<Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $85.1 million </Td> </Tr> <P> I Can Only Imagine is a 2018 American Christian drama film directed by the Erwin Brothers and written by Alex Cramer, Jon Erwin, and Brent McCorkle, based on the story behind the MercyMe song of the same name, the best - selling Christian single of all time . The film stars J. Michael Finley as Bart Millard, the lead singer who wrote the song about his relationship with his father (Dennis Quaid). Madeline Carroll, Priscilla Shirer, Cloris Leachman, and Trace Adkins also star . </P> <P> I Can Only Imagine was released in the United States on March 16, 2018 . It grossed $85 million worldwide against a production budget of $7 million, and is the third highest - grossing music biopic of all - time in the United States . Some critics praised it as inspiring and noted it as an improvement compared to other faith - based films, while others called it flat and by - the - numbers . </P> <P> Coming from a home with an abusive father, 10 - year - old Bart Millard is dropped off at a Christian camp by his mother, where he meets Shannon . Upon his return from camp, Bart finds his mother has left and movers are removing her belongings, leading to a physical confrontation with his father Arthur, who takes custody of him . </P>

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