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Top 25 Christian Movies Hollywood Hated
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Top 25 Christian Movies Hollywood Hated

Little Boy – 2015


An eight-year-old boy is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home. The story reveals the indescribable love a father has for his little boy and the love a son has for his father.

The Players
Director: Alejandro Monteverde
Writers: Alejandro Monteverde, Pepe Portillo
Actors: Kevin James, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Michael Rapaport
Producer: Mark Burnett (executive)
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $6,485,961

Hollywood hated this movie calling it shameless and schmaltzy and couldn’t help pointing out that it was politically incorrect to tie this little boy’s answered prayer to the dropping of an atomic bomb. Roger Ebert’s website gave it 1.5 stars however the actual viewers of this film at Amazon rated it much higher.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed – 2008

Expelled movie


Ben Stein examines the issue of academic freedom and decides that there is none when it comes to the debate over intelligent design.

The Players
Actor: Ben Stein
Producer: John Sullivan
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $7,720,487

Hollywood went nuts blasting this documentary. Roger Ebert said, “This film is cheerfully ignorant, manipulative, slanted, cherry-picks quotations, draws unwarranted conclusions, makes outrageous juxtapositions (Soviet marching troops representing opponents of ID), pussy-foots around religion (not a single identified believer among the ID people), segues between quotes that are not about the same thing, tells bald-faced lies, and makes a completely baseless association between freedom of speech and freedom to teach religion in a university class that is not about religion.”

Only 11% of Rotten Tomatoes approved reviewers had anything good to say about the movie yet it received much higher by people who watched it on Amazon.

Facing the Giants – 2006

Facing the giants movie


In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers is secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe in God for the impossible on and off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage.

The Players
Director: Alex Kendrick
Writers: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick
Actors: James Blackwell, Bailey Cave, Shannen Fields, Alex Kendrick
Producers: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $10,178,331 99.4% + Foreign: $64,828 0.6% = Worldwide: $10,243,159

Once again Rotten Tomatoes approved reviewers skewered this movie with Frank Swietek saying “Would seem sincere enough, but it’s just a chain of ludicrous cliches of both the sports and religious variety.” They didn’t seem to like an evangelical message being broadcast to the general population with another reviewer, Josh Rosenblatt writing, “Its feel-good storyline, shopworn message, and bottomless sermonizing would have played better in Sunday school than on the big screen, which is — let’s face it — Babylon’s turf.”

However once again the media elite didn’t get it. Those that have watched the movie on Amazon have rated it much higher.

Mom’s Night Out – 2014

Moms night out movie


All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation, and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong? MOMS’ NIGHT OUT is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting.

The Players
Directors: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Writers: Jon Erwin, Andrea Gyertson Nasfell
Actors: Sarah Drew, Sean Astin, Patricia Heaton, Trace Adkins
Producers: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin, Patricia Heaton
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $10,429,707 + Foreign: n/a = Worldwide: $10,429,707

Again the Hollywood elites threw rotten tomatoes at this movie with these comments from Rotten Tomatoes. “Cheap-looking, unfunny, and kind of sexist to boot, Moms’ Night Out is a disappointment from start to finish.”

However once again they have totally missed the boat. The actual viewers on Amazon have rated this movie much higher Here is the gist of what one viewer said.

“This movie is hilarious. I loved it and so did my husband. It is laugh-out-loud funny all the way through, but it is a clean comedy. So thankful that there are still a few movies left that are funny without resorting to crude language and weird sexual innuendo.”

I guess the movie didn’t fit the Hollywood stereotypes we so often see.

Risen – 2016

Risen movie


Risen is the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection and the weeks that followed, as seen through the eyes of an unbelieving Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a high-ranking Roman Military Tribune. Clavius and his aide Lucius (Tom Felton) are instructed by Pontius Pilate to ensure Jesus’ radical followers don’t steal his body and claim resurrection. When the body goes missing within days, Clavius sets out on a mission to locate the missing body in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.

The Players
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Actors: Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis
Total Lifetime Grosses (As of 2/23/2016)
Domestic: $11,801,271 + Foreign: $170,760 = Worldwide: $11,972,031

Hollywood has been a little more generous when it comes to this movie in their reviews but they are still way out of touch with the average viewer giving it only 59% positive reviews. Take for example this review by Katie Walsh in the Los Angeles Times, “”Risen” is a fascinating cultural artifact, but as a film, it’s destined for no glory greater than as an appropriate cable rerun on Easter.”

