Lionsgate/Roadside Attraction's Grace Unplugged took in about $1 million on approximately 500 screens in its Oct. 4 debut weekend, making it the fourth-highest-grossing new film to hit theaters.

The movie also received an “A-” CinemaScore rating. The filmgoer survey rating matched the mark audiences gave Gravity, which set a box-office record for an October opening last weekend.

“Word-of-mouth is extraordinary on this film, and we're hopeful it translates into box-office momentum,” said Howard Cohen, Roadside's co-chair. “This is an entertaining, inspirational movie more and more people are going to fall in love with in the days ahead.”

Grace Unplugged stars AJ Michalka, James Denton, Kevin Pollak and Michael Welch and examines the interplay between faith and fame. The film tells the story of Grace Trey (Michalka), a young musician who seeks to escape the shadow of her former pop-star father (Denton). Despite her father’s admonitions to the contrary, Grace opts to accept a recording contract in pursuit of a life of fame, soon realizing that her choices threaten to undermine her Christian faith.

In addition to its high CinemaScore and strong performance in exit polls, the film received a 91% “fresh” rating from filmgoers on the Rotten Tomatoes movie database site and a “Must Go!” mark from Fandango.

“All of the texts, emails and phone calls I received this weekend from people who saw the film commented that parents and children need to see this movie,” Cohen said. “People of all faiths—and non-churchgoers—are recognizing what a special film Grace Unplugged is.”

A novelization of Grace Unplugged by Melody Carlson, as well as Own It by Michael & Hayley DiMarco—a nonfiction book about developing personal faith—are available from B&H Publishing. The soundtrack, Grace Unplugged: Music From the Motion Picture (Sparrow Records/Capitol Christian Distribution), features songs from Michalka, and other artists, including TobyMac, Chris Tomlin and Colton Dixon.

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