New research Shows Most Churchgoers Watch Christian films—and Many Invite Nonbelievers to Join Them
A recent study from Lifeway Research reveals what many pastors and Christian creatives have long suspected: Christian movies aren’t just entertainment—they’re equipping tools for evangelism and discipleship.
According to the report, 68% of Protestant churchgoers say they’ve watched a Christian movie in the past year. Even more importantly, 81% believe Christian films are effective evangelism tools. The findings come as Christian filmmakers continue to produce films that succeed in evangelism and at the box office.
“We live in a visual, video-driven generation. Movies can be great tools to reach people where they are and share biblical truth in the context of an emotional and memorable story,” said The Forge co-producer Stephen Kendrick. “The Holy Spirit continues to use art to point to the glory of Christ and the gospel.”
Young Adults Leading the Way
The study found younger believers are more likely to engage non-Christians through film. One in four churchgoers aged 18–34 invited a non-Christian to watch a Christian movie in the past year. By contrast, only 3% of those aged 65 and older had done the same. Baptist and non-denominational attendees were also more likely than Lutherans or Presbyterians to use movies as outreach tools.
“These findings show that Christian movies aren’t just being consumed—they’re being shared,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “They don’t assume every Christian movie fits every context, but churchgoers broadly see them as effective ways to introduce people to the gospel.”
In 2023 alone, over $500 million was spent on Christian films, including Jesus Revolution and Sound of Freedom, leading the way.
“A new avenue of evangelism has opened up through media, for such a time as this,” stated Kyle Patterson, founder of THRIVE!, a faith-based news and entertainment studio and network. THRIVE! (which publishes THRIVE! News) is launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund it’s expansion into premium news subscriptions and streaming platforms for both faith-based news commentary and Christian films.
A Preference for Christian Media
Not only are believers watching Christian movies more than secular ones—72% of respondents said they intentionally seek out Christian films—but many are engaging further by reading faith-based books. Nearly two-thirds of churchgoers say they read at least one Christian book (not including the Bible) in the past year. However, 31% admitted they hadn’t read any.
Kendrick believes the combination of film and books offers a powerful one-two punch for spiritual renewal. “After the emotion of a movie ends, a Christian resource can bridge people to what the Word of God says about their situation,” he said. Past Kendrick films have inspired books like The Love Dare, The Resolution for Men, and The Battle Plan for Prayer—resources that have catalyzed revival in marriages, men’s ministries, and prayer groups nationwide.
A Cultural Moment for Christian Creatives
The study arrives at a time when faith-based media is gaining broader cultural attention. With mainstream platforms many times hostile to biblical values, Christian creators are finding fresh urgency—and new audiences—through movies, books, and streaming content rooted in Scripture.
Tools like Christian films represent more than just family-friendly alternatives—they’re becoming frontline resources in the Great Commission.
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