Meanwhile, the people who watched it gave it over 80% positive reviews like this one.
“Our family thoroughly enjoyed this film. The movie has very high production values, great acting, and casting, and while there was plenty of artistic licenses, for once in a movie like this I didn’t see anything that blatantly contradicted the Biblical account. The movie also had a good pace to it, superb cinematography (it was filmed in Spain and Malta), was entertaining, and had several very memorable and impactful scenes.”

Read what the viewers on Amazon had to say.

James Fiennes who played the Roman soldier was outstanding. The character of Peter was also especially well done.

I highly recommend this film!”

End Of The Spear – 2006

End of the spear movie


“End of the Spear” is the remarkable journey of a savage Amazon tribesman who becomes family to the son of a North American man he kills. Mincayani (Louie Leonardo) is a Waodani warrior who leads the raid that kills Steve Saint’s father and four other missionaries. Through a suspenseful series of events Steve Saint (Chase Ellison) is able to visit Mincayani’s tribe. Steve tries to learn which warriors killed his father, but has to leave with his question unanswered. Steve returns to the Waodani as an adult (Chad Allen). Together Mincayani and Steve confront the true meaning of the life and death of Steve’s father, and the other men who were killed.

The Players
Actors: Louie Leonardo, Chad Allen, Jack Guzman, Christina Souza, Chase Ellison
Directors: Jim Hanon
Writers: Jim Hanon, Bart Gavigan, Bill Ewing
Producers: Bart Gavigan, Bill Ewing, Brent Ryan Green, Eugene Mazzola
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $11,967,000 + Foreign: $161,105 = Worldwide: $12,128,105

With a high amount of stars on Amazon, the real-life viewers of End Of The Spear once again refute the professional Hollywood movie critics.

The consensus of the reviewers said “Shoddy filmmaking and a lack of character development derail what could be a potentially compelling tale.” and only gave it 40% positive reviews compared to 81% of actual movie viewers.

The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything – 2008

Veggie tales pirate movie


Three lazy misfits – very timid Elliot (Larry the Cucumber), lazy Sedgewick (Mr. Lunt), and no self-confident George (Pa Grape) – the dream of the day of putting on a show about pirates. With their own problems of might not having this dream come true, they soon find themselves traveling back in time into the 17th century and begin a quest to rescue a royal family from an evil tyrant and learn about being pirates.

The Players
Director: Mike Nawrocki
Starring: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki
Supporting actors: Cam Clarke, Laura Gerow, Yuri Lowenthal, Alan Lee, Cydney Trent, Keri Pagetta, Megan Murphy, Sondra Morton Chaffin, Jim Poole, Tim Hodge, Drake Lyle, Ally Nawrocki, Patrick Kramer, Sloan Yarborough, Joe Spadaford, John Wahba, Colleen Curtis, Brian Roberts
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $12,981,269 + Foreign: $173,822 = Worldwide: $13,155,091

What can be said about a website that never gets it right? Once again Rotten Tomatoes gives this film a 39% positive rating while showing it is totally out of touch with the average viewer. Their synopsis of the reviews states “This Veggietale should please the youngest crowds, but the silly script will tire the more discerning viewer.”

Yet the parents and children who have actually watched the movie rated it much higher on Amazon.

One parent felt this way. “What a great, fun movie! I enjoyed this Veggie Tales movie so much & so did my 5 yr. old daughter. It has lots of “jokes for the grown-ups” as I call them, especially at the end – B52’s fans prepare to dance! This movie also manages to work in a spiritual message at the end, but does it so subtly that non-believers won’t feel preached at in the least. The spiritual aspect is what I like most about Veggie Tales in general, as a teaching tool for my child, and even my atheist spouse gets some laughs out of most of the shows. This movie is one that will appeal to all types of parents and kids.”

Do You Believe – 2015

Do you believe movie


A dozen different souls—all moving in different directions, all longing for something more. As their lives unexpectedly intersect, they each are about to discover there is power in the Cross of Christ … even if they don’t believe it. Yet.

When a local pastor is shaken to the core by the visible faith of an old street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a faith-fueled journey that powerfully impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate.

