REVIEW: “I Can Only Imagine 2” (2026)

(Source: IMDb) 

Christian band MercyMe had a breakthrough hit in 2001, when their single, “I Can Only Imagine,” became a staple in the music industry, and an inspiration around the world. The 2018 film of the same name (courtesy Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, who later made Jesus Revolution and Unsung Hero, among other things) chronicled the upbringing of the band’s lead singer Bart Millard (played by John Michael Finley), and what inspired him to write the song. The 2026 theatrical follow-up, I Can Only Imagine 2, continues the story of Millard, his family, and his band mates, by focusing this time on what inspired another song of theirs years later. 

Amidst their growing popularity, it doesn’t take long for Millard and company to learn that the success they’ve achieved is far from the mountain top, and that their stories—and struggles—are ongoing. Bart’s rocky relationship with his teenage son, Sam (diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 3), is perhaps a slight mirror of his own complicated relationship with his late father (played by Dennis Quaid) growing up, if only emotionally. Though amends had been made near the end of his father’s life, Bart’s childhood trauma still lingers as he tries to help keep his son’s health in check, especially when he reluctantly agrees to bring Sam on the band’s latest tour. (“This never goes away,” reads one of Bart’s journal entries.) 

Simultaneously, this well-made and sincere film tells the story of the song’s lively co-writer Tim Timmons (played by Milo Ventimiglia), who was battling a rare form of terminal cancer at the time, and yet chooses to show gratitude for each new day. (He marks an X on his wrist to remind himself as such.) One of his inspirations (and a central element of this narrative chapter) came from the powerful and profound Horatio Spafford-penned hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul,” leading to the creation of the resonant track, “Even If.” 

Tim even becomes something of a mentor to Sam during this difficult season, highlighting the thematic motif of fathers and sons (and fathers-to-be), as well as working through the struggles together instead of alone. “One beautiful thing that suffering does,” Tim tells us, “It teaches you empathy.” (Sam went on to have a solo music career, under the stage name Sam Wesley; that’s him featured on the MercyMe track, “On Our Way.”) 

One of the highlights of I Can Only Imagine 2 is a performance at Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado (which hits close to home, as I have relatives who live near there). I won’t lie: I was a beautiful, weeping mess after watching this scene for the first time. Like the aforementioned hymn, this powerful and profound story of balancing grief and gratitude (as well as generational and familial bonds) culminates in music that comes from life experience, written for the sake of others over one’s self. The same goes for hard lessons that result in maturity and growth, as well as the choice to keep fighting. 

#lionsgate #kingdomstorycompany #andrewerwin #brentmccorkle #icanonlyimagine2