'Fireproof' breaks DVD sales record

Written by Eric Tiansay

Thursday, 05 February 2009 01:59 PM America/New_York

The surprise hit drama Fireproof--released on video in Christian bookstores Jan. 27--has broken the previous DVD sales record set by Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (Big Idea/Word Distribution) in 2004, according to Provident Films.

Fireproof--which stars Kirk Cameron as a firefighter who seeks God to rescue his marriage--finished atop the SoundScan Christian Videos list for sales the week ending Feb. 1.

"We are thrilled with the response both at Christian retail and mass-market retailers," said Bob Rubin, executive vice president for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, which distributed the DVD at mass-market retail. "This strong sales performance is especially impressive in light of today's economic climate and clearly indicates a broad market for faith-based entertainment."

The top independent movie release of 2008, Fireproof has made $33.3 million since it debuted at No. 4 the weekend of Sept. 26 with $6.8 million total receipts in just 839 theaters nationwide, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.