Hallelujah, heathens—Dogma is back from purgatory.
Kevin Smith’s firebrand 1999 satire, Dogma, long buried in a haze of out-of-print DVDs and the kind of rights purgatory only a Harvey Weinstein-era deal could damn it to, is finally ascending to the cinematic heavens. The cult classic is making its second coming in a big way: a 4K restoration, a sold-out resurrection tour across the U.S., and now an official slot in the 2025 Cannes Classics lineup. That’s right—Dogma is going to the south of France, robes and all.
Announced today by Gérald Duchaussoy of the Cannes Film Festival, Dogma will screen at the prestigious Palais des Festivals on May 22, as part of Cannes Classics—a section that celebrates films of lasting cultural significance. “Sold out screenings, standing ovations, and now Cannes? This is beyond divine,” said Smith. “To see Dogma honored as a Cannes Classic is a true blessing. Thanks to Iconic Events, AMC Theatres, and everyone who believed in this resurrection, and thank you to the fans who showed up in pews full!”
And speaking of resurrections: this is the first time Dogma has touched theaters in decades. The 4K restoration, spearheaded by cinematographer Robert Yeoman (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Bridesmaids) and Triple Media Film, brings the heretical hilarity into high-definition heaven. “I am so pleased about the re-release of Dogma,” Yeoman said. “I recently rewatched the film, and it definitely holds up! Congratulations to Kevin and our cast and crew for making such a hilarious film!”
“Sold out screenings, standing ovations, and now Cannes? This is beyond divine.”
For those who haven’t had the pleasure—or blasphemy—Dogma is Smith’s fourth feature, a divine comedy about two banished angels (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) trying to loophole their way back into heaven, which would simultaneously unravel the universe. Alanis Morissette plays God (yes, really), and the cast includes Chris Rock, Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek, George Carlin, and of course, Jason Mewes and Smith himself as the eternal stoner prophets Jay and Silent Bob.
Since its original 1999 release, Dogma has become a sacred text for Gen X heretics and millennial apostates alike, despite being notoriously hard to find due to tangled ownership rights. But this year, the film rose from the vault with a vengeance. Dogma: The Resurrection Tour kicked off on Easter Sunday (because of course it did) at The Grove in L.A., with Smith and Mewes in tow. Every stop on the 20-city run sold out in under 24 hours, forcing second shows in every market. Post-screening Q&As allowed fans to confess their sins and be blessed by the filmmaker.
“We made this movie with humor, heresy, and a hell of a lot of heart,” said Smith. “And somehow, it’s still finding new audiences 25 years later. That’s a miracle in my book.”
Dogma will return to North American theaters nationwide on June 5, 2025, in over 1,500 locations. Whether you’re a lapsed Catholic, a devout Smith-head, or just someone who’s tired of studio slop, this is the cinematic salvation you’ve been waiting for. Studio blockbusters be damned—Dogma is the gospel we need right now.
