An amazing new distribution paradigm has been recently bringing top belief-based movies on the big screen to churches. Instead of gathering at the theater, viewers can gather right at their church.
While Hollywood movies studios and theaters have been struggling and failing in recent years — both from streaming services and the recent pandemic — an amazing development has been the production and distribution of high-quality, faith content movies.
A collaboration between Fathom Events and Faith Content Network has resulted in the launch of FAN (Faith Affinity Network). FAN supports a network of churches to distribute first-run, first-rate, belief-based movies from the big screen to churches across the country. Here's how:
- Churches get approved to host a free FAN event
- Events are ticketed and eligible churches share in the box office receipts
- Everyone wins!
Faith Content Network movies are some of the most substantive and stunning movies today: rich in content and artistry, and they can be shown in many creative ways in and through churches. For instance, imagine drive-in movies, dinner theatre scenarios, or movies in the sanctuaries, outdoors, or in other church venues.
Here are the top 11 belief-based movies on the big screen that are being made available to churches. Read the summaries, watch the trailers and choose which films you plan to watch first.
- The Pilgrim’s Progress
- Blind Eyes Opened
- Kingdom Men Rising
- Colors of Character: An Artist’s Journey to Redemption
- I Am Patrick
- Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle
- Never Again?
- Against the Tide
- Faith Under Fire
- Dolphin Island
- My Brother’s Keeper
#1 The Pilgrim’s Progress
The Pilgrim’s Progress is an animated adventure movie that is appropriate for older children through adults. It’s a deeply significant film based on John Bunyan’s powerful classic story, containing universal themes about the Christian journey of overcoming perils and life and death struggles on the way to the Celestial City. Most importantly, the film has been produced to inspire American families, as well as to support missionaries and churches in volatile regions around the world.
The Pilgrim’s Progress is one of the best-selling fiction books in history, and it has never been out of print. In fact, it was the first novel written in English. This epic story of the journey of Christian and his burden still resonates with readers today, just as it did 340 years ago!
This is a film that gives viewers the courage to live out their faith in a culture that often stands against it. View the trailer here.
Now Available on Amazon
#2 Blind Eyes Opened
Blind Eyes Opened is another timely, resourceful, inspirational Faith Content Network movie.
This broad and comprehensive film about human trafficking is a captivating documentary featuring the gripping stories of six courageous individuals who were trafficked in America. Their accounts expose the reality of sex trafficking in the U.S. and engage audiences to think about their own communities. While the stories in this riveting movie are tragic, the testimonies are full of inspiration and hope in Jesus Christ.
These true stories reveal that even from the darkest pits of sex trafficking, God can restore through our Lord Jesus. Check out the trailer here.
Now Available on Amazon
#3 Kingdom Men Rising
Kingdom Men Rising explores what it means to be a real man.
During cultural confusion about masculinity, Dr. Tony Evans addresses God’s purpose for men. A respected pastor, author, and broadcaster, Evans explores the biblical intentions of masculinity and encourages believing men everywhere to take up the mantle of God’s original purpose.
This film is an extension of two of Evans’ books, Kingdom Man and No More Excuses, providing an honest portrayal of today’s man that is countered by God’s original design. As a result, the powerful documentary addresses many of the unique struggles men face today related to significance, priorities, race and passivity. He challenges men to step more actively into their purpose with no more sitting on the sidelines, no more excuses.
Now available for minimal cost or purchase on Amazon Prime Video
#4 Colors of Character: An Artist’s Journey to Redemption
Colors of Character: An Artist’s Journey to Redemption reveals the way to faith, redemption, reconciliation and more. The film has been developed for an ethnic and demographic range of viewers who can all be part of the solution for today’s most challenging issues.
This movie tells the captivating, true story of prolific artist Steve Skipper, who has received unprecedented recognition for his work. He has broken down walls of racism in the world of fine art with his extraordinary work with his God-given talent (all with no formal training!).
Once a drug-addicted gang member in Birmingham, Steve went to church on a dare and was transformed. He is committed to listening to God and walking through the doors that God opens for him. This journey has had him creating art for some of the biggest names in politics, sports, civil rights, and more. To learn more, view the trailer here.
Look for Colors of Character now on online and streaming sites.
#5 I Am Patrick
I Am Patrick is the true story of St. Patrick, a role model for all as he displays faith, courage, and perseverance. The film is based on true documents.
Although Patrick was enslaved, he became a victor rather than a victim, due to his dependence on our Lord and his service to others. In the 5th Century, as a British teenager, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates and enslaved in Ireland. For six years, he was forced to work as a shepherd and driven to starvation. He turned to his Christian faith and the Lord provided a way of escape. Patrick returned as a missionary bishop to Ireland and converted thousands to Christianity. View the trailer here.
Look for I Am Patrick now on online and streaming sites.
