Key Takeaways:
- The entertainment industry has seen a surge in faith-based content, including films and television shows that explore spirituality and Christianity.
- The success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David" has led to a renewed interest in faith-based entertainment, with studios investing in more projects that cater to this audience.
- The definition of "faith-based" content is subjective, and some filmmakers and studios resist labeling their projects as such, despite their exploration of religious themes.
- The trend is not limited to Christian content, with other faiths and spiritualities being represented in various forms of media.
- The success of faith-based content has been driven by a combination of factors, including improved storytelling, increased demand, and the willingness of studios to invest in these types of projects.
Introduction to the Trend
The entertainment industry has undergone 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 low-budget, niche productions, but rather includes big-budget, star-studded projects that are garnering critical acclaim and commercial success. The upcoming film "David," a musical biblical epic, has already exceeded $14 million in pre-sale tickets, while the Fox Nation series "The Saints" has been the most-watched on the platform. According to Traci Blackwell, head of targeted content for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, "there has been a revival, a revolution of sorts, of spirituality and faith content."
The Impact of "The Chosen"
The success of "The Chosen," a drama series about the life of Jesus, has been a significant factor in the growth of faith-based content. The show, which was launched in 2017, initially struggled to find an audience, but has since become a massive hit, grossing over $116 million domestically. The show’s success has paved the way for other faith-based projects, with studios and filmmakers taking notice of the demand for this type of content. As Neal Harmon, CEO and co-founder of Angel, noted, "it was like pulling teeth to get people to watch it," but once they did, it paid off.
Defining Faith-Based Content
The definition of "faith-based" content is subjective, and some filmmakers and studios resist labeling their projects as such. For example, the 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 their exploration of religious themes. 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 Content
The success of faith-based content has led to a renewed interest in this type of programming, with studios investing in more projects that cater to this audience. However, it is unclear whether this trend will continue or if it is simply a short-term fad. As Jason Klarman, Fox News Media’s chief digital and marketing officer, noted, "Hollywood usually follows money," and the success of faith-based content has been driven by a combination of factors, including improved storytelling, increased demand, and the willingness of studios to invest in these types of projects. Despite the uncertainty, many Christians are celebrating the trend, with Phil Wickham, a Grammy-nominated Christian recording artist, noting that it’s been gratifying to see the success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David."
The Role of Studios and Filmmakers
Studios and filmmakers are playing a significant role in the growth of faith-based content, with many investing in projects that explore themes of faith and spirituality. For example, Lionsgate is set to premiere "I Can Only Imagine 2," a sequel to the 2018 biopic starring Dennis Quaid, which was one of the highest-grossing Christian films of all time in the United States. Similarly, Angel is set to release a host of religious films, including "Zero A.D.," a biblical epic about the Massacre of the Innocents recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. As Andrew Erwin, co-director of "I Can Only Imagine 2," noted, "for the first time, movie studios are really giving us a fair shake," and the quality of the content has improved significantly in recent years.
Conclusion
The growth of faith-based content in the entertainment industry is a significant trend that shows no signs of slowing down. With the success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David," and the willingness of studios to invest in this type of programming, it is likely that we will see more faith-based content in the future. While the definition of "faith-based" content is subjective, and some filmmakers and studios resist labeling their projects as such, the impact of this trend on the entertainment industry is undeniable. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how faith-based content continues to shape the types of stories that are told and the audiences that are catered to.
