23 Best Christian Movies for Inspiration
There is a time and place to watch funny movies with friends or a sweet romantic comedy with your significant other. But if you're looking for something inspiring and family-friendly, our selection fits the bill.
Some of the Christian films are actual retellings of Bible verses, while others are about embracing or fighting for your faith in general. There are also those that simply offer good lessons about paying it forward or being kind to others.
We are always drawn to examples where the hero strives to overcome obstacles and achieve his dreams, because this gives us the strength to move forward in our own lives.
Family friendly
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Mel Gibson's film about the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ. Events develop in the Garden of Gethsemane and end with the painful torture and death penalty of Christ - crucifixion.
Andrey Rublev (1969)
The film tells about the actions of a monk (the role of Anatoly Solonitsyn). Despite all the obstacles, he does not stop painting icons. The director of the film managed to colorfully show the story of a religious man who tries to rise above all the vague events around him with the help of art.
Babette's Banquet (1988)
1871 The film shows how people live in an ordinary Danish village. An ordinary French housekeeper tries to breathe life into her two sisters, who have become terribly pious. They believe that they should continue the work of their recently deceased father, who was a pastor. As a result, they slowly begin to turn into a religious sect.
Ben-Hur (1959)
This film is a classic epic. A Jewish dignitary is subjected to treacherous betrayal by a Roman who is his friend. Ben Hur meets the first Christians on his way and goes through all the obstacles and suffering with difficulty. But after all this, he can exact his revenge.
Note:
Biblical stories (films): list in order.
Little Flowers of St. Francis (1950)
The film, shot in Italy, tells the story of the unusual life of Francis of Assisi. He was the founder of one of the movements among monks in Catholic Europe. The main character is a person who has absorbed exclusively positive qualities. He is a true role model for his students.
Francis (1989)
The film tells the story of Francis of Assisi. He is a strong spiritual leader. He challenges all the values and foundations of his generation. The hero himself is a simple person and is not afraid of poverty. The film reveals the problem of acute social injustice among the Italians who lived during this historical period.
The Gospel of Matthew (1964)
The film is one of the most accurate adaptations of the Gospel story about the life of Jesus, which was made by Italians. The director of the film shows all the events extremely meticulously and realistically, using special video materials. The narrative does not deviate one step from the Gospel text.
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
A stunning drama that tells the story of Thomas More and seven years of his life. Thomas was Henry VIII's chancellor. At one time, he died a painful death of the brave, without betraying his ideals during cruel religious persecution and persecution. The excellent work of the actors helps one to plunge headlong into this complex and heartfelt picture.
Mission (1986)
Period 1750s. Spain shares with Portugal many of the best Jesuit Indian missions. The picture does not focus on the theme of religion. It reveals more about the social aspects of the colonial era and all its shortcomings and injustices. The film is beautifully shot. The film specifically shows different visions of the problem of achieving justice. One priest follows a more peaceful path and does not resort to violence, while the other, in turn, leads the Hindus into battle against the colonial army with extraordinary determination.
Mister Vincent (1947)
The film takes place in a simple French village, which is suffering from the consequences of a devastating plague. An ordinary hard worker, Vincent de Paul, works surrounded by the poor and oppressed citizens, ordinary villagers and other hard workers. Vincent decides to appeal to the aristocrats and defends the idea of creating charitable works for the poor. But all this happens only when the hero himself dies in 1660.
The Word (1955)
This is a Danish painting that tells the story of the majestic power of faith that brings a woman back from the other world. The work tells the story of a rural family for which agriculture is the only occupation. The family is seriously concerned about their son's madness and obsession, but it is nothing less than his faith that works the miracle.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
The film tells the story of the well-known and tragic story of the famous Maid of Orleans. The film especially focuses on Jeanne's internal struggle. She struggles with both ordinary human fear and the desire to simply survive, as well as a sense of duty and calling, which are supported by her spiritual strength.
Teresa (1986)
The drama, created by the French, tells the story of the life of a famous person - the Catholic saint Therese of Lisieux. The film contained a place for many important moments from her life, such as her seclusion in a women’s monastery or her death from tuberculosis. The film reveals to the viewer the story of a man who, among an entire religious community, was able to find joy for himself, his place and holy simplicity.
Goodbye Children (1987)
Director Louis de Malle created a film that tells the story of a simple priest. The priest dared to hide three Jews in his Catholic school, for which he was arrested and sent to a concentration camp. The director conveys all the events truthfully, as his youth was filled with similar events, and this film is a tribute to the personal experience of life of an ordinary Jew during the Holocaust.
