Why are Christian movies usually really bad?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#21
Most books are better than movies. Read them instead.
 

mar09

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
1,259
113
#22
I've like a couple (I can Only Imagine, The Case For Christ) and other ones like Passion Of The Christ and Chronicles Of Narnia. But Most Christian moves like those from the Kendrick Brothers, Gods Not Dead franchise, all of those are just really bad. Bad acting, bad directing, bad script, really cheesy and really cliche. And many of those movies have a reasonable budget. So why is it that most Christian movies are just plain terrible and unwatchable? As a Christian I love movies, and I would love to see more movies about my faith, but I want them to be good. I don't understand why they aren't?
I do not know much abt movie budgets.. but knowing the percentage of non- Christian movie makers compared with Christian movie producers is much greater, there are lots more choices of what people say are secular but 'good.'
The disadvantages of Christian movies is there are limitations on topics and subject matter that secular movies don't have. Secular movies have full allowance of creativity in every avenue. Christian movie makers have to follow much stricter guidelines, some because it may cross a biblical border, but also many to pacify other Christians.
And while it is possible to make quality movies within this smaller spectrum, it takes top writers, actors and directors to make it work. Something Christian movies typically don't have. And even within the secular community, and all that they have available, it's rare to see that done well..
I think Sub did reply some to your query. But i dont say Christian movies are plain terrible. Perhaps as in politics, Christians are in the minority, and if we continue to watch many other movies, it's much like supporting them, is it not? We can continue to pray abt the ripe harvest, but so few workers.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,813
7,788
113
#23
we have been mesmerized by slick photography, enhanced surrounding, special makeup, bleached teeth, plastic surgery. Life is about normal people doing normal things, Christian movies may not, nor should they, have the phony glitz and bangles of the world.
 

Socreta93

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2015
2,298
360
83
#24
we have been mesmerized by slick photography, enhanced surrounding, special makeup, bleached teeth, plastic surgery. Life is about normal people doing normal things, Christian movies may not, nor should they, have the phony glitz and bangles of the world.
That doesn't mean Christian movies can't have good acting, a good script, good directing and good cinematography. That is just talented people putting their all in something.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,813
7,788
113
#25
We always have the best story to share after all.
I have never considered Christian movies to be "bad" as I listen to the message, not the medium or the messenger.
blessings
 
Nov 26, 2012
3,095
1,050
113
#26
Challenge accepted! Does anyone have any movie ideas? Let’s write a script. I think an accurate portrayal of end times in the midst of a pandemic will be a good start.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,418
9,407
113
#28
A lot of Christian movies are bad for the same reason a lot of Christian rap and Christian heavy metal is bad. They are making a product they think will sell, but you can tell their hearts aren't really into it. So it comes out sounding forced and kind of lame.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,418
9,407
113
#29
Nevermind, subhumanoidal beat me to the analogy.
 
May 25, 2015
6,149
850
113
#31
I've like a couple (I can Only Imagine, The Case For Christ) and other ones like Passion Of The Christ and Chronicles Of Narnia. But Most Christian moves like those from the Kendrick Brothers, Gods Not Dead franchise, all of those are just really bad. Bad acting, bad directing, bad script, really cheesy and really cliche. And many of those movies have a reasonable budget. So why is it that most Christian movies are just plain terrible and unwatchable? As a Christian I love movies, and I would love to see more movies about my faith, but I want them to be good. I don't understand why they aren't?
I unfortunately have to agree.

However, there are a few I really like!

Have you watched "I Still Believe"?
 
Feb 1, 2020
725
225
43
35
#32
Well most all of the movies anymore are pretty terrible. I think it's more of a general theme that movies suck today, rather than it being specific to Christian movies.
 
Feb 1, 2020
725
225
43
35
#33
A lot of Christian movies are bad for the same reason a lot of Christian rap and Christian heavy metal is bad. They are making a product they think will sell, but you can tell their hearts aren't really into it. So it comes out sounding forced and kind of lame.
This is a superior point!
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#34
there was one called Christian mingle that I thought was ok although a bit fluffy, about a girl,who pretends to be a christian to get a date.
I think if we can laugh at ourselves as christians then just take it for what it is, entertainment.
some things can be bad, but they can be entertaining.

Even the kendrick brothers movies and Gods not dead movies, despite being bad, have some entertainment value. Though I have no idea what the movie Noah was trying to show. I thought it would be about the animals on the ark but no it was someone trying to sneak on the ark and kill Noahs family...?! That wasnt in the Bible...?!
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,813
7,788
113
#35
Perhaps we have been inculcated in this temporal worlds "values" of what is "good" or "bad", when we should be seeing everything through the lens of the Father, which would be the content, the message, and not the glitzi-ness and trappings of the world. We really are in the last of the last days and the time for us to learn to see through the eye of the indwelling Christ is closing.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#36
Perhaps we have been inculcated in this temporal worlds "values" of what is "good" or "bad", when we should be seeing everything through the lens of the Father, which would be the content, the message, and not the glitzi-ness and trappings of the world. We really are in the last of the last days and the time for us to learn to see through the eye of the indwelling Christ is closing.
Exactly whaqt is in the Word,.
We are not to judge by appearances but with right judgment.
This to; judge for yourself what is right, *this means do not oblige others to take your stand.( God knows the hearts of each person.......
Go bless you and thank you for putting these lessons into contemporary and understandable terms.
 
Oct 25, 2018
2,377
1,198
113
#37
I've like a couple (I can Only Imagine, The Case For Christ) and other ones like Passion Of The Christ and Chronicles Of Narnia. But Most Christian moves like those from the Kendrick Brothers, Gods Not Dead franchise, all of those are just really bad. Bad acting, bad directing, bad script, really cheesy and really cliche. And many of those movies have a reasonable budget. So why is it that most Christian movies are just plain terrible and unwatchable? As a Christian I love movies, and I would love to see more movies about my faith, but I want them to be good. I don't understand why they aren't?
I can only imagine, Paul, Apostle of Christ(LOVED that movie), and the three God’s not dead movies were really good, imo. Breakthrough was good(seemed to lean on the charismatic side) and Overcomer was really good. War Room was good, too.
 

Pemican

Senior Member
Sep 27, 2014
959
246
43
#38
Great movies start with a great story from a brilliant writer.
 

bojack

Well-known member
Dec 16, 2019
2,309
1,006
113
#40
Any one seen Sergeant York ?
''Sergeant York'' is one of my favorites , it's old but if you've never seen it you need to .. Most decorated WW1 hero who refused to fight at first ..