Which faith-related movies have been released recently? We are not referring to “faith-based films,” as Hollywood refers to films such as War Room and Fireproof. We are not so much discussing movies intended for religious audiences as we are discussing movies that examine faith: its beauty and difficulty, its many ups and downs, and its precarious position in our secular era.
The past several years have seen the emergence of numerous outstanding films similar to this one. 15 of my favorites are listed below. These are films that encouraged devotional contemplation and occasionally worship, as well as strengthening and occasionally provoking faith (in positive ways). I hope they treat you the same way.
1. Branded (2020)
Since she was little, Li Chenxi has gone to events and read the Bible with her parents. She was arrested in 1988 while attending a party at the age of 13, and she spent a day and two nights in a cramped, dark room. The CCP continues to persecute her after that. At the age of 17, she is jailed by the authorities once more for sending books containing the words of God to other church members. The police viciously beat her father in front of her in an attempt to coerce her into disclosing the books’ source. She was then paraded around the streets as a “political prisoner.” Li Chenxi is arrested by the authorities once more in 1996.
She is forced to leave her community and start living as a fugitive. Her entire family lives in perpetual fear due to the CCP police’s frequent intimidation and harassment. Her father, who already had health issues, watches his condition worsen as a result of the police’s vicious beatings, while her mother, unable to handle the ongoing stress and anxiety, has a mental collapse. Thus, a once-happy family is shattered. Li Chenxi joins brothers and sisters in sharing the gospel across the nation while on the run. Under the CCP’s reign of terror, they endure repeated arrests and suppression. After being detained, several brothers and sisters are brutally tortured. Some are sentenced to more than ten years in prison, while others are beaten to death. While preaching the gospel in late 2012, Li Chenxi is detained once more. He is subjected to four arduous months of interrogation, attempts to coerce confessions, and indoctrination.
2. A Mother’s Love (2019)
A Mother’s Love is a Christian family film that explores the topic of childrearing.”The son becomes a dragon, the daughter becomes a phoenix” and “Knowledge can change your fate” are aspirations that almost every parent has for their offspring. Xu Wenhui chooses to retire from her position as a sales director in order to support her daughter Jiarui while she studies to retake her exams in order to make sure she can pass her university entrance exams and test into a reputable university. Her daughter collapses and almost reaches desperation as a result of Xu Wenhui’s high-pressure teaching methods and the competitive stress of the college entrance exams.
Xu Wenhui regrets this deeply since she believed that all she did was for her daughter’s good, but in reality, she just made her daughter suffer. At this point, her former classmate Fang Xinping shares the good news of God with her. After reading God’s word, Xu Wenhui finally realizes that following ideas like “Knowledge can change your fate” will only harm herself and her child. She also learns how to teach her daughter in a way that demonstrates true love.
3. Sunrise in Heaven (2019)
After Jan and her husband Steve are involved in a car accident, Steve is admitted to the hospital in critical condition. During these difficult times, Jan must make every effort to maintain her faith in God. She also takes a trip down memory lane to the beginning of their relationship and how they fell in love while her husband fights for his life. Her father, a decorated officer, made it quite plain that he did not want his daughter to date a soldier, thus it was not an easy path. However, Jan was already in love with Steve, and their bond was solid enough to last. Will their faith and love be sufficient to save them now, though?
4. The Case for Christ (2017)
Journalist Lee Strobel is at the top, precisely where he wants to be. In addition to receiving numerous accolades for his investigative reporting, he receives an offer to advance to the position of court reporter for the esteemed Chicago Tribune. However, things at home have improved while things at work are doing well. Leslie, Lee’s wife, becomes a devout follower of God, which contradicts all of Lee’s convictions as an atheist. Because of his background as a court reporter, he is constantly searching for information, and now he embarks on a fresh quest for the truth that Christianity purports to hold.In an effort to learn more about Jesus, he interrogates thirteen eminent scientists. He is currently working on the most significant story of his career when he encounters some unforeseen outcomes that would radically upend his life. Everything he formerly believed to be true is no longer true.
5. Until The Last Promise (2024)
The moving tale of Pastor Richard Kennedy, a well-liked clergyman who unexpectedly encounters the initial signs of frontotemporal dementia, is told in the compelling, true-to-life movie Until the Last Promise. Richard has mood swings, lightheadedness, and forgetfulness as his health declines. A terrible diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, which severely impairs his personality and day-to-day functioning, results from his worried wife Pamela’s search for answers. The movie depicts their daughter April’s struggle with addiction and an unplanned pregnancy in addition to highlighting how the illness has affected his role in the church and community. Their faith provides crucial comfort and optimism amid the conflicts in their family. Until the Last Promise, which is based on Pamela Kennedy’s 2019 book of the same name and has a stellar ensemble that includes Kevin Sorbo and Dean Cain, tells an inspiring tale of devotion, love, and sacrifice. A movie that highlights the strength of family and faith in the face of hardship and change.
