6 Bible-Based Shows and Movies Families Can Watch This Summer
- The Path
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Summer is a great time for family movie nights.
The schedule may slow down a little. Kids are out of school. Families may have more evenings together. And instead of only filling those nights with random entertainment, summer can become a meaningful opportunity to watch stories that lead to deeper conversations about faith, courage, obedience, forgiveness, and God’s faithfulness.
Of course, no movie or show should replace Scripture.
Biblical films and shows are adaptations. That means they often include creative dialogue, imagined scenes, compressed timelines, and artistic choices that are not directly stated in the Bible. Some are more faithful to Scripture than others. Some are best for younger children. Others are better for older kids, teens, or adults.
But when watched with discernment, Bible-based movies and shows can help families become more curious about God’s Word.
They can give children visual context for stories they have heard in church. They can help teens ask better questions. They can give parents natural opportunities to say, “Let’s open the Bible and see what Scripture actually says.”
So here are seven biblically-based shows and movies families may want to consider this summer, along with Scripture connections, viewer guidance, and where to watch.
A Quick Note for Parents
Before watching anything, parents should preview when possible and consider the age, maturity, and sensitivity of each child.
A movie can be “biblical” and still include intense scenes. The Bible itself contains stories of violence, betrayal, suffering, sin, judgment, and death. When those moments are dramatized on screen, they can feel heavier than they do when read aloud.
Use wisdom. Use parental controls. Pause when needed. And most importantly, use these stories as conversation starters, not replacements for family discipleship.
1. The Chosen
Best for: Families with older children, teens, and adults
Viewer guidance: Common Sense Media recommends ages 8+; some scenes may be intense for younger or sensitive children
Primary Scripture connections: The Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Where to stream: The Chosen app, The Chosen website, Prime Video
The Chosen is a multi-season series about the life and ministry of Jesus, told through the eyes of His disciples and the people He encountered. It can help families slow down and consider the humanity of people like Peter, Matthew, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and others.
Families should remember that much of the dialogue and character development is creatively imagined. That makes it a helpful conversation starter, but not a replacement for reading the Gospels directly.
Read alongside: Matthew 4:18–22; Matthew 5–7; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:1–11; Luke 8:1–3; John 3; John 4; John 11; John 20
Family conversation starters:
What did this episode make you want to read in the Bible?
What parts came directly from Scripture, and what parts seemed creatively imagined?
How did Jesus show compassion, authority, and truth?
2. House of David
Best for: Teens and adults
Viewer guidance: Common Sense Media recommends ages 14+ because of war, bloodshed, and mature Old Testament themes
Primary Scripture connections: 1 Samuel, especially 1 Samuel 15–17
Where to stream: Prime Video; Wonder Project through Prime Video
House of David is a dramatic retelling of David’s rise, Saul’s decline, Samuel’s prophetic role, and the early events surrounding David’s calling. It is visually compelling, but more intense than many family Bible adaptations.
This is best for older viewers because David’s world includes warfare, political tension, spiritual rebellion, and family conflict. For teens, it can open meaningful conversations about courage, calling, leadership, and the kind of heart God values.
Read alongside:1 Samuel 15; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Samuel 17; Psalm 23; Psalm 27; Psalm 51
Family conversation starters:
What made David different from Saul?
Why does God care more about the heart than appearance?
How does the Bible describe courage?
3. David
Best for: Families with children, preteens, and teens
Viewer guidance: PG; Angel Studios notes action, violence, and some scary images
Primary Scripture connections: 1 Samuel 16–17 and selected themes from David’s early life
Where to stream: Netflix, Angel Studios; also available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home
The animated film David is a strong family-friendly option for a summer movie night. It presents David as a shepherd, musician, future king, and young man who faces Goliath.
The key is to help children see that David is not the ultimate hero of the Bible. God is. David’s courage matters, but his confidence is rooted in the Lord: “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).
Read alongside:1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Samuel 17; Psalm 23; Psalm 8; Psalm 27
Family conversation starters:
Why did people underestimate David?
What did David believe about God that gave him courage?
How can we trust God when we feel small?
4. The King of Kings
Best for: Families with children and preteens
Viewer guidance: PG; includes thematic material, violent content, and some scary moments
Primary Scripture connections: The Gospels — especially the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Where to stream: Angel Studios; also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home
The King of Kings is an animated retelling of the life of Jesus in a format designed to be accessible for families. It can help younger viewers get a broad picture of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.
Because the story includes the crucifixion, parents should be prepared for serious moments. Even when handled gently, the suffering of Jesus is weighty. The good news is that the cross is not the end of the story. The resurrection is central.
Read alongside:Luke 2; Matthew 5–7; Mark 10:45; Luke 15; John 19–20; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Family conversation starters:
What did Jesus teach about God’s kingdom?
Why is the resurrection so important?
What does it mean that Jesus is King?
5. The Prince of Egypt
Best for: Families with elementary-aged children and older
Viewer guidance: PG; Common Sense Media recommends ages 8+ because of intense themes and some violence
Primary Scripture connections: Exodus 1–14, with some connection to Exodus 19–20
Where to stream: YouTube Free with ads; also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home
The Prince of Egypt remains one of the most powerful animated Bible-based films for families. It tells the story of Moses, Israel’s slavery in Egypt, God’s call, the plagues, Passover, and the Red Sea crossing.
The movie makes creative choices, especially around Moses’ relationship with Pharaoh, so families should compare the film to Scripture. The central theme is not simply Moses becoming brave, but God seeing, rescuing, and delivering His people.
Read alongside:Exodus 1–4; Exodus 7–12; Exodus 14; Exodus 20:1–17
Family conversation starters:
What did God see when His people were suffering?
Why was Moses afraid to obey God?
How does the Exodus story point forward to Jesus?
6. Joseph: King of Dreams
Best for: Families with elementary-aged children and older
Viewer guidance: Common Sense Media recommends ages 8+; includes betrayal, slavery, prison, false accusation, and intense dream imagery
Primary Scripture connections: Genesis 37–50
Where to stream: Available to rent or buy on platforms like Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and other digital stores; availability may vary by region
Joseph: King of Dreams introduces families to Joseph’s story in a musical, animated format. It is a helpful companion to The Prince of Egypt because Joseph’s story explains how Israel’s family eventually ended up in Egypt.
Parents should be ready to discuss jealousy, betrayal, suffering, forgiveness, and God’s providence. Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20 capture the heart of the story: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
Read alongside: Genesis 37; Genesis 39–41; Genesis 45; Genesis 50:15–21
Family conversation starters:
Why were Joseph’s brothers jealous?
How did Joseph remain faithful when life was unfair?
What does Joseph’s story teach us about forgiveness?
