30 Movies for Christian Families to Watch

The purpose of this post is to recommend some movies with Biblical messages, characters and themes. This list is intended to provide Christian parents with a list of movies they can watch with their children and teens… movies that will likely aid in their discipleship efforts, not hinder them.

Feel free to scroll to the full list below. Otherwise, here is some information for some context, and three helpful resources.

I have selected films mainly suitable for age 8 and up, but please choose them with wisdom for sensitive children.

Hollywood, along with most of our culture, often teaches messages such as “Be true to yourself” and “Follow your heart,” “You do you,” and “Do whatever makes you happy.” These are lies. Then there are other lies they include such as “Divorce is OK all the time,” “Homosexuality is normal” and “Romance is what you need to be happy.”

Since Hollywood wants to disciple your kids to a secular worldview and are spending billions to do so, here are some alternatives to give your family a respite from those messages. (I also want to say here, that there are some filmmakers avoiding doing this, for various reasons.)

The movies in this list mainly avoid these messages. Some of them are true stories. They may contain a small amount of mainstream cultural content, but the movies on this list are a far better alternative than most films aimed at kids and teens. And hopefully they are conversation starters about morality, Christian repentance, history, sacrifice and the Bible.

Some of these have been distributed or partially/fully funded by Hollywood studios, however I understand these scripts’ particular morals as Biblical. The Christian movies distributed by Hollywood are often written and directed by Christian filmmakers. The film distribution pipeline is a tool to get people buying tickets and watching the movie. Please read on for the list of 30 movies.

Finally, I have three resources that may help you:

Plugged In Online

Plugged In Online reviews the questionable content and positive content in all movies released, and many books, TV shows, games, Youtube channels and music.
From Christian organisation Focus on the Family.

The Adventures in Odyssey Club App

The paid streaming service where your family can listen to hundreds of episodes in the Christian audio drama following a town named Odyssey. The characters are loveable, with a mixture of long-term characters, and a rotation of “the kids” which come and go as the 30 years pass.

This show is a fantastic alternative to movies, and is often used in the car or at bedtime. This has a wide audience for all ages, similar to most Disney movies.
Also from Focus on the Family.

Find it here:
Google Play | Apple App Store

Just Watch

This is a website where you can search for any movie and find out what online platform you can access it on.

Movies with Biblical themes

History

Jesus Revolution

Tells the story of the hippie Jesus Movement in America in the early 1970s. This was a revival and the movie is pretty exciting on that level.

Amazing Grace

The story of William Wilberforce, the Christian politician in the early 19th Century who worked for many years to abolish the British slave trade. He persevered for decades, despite hardships and roadblocks.

The Hiding Place

The true story of Corrie Ten Boom and her Christian family, who protected Jewish people in their Dutch home during World War 2. You can watch the Hiding Place movie for free on Youtube. Watch below.

Disclaimer: This is a movie made in 1975, and it looks like a movie of its time.

There is also an excellent filmed stage play version of The Hiding Place made in 2023:

Notable Christians

Joni 

The true story of Joni Eareckson Tada, a 17 year old girl in the 1960s, who broke her neck in a diving accident. From then on, she was not able to move her arms and legs. Her story of grief, doubt, Christian faith and journey towards contentment can be an immense encouragement. You can watch the “Joni” movie for free on Youtube. Watch below.
Disclaimer: This is a movie made in 1979, and it looks like a movie of its time.

The Case For Christ

The true story of Lee Strobel, an atheist journalist who puts his investigative skills to work, in order to prove that Christianity is false. This movie also portrays an honest look at a messy marriage, and the hope that praying can bring.

Chariots of Fire

The true story of Eric Liddell, the Scottish Christian Olympic runner in 1924. Everything is going well until his Olympic heat is scheduled for a Sunday – and he values the sabbath very highly. This also depicts how he views his talent for running in the light of scripture.
1982 Best Picture Oscar winner.

True Stories of Missionaries

On Wings of Eagles (Chariots of Fire’s spiritual sequel (2016))

Follows on from Chariots of Fire as Eric Liddell goes to China to be a missionary. World War 2 strikes and he suffers as a result.

End of the Spear

Follows the lives of a tribe in the Amazon jungle in the 1950s, and the American missionaries who risked their lives to preach the gospel to them.

