There are a ton of amazing christian spiritual movies on netflix that will not only entertain you but also inspire you. Whether you’re looking for a movie to watch with your family or you just want to find a good movie that will help you feel better, we have you covered.
Come moviewatcher
If you’re looking for a christian spiritual movie on netflix, look no further than Come Sunday. This Netflix original tells the true story of a prominent evangelical pastor who changes his mind about the afterlife. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, the film is a thought-provoking film that will leave you questioning your own beliefs.
The movie begins by revisiting the life of Carlton Pearson (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a prominent pentecostal pastor whose charismatic ministry helped bring 5,000 black and white worshipers together each week at his megachurch in Tulsa, Okla. In the late 90s, he started to believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be saved from Hell without having to make a conscious decision to follow Jesus. It defied the orthodoxy of his church, which began to atrophize and eventually abandoned him.
But when he loses his uncle to suicide and sees a television special about people dying in Africa, ostensibly without ever hearing the name of Jesus, Pearson’s convictions take a turn. He starts to feel guilty about not helping those he can save, and also compassionate for those who can’t.
While Hollywood often fails to get into the nuances of faith, director Joshua Marston gets it right with his Netflix original. His script is a little blunt at times, but it accords sympathetic moments to all its characters.
It’s a rare film that questions religion without judging or condescending, which should draw both religious and non-religious viewers to the Netflix Original. Based on a 2005 episode of Ira Glass’ This American Life, the story is about one man’s journey of personal growth and faith. This is an important story, and one that deserves to be told more often.
God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness
God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness is the third film in the series, which continues to focus on church and state issues. This time, they revolving around a public university trying to close down a controversy-sparking church on its campus.
The story begins with pastor Dave Hill (David A.R. White) being arrested and jailed for refusing to turn in copies of his sermons after being ordered to do so by a court. When he gets out, his church, St. James, becomes a target of campus protests as students demand that the church be removed from its location on the grounds of Hadleigh University in Hope Springs, NC.
When the university tries to use its power of eminent domain, David is thrust into a legal battle against the university. His estranged brother Pearce (John Corbett), who is an attorney, comes to his aid.
But while the court case is raging, Dave is also dealing with personal matters and his relationship with Pastor Jude (Pastor Jules) isn’t what it once was. As he tries to get through this, he’s thrown off course by his own flaws, and it takes him a while to realize that the most important thing is to love his family.
Director Michael Mason, who helmed the first two films, does a much better job of humanizing the characters. He does a lot to show that Dave is a genuine, flawed person who doesn’t always know how to act. He also shows that Christians shouldn’t be afraid to love and forgive others because they know that God is good. But this isn’t an entirely satisfying movie.
In-Lawfully Yours
After her cheating husband dies, Jesse (Chelsey Crisp) moves from New York to Bethel Cove, Virginia, and helps her recently widowed mother-in-law Naomi pack up the house. Her candid wit, quirky questions and big city ways clash with the local community but eventually win her over to their pastor Ben (Joe Williamson).
As they navigate life in this small town, Jesse and Naomi find themselves falling in love. The relationship gets them into trouble with the church ladies and Chaz tries to sabotage their chances of happiness.
The Christian element is incorporated gently into the story, without it feeling like a religious sermon or being preachy at all. It’s the kind of wholesome film that families will enjoy watching and discussing together.
Corbin Bernsen, who directed and produced the movie, says it’s a fun, light-hearted story with a strong cast that he believes works on all levels of spirituality. He’s a “questioning” Christian who doesn’t take everything at faith-value, and he wanted to write something that was able to be enjoyed by people of all beliefs.
In-Lawfully Yours also filmed in Virginia, a state that offers tax incentives for production companies to shoot there. Bernsen is hoping that Maine will offer similar incentives in the future, encouraging more movies to be made here.
The film received a very warm reception at its final showing in Cape Charles last month. The screening was hosted by Regent University and attended by neighbors who gathered at a theater to feast their eyes on the film. After the show, actors greeted guests on stage and said they would consider shooting another movie in the area. It was a fitting end to the film’s eight city tour and was a great way to say goodbye to 2016.
Breakthrough
Christian spiritual movies on netflix are a great way to spend an evening with your family. These films are usually entertaining but also communicate deep messages about faith, belief, hope and the Christian walk. They’re also a great way to inspire your family and encourage them to live life to the fullest.
One of the top rated Christian films is Passion, Mel Gibson’s hyper-bloody depiction of Jesus’ final hours. But if you’re looking for something a little more in-depth, check out Breakthrough.
In this movie, a young boy gets miraculously healed after his mother prays for him to get well. It stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas and Topher Grace.
This speculative tale is about a 7-year-old boy who can perform miracles like raising the dead and healing the sick. He struggles with his inherited special gift and wonders if God has a plan for him.
It’s also a story of survival and redemption. Upon realizing his life has a meaning, John reconciles his survival and rebuilds relationships with those who’ve been alienating him.
Another great film about a boy’s faith is Soul Surfer, which tells the story of Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm in a shark attack and struggled to find a way to continue surfing. She eventually teaches others about her faith and helps them overcome their own challenges.
There are many other films that focus on Christians and their struggles, but these three are a great starting point for a new family movie night. If you’re interested in watching more, check out some of the other Christian-themed movies we have on our list.
The Young Messiah
The Young Messiah, based on Anne Rice’s 2005 novel Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, envisions a year in the life of Jesus at age 7. It’s a pious drama that, like all christian spiritual movies on netflix, draws inspiration from Scripture and aims to deliver an inspired message.
Despite attracting conflict, a young Jesus (Adam Greaves-Neal, All at Sea) begins to live into a life that goes far beyond the small boy he appears to be, yet his parents, Mary and Joseph, remain protective of him and unsure of just how much to share with him.
When a rumor spreads that the child has escaped his father’s bloody purge, Herod the Great sends his ruthless Roman centurion Severus to hunt him down and bring him to justice. Sean Bean, as the seasoned tribune, gives a masterful performance, balancing the violence with his character’s humane sense of duty.
But The Young Messiah also takes the Bible’s narrow-path admonitions about the importance of obedience to one’s parents too lightly. It’s too bad, because the film hints at what might have been, but doesn’t quite pull it off.
While a few moments of truth are revealed, such as the miracle that changed water into wine at the wedding in Cana, this story is more about the journey of faith and forgiveness than it is about any particular event. Even so, The Young Messiah isn’t a bad movie.
It may appeal to a Christian audience that’s already familiar with the Bible, and it’s a Dove Seal for children 12 and over, but it’s unlikely to draw casual Christians, and it could struggle to earn its modest budget back. But it’s worth checking out, if only to see a film about Jesus that isn’t merely a fantasy or a conspiracy theory.