Movie Features Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2026, Crosswalk.com Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:25:33 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/a-very-jonas-christmas-movie-invites-us-to-rediscover-the-joy-of-togetherness-this-season.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/a-very-jonas-christmas-movie-invites-us-to-rediscover-the-joy-of-togetherness-this-season.html Amber Ginter https://www.crosswalk.com/author/amber-ginter/ A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, a new holiday film from Disney+, follows the Jonas Brothers' humorous and heartfelt journey home for the holidays, mirroring themes of family, faith, and finding joy. This nostalgic film offers a unique opportunity to reflect on our own spiritual journeys and the profound longing to return home to the heart of God this Christmas season. Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:52:41 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/4-ways-david-recaptures-the-power-of-the-prince-of-egypt.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/4-ways-david-recaptures-the-power-of-the-prince-of-egypt.html Michael Foust https://www.crosswalk.com/author/michael-foust/ Years before The Passion of the Christ landed in theaters – and long before the Kendrick brothers and Erwin brothers became household names in the faith film industry – a Bible-based movie from DreamWorks wowed audiences with its soaring music and ambitious storytelling.That film was The Prince of Egypt, a 1998 animated musical that told the story of Moses and earned $101 million at the box office, helping set the stage for the modern faith-based film movement and proving that the churchgoing audience would show up at the theater if the on-screen product was not only faithful to Scripture but also entertaining and excellent.The Prince of Egypt has remained the standard bearer in the Bible-based animated film industry since that time, but a new film appears poised to carry that torch into a new generation.That new movie is Angel Studios’ David, an animated musical that tells the story of the Bible’s beloved king – from his days as a shepherd boy, to his defeat of Goliath, to his rise to the throne of Israel.It is the best animated Bible movie since The Prince of Egypt, echoing the power and emotional resonance of that 1998 film. Phil Wickham portrays adult David, while Brandon Engman voices David as a boy. Both are equally impressive as singers and voice actors.David feels like a new family favorite.Here are four reasons why:Photo Credit: Angel Studios Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:30:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/how-do-we-see-gods-moral-law-in-a-marvel-movie.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/how-do-we-see-gods-moral-law-in-a-marvel-movie.html Lisa Loraine Baker https://www.crosswalk.com/author/lisa-loraine-baker/ Movies always have a message to share. Those in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, implicitly reveal God's moral law through its characters' struggles with virtue and vice. Explore the profound theological underpinnings within this blockbuster franchise and gain a new perspective on faith and morality in popular culture. Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:05:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/8-popular-christmas-movies-with-gospel-messages.html https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/8-popular-christmas-movies-with-gospel-messages.html Britt Mooney https://www.crosswalk.com/author/britt-mooney/ Walking through a gift shop, I saw a great apron. Red and black, it had written upon it, “Let’s bake and watch Christmas movies!” For many of us, watching Christmas films remains part of our tradition. We might watch more on streaming services than TV. Some might even still use DVDs. For our family, we choose a combination of newer movies and the classics. Unfortunately, many of the classic or popular Christmas movies don’t talk about Jesus, the whole reason for the holiday. These secularized stories mention “Christmas spirit” and focus on general family traditions or Santa Claus. At the same time, any great story impacts us because it reflects God’s epic redemptive story, the one he’s telling and invites us into. Here we’ll explore how we can see the Gospel in the following eight Christmas movies. Important note: this doesn’t mean you have to watch these movies. But given their popularity, you might be able to introduce a spiritual conversation when others bring them up.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/FTiare Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:26:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/5-questions-for-rian-johnson-about-the-christian-themes-in-wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/5-questions-for-rian-johnson-about-the-christian-themes-in-wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.html Michael Foust https://www.crosswalk.com/author/michael-foust/ The writer and director of the newest Knives Out movie is a filmmaker who considers himself a former Christian – and who says the story’s faith-laden themes were shaped by his own spiritual journey.Rian Johnson is best known as the writer and director of all three Knives Out films, as well as the Star Wars film The Last Jedi.His latest entry, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, debuts on Netflix Dec. 12 and centers on a seemingly impossible murder inside a Catholic church – and Benoit Blanc’s search for the truth behind it.In the movie, Blanc (Daniel Craig) is portrayed as skeptical of all things faith-related, while the church’s leader, Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor), stands as a devout and steady counterpoint. It’s rated PG-13 for violent content, bloody images, strong language, some crude sexual material, and smoking.Crosswalk recently spoke with Johnson about the film’s faith themes. Below is a transcript, edited for clarity.Photo Credit: ©Netflix Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:10:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/22-family-friendly-holiday-movies-to-stream-now.