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The song that made a billion people cry—here's the messy family drama behind it.
Indie
TMDB
75
IMDb
73
Rotten Tomatoes
69
Google
85
Watch(US)

I Can Only Imagine (2018)

faith-fueled tearjerkerredemption arc centraldad-trauma processing

Overview

DramaMusic

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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Content warning
musicianfather son relationshipindependent filmbased on true storychristian filmclichétexasredemptionbiographical dramasinger-songwriter+3 more

Standout Aspects

Acting

Dennis Quaid's terrifying-to-tender transformation carries the whole film.

Writing

The songwriting scene where Bart finally cracks—devastatingly earned.

Score

Obviously. The title track's deployment is shamelessly effective.

Best for:Solo: When you need to ugly-cry in private, no witnesses.·Family: Easter weekend viewing with the relatives who love MercyMe.·Rewatch: That one scene hits harder once you know it's real.
Heads up:Violence: Domestic abuse including belt beatings and emotional cruelty.·Emotional: Terminal illness and parent death—bring tissues, seriously.
Jon Erwin

Director

Jon Erwin

ReleasedFeb 14, 2018
Runtime1h 50m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelheavy
Budget$7M·Revenue$86.1M
Mission Pictures International
LD Entertainment

Top Cast

J. Michael Finley

J. Michael Finley

Bart Millard

Madeline Carroll

Madeline Carroll

Shannon

Dennis Quaid

Dennis Quaid

Arthur

Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins

Brickell

Cloris Leachman

Cloris Leachman

Memaw

Jason Burkey

Jason Burkey

Mike

Mark Furze

Mark Furze

Nathan

Randy McDowell

Randy McDowell

Jim

Cole Marcus

Cole Marcus

Robbie

Alexander Dominguez

Alexander Dominguez

Kent

Brody Rose

Brody Rose

Young Bart

Taegen Burns

Taegen Burns

Young Shannon

J.R. Cacia

J.R. Cacia

Rusty

Tanya Clarke

Tanya Clarke

Adele

Nicole DuPort

Nicole DuPort

Amy Grant

Ask about I Can Only Imagine

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

J. Michael Finley had never acted on screen before this—he was a Broadway performer who got the role partly because he could actually sing like Bart Millard.

Cultural

The real Bart Millard has said his father never actually said 'I can only imagine'—the line came from his grandmother at Arthur's funeral, but the movie condensed it for dramatic punch.

YouTube

I Can Only Imagine: Home Entertainment Trailer

I Can Only Imagine: Home Entertainment Trailer

Gallery(16 images)

Reviews

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I Can Only Imagine Collection(2 films)
I Can Only Imagine poster
Now Viewing

I Can Only Imagine

2018

I Can Only Imagine 2 poster8.3

I Can Only Imagine 2

2026

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Discussion

Reactions from the web

This is a great movie, I recommend watching it with a loved one and a box of tissues

@kevinv2302 7

This movie was so beautiful. Can't recommend it enough!

@someblonde5289 3

This was the Best Christian Movie I’ve ever seen My rating for this Movie: I Can Only Imagine (2018 Movie) - 👍 5/5 👍

@brianrose8772 11

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