Movies
Faith-Based Drama Movies
A short, honest guide to faith-based dramas worth your evening, and who each one is really for.
Faith-based drama has grown from a handful of low-budget films into a steady stream of stories about marriage, fatherhood, grief, doubt, and hope. The list below is a starting point rather than a ranking. Each entry is a drama that takes faith seriously and tells a story rather than preaching a sermon, with a quick note on what it is about and who tends to love it.
The Chosen
2017 to present · Created by Dallas Jenkins
The first multi-season series about the life of Jesus, told through the people who met him. The natural starting point if you want a long, character-driven story rather than a single film.
War Room
2015 · Directed by the Kendrick brothers
A struggling marriage is met by an older woman who teaches a wife to fight her battles in prayer first. The movie that put prayer-closet faith on the big screen.
Courageous
2011 · Directed by the Kendrick brothers
Four fathers are confronted with what it means to lead their families well after a loss reshapes their priorities. A drama aimed squarely at fatherhood.
Fireproof
2008 · Directed by the Kendrick brothers
A firefighter works through a forty-day challenge to save his marriage. One of the earliest faith-based dramas to reach a wide audience.
I Can Only Imagine
2018 · Directed by the Erwin brothers
The true story behind the song of the same name, tracing a son's hard relationship with his father and the grace that reaches both. A story about forgiveness more than music.
Overcomer
2019 · Directed by the Kendrick brothers
A coach and a struggling student find their identity in something steadier than results. Built around the question of who you are when everything else is stripped away.
Risen
2016 · Directed by Kevin Reynolds
A Roman officer is ordered to investigate the missing body of Jesus after the crucifixion. A resurrection story told from the outside looking in.
The Shack
2017 · Directed by Stuart Hazeldine
A grieving father wrestles with God after an unthinkable loss. A drama about suffering and trust that sparked plenty of conversation about how it pictures God.
Heaven Is for Real
2014 · Directed by Randall Wallace
A small-town pastor's young son describes a visit to heaven during surgery, and the family and church work out what to make of it. A gentle film about doubt and hope.
Soul Surfer
2011 · Directed by Sean McNamara
The true story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who returned to competition after losing an arm in a shark attack. A faith-anchored sports drama for the whole family.
New to the genre? Start with The Chosen for a long, character-driven walk through the Gospels, then pick a single film from the list that matches the season you are in. If a movie sends you back to the Bible itself, that is the point.