By Diane Howard, Ph.D.
An amazing new distribution paradigm has recently been bringing top faith content movies to churches. While Hollywood movies studios and theaters have been struggling and failing, an amazing development has been the production and distribution of some of the best faith content movies through Fathom Events in collaboration with Faith Content Network, which is an association of churches around the country to which any church can apply. In this arrangement Fathom Events provides first-run, top quality faith, family movies for churches to show. Fathom Events and Faith Content Network, LLC has announced the launch of FAN (Faith Affinity Network) that supports a network of churches to distribute first-run, first-rate faith, family movies across the country. It is free for churches to host a FAN event once they are approved. Programming are ticketed events and eligible churches can share in the box office receipts. It is a win-win for all involved. It is amazing that as Hollywood studios struggle and fail that the best in faith content movies is now being distributed and shown through churches. Faith Content Network movies are some of the most substantive and stunning movies today. They are rich in content and artistry.
The Top Dozen Redemptive Faith Content Movies Include:
- 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
- I Still Believe
- The Order of Rights: A Sacred Value
- Greyhound
#1 The Pilgrim’s Progress
The Pilgrim’s Progress (rated PG) is an animated adventure movie that is appropriate for older children through adults. The Pilgrim’s Progress is a deeply significant film based on John Bunyan’s powerful classic story. It contains universal themes about the Christian journey of overcoming perils and life/death struggles on the way to the Celestial City. 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! The Pilgrim’s Progress is a film that gives viewers the courage to live out their faith in a culture that often stands against it. (Trailer https://youtu.be/04WXlAcOtS0)
Available on Amazon
#2 Blind Eyes Opened
Blind Eyes Opened is another timely, resourceful, inspirational Faith Content Network movie. It is a broad and comprehensive film about human trafficking. It is also inspirational, as it provides hope and solutions to this tragic problem. This captivating documentary features 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 hope in Jesus Christ. These stories reveal that even from the darkest pits of sex trafficking, God can restore through our Lord Jesus. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WdQlF0oTVs )
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. 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 documentary film is an extension of two of Evans’ books, “Kingdom Man” and “No More Excuses.” This movie provides an honest portrayal of today’s man that is countered by God’s original design. This powerful documentary explores what it means to be a real man in a modern age. It addresses many of the unique struggles men face today related to significance, priorities, race, passivity, and more. He challenges men to step more actively into their purpose with no more sitting on the sidelines, no more excuses.
This compelling documentary about faith and counter-cultural courage can be rented at minimal cost or purchased on Amazon Prime Video.
#4 Colors of Character: An Artist’s Journey to Redemption
Colors of Character: An Artist’s Journey to Redemption is another outstanding Faith Content movie that reveals the way to faith, redemption, reconciliation and more for an ethnic and demographic range of viewers who can all be part of the solution for today’s most challenging issues. Colors of Character tells the amazing, captivating true story of prolific artist Steve Skipper. 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!). He is an artist whom God has led to produce art that has received unprecedented recognition in the world of sports and civil rights. 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. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSbRQ5z8iVI)
See online and streaming sites.
#5 I Am Patrick
I Am Patrick is another outstanding Faith Content Network movie. It is the true story of St. Patrick and is based on original documents. Patrick is a role model for all as he displays faith, courage, and perseverance. Although he was enslaved, he became a victor rather than a victim, due to his dependence of our Lord and his service to others. In the 5th Century, as a British teenager, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates at the age of 16 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 Lord provided a way of escape. Patrick returned as a missionary bishop to Ireland and converted thousands to Christianity. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWctlMBnqeU)
See online and streaming sites.
#6 Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle
Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle is also 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 and 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. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T32ilaFUUyY)
See online and streaming sites.
#7 Never Again?
Never Again? is another fine Faith Content Network movie. This film 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, Holocaust survivor, and an Islamist. It is especially valuable with the currently growing Abraham Accords with Israel and Arab nations! (See Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3N4HeVPbmU.)