The Players
Director: Jon Gunn (as Jonathan M. Gunn)
Writers: Chuck Konzelman, Cary Solomon
Stars: Mira Sorvino, Sean Astin, Alexa PenaVega
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $12,985,600

Once again we have an example of Hollywood’s antagonism to films of faith. Rotten Tomatoes reviewers gave this movie only 17% positive ratings while those that watched it gave it an 84% positive rating. Most of the Hollywood reviews were similar to this one. “A deranged melodrama where any sense of soapy, campy fun is undercut by the preachy, self-serious tone.”

All the while the people who actually watched the movie rated it much higher on Amazon and left reviews like this. “Excellent. Above “Christian movie” caliber. Most Christian movies are pretty bad, shallow, poorly directed, cheesy, and sometimes even vulgar. This one seemed uncompromising with the message of the Christian faith. I’m planning on buying several copies to distribute.

Pure Flix doesn’t always do well but they broke the mold with this one.”

You can watch this movie as part of a free trial that we have set up for readers of Viral Believer at Pure Flix.

One Night With The King – 2006

One night with the king movie


Step into the exotic world of the Persian court, where one courageous woman dares to speak the truth on behalf of her people! Based on Tommy Tenney’s blockbuster novel, this captivating film tells the story of how beautiful Esther rises from peasant to princess, captures the king’s heart, defies his malevolent prime minister, and thwarts horrific plans for genocide.

The Players
Actors: Tiffany Dupont, Luke Goss, John Noble, Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies
Directors: Michael O. Sajbel
Writers: Mark Andrew Olsen, Stephan Blinn, Tommy Tenney
Producers: Carlos DeMattos, Ignatius Rapose, John Nelson, Laurie Crouch
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $13,395,961 + Foreign: $332,489 = Worldwide: $13,728,450

By now you must be getting the idea that Hollywood just does not appreciate Christian movies. Once again the elite reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes get it wrong. Giving this movie only a 19% positive rating while the viewers gave it a 78% positive rating, they wrote disparaging comments like this. “Despite its epic source material, One Night With the King is held back by dull storytelling and a clumsy script.”

The viewers of this movie on Amazon agree with the viewers rating on Rotten Tomatoes. They rated it much higher.

Left Behind – 2014

Left behind movie - 2014


Left Behind is an apocalyptic Action-Thriller movie starring Nicolas Cage based on the New York Times bestselling novel that brings the biblical prophecy to life in modern times.

After millions of people around the globe mysteriously disappear, veteran pilot, Ray Steele must fight to protect the passengers that remain on his flight. Trapped at 30,000 feet, he must find a way to safely land the damaged plane and comprehend the chaos that awaits as the most devastating event in history unfolds.

The Players
Director: Vic Armstrong
Actors: Nicolas Cage, Chad Michael Murray, Lea Thompson
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $14,019,924 + Foreign: $5,663,000 = Worldwide: $19,682,924

The Hollywood bias against faith-based films becomes more transparent with this film. Take for instance this critical consensus of the film found on Rotten Tomatoes. “Yea verily, like unto a plague of locusts, Left Behind hath begat a further scourge of devastation upon Nicolas Cage’s once-proud filmography.”

Having personally watched this movie, I found it to be quite entertaining. I am not an end-times buff but found the movie better than a lot of faith-based movies. Even on Amazon, viewers found this movie better than most and rated it much higher.

You can watch all of the original Left Behind movies as part of a free trial that we have set up for readers of Viral Believer at Pure Flix.

Woodlawn – 2015

Woodlawn movie


A gifted high school football player must learn to boldly embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field in WOODLAWN, a moving and inspirational new film based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate.

In 1973, a spiritual awakening captures the hearts of the Woodlawn High School Football team. Lead by their coach, Tandy Geralds, and fueled by the team’s dedication to love and unity in a school filled with racism and hate, the team makes an astounding run at the playoffs, leading to the largest high school football game ever played in the torn city of Birmingham, Alabama, and the rise of its first African American superstar – Tony Nathan.

The Players
Directors: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Actors: Sean Astin, C. Thomas Howell, Jon Voight
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $14,394,097

Hollywood was a little more favorable to this movie than most in the Christian Genre as is typified by this review of the movie on Rotten Tomatoes. “The Erwins’ latest film leans heavily on a genre formula, but it is better than most “Christian” films.” They gave it a 77% positive rating however the critics are still much more negative than the viewers on Amazon which rated it much higher.

One viewer wrote “Being an Alabama fan and growing up there until I graduated from college and married; I knew about the goings-on to integrate the football team as well as the school. This movie depicts the early 70’s at Bama and shows Coach Bear Bryant making a change in the team! Outstanding and close to accurate in that era.”

