SHOW SIDEBAR
6 Christian Movies with Actor Sean Astin That Your Family Will Enjoy

6 Christian Movies with Actor Sean Astin That Your Family Will Enjoy

Actor Sean Astin was born February 25th, 1971, to actress Patty Duke. Sean followed in his mother’s footsteps and began acting.

His films have been hits at the box office, and he has also done many Christian films. I am always excited when I hear of a new film in the Christian genre with Sean Austin.

That usually means it will be a good movie. Here is a movie review for seven Sean Austin movies you should watch.

 

Lord of the Rings Trilogy

We watched the first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy on our honeymoon. My husband and I love these films.

My husband loved the books growing up and introduced them to me while we were dating. Last week my teens watched the Lord of the Rings films and like a lot of people they loved them.

They are long films so if you are going to watch make sure you have set aside a significant portion of time. The Lord of the Rings series was written by the Christian author J.R.R. Tolkien.

These books and movie series are a Christian-themed allegorical presentation of Christianity. Most Christian allegorical presentations center on a hero who imitates Christ in some behavior or decision.

The Lord of the Rings is different. Samwise, a character who is selfless and dedicated to his master, is not a Christ-type hero. Sam is the picture of us on our journey to learn about who God is. J.R.R.

Tolkien also survived fighting in WW1 and those experiences impacted his writings as well.

 

Do you Believe

One of the best movies faith-based films is the story of Pastor Matthew, played by Ted McGinley. Ted meets an elderly man who asks him if he believes in the power of the cross.

The films that make the audience answer a question are the best movies. Sean Astin plays a doctor who tries to remain a skeptic after watching a medical miracle.

We watched this film as a family and my children really enjoyed it. They were pre-teens at the time and they enjoyed the story.

I recommend this as a family movie, and you will find it will open up many conversations to have with your children.

 

Woodlawn

It is important to teach our children about the racial sins of our past. Trying to find a way to do that in a productive way can be hard.

This movie is one that I suggest to the family for just that. While it shows the racial hate and sin of our past, it leaves the audience with peace and hope. "Woodlawn" has an amazing cast with Sean Astin, C. Thomas Howell, Jon Voight, Jon Erwin, Nic Bishop, and Caleb Castille.

If you love Christian football movies, you will enjoy this true story made into one of the most famous movies in the Christian film space.

In this film, Woodlawn tells the story of a football team at a public school that is desegrated in 1973. This impacts competitive sports, and the team has to learn to deal with the racial issues of the day.

A Chaplin named Hank Ermin helps coach Tandy Gerelds, played by Nic Bishop learn through Bible study how to help the team see that God loves all people the same.

This does more than most evangelical movies because it shows the love of Christ in a difficult time in history that was filled with hate.

 

Amazing Love

The first time I heard the story of Hosea I didn’t believe it really was in the Bible. I heard it for the first time as a child.

Since then, it has been a story I think about often. Amazing Love uses the story of Hosea to teach a young teenage girl about God’s love.

Sean Astin directed this film as well as acted in it. This movie tells the story of Hosea and unconditional love.

This is a great movie for your youth group. A fun fact, Sean cast his mother Patty Duke in the movie. Erin Bethea also stars in the movie as the youth pastor’s wife Beth.

This powerful story of redemption will remind you of God’s unconditional love for us. You will be inspired to forgive and show grace and compassion.

 

I Can Only Imagine

This is the song that was sung at the funeral I attended for a young teenager hit by a snowplow during an ice storm. There are many funerals where this song brings them peace.

The true story behind the song is a powerful one. Bart was raised by an alcoholic father, played by Dennis Quaid, who is part of the trauma of his childhood.

Bart joins the high school’s glee club and discovers his gift of music. God uses his gift of music to lead him to his own faith in Christ.

But he has to find a way to find peace with his father. The reason this movie has such a powerful Christian message is that it is a true story with real people.

This is a movie about heaven that will bring you hope and peace.

 

Mom’s Night Out

As a young mom, I remember feeling like I had lost myself. I remember when I was signing my daughter up for school and one of the questions was what hobbies I have. I had none.

My life was wrapped up in the children. I think many moms feel this way. Allyson is a busy mom on the brink of a meltdown. She has not done anything fun with friends in a long time.

She plans a moms’ night out with her friends Izzy and Sondra. Sean plays her husband who gets involved in her mom’s night out and comedy ensues.

Patricia Heaton plays the pastor’s wife who finds herself in prison by the end of the night.

Not a great thing for a pastor to find out. If you are looking for a comedy to watch this is one, I recommended.