Modern Christian biopics

I Still Believe

Follows Christian singer Jeremy Camp’s first marriage. His fiance suddenly gets better from a serious illness, only to get very sick again on their honeymoon. I like this script because it explores the theme of healing and whether every Christian is healed by God.

I Can Only Imagine

Follows the early life of Bart Millard, who struggled in his relationship with his father, while starting the band Mercy Me. This movie has great themes of mercy and family love.

Ordinary Angels

Follows the true story of Sharon Stevens (with some poetic licence), a stranger who was convicted to help a widower with a gravely ill daughter. Amazing themes of serving others, community, and a deep love for your children.

Bible stories

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie

A very funny and touching musical comedy about the prophet Jonah and his dedication to – not – preach God’s word to the city of Nineveh. You can watch the full movie these days on the official Youtube Channel:

The Jesus Film (2026)

I’m excited about this one! A fairly faithful depiction of the story of Jesus found in the New Testament.

A new animated version of this movie is being produced for a global release at Christmas 2026. The original Jesus Film was made in 1979 and is the most-translated film in history – translated into about 2,000 languages.

This animated version will be aimed at the next generations. The global ministry teams will also be able to use the existing audio tracks of the 1979 version in the animated film. So in the next few years it will tell the story of Jesus in 2,000 languages.

Biblical fiction which is faithful to the Bible

Paul an Apostle of Christ

While not a Bible story, this movie tells the story of Luke and Paul, in the last days of Paul’s life as he is waiting for execution. It also tells of persecution in the local church in Rome. It closely sticks to the Christian worldview and Paul quotes a lot of scripture verbatim. Somehow the scenes with these quotes flow smoothly, even though you might not think it does.

Risen

This is the story of a fictional Roman soldier who is tasked with proving that Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead. You can guess what happens!

Fiction with Christian themes

October Baby

A young woman learns for the first time that she’s a twin – and a fascinating story unfolds from there! Great pro-life themes abound. From the makers of Jesus Revolution and I Still Believe.

The Chronicles of Narnia Movies

These three movies follow the first three books published in the fantasy series of the same name. Very famous, a main character is the Great Lion Aslan, a parallel for God and Jesus. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has strong Christian symbolism. And the other two films tell the story of two fantasy adventures which delve into themes like revenge, trusting in Aslan, and temptation. (A note from this Narnia fan: If you have not read the book of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (#3), please read it first, because the movie is not a close adaptation.)

The Narnia BBC series

This version of the Narnia stories also includes The Silver Chair, which is a great Narnia book not adapted as a movie. I can highly recommend that story, which has a great theme of listening to the words of Aslan, which can be a parallel to filling our minds with scripture. Other than that, it is an epic quest about a lost prince!

The BBC Narnia series can be enjoyed by younger children who might find the movies too scary. The episodes are available for free on Youtube, but some of the videos are low res.

You can watch the edited movie version of The Silver Chair here:

The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001 – 2003)

Definitely for older children and teens, these are very famous movies. While this trilogy is not as overt in Christian messaging as Narnia, they tell a deep story of carrying a burden in a sacrificial way, out of love and concern for many others. There is also immense and detailed visual beauty in many of the sets, costumes and the scenery.

The Forge

A drama about an 18 year old man who is still acting like a boy. The story follows his life as an older Christian man takes him under his wing, mentoring the young man in the Bible and maturity.

Courageous

By the same team who made The Forge, this movie tells a story with a strong theme of being a man who takes responsibility and loves his wife and kids. It is also a drama about a Christian family who encounters tragedy.

The Second Chance

A drama which is about two fictional American pastors, one who is wealthy, and one who works in a rough part of town. The richer one does an internship at the poorer church and learns some lessons in ministry and humility.

Christmas Movies

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

This is a fun Christmas movie about a family of naughty kids who join the church Christmas play. A story of mercy and redemption, it explores many questions and objections kids might have if they have never heard the Nativity story before.

for KING + COUNTRY: A Drummer Boy Christmas LIVE

A Christmas concert, well produced and with many moving carols and other Christian songs.

It’s a Wonderful Life

A classic 1940s movie about the value of serving your family and your community. The ending is so wonderful it makes many a heart leap, and tears fall. In Black and White.

I hope that you and your family enjoy using this resource if you wish. And that you have some happy family times together! 🍕🍿✝️