When someone inquires about Christian ideals in movies, lists or digressions about the required Bible movies usually come up. Some cited Hollywood Movies include Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Passion of the Christ, God’s Not Dead, The Prince of Egypt, and Heaven Is for Real. And after watching that a few dozen times, it doesn’t seem like the best movie ever made.
These are amazing tales told with love and heavenly direction. Nevertheless, you would assume that Hollywood movies wouldn’t produce a “Christian movie” that isn’t based on a biblical tale or someone’s testimony. Outside of Hollywood’s Golden Era, these movies are typically low-budget hits that are distributed straight to Hallmark TV.
Nonetheless, there are other well-known blockbuster films that uphold Christian principles, as well as some pious Christian performers that radiate that positive light on screen. And not just from the 1930s to the 1950s, when it was accepted and common. Despite Hollywood’s disapproval of biblical ideals, Christian themes may be found in some of the most powerful films made by elite actors.
In 2026, entertainment can have a significant impact on people’s resolutions and ideas for bettering their lives. What are some compelling films with prominent actors and directors that communicate biblical truth, scriptural principles, and overt or covert religious values?
1. The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
Meet J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned Middle Earth dreamer and one of C.S. Lewis’ closest friends. They both produced the most important fantasy universes in history, were literary icons, and incorporated Christian principles into their imaginative and fantastical stories.
Although neither God nor Jesus are mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien provides hints about his impact and beliefs throughout the expansive story. The main conflict is between a force from hell (Balrog) and servants of light (Gandalf). After being banished and despised, Aragorn returned to take back his throne. The Ring of Power, which was made with pride, is followed by the fall of Sauron.
If you notice all the allusions to Jesus Christ, the tale is much more amazing.
2. Gravity (2013)
Although a space movie starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney doesn’t seem to be full of Christian principles, it is throughout its cosmic narrative. Hollywood director Alfonso Cuarón is well-known for depending on his Catholic faith and background.
The allegories hit you like meteors crashing with satellites, even if their characters aren’t promoting faith in God or His grandeur as they gaze at Earth from space. Water baptism (Dr. Ryan Stone [Bullock] in the Russian pod), sacrifice for the lost (Matt Kowalski [Clooney] chooses Stone’s life over his own), death and rebirth (Bullock’s whole character arc), prayer (Stone has never prayed but finally does with a glimmer of hope), and God’s creation (it’s space) are all alluded to by Cuarón.
3. Places in the Heart (1984)
“Places in the Heart” provides everything you need if you’re a fan of Sally Field and want to witness God’s love delicately depicted in an engrossing film. The movie takes place in a small Texas community during the Great Depression. In this compelling tale, Edna Spalding (Field) struggles between politics and morality.
This drunk adolescent shot her spouse. Her farm still has an abundance of cotton to harvest, but she needs assistance. To support her two children, she employs a Black wanderer seeking employment and a blind misanthrope. Once more, this is Texas during the Great Depression. The KKK comes next. Her trust in God keeps her going even if she is grieving in front of strangers.
Sally Field gets praise for her dramatic role. It is admirable how much faith permeates the entire movie.
4. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Mel Gibson directed this biopic, which tells the story of a World War II hero that many people had forgotten until it came out. It centers on Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), a man of unwavering faith. During the Battle of Okinawa, this Seventh-day Adventist military medic saved seventy-five soldiers without using a gun. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor. But he received crowns in heaven because of his faith in Christ.
The movie doesn’t hold back while praising God’s grace and the commitment needed to follow Jesus. He read the Bible, observed the Sabbath, and prayed for every member of the platoon throughout the height of the conflict. He was God’s instrument in that battle to free prisoners, save the defenseless, and give humanity hope again. He loved his brothers-in-arms while making sure they were protected, and he preached to the soldiers while keeping them safe.
If you get the chance, see this magnificent movie.
5. Silence (2017)
The often-overlooked Martin Scorsese masterpiece Silence is one of the most explicit stories on this Biblist. Silence, which is based on a work by the well-known Catholic Japanese novelist Shūsaku Endō, follows two Portuguese Jesuit priests as they travel to Japan for missions (in the 17th century). They want to reach a former instructor who is fleeing persecution and doubting his religion in order to battle for his soul.