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/22-family-friendly-holiday-movies-to-stream-now.html Carrie Lowrance https://www.crosswalk.com/author/carrie-lowrance/ Discover a heartwarming collection of holiday films from Great American Family and Hallmark, perfect for cozying up with festive treats and loved ones. From touching stories of family and second chances to unexpected romances and holiday magic, this list offers the ideal escape for your seasonal movie marathon. Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:43:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/4-things-parents-should-know-about-zootopia-2.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/4-things-parents-should-know-about-zootopia-2.html Michael Foust https://www.crosswalk.com/author/michael-foust/ Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are, arguably, the best cop duo in Zootopia – catching criminals, breaking open tough cases, and even exposing corruption among top officials.They’re also the unlikeliest crime-fighting team in the city. She’s a bunny. He’s a fox. In any other universe, they’d be natural enemies. But in the friendly confines of their magical city, they’re trusted partners.They are – as the local news likes to say – the first bunny-fox tandem in city history.Unfortunately, their streak of high-profile wins is coming to an end. It begins with a high-speed chase through the city, followed by plenty of damaged property – and then the bad guy slipping away.It’s so embarrassing that Zootopia’s head of police, Chief Bogo, gives them a new assignment and sends them to group counseling, believing they need practice on their teamwork.He also issues a warning.“Fail at this, and I will have no choice but to split you up,” he says.But Judy has a plan to earn back the chief’s trust. It all begins when she learns of an upcoming city-wide gala celebrating the 100th anniversary of the “Weather Walls” – the massive climate structures that allow animals from different regions to live together in one city. It’s at this gala that organizers will put on display the mysterious Lynxley Journal, allegedly written by the late Ebenezer Lynxley a century ago and containing the original plans for the iconic walls.The celebration also coincides with the 100th anniversary of a historic attack by snakes, who supposedly tried stealing the Lynxley Journal before they were forbidden from living in the city again. No snake has been seen since.Judy believes snakes will try – once again – to steal the journal at the gala, and she wants Nick to help thwart the attack. Of course, such an operation will go against the orders of Chief Bogo, who warned them not to go rogue.Judy, though, believes the mission is worth the risk.Will she succeed?The new animated movie Zootopia 2 (PG) follows Judy and Nick as they try to win back their chief’s trust while protecting the city they love.Here are four things parents should know about it:Photo Credit: ©Disney Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:30:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/just-drop-the-blanket-the-moment-you-never-noticed-in-a-charlie-brown-christmas.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/just-drop-the-blanket-the-moment-you-never-noticed-in-a-charlie-brown-christmas.html Jason Soroski https://www.crosswalk.com/author/jason-soroski/ I once played Linus in a first-grade performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. But while working so diligently to learn those lines, there is one important thing I didn't notice then, and didn't notice until now. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:42:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/4-things-parents-should-know-about-movie-wicked-for-good.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/4-things-parents-should-know-about-movie-wicked-for-good.html Michael Foust https://www.crosswalk.com/author/michael-foust/ Glinda is a beloved figure in the Land of Oz as the spokeswoman for their beloved leader, the wizard. The citizens love her. They even sing soaring songs about her. In their mind, she represents all that is good and true – and stands as a shining symbol of everything they hope Oz can be.Her best friend, though, hasn’t had it so – well – good. That would be Elphaba, the green-skinned outsider who once attended college classes with Glinda during the day and stayed up talking at night, forming a deep friendship neither of them expected.Elphaba is known to the citizens of Oz as the Wicked Witch of the West – the magical menace who (supposedly) destroys property and (allegedly) kills people … simply for fun. She flies on a broom and lives in a mysterious lair in the forest – a hideout the Wizard’s palace guard has been desperately trying to locate, but so far without success.The citizens don’t know about their friendship – and Glinda wants to keep it that way.As if things weren’t tangled enough, Glinda’s fiancé – Fiyero – now serves as head of the palace guard and has been firmly instructed to find and capture the witch.Glinda, though, urges him to call off the search.“She doesn’t want to be found,” Glinda tells him. “She’s made her choice.”Will Elphaba ever be found? And can Glinda keep her secret safe?It’s all part of the new musical Wicked: For Good (PG), a continuation of the 2024 blockbuster Wicked that was the third highest-grossing film of the year. Both are adaptations of the stage musical.Here are three things parents should know:Photo Credit: ©Universal Pictures Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:10:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/7-family-movies-sure-to-inspire-you-this-november.html https://www.crosswalk.com/culture/features/7-family-movies-sure-to-inspire-you-this-november.html Michael Foust https://www.crosswalk.com/author/michael-foust/ For most Americans, November is all about Thanksgiving – the roasted turkey, the delicious side dishes, and, most importantly, fellowship with family and friends.But for many Americans, November is also about movies. It marks the start of the holiday film season, with blockbuster after blockbuster rolling into theaters.It’s also a major month for streaming fans, as the biggest platforms release some of their top titles to cater to the at-home crowd, and as studios debut home video releases ahead of the Christmas shopping season. The major streaming platforms have plenty to offer this month. Here are 7 of the best ones for families:Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Deagreez Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:30:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:25:33-05:00