The wave crashed in 2014, which saw Son of God (February), God’s Not Dead and Noah (March), Heaven Is for Real (April), Mom's Night Out (May), Persecuted (July), The Song and Believe Me (September), the Left Behind remake starring Nicolas Cage (October), Saving Christmas (November), and Exodus: Gods and Kings (December). Maybe someone in Hollywood read a tweet, or ate some Ezekiel bread, but all at once a wave of specific "faith" releases began to crest.
Soon, publicity firms found ways to market every conceivable film with a vaguely inspirational hook to pastors and parishioners, from The Avengers (look at these superheroes sacrificing themselves for one another, just like Jesus!) to The Monuments Men (look at these soldiers sacrificing themselves for one another, just like Jesus!) Less-explicitly specialized films, like the Narnia movies, The Blind Side (2009), The Book of Eli (2010), Of Gods and Men (2010), and Soul Surfer (2011), attracted sizable crowds of mostly Evangelical Christians. But 2004 signaled something new, and producers took notice.Ī few small movies succeeded with the "faith audience" after Passion of the Christ: Facing the Giants (2006), Fireproof (2008), and Courageous (2011), one of which starred Kirk Cameron, all indie films from the same church-backed production company.
#GODS NOT DEAD 2 THEATERS PLUS#
There’s a long history of sword-and-sandal flicks before that, plus occasional apocalyptic movies like A Thief in the Night, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association made a number of solid films a few decades ago that were distributed directly to churches. The Passion of the Christ | 20th Century FoxĪfter The Passion of the Christ made more money than anyone dreamed possible - still the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time in America - studios frantically tried to corner the faith market by producing movies that enticed churches to buy out theaters. But some of the most popular faith-based movies today aren't just sub-par entertainment - they're anti-Christian.
I can excuse (or ignore) a poorly made movie. A lot of these are basically well-intentioned kitsch, innocuous in the manner of a lousy conventional rom-com or inept indie drama. But they're a big business: in the last three years, low-budget Christian-themed films have earned over $445 million at the US box office. If you're not devout, you probably miss these movies entirely. Hollywood's definition of the "faith audience" boils down to churchgoers, often Evangelical Protestants, well enough off to afford a night at the movies, interested in inspirational Biblical adaptations and movies about heaven, family, and genial, good neighbors, and highly critical of any sexuality or bad language. Which, for someone who turns to movies for a dose of culture, often look like a pile of cheap cash-ins that make me break out in hives. You know, your near-death experience drama, your Kirk Cameron vehicles, your God's Not Dead franchise (see "part two" in theaters this week!) - " Christian" films. As a lifelong evangelical and a Christian film critic, I'm constantly alerted to the next faith-based movie. It's a frustrating time to love movies and God. Everyone who sees it will truly be moved.” – Lt.With God's Not Dead 3: A Light in Darkness hitting theaters this month, we're re-upping this introspective, relevant report from our archives. It’s an encouraging story about people who are willing to stand up for their Christian faith. Make sure keep your eyes peeled for a scene where a team of people in red-shield shirts remove furniture and belongings from one of the character’s home! The Salvation Army is honored to have a small role in this film. As the principal and superintendent join forces with a zealous civil liberties group, an epic court case could expel God from the classroom-and the public square-once and for all! Premiering in theaters nationwide April 1, the film’s plot centers around a Christian teacher who is asked an honest question about Jesus in a public-school setting, and her reasoned response lands her in big trouble.
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