Maybe Hollywood needs to become Bama fans!

Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie – 2002

Veggie tales jonah movie


One of the best-known stories from the Bible gets a new and decidedly playful retelling in this animated comedy, the first feature film from the creators of the popular video series VeggieTales. Archibald Asparagus (voice of Phil Vischer) stars as Jonah, who is chosen by God to help spread his message to the world. Unfortunately, his first stop on his evangelical tour is the city of Nineveh, where the residents while away their days bingeing on cheese snacks and arguing, usually settling a war of words by throwing fish at one another.

Circumstances force Jonah to set sail across the ocean, where he’s assisted by Khalil (voice of Tim Hodge), a carpet peddler who is a half caterpillar and half worm (“but I’m OK with that now”), and “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything,” who are led by the well-meaning but lethargic Mr. Lunt, Pa Grape (both voiced by Phil Vischer), and Larry the Cucumber (voice of Mike Nawrocki). However, Jonah’s mission gets a bit of a setback when a mammoth whale changes his plans.

The Players
Actors: Dan Anderson (III), Kristin Blegen, Sarah Catherine Brooks, Paige Craig, Adam Frick
Directors: Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $25,581,229 + Foreign: $34,002 = Worldwide: $25,615,231

It is kind of hard to pick on a kid’s movie even for Hollywood but they tried giving this cute cartoon only 65% positive ratings at Rotten Tomatoes. I guess the movie didn’t pass the political correctness test as this reviewer complained about. “The movie’s heart is in the right place, but all its messages of tolerance might resonate better if the Spanish-accented pirate didn’t get drawn with a gold tooth and the turban-wearing Khalil wasn’t an opportunistic rug merchant.”

However, parents and kids must not have been nearly worried about political correctness rated it much higher on Amazon.

When The Game Stands Tall – 2014

When the game stands tall movie


Inspired by a true story, WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL tells the remarkable journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel), who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport. When the streak is broken, and tragedy strikes the team, Coach Lad must teach his players – and the entire town – that it’s not about how you fall, but how you get back up.

The Players
Director: Thomas Carter
Writer: Scott Marshall Smith
Actors: James Caviezel, Alexander Ludwig, Laura Dern, Michael Chiklis
Producer: David Zelon
Composer: John Paesano
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $30,127,963

Hollywood’s cynicism comes out full force in the reviews of this movie. Once again the certified reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes don’t get it with reviews like this one. “almost as bad as that moment in cinematic history when the real Buzz Aldrin has a conversation with Optimus Prime. Should be retitled: When the Facts Don’t Matter.” The reviewers gave it 17% positive ratings while the average viewer gave it 72%.

The viewers at Amazon felt the same way rating it much higher

Fireproof – 2008

Fireproof movie


At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter’s adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules.

Growing up, Catherine Holt always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter…just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being “good enough” for her husband.

Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.

As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: “The Love Dare.” Wondering if it’s even worth the effort, Caleb agrees for his father’s sake more than for his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book’s daily challenges are tied to his parent’s newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened.

While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again. He finally asks his father, “How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?”

When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And—with God’s help—he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife.

But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever…rescuing his wife’s heart.

The Players
Director: Alex Kendrick
Writers: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick
Actors: Alex Kendrick, Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel
Producers: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $33,456,317 + Foreign: $16,980 = Worldwide: $33,473,297

40% vs. 82% is the disparity between the top critics at Rotten Tomatoes and the people who watched the movie. One critic revealed his true self with this review. “Fireproof stops becoming relatable to us all and only to the already, or easily, indoctrinated.” Talk about arrogance.

The people who have actually watched this movie on Amazon rated it much higher. Maybe Hollywood are the ones that are easily indoctrinated with their own unbelief.

Courageous – 2011

Courageous movie


Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they’re quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God … and to their children?

The Players
Director: Alex Kendrick
Writers: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick
Actors: Alex Kendrick, Kevin Downes, Ken Bevel, Robert Amaya, Ben Davies
Producer: Stephen Kendrick
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $34,522,221

While 86% of the moviegoers on Rotten Tomatoes liked the movie, the critics showed how once again they are out of touch with mainstream America with only 30% of the critics finding anything positive to say about the movie.  However, not only the viewers at Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie high ratings but the viewers at Amazon rated it much higher.

