‘Sound of Freedom’ Starts Playing in Over 4,000 US Theater Screens, Earnings Surpass $140 Million

Tim Ballard poses with friends and family during the premiere of "Sound of Freedom" in Vineyard, Utah, on June 28, 2023. Fred Hayes/Getty Images for Angel Studios

Anti-child trafficking movie “Sound of Freedom” continues its spectacular run at the box office, getting more theater screenings and beating several big-budget summer blockbusters.

Sound of Freedom was released on the Fourth of July weekend in 2,852 theaters. This rose to 3,265 theaters in the second week and to 3,285 theaters in the third. As of July 28, the movie is playing across 3,411 theaters, which is close to a 20 percent jump since the release. Screen count in the latest week has reportedly exceeded 4,000, according to a July 28 press release by Angel Studios, the makers of the movie.

The movie, based on the true story of Tim Ballard, a former government agent, focuses on the exploitation of children by sex traffickers. Brandon Purdie, Angel Studios Head of Theatrical, expressed elation at the success of the film.

“Everyone in the industry knows that films are generally supposed to lose screens week-over-week, not add them. And yet, the incredible word-of-mouth driving SOUND OF FREEDOM continues to spread,” he said.

“In response, we are continuing to expand our offering in theaters this weekend. Our theatrical partners have stepped up in a huge way to allow for more people to see the film.”

Overall, the movie has earned over $140 million gross since its release. With a budget of $14.6 million, “Sound of Freedom” has become a massively profitable movie for Angel Studios, unlike many major flops released from Hollywood in 2023.

Recently released movies Barbie and Oppenheimer collected over $287 million and $141 million respectively in their first week of release in the United States.

As of July 29 worldwide, Barbie collected $578 million; Transformers $428 million; Mission Impossible $383 million; Indiana Jones $341 million; Oppenheimer $253 million. Sound of Freedom will start international screenings in August.

In his review at The Epoch Times, filmmaker and actor Ian Kane said “Sound of Freedom” is a “must-see” with powerful performances that “highlight this stunning expose on child trafficking.”

Ticket Sales Controversy

While “Sound of Freedom” is a box office success, the movie’s collection and attendance rates have triggered controversy. Some are alleging that the box office numbers do not reflect attendance at the theater and that ticket sales are being artificially inflated to boost box office numbers.

In a July 19 post on social media, scientist Rebekah Jones insisted that the film’s makers are “astroturfing the QAnon #soundoffreedom movie.” Astroturfing means an organized activity that is intended to generate a false impression of a spontaneous, widespread, grassroots movement in support or opposition to something.

Angel Studios has implemented a “Pay it Forward” marketing strategy which allows people to sponsor tickets for others. “When you Pay it Forward to Sound of Freedom, you are covering the cost of actual movie tickets for someone who would not otherwise be able to see the film,” says the studio website.

Adam Aron, the CEO of AMC Theaters, the largest theater exhibitor in the United States and the world, has dismissed allegations that “Sound of Freedom” hasn’t had many viewers.

“Sadly, conspiracy theorists are so prevalent in America. So much garbage information is spread. More than ONE MILLION people have watched Sound of Freedom at AMC Theatres. More than at any other theater chain on the planet. Yet people falsely claim otherwise. It is so bizarre,” he said in a July 13 post on social media.

In an interview with CNN, a spokesperson for Angel Studios said that internet posts about fake ticket sales and empty theaters for the “Sound of Freedom” could be due to group ticket sales.

When a church, business, or organization buys tickets in bulk, not everyone who is entitled to a ticket may show up to watch the movie, the spokesperson said. “We have audited this system and have found no signs of abuse.”

Human Trafficking in Focus

Viewers have found the film’s depiction of child trafficking eye-opening. At the end of the movie, a message is shown depicting the state of trafficking:

“Human trafficking is a 150 billion-dollar-a-year business. The United States is one of the top destinations for human trafficking and is among the largest consumers of child sex. There are more humans trapped in slavery today than [at] any other time in history—including when slavery was legal. Millions of these slaves are children.”

Jim Caviezel (L), actor in the new human trafficking action film "Sound of Freedom," and Tim Ballard (R), a former Department of Homeland Security special agent and founder of Operation Underground Railroad. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

In an interview with The Epoch Times, Jim Caviezel, who plays the role of a former Department of Homeland Security agent, called the movie “the best thing I’ve done” since “The Passion of the Christ.”

“Quality-wise, acting-wise, there’s not a flaw … In fact, I’d say this is the second most important film I’ve done after ‘The Passion of the Christ.'”

Former President Donald Trump has lent his support for Sound of Freedom in a campaign video and promised to subject human traffickers to the death penalty if he is reelected in 2024.

“When I am back in the White House, I will immediately end the Biden border nightmare that traffickers are using to exploit vulnerable women and children,” he said in a July 21 video.

“I will urge Congress to ensure that anyone caught trafficking children across our border receives the death penalty immediately.”

In 2021, the National Human Trafficking Hotline registered 2,365 instances of minors subjected to trafficking. According to the nonprofit organization Save The Children, “60 percent of child sex trafficking victims have a history in the child welfare system.”

“Victims are trafficked under various circumstances, including prostitution, online sexual exploitation, the illegal drug trade and forced labor,” it said.