Burmese Harp (1956)
The film is about a pronounced anti-war position. A Japanese soldier who was seriously wounded in Burma is healed by a Buddhist monk. The soldier decides to devote his life to searching for the remains of soldiers killed in battle in order to bury them with honor. The film used footage of many brutal battles, but the main idea of the film was to show the price of human life and the need for redemption of people who died in the war.
Decalogue (1988)
This series of ten hours of programs was specially created for Polish television to explore and show the relevance of the Ten Commandments in our day. All of them appear in the lives of various people who live in an ordinary Warsaw communal apartment. The stories do not carry a religious meaning, although they are based on moral conflicts that arise as a result of violating God's commandments.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
One good man faces serious problems. He faces financial difficulties on the eve of Christmas. The main character decides to commit suicide, but is faced with his guardian angel. The angel shows him how important and necessary his life was to those who were close to him.
The Seventh Seal (1956)
The action takes place in the Middle Ages, when a disillusioned knight returns to a place that has been ravaged by an all-consuming plague. The knight decides to confront death. The bet itself consists of a simple game of chess for the life of a knight. In the process, he manages to save more than one life. The picture contains a deeper meaning that connects spiritual suffering and the lack of meaning in life.
St. Augustine (2010)
The Roman Empire was mired in the invasion of Vandals. Pagans and early Christians set up their customs here. Augustine was an orator, and now a bishop and writer. He then becomes a witness to what is happening.
Rating 12+
A wonderful film based on a wonderful book by Veniamin Kaverin. This answer came to mind immediately, although it is quite difficult to choose one from the many quality films.
I remember the impression that the painting “Two Captains” made on me as a child. After watching, all the guys repeated the motto: “Fight and search, find and don’t give up.” They wanted to be like Sanya, the main character, who was wonderfully played by Moscow Art Theater artist Alexander Mikhailov.
After all, what good moral principles Sanya has, I wanted to follow these principles, follow them. And everyone, as one, hated Romashka’s disgusting actions.
The film fosters courage, inner strength, talks about such concepts as honor, friendship, love, shows how disgusting betrayal is, says that you need to live not only for yourself - all this in a relatively small one-episode film. In which, in fact, there is no edification or teaching.
But it has lyrics, a captivating plot, and therefore it looks like a breeze.
The film was shot in 1955 by director V. Vengerov based on the novel of the same name by V. Kaverin. Kaverin, together with E. Gabrilovich, was also the author of the script. Cast: A. Mikhailov, O. Zabotkina, A. Adoskin, E. Lebedev, B. Belyaev, L. Shkelko.
Recommended by Yulia Varentsova, director and screenwriter
Orthodox cinema (Russian)
Pop (2009)
During the Great Patriotic War, Baltic clergy missionaries spent 4 years reviving the church in the northwestern territories of the USSR. When Soviet troops arrived in these areas, the Pskov mission was stopped and the priests were sent to camps.
Priest-san. Confessions of a Samurai (2015)
Driven by clan wars in his homeland, Takuro Nakamura, baptized by Father Nikolai and a Japanese Orthodox clergyman, goes to the Russian outback. Here Andrei Nelyubin is trying to smoke out the locals to carry out land fraud, but Father Nikolai is ready to restore the church and save the village.
Island (2006)
When Anatoly and Tikhon were transporting coal during the Great Patriotic War, the Germans captured them. To save himself, Anatoly commits treason and shoots his comrade. The enemies left Anatoly alive, but at the same time abandoned him on a mined barge. He manages to escape with the help of the monks living here on the island. Many years later, Anatoly is known as a righteous elder, to whom people come from all over for help, but his own sin of murder torments him all this time.
The Monk and the Imp (2016)
In the second half of the 19th century, Ivan Semenovich arrived at the monastery. Along with the monk Ivan, evil spirits also came to the monastery, tempting him on any occasion. It is still unknown whether Ivan’s spiritual strength will be enough to resist the Legion.
Tsar (2009)
In 1565, the Moscow state suffered from the Livonian War and famine. Ivan the Terrible sees only betrayal in everything. The guardsmen rule by lawlessness. And only Metropolitan Philip, who was a friend of the Tsar in childhood, decides to fight back.
Documentary - about faith, church and saints of God
There are a lot of really good documentaries about God, about the life of monks in monasteries, about churches and elders, so it’s worth looking for them.
Rating of the best Orthodox documentaries:
"Russian Righteous" (2012) from TV
A series of films consisting of 8 parts, which show the life path of the Saints. The heroes of the stories were the princes of Rus', Hieromartyr John Vostorgov, Patriarch Tikhon Belavin, saints - Alexander Nevsky, Daniil of Moscow, Innocent of China, Abbess Taisiya Leushinskaya, etc., as well as ordinary people trying to adhere to Orthodox traditions.
