10 Successful Christian Films that Turned Hollywood’s Head

#1 — The Passion of the Christ (2004)

An independently financed, Aramaic-Latin Passion narrative shattered every expectation, setting records for R-rated and independent films. Church leaders treated opening weekend like a pilgrimage; media debates made it unavoidable; word-of-mouth sustained it for months.

Its cultural footprint changed how studios talk to faith audiences—and its planned resurrection sequels keep the conversation alive. Whatever your view of its intensity, Hollywood paid attention: faith isn’t a niche when it’s executed with conviction and scale.