The Nativity Story – 2006

The nativity story movie


In a story of profound faith revered by much of humanity, one young woman struggles with the destiny for which she is chosen–to give birth to the Son of God and to become the object of salvation for billions of souls–a deeply moving journey told in A Nativity Story. The Academy Award-nominated star of Whale Rider, Keisha Castle-Hughes, portrays Mary, a young wife and soon-to-be mother upon whom a seemingly impossible burden will be placed. Over the two years before the birth of Jesus, as Mary realizes that she will bear a child fated to change the world, she discovers the inner strength, faith, and grace that have earned her the veneration of billions of people for two thousand years.

The Players
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Producers: Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey
Cinematographer: Elliot Davis
Composer: Mychael Danna
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $37,629,831 + Foreign: $8,802,433 = Worldwide: $46,432,264

Once again Hollywood was unimpressed giving it a 38% favorability rating and reviews like this one. “a filmed Sunday-school lesson that favors a dry, by-the-Book approach over even a suggestion of dramatic interpretation. It’s more a Christmas pageant than a movie.” The average viewer liked it much better giving it a 78% favorability rating. That goes for the viewers at Amazon as well, rating it much higher.

Soul Surfer – 2011

Soul surfer movie


13-year-old Bethany Hamilton is a champion surfer who was born to be in the water. But after a fun night out night surfing and what should be a fun day in the water, she is attacked by a shark and loses her arm. Rushed to the hospital, she remains calm and maintains her faith in God. Now she has to re-learn how to do everything with only one arm – including how to surf. It will take her friends, family, and her Christian faith to get her back into the water, but if that is where she is meant to be, she will find a way to get there.

The Players
Director: Sean McNamara
Writer: Sean McNamara
Actors: Dennis Quaid, AnnaSophia Robb, Jeremy Sumpter, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Craig T. Nelson
Producers: Sean McNamara, David Zelon
Composer: Marco Beltrami
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $43,853,424 + Foreign: $3,235,566 = Worldwide: $47,088,990

Once again the critics over at Rotten Tomatoes let their anti-faith bias get in the way of letting people know of a good movie. With reviews like this one, “It’s ultimately let down by some heavy-handed sentimentality, an over-abundance of Bible-bashing and some dodgy CGI sequences”, it becomes apparent why the critics gave this movie a 46% favorability rating and the average viewers gave it 30 points above that and even higher at Amazon.

Son Of God – 2014

Son of god movie


Now, the larger-than-life story of The New Testament gets a larger-than-life treatment in the stand-alone feature SON OF GOD. Told with the scope and scale of an action epic, the film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects, and a rich orchestral score from Oscar®-winner Hans Zimmer. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado portrays Jesus as the film spans from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. It marks the first motion picture about Jesus’ life since Passion of the Christ, released ten years ago.

The Players
Actors: Darwin Shaw, Sebastian Knapp, Paul Knops, Darcie Lincoln
Directors: Christopher Spencer
Writers: Richard Bedser, Colin Swash, Nic Young
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $59,700,064 + Foreign: $8,100,000 = Worldwide: $67,800,064

Hollywood once again came against a film about the life of Jesus. Giving it only 21% favorability rating compared to the viewers 74% favorability rating shows just how out of touch they are with mainstream America. This is evidenced by this critic consensus of the movie. “The faithful may find their spirits raised, but on purely cinematic terms, Son of God is too dull and heavy-handed to spark much fervor.”

The fans at Amazon felt very different than the critics rating it much higher. There are over 1000 reviews at Amazon with many saying something like this one. “I watched this movie and I had tears for the simplicity and spontaneous way the actor plays the part of Jesus. That’s how I think of Jesus, a whole heart Master. I will get the Blue Ray as soon as it comes out. Emotions belong to the Spirit. God Bless”

God’s Not Dead – 2014

God's not dead movie


Freshman university student Josh Wheaton attends a philosophy class, where the uncompromising Professor Radisson requires all students to submit a signed statement that the “God is dead” and never existed. When Josh refuses due to his own Christian beliefs, the Professor challenges him to defend his position that his God is real – which leads to a series of confrontational presentations between himself and the professor, with the class as jury.

Josh’s plans to go to law school depend on not failing this class. Josh’s fellow Christian girlfriend urges him not to throw away his future with this meaningless action of defiance. At the same time, Pastor Dave and African missionary Jude attempt to leave town on a trip, but are hindered by curious incidents. Student Ayisha is at odds with her father’s conservative Muslim religious principles. Hotshot businessman Mark acts cynically towards his mentally ill mother, while his famous leftist blogger girlfriend receives bad news from a doctor.

