Last year, we asked you to vote in our Christian Movie Madness. Sixty-four contenders went head-to-head to determine the greatest Christian movie of all time. We had films about Jesus, Paul, Moses, Jonah and Samson. Three Narnia movies and three God’s Not Dead films made it into the lineup. Biopics, movies based on books and even VeggieTales flicks were in the mix. And in the end, you chose a winner.
But the one thing that Christian Movie Madness couldn’t do was account for films that hadn’t yet been released. Luckily, that’s what the Plugged In Movie Awards are all about.
Our nominees for Best Christian Movies told stories about families and individuals alike. Some were blatant in their Christian messaging; others chose a more subtle approach. But all shared one common denominator: They all expounded on the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Vote for your favorite teens’ movies released in 2025 at this link. Voting closes March 1, and we’ll announce winners by March 11.
(Summaries written by Paul Asay, Bret Eckelberry and Kennedy Unthank.)
Between Borders (PG-13)
Based on a true story, Between Borders chronicles the saga of Violetta and Ivan Petrosyan, longtime residents of Azerbaijan who are forced to look for a new home when the Soviet Union (of which Azerbaijan is a part) begins to crumble.
See, the Petrosyans are actually Armenian—and that makes them a target. Many Azerbaijanis would kill them if they could. And if they can’t manage that, well, just making their lives miserable will have to do.
The Petrosyans eventually find their way to the United States, discovering new opportunities and challenges therein. But they also find Jesus. And that discovery turns their lives upside down.
Between Borders, starring The Chosen’s Elizabeth Tabish, isn’t your standard Christian film. It’s grittier than most, digging into the difficulties of finding a new home under unimaginable duress. It doesn’t pretend that becoming a Christian solves all your problems, but it does stress how faith can change lives. And that makes Between Borders worth watching.
(Watch Paul Asay’s conversation with Elizabeth Tabish about Between Borders on Plugged In’s YouTube channel. The conversation begins at about the 24-minute mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrCnU8NnUl4)
Dot Conner: Webtective (PG)
Dot Conner: Webtective the TV show earned a glowing review from us. So it’s only fitting that Dot Conner: Webtective the movie would find itself in our good graces, too.
Of course this time, the stakes are higher. Dot Conner finds herself wrapped up in an international crime conspiracy after her dad gets kidnapped by Russian conspirators.
Through the journey, Dot learns an important scriptural lesson in control: namely, that she is not in control, and that’s perfectly fine, since God is. Dot comes to understand that God will provide the strength she needs to be content in her circumstances. As a bonus to that lovely message, Dot Conner: Webtective comes with small content concerns, too, leaving the film a clean watch for families.
The King of Kings (PG)
Charles Dickens wrote The Life of Our Lord to help tell the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection to a child audience. The first child to hear this account? His own son, Walter.
Upon seeing The King of Kings’ stacked celebrity cast, reviewer Kennedy Unthank wasn’t too hopeful that the movie would be an accurate telling of Scripture. But this Angel release defied his expectations. He felt that its depiction of how the crucifixion saves little Walter Dickens (and us, too!)—sinking Jesus into the deep in our place—was wonderful.
To be clear, the movie’s use of modern English vernacular muddies the theology of a few biblical passages. So parents may want to clear up with their kids. But mindful parents will have no trouble using this movie to discuss the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with their little ones.
Light of the World (PG)
Young John has been hearing about the Messiah since before he could lace up his sandals, a mighty king who will right all wrongs for the Jewish people. He hopes the Messiah will come soon—it would sure be nice to get out from under the thumb of all these awful Romans. Soon enough, John crosses paths with a certain carpenter, and his life (and the world) is forever changed.
Most of us have read, heard or watched the story of Jesus plenty of times. But Light of the World brings some new narrative twists—and one or two concerns. Like other movies based on Scripture, it takes some creative liberties, and those additions might be discomforting to some.
But Light of the World still comes with aesthetic oomph—rendered in beautiful 2D animation—and, more importantly, a heart for Christ.
Soul on Fire (PG)
When John O’Leary was 9 years old, he accidentally set fire to a can of gasoline. The result? His family home was destroyed, and John was left with third-degree burns over most of his body. He was optimistically given a 1% chance to live. But live he did and more.
The real John O’Leary is now a motivational speaker, using his own life experiences to encourage others to live without fear. Paul Asay categorized Soul on Fire, the movie based on O’Leary’s story, as “quietly Christian” in his review.
O’Leary’s faith and those of the people around him are gently threaded into the fabric of the story. But make no mistake: This film is very much grounded in sin and salvation, regret and redemption. And when O’Leary plays “Amazing Grace” on the piano—with a hand missing most of its fingers—it’s a tear-jerking end to an amazing, inspirational story.
(Watch Paul Asay’s conversation with the real John O’Leary about Soul on Fire on Plugged In’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtkoosLuYiU&t)
Cast your vote for the Plugged In Movie Awards here!
Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments. And check out our nominees for Best Movies for Kids, Best Movies for Adults and Best Christian Movies.
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