8 Faith-Based Movies To Watch With Your Family This Holiday Season
This week, you may have days off of work, and students get days off for school. But it’s an untraditional holiday this year for many, as the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the CDC to recommend against traveling or gathering with anyone outside your household.
It leaves plenty of time to explore your various streaming subscriptions—but you may be wondering where you should start.
Whether you’re gathered in the living room or just gathered on a virtual watch party, these movies are great for your family this holiday.
The Two Popes:
Tired of participating in family discussions about politics and theology? Watch these fictionalized Catholics argue about the finer points of God, the church and faith in “The Two Popes.”
Read more: "The Two Popes" needs a reality check
The movie is historically inaccurate — but maybe it’ll offer a good escape that still poses several interesting questions. Plus, “The Two Popes” features award-nominated performances from Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce as Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (who would become Pope Francis), respectively.
“The Two Popes” is available to stream on Netflix.
Bonhoeffer:
If you prefer to watch a movie to learn something (or have cousins that are really into history), check out this biography on German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
The documentary addresses World War 2 and the influence Bonhoeffer had in protecting Jews with the help of the church — plus the personal faith and conviction that led him to take a stand. It offers a great introduction to Bonhoeffer as a man and a more rarely-discussed aspect of WW2.
“Bonhoeffer” is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Clouds:
Make no mistake — “Clouds,” a new Disney original, is a tearjerker. It tells the true story of teenager Zach Sobiech, who died in 2013 after battling osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. His family of devout Catholics must come to terms with losing Zach, and Zach must come to terms with his terminal cancer. But his response to the situation is one that’s inspiring.
Read more: "Clouds" tells true story of Catholic teen with terminal cancer
“Clouds” is a sweet and genuine Disney movie. It offers a great chance to reflect on faith, hope and the fact that there’s always something to be thankful for.
“Clouds” is available to stream on Disney+.
Prince of Egypt:
“Prince of Egypt” is an animated musical feature from DreamWorks that tells the story of Moses, from his early childhood to his leading the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt. In the process, he discovers his identity as an Israelite and encounters God for the first time.
The movie features an original soundtrack and an all-star voice cast. It’s colorful and pleasing to watch, almost as if it’s a storybook come to life.
“Prince of Egypt” is available to stream on Hulu.
Hillbilly Elegy:
“Hillbilly Elegy,” released for streaming just this week in time for the holiday, is based on the 2016 memoir of J.D. Vance. Vance describes his upbringing in rural Appalachia with a drug-addicted mom and history of abuse in the family. The movie, which hopes to serve as an Oscar-grab for female frontrunners Amy Adams and Glenn Close, has received significant criticism.
Read more: Why "Hillbilly Elegy" is worth watching
The book once served as a way for urban liberals to understand white, evangelical conservatives. The movie isn’t politicized much at all, and instead is more like a family drama. Even if you don’t like it, you can watch it to see what the fuss is all about.
“Hillbilly Elegy” is available to stream on Netflix.
Joseph: King of Dreams:
“Joseph: King of Dreams” was written as a companion piece to “Prince of Egypt,” as it adapts the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh.
The movie is another animated classic, featuring an all-star cast and beautiful animation. Look out for the animated sequence of the Pharaoh’s prophetic dream, which Joseph successfully interprets — and what gave the movie its title.
“Joseph: King of Dreams” is available to stream on Netflix.
Same Kind of Different as Me:
Based on the bestselling memoir, “Same Kind of Different as Me” tells the story of wealthy couple Debbie and Ron Hall as they befriend homeless man Denver Moore.
Though not explicitly or overwhelmingly religious, the movie contains the same tones and message as other faith-based movies: that we’re all made in the image of God, and unselfish love contains a transformative power.
“Same Kind of Different as Me” is available to stream on Netflix.
I Still Believe:
“I Still Believe” is both a love story and a somber reflection of whether or not faith is worth it. It’s based on the life and first marriage of Christian singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp. As Camp’s wife Melissa dies of terminal cancer, he gives up his faith and has to wrestle with his belief in God if He’s willing to allow people to suffer.
Read more: How "I Still Believe" overcomes one of Christian films' biggest problems
The movie subverts tropes usually found in Christian movies and contributes to the full experience of being a Christian as portrayed in cinema.
“I Still Believe” is available to stream on Hulu.
Jillian Cheney is a Poynter-Koch fellow for Religion Unplugged who loves consuming good culture and writing about it. She also reports on American Protestantism and Evangelical Christianity. You can find her on Twitter @_jilliancheney.