Film Unsung Hero

Released on April 26, 2024, the film follows Rebecca, Joel, and Luke Smallbone of For King & Country, and their life journey to become Christian recording artists.

Unsung Hero
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Richard Ramsey Joel Smallbone
Written by	Richard Ramsey Joel Smallbone
Produced by	Josh Walsh Luke Smallbone Justin Tolley Joel Smallbone
Starring	Daisy Betts Joel Smallbone Kirrilee Berger Jonathan Jackson Lucas Black Candace Cameron Bure
Cinematography	Johnny Derango
Edited by	Parker Adams
Music by	Brent McCorkle
Production companies	Kingdom Story Company Candy Rock Entertainment
Distributed by	Lionsgate
Release date	April 26, 2024 (2024-04-26) (United States)
Running time	112 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$6 million
Box office	$7.8 million

In 1991, the Smallbone family moved from Australia to Nashville, Tennessee in pursuit of a new beginning amidst adversity. David and his wife, Helen, uproot their lives and seven children, seeking refuge in Nashville after the collapse of David's music company in Australia.

As the family settles into their new home, they encounter numerous challenges, including financial struggles and the daunting task of starting over in a foreign country. Despite the uncertainty, Helen's unwavering faith and David's determination propel them forward, instilling hope and resilience in their children.

Three of the Smallbone siblings, Joel, Luke and Rebecca St. James, grow their musical talents and navigate the competitive music industry. Joel and Luke eventually form the acclaimed duo For King & Country, while Rebecca St. James embarks on her own successful career as a Christian recording artist.

• Daisy Betts as Helen Smallbone
• Joel Smallbone as David Smallbone
• Kirrilee Berger as Rebecca St. James
• Jonathan Jackson as Eddie DeGarmo
• Lucas Black as Jed Albright
• Candace Cameron Bure as Kay Albright
• Diesel La Torraca as Joel Smallbone
• JJ Pantano as Luke Smallbone
• Hillary Scott as Luanne Meece
• Lance E. Nichols as Art Meriweather
• Roslyn Gentle as Nana Smallbone
• Kevin Downes as a Suit
• Rachel Hendrix as Amy Grant
• Lily Lumpkin as Meagan Albright
• Don Most as Pierce
• Terry O'Quinn as Grandpa James
• Libby Smallbone as Ellie
• Rebecca St. James as a Flight Attendant
• Beau Wirick as Matt

On 30 November 2022, Joel and Luke Smallbone announced via social media that they had made a film with their brother Ben about their mother. The film is scheduled to release on 26 April 2024 by Lionsgate and produced by Kingdom Story Company.

The film was directed by Joel Smallbone, making his directorial debut, and written by Joel Smallbone and Richard Ramsey. The cast also includes Jonathan Jackson, Candace Cameron Bure, Kirrilee Berger, Lucas Black, Terry O'Quinn, and Hillary Scott. The production team comprises producers Justin Tolley, Josh Walsh, and Luke Smallbone.

The film was released in the United States on April 26, 2024. It is scheduled to be released in Australia on May 30, coinciding with For King & County's "Homecoming" musical tour through Australia and New Zealand. In the lead-up to the film, For King & County released an updated version of "Place in this World", featuring Michael W. Smith, who originally released the song in 1991.

Box office

In the United States and Canada, Unsung Hero was released alongside Challengers and Boy Kills World, and is projected to gross around $6 million from 2,800 theaters in its opening weekend. The film made $3.7 million on its first day, including $1.67 million from preview screenings.

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 58% of 19 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.9/10. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale, while those polled by PostTrak gave it a 96% overall positive score, with 90% saying they would definitely recommend it.