align:center;" rowspan="1"| <ref name="Deadline" /><ref name="CP1">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/i-can-only-imagine-team-launches-faith-based-movie-studio-announces-four-new-films.html|title='I Can Only Imagine' team launches faith-based movie studio, announces four new films|author=Leah MarieAnn Klett|publisher=Christian Post|date=March 29, 2019|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name="BP2" /><ref name="VT" /><ref name="Deadline2" /><ref name="DH" /><ref name="THR3" /> |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''The Jesus Music'' |style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | 2021 |style="text-align:center;"| |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''American Underdog'' |style="text-align:center;" rowspan="1"| <ref name="Deadline" /><ref name="CP1"/><ref name="BP2" /><ref name="VT" /><ref name="Deadline2" /><ref name="DH" /><ref name="THR3" /> |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''Jesus Revolution'' |style="text-align:center;"| Jon Erwin & Brent McCorkle |style="text-align:center;"| 2023 |style="text-align:center;"| |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''Ordinary Angels'' |style="text-align:center;"| Jon Gunn |style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4"| 2024 |style="text-align:center;"| |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''Unsung Hero'' |style="text-align:center;"| Joel Smallbone and Richard Ramsey |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate Nabs 'Unsung Hero' Drama from Music Duo For King + Country (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/unsung-hero-king-country-movie-1235548803/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|date=August 1, 2023|access-date=August 1, 2023}}</ref> |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''White Bird'' |style="text-align:center;"| Marc Forster |style="text-align:center;"| |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'' |style="text-align:center;"| Dallas Jenkins |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|title=Lionsgate & Kingdom Story Company Team With 'The Chosen' Creator Dallas Jenkins For 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever', 2024 Theatrical Release Planned|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/best-christmas-pageant-ever-movie-lionsgate-the-chosen-1235599443/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 10, 2023|access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref> |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''The Unbreakable Boy'' |style="text-align:center;"| Jon Gunn |style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2025 |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/unbreakableboy/status/1463191125854867461|date=November 23, 2021|title=The Unbreakable Boy Announcement on Twitter|accessdate=December 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/621294/the-unbreakable-boy-release-date-cast-and-more/|date=October 1, 2021|title=The Unbreakable Boy: Release Date, Cast, And More|accessdate=December 6, 2021}}</ref> |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''Sarah's Oil'' |style="text-align:center;"| Cyrus Nowrasteh |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|title=Zachary Levi & Naya Desir-Johnson To Topline Amazon MGM Drama 'Sarah's Oil'; Sonequa Martin-Green And Garret Dillahunt Among Others Set|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/zachary-levi-naya-desir-johnson-to-star-sarahs-oil-amazon-mgm-1236031652/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 5, 2024|access-date=August 5, 2024}}</ref> |- |style="text-align:center;"| ''I Can Only Imagine 2'' |style="text-align:center;"| Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle |style="text-align:center;"| 2026 |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/i-can-only-imagine-2-release-date-march-2026-1236343935/ |title='I Can Only Imagine 2' Sets March 2026 Release From Lionsgate (EXCLUSIVE) |website=Variety |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=March 20, 2025 |access-date=March 20, 2025}}</ref> |}
==See also== *Great American Pure Flix *Affirm Films *Fox Faith *Lightworkers Media
==External links== *[https://www.kingdomstorycompany.com Website] *IMDB
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:2019 establishments in Tennessee Category:Companies based in Nashville, Tennessee Category:Companies based in Los Angeles Category:Evangelical Christian film production companies Category:American film studios Category:American companies established in 2019 Category:2019 establishments in California Category:Film production companies based in Tennessee Category:Film production companies based in California