6. Saved By Grace (2016)
The touching Christian television show “Saved by Grace” explores themes of personal growth, forgiveness, and divine intervention. Each 30-minute episode masterfully demonstrates how Jennifer Taylor and Cameron Arnett’s characters, Grace and Jeremiah, seem to be guiding angels in the lives of those going through difficult times. These characters find faith, healing, and redemption thanks to their spiritual guidance. The show highlights the angels’ mission to restore broken relationships and emphasizes God’s unwavering love and forgiveness while presenting a new story every week with new characters facing personal struggles. The show connects with viewers through powerful narratives, such as Grace stopping a bank heist or consoling a parent who is troubled by guilt, encouraging them to consider their own lives and the strength of forgiveness. “Saved by Grace” not only encourages forgiveness but also highlights the importance of accepting personal development via faith and letting go of previous transgressions. The show, which stars well-known Christian actresses Jennifer Taylor and Cameron Arnett, takes viewers on a profoundly spiritual journey with the goal of inspiring them to find forgiveness and second chances via God’s love. Learn how divine intervention can provide healing and hope, reminding viewers of God’s unfailing love and the significance of faith in conquering life’s challenges.
7. From The Heart (2020)
The gripping drama From the Heart chronicles the journey of Kathy Yoder, a well-known tour guide author from New York who separated herself from her Amish roots ten years ago. Kathy returns to Mountain View, Arkansas, after learning of her father’s death, where the Amish community refers to her as Katrina. Her departure from their traditional lifestyle in favor of a more adventurous future has resulted in a cold reception, especially from her sister Miriam. Katrina rekindles an old romance with Isaac Mast, a widower who conceals his love of poetry from his community, while she works through tense familial relationships and her own identity. Tensions increase when Katrina unintentionally makes Isaac’s poems available to the publishing industry, forcing her to face her love for Isaac and her aspirations, which include a possible international travel TV program with her New York boyfriend, Jack. Galadriel Stineman and Kevin Joy star in the endearing movie, which tells a universal story about family, self-discovery, and having the guts to follow your truth in the face of social expectations.
8. Where Is My Home (2017)
Wenya lived with her father and stepmother after her parents divorced when she was two years old. Her stepmother was constantly fighting with her father because she couldn’t stand her. He was forced to send Wenya to her mother’s house because he had no other option. However, because her mother was too busy managing her business to care for Wenya, she was frequently sent to the homes of her friends and relatives to be fostered. Young Wenya yearned for the comfort of a family after spending so many years in foster care and feeling alone and powerless. She didn’t go back to her father’s side until after her father and stepmother separated, at which point she had a house, for better or worse.
Wenya put a lot of effort into her studies and became very wise and diligent as she grew older. However, bad luck struck her as she was putting a lot of effort into getting ready for her college entrance exams: After suffering a brain hemorrhage, her mother was bedridden and disabled. After her father was admitted to the hospital due to liver cancer, her stepfather abandoned her mother and even seized all of her belongings. Wenya’s only option was to beg friends and family, but she was rejected since she was unable to handle the household’s responsibilities.
Two sisters from The Church of Almighty God testified to Wenya, her mother, and sister about the work of Almighty God in the final days while Wenya was in pain and had no other options. From the words of Almighty God, they learned the source of people’s suffering and realized that people can only obtain God’s protection and lead happy lives if they approach God. Mothers and daughters were only able to overcome their suffering and powerlessness with the consolation of God’s teachings. Wenya finally felt the warmth of a home and entered a true home when she truly encountered God’s love and kindness.
9. Faith, Hope & Love (2019)
Learn about Jimmy Hope’s touching story in the movie “Faith, Hope & Love.” Jimmy, a heartbroken parent negotiating life’s obstacles following the death of his wife, is in danger of losing both his job security and happiness. Jimmy enters the Pro-Schmo Dance Competition with his captivating dance instructor, Faith Turley, after his youngest daughter asks the church for assistance. Watch as Jimmy and Faith find healing, love, and rhythm on the dance floor while overcoming their past challenges—Jimmy’s sadness and Faith’s problems with self-image and trust—in this uplifting romance drama. This gripping tale, which combines themes of faith and personal development, provides a lovely portrayal of the intricacies of romance and healing, making it a must-see for anyone looking for a profound and significant cinematic experience full of real life lessons and moments of faith.
