In recent years, there has been an increase in new Christian movies hitting the box office. Many of these films are from independent filmmakers outside of typical Hollywood geography. These films highlight and promote the more traditional teachings of the Christian community. But even beyond that, these films show humanity at its best, triumphantly overcoming impossible odds and showing that anything is possible with a little faith and determination.
While most Christian films promote similar values, the films themselves fall into two categories: those that depict biblical events and those set in modern times. Of those reenacting historical events, include popular titles the passion of Christ,arise, Ben Hur, And Samson. In addition, there are many famous Christian films set in modern times, films that draw on Christian teachings with contemporary characters. Today we highlight the best in that category.
Updated April 9, 2023: If you enjoy a spiritually and emotionally arousing Christian movie, whether for this Easter weekend or any other day, you’ll be happy to know that this article has been updated with additional content and titles.
10 Miracles from heaven
With faith and courage all things are possible, and the Beam family witnessed it when their daughter Anna experienced a miracle like no other. The film is based on the memoir Miracles from heaven: A little girl, her journey to heaven and her amazing healing story.
Miracles from heaven tells the story of Anna Beam (Kylie Rogers) who is diagnosed with a rare incurable condition. As a result, she cannot digest food and is given limited time to live. However, that all changes one day when she accidentally falls from a tree, a fall that should have killed her but seems to have healed her instead, baffling everyone around her. Jennifer Garner is excellent in the movie.
9 I’m not ashamed
Grab your box of tissues for this next movie that depicts the heartbreaking events of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, one of the first widely publicized mass school shootings, on April 20, 1999 in Colorado. Rachel Joy Scott was a student at Columbine High School whose faith led her to enrich the lives of others around her.
Although her walk of faith was not easy, she believed that God was always in control, even in her last few moments of life before she was the first victim of the gunmen. Today, her legacy lives on Rachel’s Challenge, which is a non-religious, non-profit, non-political organization, led by Rachel’s parents, Darrell and Sandy Scott, dedicated to preventing gun violence in schools.
8 Fireproof
To confirm
Fireproof was the breakthrough success film from the Kendrick brothers who wrote and directed it. Firefighter Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) is used to putting out fires. However, he is not sure how to make out the flames and animosity between him and his wife Catherine (Erin Bethea).
Instead of letting his marriage burn to the ground, he decides to give it one last chance by following suit The Love Dare, a Christian self-help book given to him by his father. Caleb reluctantly embarks on a 40-day mission to rekindle the spark in his marriage. In addition to Refractory, Alex and Stephen Kendrick have made several other successful Christian films such as Facing the giants,War roomAnd victor.
7 I still believe
Christian rock artist Jeremy Camp believes there is always hope, even in the face of great loss; “I still believe in Your faithfulness, for I still believe in Your truth,” he sings in a very famous song, “even if I don’t see it, I still believe.”
An autobiographical film titled after that song,I still believeis his journey of faith and courage, even as he suffered a great loss in watching his wife succumb to cancer. When all hope seemed lost, Jeremy found the strength to persevere. I still believe features powerful and emotionally heartbreaking performances from the two protagonists: KJ Apa and Britt Robertson. Shania Twain makes a beautiful appearance.
6 Heaven is real
The gripping and emotionally moving 2014 drama Heaven is real tells the moving story of a four-year-old boy who claims to have visited heaven after a near-death experience that left him in the hospital, and chronicles his parents’ struggle to come to terms with their deep knowledge and spiritual journey child . Greg Kinner headlines the rousing drama and appears alongside it Yellowstone star Kelly Reilly as the boy’s skeptical and bewildered parents, who begin their own personal explorations of their feelings about their son’s seemingly impossible claims.
Heaven is real is based on the New York Times best-selling novel and was a huge box office success, becoming the second highest-grossing Christian film of all time, while also earning an A CinemaScore from audiences. Many critics were impressed with the drama’s compelling performances and the theological discussions presented, and that it included a conversation about faith and heaven.
5 soul surfer
soul surfer tells the incredible true story of surfer Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) and her struggle to adapt and return to the water after a tiger shark bites off her left arm. The 2011 feature film is based on her 2004 autobiography, Soul Surfer: A true story of faith, family and fighting to get back on board.
In this story, Bethany comes to terms with the shark attack and discovers that her real purpose is to make a difference in the lives of others around her. Despite the trauma of the shark attack, Bethany returns to the water and shows the world the true power of courage and faith.
4 I can only imagine
Attractions along the way
I can only imagine is another movie based on and named after a song, one of the most successful Christian songs that was even a popular mainstream hit. The public can discover the true story behind MercyMe’s song I can only imagine in the film, which follows the story of MercyMe’s singer Bart Millard, who was abused both physically and emotionally at the hands of his father, Arthur.
However, Bart never gave up on his father and after Arthur falls terminally ill, he reconnects with him and mends the relationship before his father passes away. That journey led Bart to write and compose the song in the first place.
3 God is not dead
What happens when freshman Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) is told by his philosophy professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo) to renounce his faith by writing “God is dead” on a piece of paper? Instead of denying his belief, Josh Wheaton accepts Professor Radisson’s proposal to defend the antithesis to prove that, as the movie is called, God is not dead.
Accepting his professor’s challenge, Josh may commit academic suicide by taking on more than he can handle and going against his ruthless professor. Against all odds, Josh wins his class argument that God is alive and well. The success of God is not dead led to three successful sequels all of which dealt with various forms of perceived persecution within the Christian community.
2 Breakthrough
Adapted from Grant Nieporte’s non-fiction biography The impossible, the christian drama of 2019 Breakthrough features a great cast led by This is us stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace and Mike Colter, and is about 14-year-old John who is put into a medically induced coma after falling through ice on a lake and being underwater for 15 minutes. His parents Brian (Lucas) and Joyce (Metz) must turn to their faith and the power of prayer as they continue to hope that their beloved son will awaken from his coma and return to them.
The song from the movie “I’m Standing With You” received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and also won the Inspirational Film of the Year award at the GMA Dove Awards, a ceremony honoring the Christian music industry. In their glowing review of the emotional image, the San Francisco Chronicle stated that Breakthrough “perhaps the first faith-based Hollywood film with true crossover appeal.”
1 Beyond the mask
From the Burns Family Studios comes the epic adventure Beyond the mask, which follows William Reynolds (Andrew Cheney), an ex-mercenary living as a pastor, trying to free himself from his dark past to win the love of the woman who has won his heart, Charlotte Holloway (Kara Killmer). To do this, he must get the approval of Charlotte’s uncle, who turns out to be his former supervisor Charles Kemp (John Rhys-Davies), who wishes Will dead. Will goes on the run and vows to atone for his actions by protecting the innocent and joining the fight for American freedom.
This period action-adventure film features stunning sets and costumes, remarkable portrayals of prominent historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, and standout performances by the protagonists. Although this film is not set in the present day, it is set 1,700 years after the events of the New Testament, and it is a rare cinematic historical drama that also uses Christian messages.