Posted on 11/28/2024 4:56:06 PM PST by SeekAndFind
As Thanksgiving approaches, there’s no better way to unite the family than by enjoying heartfelt, faith-filled films that inspire connection and gratitude.
This year offers a rich lineup of family-friendly movies perfect for the holiday season, blending timeless values with memorable storytelling.
From historical dramas like “Bonhoeffer” and uplifting musicals to festive Christmas tales like “A Little Women’s Christmas,” these films provide something for everyone.
For families looking for films celebrating courage, compassion or the transformative power of faith and forgiveness, the following pages highlight five must-watch movies to add to the Thanksgiving entertainment list.
From Angel Studios, “Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin” hit theaters on Friday, diving into the complexities of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life — a pastor who plotted to assassinate Hitler in the name of justice and moral responsibility.
The film highlights Bonhoeffer’s transformation from a promising academic to a man willing to risk everything for what he believed was right, eventually losing his life. At just 27 years old, Bonhoeffer denounced Hitler from the pulpit, declaring that no leader could supplant God.
Jonas Dassler stars as Bonhoeffer, the founding member of the Confessing Church. “Then I Will,” the end-title track for the new film, written and performed by Lauren Daigle, declares obedience to God’s calling, even in the face of death.
The film, rated PG-13, does include mild language and some intense scenes.
Director Todd Komarnicki, an outspoken Christian, told The Christian Post that Bonhoeffer’s story of moral courage resonates today not because of his superhuman strength but because of his struggles and doubts.
“What I found in Bonhoeffer was a man who wrestled deeply with God,” Komarnicki shared. “He doubted, he questioned, and yet he acted. He saw injustice and stood against it. He saw Jews being othered, and he fought for them. He saw the Gestapo infiltrating his church, and he preached against it. All of this came from a purity of courage rooted in his love for God.”
"A Little Women's Christmas" premiered Saturday on Great American Pure Flix as a contemporary retelling of the beloved classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, following the lives and loves of the March sisters in a small Tennessee town at Christmas.
"'A Little Women's Christmas' is a new Christmas classic in the making, with an incredible ensemble cast and an adaptation of an original story that is one of the best I have read," said Great American Media president and CEO Bill Abbott. "Louisa May Alcott was intentional about focusing on the culture of young women, their hopes, ambitions, and dreams, and it remains one of the most widely read and beloved stories ever written."
Jo March is played by Jillian Murray, Trevor Donovan stars as Friedrich "Fritz" Baehr, Meg March is played by Jen Lilley, Laura Osnes plays Beth March, Julia Reilly is Amy March, and John is played by Jesse Hutch. The one-and-only Gladys Knight performs "Joy."
The film was shot in Franklin, Tennessee, where Hutch resides. He recently gave a behind-the-scenes look at the film on his social media accounts.
"Producing with our company, acting with our friends, our new film 'A Little Women's Christmas' is officially filming," he posted on Instagram. "We have a rocking cast & crew … Coming this holiday season to Great American Family [and] Great American Pure Flix."
Currently playing in theaters, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" tells the story of the Herdman children, a group of unruly siblings notorious for their mischief who inadvertently end up in the lead roles of a church Christmas pageant.
As they wreak havoc on the holiday production, the unlikely stars teach the community an unforgettable lesson on the spirit of Christmas.
The film, directed by "The Chosen" creator Dallas Jenkins, stars Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Lauren Graham and several of "The Chosen" cast members.
A family-friendly film with a Gospel message, "Pageant" has grossed over $25 million at the box office.
Jenkins told CP that he hopes the film becomes a Christmas classic, adding that, like "The Chosen," the story's honesty makes it relatable for all audiences.
"At the end of the day, a good scene is a good scene, and the only thing that's different between comedy and drama is sometimes the timing of the edit or the delivery," he said. "You might change a little bit, but if you watch 'The Chosen,' you'll see there's a lot of humor in it, too, which people don't normally expect from a Bible project.
"I always love bringing humor to something. But the best thing to do is, whether it's comedy or drama, tell the truth. When you tell the truth, when it feels real, it doesn't feel like you're trying to manipulate the audience, the humor comes through even stronger."
(L-R) Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, Mason Nelligan, Pete Holmes, Essek Moore, Dallas Jenkins, Beatrice Schneider, Kynlee Heiman, Judy Greer, Lorelei Olivia Mote and Ewan Wood attend "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" Los Angeles Premiere at The Grove on Nov. 02, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate
One of the most hotly-anticipated movies this year, "Wicked" delivers a powerful message about compassion, understanding and the importance of not judging others by their appearances.
The central theme — that individuals are often misunderstood or mistreated because of external differences — resonates with the biblical values of empathy and love for others, regardless of their circumstances.
In theaters Nov. 22 and rated PG, "Wicked" is a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," telling the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and her school days when she first befriended popular girl, G(a)linda. The musical follows the two as they start as roommates who detest each other but gradually form a deep, transformative friendship.
Directed by John Chu, "Wicked" stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as G(a)linda.
Although the film contains magical elements and some intense moments, these are balanced by its positive messages and its commitment to celebrating familial love, courage and redemption.
Premiering this month (Nov. 16) on Great American Pure Flix, "A Christmas Less Traveled" follows the owner of "The Dine and Dash" diner, Desi (Candace Cameron Bure), who must sell her beloved, mint condition, cherry red 1964 Ford F-100, a gift from her deceased father, to pay the bills.
As Desi visits the vintage truck one last time, she discovers a recorded message from her dad on an old audio cassette. Desi's Dad's voice sends her and "Old Red" out to retrace her family's most memorable moments one last time. Just as the journey begins, Desi meets Greyson (Johnson), who offers her a generous payment in exchange for a ride to "close the most important deal" of his life. Little do Desi and Greyson realize the less traveled road will reveal more about each of them than they could have ever known.
Bure described the film as "a movie that's full of hope and also faith, and talks a lot about forgiveness."
"There's a message of faith and faith themes throughout the movie that I know really resonates with the Great American Family audience," she told The Christian Post.
Planning to watch Mary Popping in about 5 minutes.
And Wicked is gay, gay, gay and a bit gay.
Watch a classic, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
We watched Reagan and The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Enjoyed both movies.
I’ve heard bad about Bonhoeffer. It takes too much liberty with history.
Wicked explores the villain.
Wrap that crap up in any package you want. No
What about a Charles Bronson marathon ? Deathwish, The Mechanic, The Evil That Men Do ?
Blazing Saddles anyone ??
Metaxis made Bonhoeffer out to be an evangelical. He wasn’t. He was a good man though.
“Scent of a Woman” is my Thanksgiving go to.
Better than wicked.
By far
All but one is gay/simp material. No thanky.
Free State of Jones
Lincoln Lawyer
Matthew McConaughey stars in both.
“Dutch” and “Grumpy Old Men” here. Then, after the tree is up, we treat Thanksgiving like a gateway holiday and start in with “Christmas in Connecticut” and go from there.
A Man For All Seasons with Paul Scofield used to be on every year. I haven’t seen it in a long time now, but it’s a great film.
Daughter saw Bonnhoeffer yesterday. Said it was awesome!!!
Us too!!!
I see Disney’s “woke” reboot of the classic “Snow White” didnt make the list...../s.
Rotflol.
Bonhoeffer is definitely worth seeing…..I saw it this week
There you go! “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” One of the best.
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