Check out more family-friendly movie options in our post, Top 10 Redemptive Films For Summer.
#6 Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle
Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle is a richly substantive Faith Content Network movie.
This thought-provoking documentary features fascinating interviews with some of the world’s leading experts in Egyptology, ancient Hebrew, religion, and archaeology. It asks and answers hard questions as it searches and uncovers evidence to determine once and for all whether Moses could really have authored the Torah. The cinematography is stunning; the charts and timelines facilitate understanding. See for yourself! Check out the trailer here.
Look for Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle now on online and streaming sites.
#7 Never Again?
Never Again? educates about the Truth of anti-Semitism, featuring a Holocaust survivor and a former radical Islamist.
This movie is especially significant today, considering what is happening with Israel, the Abraham accords and developing peace in the Mid-East. This is an inspiring movie about the friendship between an Israeli, a Holocaust survivor, and an Islamist. It is especially valuable with the currently growing Abraham Accords with Israel and Arab nations. View the trailer here.
Look for Never Again? now on online and streaming sites.
#8 Against the Tide
Against the Tide is a new documentary motion picture on the life, work, and mission of legendary University of Oxford professor, mathematician, and philosopher Dr. John Lennox.
Lennox has devoted a lifetime in a rigorous investigation of the critical question, “Do science and history refute the validity of the Bible and the Christian worldview?” In Against the Tide, veteran Hollywood actor and director Kevin Sorbo (Hercules, God’s Not Dead, Let There Be Light) outlines some of the most challenging accusations that science makes against scripture. Through compelling conversations and visual explorations, Professor Lennox sets the record straight, as he stands against the tide of disinformation and proclaims the undeniable Truth.
Created by Pensmore Films, Against the Tide takes viewers on a journey from Oxford to Israel as Lennox and Sorbo unpack theological and scientific proof of God, culminating in the Holy Land to experience the verifiable evidence about the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Certainly, viewers will be educated, informed, and edified in their faith, giving them the confidence and tools to defend their own fate as they also stand Against The Tide. This is a not-to-be-missed beautiful, captivating, and enlightening movie. See for yourself! View the trailer here.
Look for Against The Tide now on online and streaming sites.
#9 Faith Under Fire
Faith Under Fire is an honest, heart-grabbing, heart-warming movie about grief, loss, and hope.
After an exhausting night saving a young girl from a raging house fire, fireman Tom Hatcher was at the end of his rope. He had not been able to save his wife from cancer and now his precious six-year-old daughter, Tiffany, is facing the same fate. Tom finds himself in a cold jail cell after attacking a pastor out of frustration with a seemingly absent God. Tom is spiraling into despair. However, with the help and persistent friendship of the very man he assaulted, Tom is challenged to face his grief and embraces faith in our Lord in the darkest hours of his life. Check out the trailer here.
Look for Faith Under Fire now on online and streaming sites.
#10 Dolphin Island
Dolphin Island is a comedy with lovely cinematography.
In this movie, 14-year-old Annabel lives with her fisherman grandfather on an island paradise. She is surrounded by an extended family of loving but quirky neighbors and her best friend – a dolphin named Mitzy. Everything changes when her maternal grandparents arrive with a shifty lawyer to bring her back to New York. It's up to Annabel and her friends to figure out how to save the day and prove that love conquers all! The cinematography is beautiful, and the water acrobatics of Mitzy the Dolphin are spectacular. This pleasant first-run, family film is most suitable for teens through adults (due to family custody content). View the official trailer here.
Look for Dolphin Island now on online and streaming sites.
#11 My Brother’s Keeper
In My Brother’s Keeper, war veteran SFC Travis Fox returns to his hometown to fight one more battle – PTSD.
Fox and his best friend SFC Ron “Preach” Pearcy have been in their 6th combat deployment when Preach and his entire Ranger platoon were killed in a deadly IED attack. Travis returns to his hometown to settle the affairs of his parents who had passed away years before.
In searching for answers about his parents, he also discovers a new obstacle in PTSD. But he finds support from church counselor Tiffany Robertson and slowly begins to rediscover his faith in God, until he discovers a secret. Travis uncovers a secret hidden by his best friend Donnie Berry who threatens his newfound faith, rekindles his guilt, and causes him to consider the unthinkable. This redemptive movie about overcoming pain and losses to find faith is suitable for teens through adults due to content related to peer pressure, gangs, military combat, and PTSD. Watch the trailer here.
Look for My Brother’s Keeper now on online and streaming sites.
To close, let's reflect on the community-building benefit a shared movie experience can achieve. Consider a belief-based movie to bring together your group and spur on spiritual conversations.
Church leaders — check out Faith Content Network and consider becoming a host site for one of these belief-based movies from the big screen, available to your church. Or look for a showing in your area and support the efforts of creatives bringing high-quality, Christian content to the big screen.
