“Christian” movies don’t exactly have the greatest reputation among film watchers. Christian cinema’s apocalyptic thrillers, morally concerned family films and social-issue stumping dramas have often been criticized for being a little too preachy for non-church goers, lacking the subtlety of their Hollywood counterparts.
Of course, there’s nothing that makes a movie (or any other piece of pop culture) “Christian,” but films with overtly Christian messages have in some ways, become a sub-genre of their own.
Here’s our look at seven movies with Christian messages that will restore your faith in redemptive films.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a biopic that explores the life and legacy of Tammy Faye Bakker, a controversial and charismatic televangelist who rose to fame and fortune with her husband Jim Bakker in the 1970s and ’80s. The film, starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield, portrays Tammy Faye as a woman of faith, compassion and resilience, who faced scandals, betrayals and personal struggles with grace and courage. The film also examines the cultural and political impact of Tammy Faye’s ministry, which was inclusive of marginalized groups and challenged the conservative Christian establishment.
Believe Me
Believe Me follows the exploits of a group of college guys who attempt to pay off their student loans by crafting a fake, charity:water-type nonprofit and keeping the donations for themselves. Along the way, they discover they’ve got a gift for crafting the sort of highly emotional, faux-substantive Christian “worship” experiences that grease the pockets of the faithful, but they also start to come to terms with their own hypocrisy. Watching the dudes learn to perfect their Christianese is a stinging riot, but Believe Me has a lot more on its mind than just laughs.
Amazing Grace
The 2006 film about William Wilberforce’s campaign to abolish the slave trade in Britain works on several levels: It’s a gripping historical drama; it’s a compelling story about social activism and it’s a moving testimony to the power of faith and reliance on a higher calling.
Blue Like Jazz
The film adaptation of Donald Miller’s best-selling memoir may not have captured the same breakaway success as the book, but the movie remains a pretty charming indie. Unlike many traditional “Christian” movies (or films that are targeted to Christian audiences), Blue Like Jazz isn’t afraid to embrace the complexity of faith, coming of age and thinking about God. Like the book, the movie enjoys asking questions and exploring doubts, but ultimately, finding truth.
Silence
Silence is a powerful and challenging film by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, based on the novel by Shūsaku Endō. Set in 17th-century Japan, the film follows two young Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) who embark on a perilous mission to find their mentor (Liam Neeson) and spread the gospel in a country where Christianity is outlawed and brutally suppressed. Facing unimaginable hardships and moral dilemmas, the priests must confront their own faith and the meaning of God’s silence in the midst of suffering.
End of the Spear
In 1956, five Christian missionaries were killed after making contact with a remote tribe in Ecuador. Years later, the son of one of those men moved to the jungle where his father was killed and spent his childhood there. End of the Spear recounts the unique friendship that developed between Nate Saint—the son of the missionary pilot killed in the ‘50s—and one of the men responsible for the attack, who would eventually become a Christian himself. The release of the 2005 film wasn’t without some controversy because of the subject matter, but its fascinating, real-life story makes it one of the most interesting faith-based movies produced in the last 15 years.
Book of Eli
Not exactly the best of Denzel Washington’s “grouchy killing machine” performances, but it’s one of his more intriguing movies. The Book of Eli follows Washington as a post-apocalyptic wanderer (with a big secret) while Mila Kunis plays his scrappy tagalong. It’s an uneven film, but the mystery of Eli’s book and the stylish eye of directors Allen and Albert Hughes keep things clipping along even when the script stutters. Washington brings an unexpected sensitivity to the role and, hey, when has it not been fun to watch Gary Oldman play the bad guy?