The Players
Director: Harold Cronk
Starring: Kevin Sorbo, Shane Harper
Supporting actors: David A.R. White, Dean Cain, Michael Tait, Jody Davis, Jeff Frankenstein, Duncan Phillips, Willie Robertson, Korie Robertson, Cassidy Gifford, Paul Kwo, Trisha LaFache, Cory Oliver, Marco Khan, Benjamin A. Onyango, Peter Chen, Hadeel Sittu, Jesse Wang, Lenore Banks
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $60,755,732 + Foreign: $1,875,000 = Worldwide: $62,630,732

Hollywood detested this movie. Personally, I think that they are protesting too loudly. It may have hit home more than they wanted to admit. Their viewers on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 74% favorability rating but the critics only gave it a 15% favorability rating. The viewers on Amazon loved this movie as well and rated it much higher.

War Room – 2015

War room movie


Tony and Elizabeth Jordan seemingly have it all—great jobs, a beautiful daughter, and their dream house. But appearances can be deceiving. Tony and Elizabeth Jordan’s world is actually crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. While Tony basks in his professional success and flirts with temptation, Elizabeth’s bitterness only increases.
But their lives take an unexpected turn when Elizabeth’s newest client, Miss Clara, challenges Elizabeth to establish a prayer “war room” and a battle plan of prayer for her family. As Elizabeth begins to fight for her family, Tony must decide if he will make amends.
As Miss Clara wisely says, “Victories don’t come by accident!”

The Players
Director Alex Kendrick
Starring Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer
Supporting actors T.C. Stallings, Beth Moore, Karen Abercrombie, Michael Jr.
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $67,790,117

I think you will agree that Hollywood’s criticism of faith-based movies is getting redundant. With reviews “Slick production values cannot overcome a preachy script full of strained metaphors delivered by wooden actors. Like a corporate promo video for God.” Rotten Tomatoes critics gave this movie a 34% favorability rating while the viewers gave it an 84% favorability rating.

The viewers on Amazon rated it much higher.

Heaven Is For Real – 2014

Heaven is for real movie


Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book, Heaven is for Real recounts the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. Starring Academy Award® nominee Greg Kinnear (Best Supporting Actor, As Good As It Gets, 1997) as Todd Burpo, the real-life father whose son Colton claims to have visited Heaven during a near-death experience. Colton shares the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth … things he couldn’t possibly know.

The Players
Director: Randall Wallace
Writers: Chris Parker, Randall Wallace
Actors: Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Thomas Haden Church
Producers: T.D. Jakes, Joe Roth
Composer: Nick Glennie-Smith
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $91,443,253 + Foreign: $9,889,709 = Worldwide: $101,332,962

The reviewers of Heaven is for Real were more positive about this film than others giving it a 47% favorability rating. They still complained about the spiritual themes in the movie like this. “Heaven Is for Real boasts a well-written screenplay and a talented cast, but overextends itself with heavy-handed sequences depicting concepts it could have trusted the audience to take on faith.”

The viewers on Amazon give this movie rated it much higher.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – 2010

Voyage of the dawn treader movie


Return to the magic and wonder of C. S. Lewis’s epic world in this third installment of the beloved Chronicles of Narnia fantasy-adventure series. When Lucy and Edmund Pensive, along with their cousin Eustace, are swallowed into a painting and transported back to Narnia, they join King Caspian and a noble mouse named Reepicheep aboard the magnificent ship The Dawn Treader. The courageous voyagers travel to mysterious islands, confront mystical creatures, and reunite with the Great Lion Aslan and a mission that will determine the fate of Narnia itself!

The Players
Director: Michael Apted
Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Actors: Ben Barnes, Tilda Swinton, Liam Neeson (voice), Simon Pegg (Voice)
Producers: Andrew Adamson, Mark Johnson
Composer: David Arnold
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $104,386,950 + Foreign: $311,299,267 = Worldwide: $415,686,217

It seems like money talks in Hollywood although the critics at Rotten Tomatoes still could not bring themselves to give this movie a favorability rating over 50% instead of giving it a 49% which was close to the viewers who gave it a 58% rating which is one of the lowest I have seen on Rotten Tomatoes for the faith-based movies.

However, the people who watched the film on Amazon rated it much higher.

