Key Takeaways:
- Hollywood has seen a surge in films and television shows that explore themes of faith and spirituality, with many performing well at the box office.
- The success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David" has led to a renewed interest in faith-based entertainment.
- Studios are recognizing the potential of faith-based films and television, with many investing in projects that explore themes of faith and spirituality.
- The definition of "faith-based" programming is complex, with some films and shows exploring themes of faith without being explicitly religious.
- The trend towards faith-based entertainment may be a long-term shift, with many industry professionals expressing a desire to continue producing high-quality content that explores themes of faith and spirituality.
Introduction to the Trend
The entertainment industry has seen a significant shift in recent years, with a growing number of films and television shows exploring themes of faith and spirituality. This trend is not limited to small, independent productions, but is also being seen in big-budget Netflix films and A24 indies. The success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David" has led to a renewed interest in faith-based entertainment, with many studios recognizing the potential of these types of projects.
The Success of Faith-Based Entertainment
The success of faith-based entertainment is not a new phenomenon, with films like Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of the Christ" performing well at the box office in the past. However, in recent years, there has been a surge in the number of faith-based films and television shows being produced, and many of these projects are performing well with audiences. For example, the first season of the Fox Nation series "The Saints" was the most-watched on the platform, and the upcoming musical "David" has already exceeded $14 million in theatrical pre-sale tickets.
The Impact of "The Chosen"
The success of "The Chosen" has been a significant factor in the growth of faith-based entertainment. The show, which was launched in 2017, has grossed over $116 million domestically since it began being distributed theatrically in 2023. The show’s success has led to a renewed interest in faith-based entertainment, with many studios recognizing the potential of these types of projects. As Neal Harmon, CEO and co-founder of Angel, noted, "It was like pulling teeth to get people to watch it. People have this idea that faith means cheesy or preachy. And we had to break through that barrier."
Defining Faith-Based Programming
Defining what constitutes faith-based programming can be complex, with some films and shows exploring themes of faith without being explicitly religious. For example, the upcoming film "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" explores themes of belief and guilt, but is not typically considered a religious film. Similarly, Martin Scorsese’s "The Last Temptation of Christ" and Paul Schrader’s "First Reformed" are not typically thought of as Christian films, despite exploring themes of faith. As Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in "The Chosen," noted, "I wouldn’t characterize it so much as overtly Christian. It’s a historical drama that centers on Jesus."
The Future of Faith-Based Entertainment
It is difficult to say whether the current trend towards faith-based entertainment is a long-term shift or a short-term fad. However, many industry professionals are expressing a desire to continue producing high-quality content that explores themes of faith and spirituality. As Jason Klarman, Fox News Media’s chief digital and marketing officer, noted, "Hollywood usually follows money. Even when the trend ends, we’ll still be doing it." With the success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David," it is likely that we will see more faith-based entertainment in the future.
The Significance of the Trend
The trend towards faith-based entertainment is significant, as it reflects a growing interest in exploring themes of faith and spirituality in popular culture. As Phil Wickham, a Grammy-nominated Christian recording artist, noted, "Growing up, anything that was Christian media felt so preachy. Even as a pastor’s kid, it was a turn off. But now I think there’s just more opportunity to tell bigger stories over the course of a series and more people willing to really dig in and tell something with excellence and beauty." The trend towards faith-based entertainment may also reflect a desire for more nuanced and thoughtful explorations of faith and spirituality in popular culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the trend towards faith-based entertainment is a significant development in the entertainment industry. With the success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David," it is likely that we will see more faith-based entertainment in the future. The definition of faith-based programming is complex, and the trend may reflect a growing interest in exploring themes of faith and spirituality in popular culture. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the trend towards faith-based entertainment develops and whether it will have a lasting impact on the industry.