Key Takeaways:
- Hollywood has seen a surge in faith-based films and television shows in recent years, with many performing well at the box office and with audiences.
- The success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David" has helped to pave the way for more faith-based content in the entertainment industry.
- The definition of "faith-based" programming can be subjective, with some films and shows exploring themes of faith and spirituality without being explicitly labeled as such.
- The trend towards faith-based content is not limited to Christian films, with other faiths and spiritual traditions also being represented in movies and television shows.
- The success of faith-based content has been driven in part by the quality of the storytelling and the willingness of studios to invest in these types of projects.
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 big-budget Netflix films or A24 indies, but also includes a range of projects made from a confessional perspective that evangelize or portray a particular faith, often Christianity. The success of these projects has been driven in part by the quality of the storytelling and the willingness of studios to invest in these types of projects. For example, the upcoming musical "David" from Angel Studios has already exceeded $14 million in theatrical pre-sale tickets ahead of its release, demonstrating the strong demand for faith-based content.
The Success of Faith-Based Films
The success of faith-based films is not a new phenomenon, with Mel Gibson’s 2004 epic "The Passion of the Christ" being a notable example. However, in recent years, there has been a surge in the number of faith-based films and television shows being produced, with many performing well at the box office and with audiences. The success of shows like "The Chosen" and "House of David" has helped to pave the way for more faith-based content in the entertainment industry. 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." This trend is expected to continue, with studios like Lionsgate and Angel Studios investing in a range of faith-based projects, including films and television shows.
Defining Faith-Based Programming
Defining what counts as faith-based programming can be a challenge, with some films and shows exploring themes of faith and spirituality without being explicitly labeled as such. For example, the film "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" features 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 and spirituality. This highlights the complexity of defining faith-based programming and the need for a nuanced understanding of the ways in which faith and spirituality are represented in film and television.
The Impact of Faith-Based Content
The impact of faith-based content on audiences and the entertainment industry as a whole is significant. Many Christians celebrate the trend beyond its monetary potential, 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 success of these projects has also helped to pave the way for more faith-based content in the entertainment industry, with studios like Fox Nation investing in a range of faith-based projects, including docudramas and television shows. According to Jason Klarman, Fox News Media’s chief digital and marketing officer, "Hollywood usually follows money," and the success of faith-based content has demonstrated that there is a significant audience for these types of projects.
The Future of Faith-Based Content
While it’s too soon to tell whether the trend towards faith-based content is a short-term fad or a long-term shift in the entertainment industry, the success of these projects has stood out amid an otherwise perilous time in the business. The willingness of studios to invest in faith-based content and the quality of the storytelling have been key factors in the success of these projects. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that we will see more faith-based content in the future, with studios and filmmakers exploring new and innovative ways to tell stories that resonate with audiences. Ultimately, the success of faith-based content will depend on the ability of studios and filmmakers to create high-quality, engaging stories that resonate with audiences, regardless of their faith or spiritual background.
