Remember the pre-pandemic days when faith-based movies were released, frequently, in theaters?
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait much longer to enjoy that experience again.
At least a half-dozen faith-centric movies will be released in theaters in the coming months, beginning with a movie about Aretha Franklin and continuing with two films each by the Kendrick and Erwin brothers.
The list includes documentaries, biopics and a sequel. It even includes a possible Oscar contender.
Here are six Christian movies coming to theaters this fall:
Photo Credit: ©Universal
1. Respect (Aug. 13)
A young girl named Aretha overcomes multiple tragedies to become a legendary singer. It’s the biopic of Aretha Franklin, who became a soul and gospel music star after learning to sing as a young girl in church. The movie features Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) in the lead role and Forest Whitaker (Black Panther, Rogue One) as her father, C.L. Franklin.
The movie is not for children, but it nevertheless has strong biblical themes. It also begins and ends with gospel music. Perhaps this one isn’t a “Christian film” in the traditional sense, but it has enough Bible in it to make you shout “amen.” Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, strong language including racial epithets, violence, suggestive material, and smoking.
Photo Credit: ©Sony
2. Show Me the Father(Sept. 10)
It’s the first documentary from Christian filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, and it spotlights a major biblical subject: fatherhood. The film weaves inspiring stories of earthly fathers--such as those of former NFL coach Sherman Smith and Focus on the Family’s Jim Daly--with truths about the fatherhood of God.
Uplifting and motivating, the film has two or three “you’ve got to be kidding me” moments--a rarity for the documentary genre. Unrated.
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3. The Jesus Music (Oct. 1)
The rise of contemporary Christian music is documented, from its origins during the 1960s countercultural movement, to the 1990s, to the modern-day. This fascinating documentary includes interviews with dozens of people, including TobyMac, Kirk Franklin, Lauren Daigle, Amy Grant, Bill Gaither, Eddie DeGarmo and Greg Laurie.
Christian filmmakers Jon and Andrew Erwin directed it. A book is being released as a tandem to the film: “The Jesus Music: A Visual Story of Redemption as Told by Those Who Lived It,” written by Marshall Terrill.
Photo Credit: ©Sony
4. Courageous Legacy (Oct. 15)
A sheriff’s deputy pledges to become a better father after tragedy strikes. He then encourages other men on the police force to do the same. Courageous Legacy is a remastered and updated version of Courageous, the 2011 hit movie that celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Courageous Legacy includes new scenes, new music and an additional ending. The new ending – director Alex Kendrick told Crosswalk – reveals what happened to the main characters 10 years down the road. Rated PG-13 for some violence and drug material.
Photo Credit: ©Lionsgate
5. American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story (Dec. 10)
A seemingly washed-up quarterback climbs from grocery store worker to Super Bowl-winning quarterback. American Underdog is the story of Kurt Warner, who played college football at the University of Northern Iowa but was unable to land a spot on an NFL team. He then worked at a Hy-Vee grocery store before getting another chance in the pros.
Jon and Andrew Erwin, who made I Can Only Imagine and I Still Believe, directed it. It has not been rated.
Photo Credit: ©Peak Pictures
6. God’s Not Dead: We the People (Fall)
A pastor speaks out in defense of a group of homeschool families after they face government persecution. Eventually, he is called to testify before Congress in a landmark hearing.
This is the fourth film in the God’s Not Dead series and stars David A.R. White, Isaiah Washington, William Forsythe, Antonio Sabato. Jr, Francesca Battistelli and Judge Jeanine Pirro. God's Not Dead: We the People will be in theaters between Oct. 4-6. It is not yet rated.
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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.