See online and streaming sites.
#8 Against the Tide
Against the Tide is one of the best Faith Content movies to be produced to date. The cinematography is wonderful. The substantive content is artistically presented with captivating voices. 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 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. 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. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAQ_DedPfbU)
See online and streaming sites.
#9 Faith Under Fire
After an exhausting night saving a young girl from a raging house fire, fireman Tom Hatcher is at the end of his rope. He has 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. This is an honest, heart-grabbing, heart-warming movie about grief, loss, and hope. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SzM7uvOXW4).
See online and streaming sites.
#10 I Still Believe
I Still Believe is a powerful movie based on a true story that reassures that amid life’s challenges and storms, true hope can be found in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is important to know that in our suffering, God is available to us. I Still Believe is also an encouraging movie about the power of Love, how Love can change one life, and how one life can change the world. From the creators of the movie, I Can Only Imagine, the Erwin Bothers’ I Still Believe is the inspiring story of chart-topping singer Jeremy Camp and how God has been with him, most importantly in great challenges and loss. Filmmakers Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin, and Kevin Downes have found and told many compelling stories in film based on real events that reveal heartfelt moments of strength in the face of adversity. In this film is the story of a singer-songwriter who in the face of overwhelming grief finds the strength to press on. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnxHyBbYwQQ)
Available on Amazon
#11 The Order of Rights: A Sacred Value
The sacred value of each human life is being contested more and more today. The powerful new film, The Order of Rights: A Sacred Value respectfully and carefully examines the arguments for and against the right to life of the unborn. This unique movie addresses the debate over the sanctity of life and the question of whether a child in the womb is a person. The Order of Rights focuses on Emma Stein (Emma Elle Roberts), a pregnant single girl who has been advised by her mother to have an abortion despite the objection of the child’s young Christian father, Ethan Carpenter (Ben Davies). Even as Ethan tries to help her, Emma decides to go ahead with terminating the pregnancy. Ethan and his family file a lawsuit on behalf of the child’s right to life, and their story moves to prominence as a nationally publicized court case. The court must decide whether the child in Emma’s womb is a person or not and if so if it is endowed with the unalienable rights as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjo0rQPD2hg)
Available on Amazon
For more about The Order of Rights: A Sacred Value, click here.
#12 Greyhound
Greyhound is a powerfully riveting new movie featuring Tom Hanks as lead actor and screenwriter. It is based on WWII history and the ensuing novel The Good Shepherd by C.S. Forester. In the winter of 1942, Nazi forces march across Europe towards Great Britain, while thousands of ships from North America are transporting men and material across the Atlantic. Having been passed over for promotion for years, longtime U.S. Navy officer Ernest Krause receives at last his first command leading the destroyer Keeling (code-named Greyhound) and three other escort ships with the mission of protecting a convoy of 37 merchant vessels carrying much-needed supplies and troops to England. Fast-moving German U-boat submarines patrol the waters to create and enforce a brutal German blockade. During a terrifying five-day stretch known as the “Black Pit,” Krause and his men are on their own against U-boats determined to sink the destroyer and the ships it is assigned to protect. Two days into their crossing, with 50 hours to go until British air cover takes over, the convoy finds itself hunted by a vicious pack of U-boats. During intense ongoing threats Krause battles a wily and vicious Nazi sub commander. He is a man of faith who prays on his knees and reads his Bible as God directs him to protect all those in his care. Captain Krause not only displays faith and courage but humility, regard for others, undistracted concentration, restraint, and much more! There is only one foul word uttered by a member of Krause’s team who then apologizes to the captain. Krause and his men are heroes who must be remembered. They are role models. We must not forget or ever deny our history of fighting and defeating totalitarianism. (Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pNgAZVrf40)
See online and streaming sites.
For more about Greyhound, click here.
Diane Howard, Ph.D. is a diolog, dialect and voice-over coach, as well as a journalist who writes about the role of faith in movies and in the entertainment field. Her website is dianehoward.com.