The film Soul on Fire, inspired by the life of John O’Leary, an acclaimed author and motivational speaker, has just hit the big screen. Directed by Sean McNamara, known for works like Reagan and Soul Surfer, the movie premiered in theaters on October 10. This faith-inspired drama brings to life O’Leary’s remarkable journey, as detailed in his bestselling 2016 book, On Fire.
The story begins with a life-altering incident when O’Leary was only nine years old—a devastating accident that nearly claimed his life. The official synopsis highlights the miraculous recovery that followed, driven by an unwavering support system of family, faith, and community. It also mentions the pivotal influence of Baseball Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck, who played a significant role in O’Leary’s path to healing.
As noted by Forbes, the film offers not just a gripping narrative but also imparts valuable leadership lessons. Shep Hyken’s piece titled “7 Leadership Lessons From John O’Leary’s ‘Soul On Fire,’ In Theaters October 2025” delves into the inspirational aspects of the film, underscoring O’Leary’s journey from despair to hope and his subsequent mission to spark positive change worldwide.
Joel Courtney steps into the role of the adult John O’Leary, with John Corbett and Stephanie Szostak portraying his parents, Denny and Susan. The cast also includes William H. Macy as Jack Buck and DeVon Franklin as Nurse Roy, adding depth and emotion to this heartfelt story.
Currently, Soul on Fire is exclusively available in theaters. For those eager to witness this compelling tale of resilience and inspiration, checking local theater listings is the way to go.
Joel Courtney stars as the grown-up version of John O’Leary, while John Corbett and Stephanie Szostak play his parents, Denny and Susan. In addition, William H. Macy plays Buck and DeVon Franklin plays Nurse Roy.
Right now, the only way you can see Soul on Fire is in theaters, so check your local listings.
When Soul on Fire comes to the home entertainment marketplace, its first stop will be on digital streaming via premium video on demand. Soul on Fire was produced by Affirm Films, which is a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Generally, Sony Pictures Entertainment releases have a one-month to six-week window between the time the studio’s films open in theaters and the time they arrive on PVOD. For example, Sony’s Karate Kid: Legends opened in theaters on May 30 and arrived on PVOD just over five weeks later, on July 8.
In addition, the studio’s 28 Years Later opened in theaters on June 20 and debuted on PVOD just over five weeks later, on July 29. More recently, however, Sony’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, which opened in theaters on Sept. 19, debuted on PVOD about three and a half weeks later, on Oct. 14.
Should Soul on Fire follow the same release pattern as above, then viewers can expect the film to arrive on PVOD anytime between Nov. 11 and Nov. 25, since new films tend to debut on PVOD on Tuesdays.
When Soul on Fire arrives on PVOD, it will be available on such digital platforms as Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video and YouTube. Prime Video already has Soul on Fire available for pre-order for purchase for $24.99. Since digital rentals are generally $5 less than purchase prices, viewers can expect to rent Soul on Fire for $19.99 for a 48-hour period.
Which Streaming Service Will Get ‘Soul On Fire’ First?
Since Sony Pictures Entertainment has a Pay 1 window deal with Netflix, Soul on Fire will make its streaming video on demand on the platform. It generally takes three to four months from the time Sony’s films open in theaters to the time they debut on Netflix.
For example, 28 Years Later debuted on Netflix on Sept. 20, exactly three months after its June 20 theatrical release date. Karate Kid: Legends, however, didn’t arrive on Netflix until Sept. 27, almost four months after its theatrical release on May 30.
Should Soul on Fire follow the same release pattern, then viewers can expect the movie to make its SVOD debut on Netflix sometime between Jan. 10, 2026, and Feb. 7, 2026, since new SVOD releases of late have been arriving on Saturdays.
Rated PG, Soul on Fire is playing in theaters nationwide.
