20 best Christian movies based on true stories you should watch

Christian movies based on true stories do more than entertain, they inspire, ignite prayer, and reflect real-life miracles. Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of Movieguide, explains that such films succeed when they capture spiritual truth and stir hearts toward greater faith. Among the best of them is Breakthrough, which shows the power of unrelenting prayer.

Key takeaways

• Faith-inspired resilience is central in Soul Surfer and Miracles from Heaven, where belief helps characters survive tragedy.
• The impact of Christian movies based on true stories lies in their ability to affirm or challenge faith through relatable struggles.

Christian movies based on true stories

Religious movies focus on the central themes of redemption, forgiveness, love, and compassion. They encourage believers to stay strong in their faith, even when things get tough or seem meaningless. Here are some top Christian movies based on true stories.

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Ordinary Angels (2024)

Based on the real events of the 1994 North American cold wave, the film tells the story of a hairdresser who rallied her community to help a widowed father and one of his daughters who needed a liver transplant. The community’s efforts ultimately saved his daughter’s life.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

This is a real Christian movie starring Andrew Garfield. It tells the story of World War II combat doctor Desmond Doss. As a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, he didn’t believe in using weapons and wouldn’t train on Saturdays. He single-handedly saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa and was awarded the Medal of Honor without compromising his principles.

Soul Surfer (2011)

Soul Surfer is based on Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, an autobiography by Bethany Hamilton. Hamilton is an Australian surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack. With her faith and support from her family and church, she retrained and became a globally renowned one-arm surfer. Hamilton continues to inspire others on TikTok.

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Unbroken (2014)

Louis Silvie Zamperini was a World War II veteran. His plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a mission. He survived on a raft for 47 days before he was captured by the Japanese military and sent to Prisoner-of-War camps. Following his release after the war, he forgave his captors and became a Christian evangelist.

Woodlawn (2015)

Woodlawn tells the story of Tony Nathan, one of the first black football players at Woodlawn High School. Nathan joined the predominantly white football team despite high racial tensions in Alabama. In the film, faith guides Nathan and his coach, Tandy Gerelds, to lead the team to a spiritual awakening.

The Case for Christ (2017)

This is one of the top faith-based true stories about Lee Strobel. He was an atheist investigative journalist who started an investigation to disprove Jesus’ story. However, his studies led him to the opposite, and he became a Christian at 29. He has since become a Christian author.

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Breakthrough (2019)

This 2019 film tells the story of John Smith, a St Louis teenager who drowned in the icy Lake St Louis. He is underwater for 15 minutes and then has no pulse for 45 minutes in the hospital. Miraculously, after his mother Joyce prays, his pulse returns, and he fully recovers.

Unsung Hero (2024)

This movie tells the true journey of David and Helen Smallborne, who moved from Australia to the USA with their seven children after David’s music business collapsed. With nothing but faith and a dream, they rebuilt their lives, homeschooling their kids and relying on church support. Their challenging period ultimately sets the stage for their children, Rebecca St. James, and later for KING + COUNTRY.

The Letters (2015)

The Letters tells the story of Mother Theresa, globally recognised as one of the greatest humanitarians ever. It speaks of her zeal for Christianity and political struggles through her letters.

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Miracles from Heaven (2016)

This is among the best miracle movies based on true stories. It was inspired by the 2015 memoir Miracles from Heaven: A Little Girl, Her Journey to Heaven, and Her Amazing Story of Healing. Christy Beam tells the story of her 10-year-old daughter Annabel, who was miraculously cured of a terminal stomach illness.

Jesus Revolution (2023)

The movie is based on the true spiritual awakening that occurred in Southern California during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It centers on a partnership between a pastor (Chuck Smith) and an evangelist (Lonnie Frisbee), their alliance sparked a nationwide revival with widespread baptisms and the birth of Calvary Chapel.

End of the Spear (2005)

End of the Spear is an adventure movie based on the true story of five missionaries killed by the Waodani people of Ecuador. Steve Saint was the son of Nate Saint, one of the missionaries. He bonds with Mincaye (Mincayani in the film), one of the tribesmen who kills his father. They travel the world together, spreading the gospel.

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The Insanity of God (2016)

This documentary-styled film is on the story of Nik and Ruth Ripken, two missionaries who serves in African countries. They are confronted with the horrors of war and personal struggles, causing them to explore whether their faith is worth it.

October Baby (2011)

October Baby is among the most controversial true-story Christian movies. It is loosely based on the life of Gianna Jessen, an American activist against pregnancy termination. Jessen was born during a failed termination attempt, which left her with cerebral palsy.

90 Minutes in Heaven (2015)

Baptist pastor Don Piper was driving home on 18 January 1989 when he had an accident. This 2015 film, starring Hayden Christensen, is adapted from his 2004 book of the same name. Piper tells the story of how he died in the accident and spent ninety minutes in heaven before he miraculously returned to life.

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Faith Like Potatoes (2006)

Faith Like Potatoes is based on Angus Buchan, a Scottish-Zambian farmer. Buchan moved from Zambia to South Africa in 1976 following political unrest. He later became a full-time evangelist.

The Cokeville Miracle (2015)

This film is based on the Cokeville Elementary School hostage crisis of 1986. Former town marshal David Young and his wife entered the school with a homemade explosive. They took 154 people hostage, demanding millions. Luckily, all the hostages survived, while Young and his wife died.

I'm Not Ashamed (2016)

This is among the heartbreaking true Christian movies. It portrays Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting on 20 April 1999. It speaks of her faith and how it held her until her untimely death.

All Saints (2017)

All Saints tells the real story of a Tennessee preacher who used his church to shelter refugees. He contends with his role in helping the refugees as he is ordered to shut down the church.

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Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

This 2011 film tells the story of Sam Childers, a former motorcycle gang member. He converted to Christianity and travelled to Sudan, where he witnessed war atrocities. He now dedicates his life to rescuing children in the South Sudan war zone.

The best element in a true Christian story film

Faith-based films rooted in real-life events feel powerful because they offer healing, hope, and a sense of divine purpose. But what makes a Christian true-story film resonate? In an interview with Dr. Ted Baehr, a renowned Christian film critic and founder of Movieguide, he said it all begins with ontology.

This means that faith-based movies should be grounded in truth that reflects the nature of God and His presence, even when circumstances seem impossible.

Christian movies that deserve the spotlight

Among the many films that reveal miraculous events and personal transformations, one title stands out for Dr. Baehr: Breakthrough (2019). He said, “(The movie) demonstrates that you must pray with faith and zeal."

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Why do these stories matter?

Christian movies based on real events challenge viewers’ understanding of the power of faith but also affirm it. Dr. Baeher reminds us why that impact is so important:

Movies are constructs, so they are never reality, but a well-told true story may inspire the audience to great faith for their benefit and the benefit of their families and culture.

There are many Christian movies based on true stories. Some tell tales of heroes risking their lives to help others, and others speak of sinners redeemed. All these stories share the theme of faith and how it inspires even the most unlikely people to do good.

Legit.ng recently published a list of the best Easter movies and cartoons. Easter is a time to commemorate Jesus's ultimate sacrifice on the cross for humanity’s sake. It is a time for practising Christians to analyse their lives. It is vital for believers to take Easter and consider the best way to live for God.

There are many Easter movies and cartoons that the whole family can enjoy together. These films provide great entertainment to allow the family to bond. They also offer an avenue for families to consider the Easter holiday's themes. Discover some of the best Easter holiday films in the post.

Source: Legit.ng