As one person said, “Overall, THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, although not quite as magical as the first movie, is still a very entertaining, joyous escapist fantasy which provides a lot of fun for every second of its 115 minutes running time. There are some differences from the book that purists may quibble with, and a couple of scenes that could stand to be either better or at least more fleshed out, but nonetheless it is a pleasure to join the Pevensies on one final adventure in the world of talking animals, monsters, prophecies, and enchantment. Whether the series continues or not, this is a fitting end and a delight from start to finish. Now if only the film could be about 30 minutes longer…”

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian – 2008

Prince caspian movie
The four Pevensie children return to Narnia, only to discover that hundreds of years have passed since they ruled there, and the evil King Miraz has taken charge. With the help of a heroic mouse called Reepicheep and the exiled heir to the throne, Prince Caspian, they set out to overthrow the King, once again with Aslan’s help.

The Players
Director: Andrew Adamson
Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Actors: Warwick Davis, Peter Dinklage, Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Liam Neeson (Voice)
Producer: Mark Johnson
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $141,621,490 + Foreign: $278,044,078 = Worldwide: $419,665,568

This second movie in the Narnia trilogy was liked well enough and is the first to actually get rated as a good tomato at Rotten Tomatoes. Here is what they had to say. “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is an entertaining family adventure worthy of the standard set by its predecessor.” They gave it a 67% favorability rating and the viewers gave it a 74% favorability rating. However, that is still way below what the viewers at Amazon rated it much higher.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – 2005

The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe movie


Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are deported from London to the house of an eccentric professor during World War II. They find life in the house extremely dull until Lucy discovers a wardrobe that leads to a magical world called Narnia, where animals can talk and all are ruled over by the wise and benevolent lion Aslan. The others don’t believe her at first, but soon all of them go through the wardrobe and discover all is not well in Narnia. The land is being kept in a perpetual winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis, who turns anyone who doesn’t obey her into stone. The children join Aslan and the animals loyal to him in an attempt to vanquish Jadis.

The Players
Director: Andrew Adamson
Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Actors: Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Liam Neeson (Voice)
Producer: Mark Johnson
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $291,710,957 + Foreign: $453,302,158 = Worldwide: $745,013,115

I guess money is what motivates critics in Hollywood because this is the first time on Rotten Tomatoes that the reviewers gave a movie higher ratings than the average viewers. The critics give it a 76% favorability rating and the viewers for whatever reason gave it only 64%. This is what the critics had to say. “With first-rate special effects and compelling storytelling, this adaptation stays faithful to its source material and will please moviegoers of all ages.”

The viewers at Amazon rated it much higher.

A commenter wrote, “I just went to see this movie last night and WOW, it is really breathtaking and superbly done. The most important thing that was achieved in that the producers of this film captured the essence of Narnia. You really feel like you’ve been to Narnia and to me that makes the film tremendously powerful.”

The Passion of the Christ – 2004

The Passion of The Christ focuses on the last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s life. The film begins in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus has gone to pray after sitting the Last Supper. Jesus must resist the temptations of Satan. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, Jesus is then arrested and taken within the city walls of Jerusalem where leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy, and his trial results in a condemnation to death.

The Players
Director: Mel Gibson
Actors: Monica Bellucci, James Caviezel
Composer: John Debney
Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $370,782,930 + Foreign: $241,116,490 = Worldwide: $611,899,420

Hollywood was not as thrilled with Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ. Maybe it was because they were faced with what Jesus endured for them as well as for us. One critic wrote this. “
If I were a Christian, I’d be appalled to have this primitive and pornographic bloodbath presume to speak for me.” Obviously, he doesn’t get it because what Jesus did on the cross was that brutal and it does speak for him.

The viewers of the movie totally disagreed with Hollywood’s 49% favorability rating and gave it one of the highest I have seen on Rotten Tomatoes at 80%. Amazon viewers agree and have rated it much higher.

Authors Note:

Many will wonder why I didn’t choose one movie or another to include in this list. It was strictly based on domestic box office receipts and being categorized in the Christian Genre.

I based the list off of this list of 131 Christian Movies at Box Office Mojo.

I would love to hear from you about what you thought of any of these movies.

BTW, there is a special offer going on right now at Pure Flix. The readers of Viral Believer can get a free 30 day trial of their entire collection of faith and family friendly movies. So if you like Christian movies and clean entertainment, check it out.

Pastor duke taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.