Faith on Film

Christian Movies

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Faith on Film

With “The Passion of the Christ” at number 16 in the top grossing films of all time, how have other Christian movies performed at the box office? Let’s take a look at Christian cinema and some of its most popular releases.

Christian Voices

1 in 10

Movies produced per year in Hollywood with a Christian basis (1)

The Dove Foundation, an organization whose main goal is to survey family-friendly entertainment, conducted a public opinion poll regarding perception of the entertainment industry. What did they find? (1)

94% of those surveyed felt that offensive material in movies and TV is increasing.

93% wish to see more family-friendly entertainment.

77% agreed that most entertainment “did not meet their expectations or reinforce values important to them.”

77%

Percentage of American adults identifying as Christian in 2012 poll (2)

Top Grossing Christian Movies

Here is a look at some of the highest-grossing Christian films in history compared to comparably successful secular films: (3, 4, 5)

“The Passion of the Christ”

Year

2004

Synopsis

The final hours and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Lifetime gross

$370,782,930

Compare to

“Spider-Man 2”

2004

$373,377,893

“Heaven is for Real”

Year

2014

Synopsis

A father’s struggle to find the courage to support his son, whose near-death experience gave him a glimpse of heaven.

Lifetime gross

$91,443,253

Compare to

“The Karate Kid”

1984

$90,800,000

“God’s Not Dead”

Year

2014

Synopsis

A college philosophy professor is challenged by a Christian student’s beliefs.

Lifetime gross

$60,755,732

Compare to

“Baby Mama”

2008

$60,269,340

“Son of God”

Year

2014

Synopsis

The life story of Jesus Christ, from his birth to his crucifixion and ultimate resurrection.

Lifetime gross

$59,700,064

Compare to

“The Godfather: Part II”

1974

$57,300,000

“Soul Surfer”

Year

2011

Synopsis

After losing her arm in a shark attack, a surfer must use her Christian faith as a springboard for taking risks again.

Lifetime gross

$43,853,424

Compare to

“Quarantine”

2008

$41,319,906

“The Nativity Story”

Year

2006

Synopsis

The lives and hardships of Mary, mother of Jesus, and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem.

Lifetime gross

$37,629,831

Compare to

“Mars Needs Moms”

2011

$38,992,758

“Courageous”

2011

Synopsis

Four police offers struggling to balance work and fatherhood, as well as their faith.

Lifetime gross

$34,522,221

Compare to

“The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones”

2013

$34,000,000

“Fireproof”

Year

2008

Synopsis

A firefighter facing possible divorce accepts God and things begin to change for the better.

Lifetime gross

$33,456,317

Compare to

“Red Planet”

2000

$33,463,969

Crossover Success

Not only is “The Passion” the top-grossing Christian-themed film in history, it’s also high on the list of all top-grossing films in the U.S.: (4)

Rank, film, U.S. box office gross

1, Avatar, $759,562,778

2, Titanic, $600,788,188

3, The Dark Knight, $533,184,219

4, Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope, $460,998,007

5, Shrek 2, $437,212,000

6, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, $434,974,579

7, Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace, $431,088,301

8, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, $423,416,000

9, Toy Story 3, $414,638,013

10, Spider-Man, $407,681,000

11, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, $402,076,689

12, Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge of the Sith, $380,270,577

13, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, $378,181,000

14, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, $377,019,252

15, Spider-Man 2, $373,377,893

16, The Passion of the Christ, $370,782,930

17, Jurassic Park, $357,067,947

18, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, $351,903,000

19, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, $341,748,130

20, Finding Nemo, $339,714,978

Christian Movies

Sources:

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