PGStreaming on Angel Guild

I Can Only Imagine

The song you know. The story you don't.

2018 • 110 min • Music · Drama

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Synopsis

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.

Our family guide

Best from age 10

Movie Knight Score

512 reviews

100 Reviewers · 3 · 53%
75 Audience · 509 · 47%

Inspired by a true story, this drama follows Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe, and the challenging relationship with his abusive father. As his father faces a terminal illness, he finds faith and reconciles with his son. Their complex journey inspires Bart's hit song, "I Can Only Imagine."

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 2/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Scenes depict domestic abuse (non-graphic)
References to a parent's terminal illness
Emotional intensity around family conflict

What it models well

Redemption and forgiveness
The power of faith
Healing family relationships
Perseverance through hardship

Talk about it after

How faith can help people change
The importance of forgiveness, even for deep hurts
How to express emotions in healthy ways
Finding inspiration from difficult experiences

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for I Can Only Imagine. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

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Top billed cast

Director: Jon Erwin, Andrew Erwin • Crew: Alex Cramer, Jon Erwin, Brent McCorkle

Trailers & clips

I Can Only Imagine: Home Entertainment Trailer

I Can Only Imagine: Amy Grant Phone Call Scene

I Can Only Imagine Trailer - In Theaters Now

I Can Only Imagine | Trailer | In Theaters Now

I Can Only Imagine Scene: Dreams Don't Pay The Bills

I Can Only Imagine: Short Trailer With Bart Millard Intro

I Can Only Imagine: Trailer With Bart Millard Intro

I Can Only Imagine Scene: Millards Don't Sing

Reviewer notes

Recommended
***The story behind the popular Christian band*** Released in 2018, “I Can Only Imagine” is a biopic of Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley) of MercyMe, spanning his childhood, the abuse of his father (Dennis Quaid), meeting his true love (Madeline Carroll), starting the band, low-rent touring, acquiring a manager (Trace Adkins) and eventual success with the band’s titular hit.…
Wuchak, TMDB Community

Recommended
"Though it will never be championed as an insightful work of either religious art or patriarchal psychology, I Can Only Imagine does manage to be a good film about a great song..." Read the full review here: http://screen-space.squarespace.com/reviews/2018/3/23/i-can-only-imagine.html
Simon Foster, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
*Disclaimer: This isn't any sort of "official" review. This is just one ordinary movie-goer's opinion... Lovely movie. 😊 I honestly wasn't expecting much, but I wanted to support MercyMe, and I always like to throw my support whenever a movie theater plays a good, clean movie like this one. I was actually quite amazed by the production.…
There-Can-Be-Only-One, TMDB Community