How do we keep going when times are difficult? We could all use a reminder that there is a plan for us and movies are one of the most meaningful ways to take in lessons on life, love, faith and strength of character. Here are the best 25 Christian movies on Netflix to watch—at all times of the year, but most especially as we welcome the new year.
1. A Week Away (2021)
A musical, A Week Away is Netflix’s latest faith movie release starring Kevin Quinn and Bailee Madison. Troubled teenager Will Hawkins (Quinn) has two choices after he has a run-in with the law: go to juvie or choose Christian summer camp. The latter more appealing, Will begrudgingly attends camp where he finds a surprising connection in the last place he expected to open his heart to love.
2. Blue Miracle (2021)
Starring Jimmy Gonzales, Dennis Quaid, and Anthony Gonzalez, Blue Miracle is the true story about a guardian and his kids finding an unlikely partnership with a boat captain in order to win a fishing competition and save their boys-only orphanage in Mexico. Perhaps you can find faith even out on the water.
3. Come Sunday (2018)
Based on real-life, Come Sunday tells the story of Carlton Pearson, an internationally-renowned pastor who makes headlines when he begins to question church doctrine and ultimately, his faith.
4. God Calling (2018)
Devastation and grief after losing a child lead Sade into a suicidal depression. But somehow, somewhere in her suffering, she finds her way back to her faith, proving not all hope is lost.
5. Fatima (2020)
Fatima takes place in 1917 Portugal. Three children claim to see visions of the Virgin Mary, who passes on a message of unwavering faith. But not everyone is on board with the message; families, neighbors, and even the local authorities raise suspicions as a community divides over the visions.
6. Mary Magdalene (2019)
Starring Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix as Mary and Jesus respectively, Mary Magdalene is the spiritual story of twelve men who heard the message of jesus, but the one woman who understood what the message meant.
7. The Young Messiah (2016)
The Young Messiah tells the story of God’s son, Jesus Christ. When he was seven years old, Jesus and his family left Egypt to return to Nazareth. A beautiful movie that tells the story from Jesus’ young perspective as he grows and evolves into the spiritual icon we know of and praise today, this film is a meaningful educational tool for families and children to learn of Jesus.
8. Notes for My Son (2020)
In this heartwarming but also darkly funny movie Notes for My Son, a woman dying of cancer decides to leave behind a journal of different musings about life (and death) for her toddler-aged son to read after she’s gone.
9. God Bless the Broken Road (2018)
To borrow a quote from God Bless the Broken Road, it’s times like these you really need to lean on your faith. After Amber’s husband is killed in combat, she must find strength in her relationship with God in order to stay afloat, make ends meet and raise her daughter. Starring Patrika Darbo, Kim Delaney and Jordin Sparks, this is a beautiful movie about how grief isn’t just an end, but maybe also, a new beginning. No longer available to stream on Netflix, you can, however, still rent God Bless the Broken Road via Netflix’s DVD plan.
10. The Resurrection of Gavin Stone (2017)
Run-ins with the law are nothing new to Gavin Stone. Once the Golden Boy, this child-star-turned-Hollywood-bad-boy gets sentenced to do community service at a local church and finds himself pretending to be a Christian in order to play Jesus in their annual play.
11. Nothing to Lose (2018)
A faith and spirituality biographical drama, Nothing to Lose follows Edir Macedo’s rise to fame. Adapted from the original version to English, the movie focuses on the controversial Brazilian evangelical leader and how he built the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God and RecordTV—the second-largest TV network in Brazil.
12. Penguin Bloom (2020)
Based on a true story, a mother finds an unlikely way to cope with the aftermath of a life-changing incident when an injured magpie needs her to nurse it back to health. It ends up changing not only her life, but the lives of her family as well.
13. Walk. Ride. Rodeo. (2019)
Based on a true story, a teenage rodeo star becomes paraplegic after a devastating fall, but despite her spinal cord injury, still vows to get back on her horse and compete again.
14. Veggie Tales in the House (2014)
One of the best spiritual, faith-based programs there is, the Veggie Tales franchise is designed to teach children about religion. Of course, Veggie Tales in the House not a movie, but rather a series. Four seasons are currently available on Netflix and kids can follow Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and their other veggie friends as they explore different Christian themes and stories.
15. Good Sam (2019)
An unexpected news story catches the attention of Kate Bradley, a Channel 12 news reporter who decides to investigate a mysterious good samaritan who’s been leaving $100,000 cash on the doorsteps of homes throughout Manhattan. Starring Tiya Sircar as Kate, uncovering the secret identity of the good samartin, AKA Good Sam, might just challenge what she thought she knew.
16. 2 Hearts (2020)
Love has a way of uniting us back with our faith… and with each other. Based on a true story, 2 Hearts examines two parallel love stories—one of a young college student and the other a successful businessman.
17. Voices of Fire (2021)
Voices of Fire is a faith-based docuseries in which Bishop Ezekiel Williams teams up with singer/producer (and Williams’ nephew!) Pharrell in order to create a gorgeous gospel choir that might just be a tad unconventional.
18. Rock My Heart (2019)
A teenage girl born with a heart defect finds purpose in training and riding an unruly Stallion. With strong-willed faith and a belief in a higher purpose, this inexplicable bond between horse and girl may just be a miracle.
19. Our Lady of San Juan, Four Centuries of Miracles (2020)
In Our Lady of San Juan, Four Centuries of Miracles, the Virgin Mary works a miracle on a girl in 1623 Mexico, later colliding with a family four centuries afterward who make a pilgramage to Mexico for their child.
20. Dreamer (2005)
Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer down on his luck when he stumbles upon a one-great racehorse who has seen better days. But with the help of Dakota Fanning, a lot of rehab and training, and a little bit of faith, Crane sets out to ride again—restoring him and his retired racehorse to their former glory days. Next: Candace Cameron-Bure’s Best Hallmark Movies of All Time