"The Road to the Temple" from TV
A manual used in Sunday schools. The themes of the films correspond to the lessons: God, the visible and invisible world, Personality, Family, Church, Prayer, etc.
"God's Law"
Spiritual and educational video lessons that will introduce adults and children to the basics of religion: prayers, icons, Christian symbols and talk about the lives of the Saints.
"Way of the Cross"
The history of our country is connected with the formation of Orthodoxy. The Church unites nationalities, characters, families, it preserves the integrity of the state.
"School of Repentance"
A series of programs aimed at studying the church from the inside. 8 programs will tell about the thoughts, conversations and deeds of church teachers and fathers. The collection of conversations “Passion - Diseases of the Soul” conveys the conversation of the priests about fornication, anger, despondency, etc. The collection “Secrets of Christianity. About Holy Communion" will tell you what the duty of a Christian is and how often one should receive communion.
From the conversations “Difficulties in preparing for confession” you can learn everything about sins and their atonement. The conversations “On the Path to Salvation” are based on the works of the Holy Fathers and Teachers of the Church. The many different themes of the programs will definitely make you think.
Based on real events
Chariots of Fire (1981)
The film tells about the Olympic Games that take place in Paris. Two young Englishmen, overcoming many obstacles on their way, try to win gold medals. Each of them pursues their own goals. One of them is a Jew who seeks to destroy the public's anti-Semitic beliefs with his victory. The other is a pious Scot who does all his deeds for the glory of God.
Do not miss:
The best historical films of all time - list.
Miracles from Heaven (2016)
This story actually happened and only real events make us believe what is happening, because the story is more like pure fiction. Only after seeing everything with your own eyes will you understand that this is true. For those who have lost everything, there seems to be no hope left, but faith keeps people alive and moving on. And then a miracle happens.
90 Minutes in Heaven (2015)
Don Piper is a father and husband. He has a happy and regular life, but a car accident ruined it. The man crashed, and rescuers still have to record the time of death. But an hour and a half has passed and Don returns to life. Now his body is constrained by paralysis, but this does not prevent Don from rejoicing at his return: having experienced clinical death, he experiences a miracle.
Billy: The Early Years (2008)
Billy Graham is known as the most iconic figure in 20th century evangelicalism. But what was he like in his younger years? How did he become a servant of the faith? This historical drama follows Billy in his early years when he meets Charles Templeton, a faithful follower of God.
Padre Pio (2000)
Biography film about Father Pio - Francesco Forgione. One day, in the monastic choir, stigmata appear on his hands, which did not stop bleeding for the next 50 years. He went to a monastery in the hills of Gargano, where he spent his life until his last breath.
Exorcist's Apprentice (2020)
According to the plot of the film, every day more and more cases of demonic possession appear in the world. And although the highest ranks of church ministers are skeptical about exorcism, seminarians from a special school are involved in the work. One of them is a capable guy, Daniel. Together with an experienced mentor, he sets out on his first case and immediately encounters a powerful evil - a child possessed by a demon has killed his entire family. Daniel must look into the dark depths of his soul and face his own demons in order to defeat his opponent.
Selection on the topic: 20 best films about exorcists
Trailer
Original title : The Seventh Day Genre : Horror, detective Actors : Guy Pearce, Vadir Derbez, Stephen Lang... Country : USA Rating : Kinopoisk – 5.2, IMDb – 4.5 Age restrictions : 18+
New products 2016 – 2022
Christ on Trial (2017)
An atheist with an unshakable belief in the absence of God, he is willing to do anything to disprove his wife's faith. But all his efforts aimed at exposing one day led to unexpected results that changed his whole life.
New Life (2016)
When Ben and Ava met, they were only 7 years old. From then on, their lives were closely connected, but then tragedy struck. Now their future is at risk. Perhaps this is the final point in their relationship.
Shack (2017)
The main character experiences a serious tragedy in life, but it is precisely this that is accompanied by mystical events. He is invited to meet with the Almighty in a secluded place, far from people.
I Believe (2016)
Matthew Peyton is a businessman who is torn between making money and funding the Christmas festival. Having made certain decisions, he ceases to be popular and falls under the hot hand of his employees. One day Matthew met Clarence, a boy who believed in miracles. And now our hero has to make the most difficult choice in life - to help others or to make himself better.
Silence (2017)
In the 18th century, two Jesuit priests were subjected to severe violence and persecution during a long journey. They were approaching Japan to find their mentor. It is for the priests to continue to spread the Christian Gospel. This incident fatally changes their destinies.
These are all the best Christian films that make you think about life and that everyone should watch. There are films for children, for family viewing, and fiction based on real events. If you know any other Orthodox or any other films about faith, especially recent ones from 2022 - 2022, be sure to write to us.