Instead of making their teacher a martyr, captors want to turn him into a fake and make him publicly reject Christ. The storyline may seem straightforward, but when a film takes nearly 25 years to produce—especially from that guy—the faith on exhibit will be compelling and more stunning than you’re ready to face.
6. The Mission (1986)
Ignore the stellar ensemble of Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, and Robert De Niro. Ennio Morricone’s captivating film score is enough to take you to church. (Hear “Gabriel’s Oboe”) In the movie, Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) is called to establish a Jesuit mission in 18th-century South America. The tensions between the aboriginal people are to be expected, but the remainder of the film tells a compelling tale about Father Gabriel and Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro), a traveling slave who is pleading with God for pardon.
We find ourselves in the midst of another personal mission as Father Gabriel battles his own mission of faith and carrying out God’s purpose in spite of some of his superiors’ corrupt intentions. Mendoza is seeking a physical penance in an attempt to regain God’s grace after killing a guy. Carrying a massive net of armor across the Andes highlands and Iguazu Falls is a taxing undertaking. Work and faith. Peace or war. Hatred and love. It’s a lovely film that is filled with Christian principles.
7. Chariots of Fire (1981)
Millions of people are familiar with the film because of its well-known concept. People start rushing in slow motion without thinking once Vangelis’ tune begins with the “Ch-ch-ch-ch-chhh.” That is an amazing aspect of the power of movies. But this Best Picture’s backstory was worthy of the title.
Scottish Christian Eric Liddell competed in the 1924 Olympic Games for the glory of Jesus. He came to feel that Christ was his trainer as a result of his hardships, hard training, and personal journey. The man’s desire for a medal was subordinated to his devotion to missionary work in China and his faith. Throughout the film, which emphasized his personal Christian principles and love for Jesus Christ, he genuinely ran for God’s glory.
8. The Apostle (1997)
Euliss F. “Sonny” Dewey, a Pentecostal preacher, is portrayed by Robert Duvall as a tormented man. He found out that his church’s youth preacher was having an affair with his wife. Sonny was charged with aggravated assault after putting the man in the hospital in a fit of rage. He converts to a committed life by baptizing himself and drowning his car while driving through Louisiana.
He discovers a dilapidated church, a place to give thanks to God, and a way to atone for his recent transgressions. It’s simple to fill in the cynical gaps about the portrayal of pastors in most films. With “The Apostle,” that isn’t the case. He is vulnerable, exposed, and truly human in this situation. Jesus wants us to always be like him; it’s what shines so brightly within him.
9. Lilies of the Field (1963)
Many people view this movie as Sidney Poitier’s Magnum Opus, and he is one of Hollywood’s most successful actors. He preached the gospel on screen while winning an Oscar.
In order to construct a local church, a group of German nuns travels to the southwest of the United States. They meet Poitier, a young man of religion who largely draws them out of their faith while also assisting them in building the church. Rather than just enduring church ceremony, his Christian principles show people the significance of worship and a relationship with Jesus Christ. The title of the film makes a promise.
God’s concern for transient wildflowers—that is, the real lilies of the field—illustrates God’s supply, beauty in simplicity, and dependence on faith. Watching this movie is beneficial to the soul and spirit because the title is derived directly from Matthew 6:26.
10. The Matrix (1999)
You wouldn’t realize this genre-shifting science fiction masterpiece is much more than Keanu Reeves shouting “Whoa” if you haven’t seen it. This anti-world has a lot of Christian themes and beliefs. Reeves portrays a hacker named “Neo,” which is an anagram of “The ONE.” He encounters “Trinity” (Carrie-Anne Moss) and the god of dreams, “Morpheus” (Laurence Fishburne), while attempting to save humanity from the Matrix.
Together, they defend the actual promised land of Zion in what seems to be a spiritual conflict with evil forces who aim to make everyone unaware of truth. Science fiction was permanently altered by the film, yet beneath the unparalleled special effects are struggles between free will and choice, real vs fake, sacrifice and redemption, knowledge versus faith, and even Neo’s resurrection via the force of unwavering love.
This is by no means a “Christian movie,” but it does touch on more biblical topics than many Hallmark Channel productions.
