8 films in the key of faith that marked 2024

The year 2024 says goodbye, leaving a variety of films that invite us to look at the life of faith with new eyes. From inspiring biographies of saints such as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and Saint Francesca Cabrini, to profound documentaries on the Eucharist and Marian apparitions, this year’s cinema has offered us stories that touch the heart.

Below, we present a selection of the most notable films released throughout 2024.

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of hope and healing

The documentary film Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of Hope and Healing (Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Man of Hope and Healing), co-produced by EWTN and the Saint Pio Foundation, offers an intimate look at the life of the beloved 20th-century Capuchin friar.

Premiering December 7 on EWTN and on Saint Pio Foundation websitecombines testimonies from figures such as actor Gary Sinise and Elia Stelluto, Padre Pio’s personal photographer, with unpublished images and letters that reveal aspects of his life and spirituality. Told in English, the film not only seeks to tell the story of the saint, but also to inspire faith and devotion through the stories of those who knew him or whose lives were transformed by him.

The Forge

The Forge is the most recent film by brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, creators of Christian cinema hits such as War Room. This film explores what discipleship in Christ should be based on and the importance of mentoring based on biblical principles to train the next generation. The film seeks to inspire people to follow Jesus with dedication and relying on a community of faith.

The cast includes well-known figures such as Priscilla Shirer and Karen Abercrombie from War Roomalong with Cameron Arnett (Winner) and the acting debut of Aspen Kennedy. The film can currently be seen in digital format.

Goats

Goats chronicles the inspiring life of Saint Francesca Xavier Cabrini, the first canonized American citizen. Directed by Alejandro Monteverde (Sound of Freedom) and produced by Eduardo Verástegui (Bella), the film tells how this Italian immigrant transformed the lives of the most vulnerable in New York at the end of the 19th century.

Bravely, Cabrini braved disease, poverty, and hostility to build schools, hospitals, and orphanages. She and her religious sisters, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, undertook the dangerous mission of providing housing and education to the most vulnerable.

It premiered on March 8 under the distribution of Angel Studios and is currently can be rented in digital format.

Heartbeat of Heaven: The Eucharistic miracles investigated by Carlo Acutis

Eucharistic Miracles: The heartbeat of heaven (Heartbeat of Heavenin Spanish) recounts Blessed Carlo Acutis’s love for the Eucharist and his research into Eucharistic miracles around the world. The film, aimed at the whole family, contains recordings of Carlo Acutis himself with his original voice, fragments of cartoons about Eucharistic miracles and also fictional recreations of his life. Released in May in the United States within the framework of the National Eucharistic Revival in 2024, it seeks to inspire greater love for the Eucharist and transform hearts.

At the moment, this film is not available via streaming.

Guadalupe: Mother of Humanity

Guadalupe: Mother of Humanity is a moving film that combines historical recreations and real testimonies to explore the impact of the apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe 500 years ago. Through scenes that transport the Virgin’s encounter with Saint Juan Diego, and stories from people in Mexico, the United States and other countries, the film reveals how Mary’s tenderness and power continue to comfort and heal hearts around the world. Additionally, it delves into the mysteries of the tilma, including the hidden messages in the miraculous image.

The film has toured several theaters in the United States and Latin America throughout 2024. It is not yet available for digital rental.

María

the movie María, directed by DJ Caruso and released on Netflix this December, attempts to present the early life of the Virgin Mary and the context of the birth of Jesus, but has received mixed reviews, especially from Catholic viewers. Some creative license with the script and theological representation has raised concerns, such as the omission of key elements and scenes that do not fully align with Catholic doctrine, such as Mary’s painful birth and interactions with Saint Joseph that seem too modern.

According to a review in the National Catholic Registerthe film offers a visually appealing approach, especially for a younger audience, but fails to fully capture the theological depth of the story.

This movie is available and Netflix.

Jesus thirsts: The miracle of the Eucharist

This is a documentary that explores the transformative power of the Eucharist, presenting it as the living presence of Jesus Christ eager to quench the spiritual thirst of humanity. Through conversations with renowned Catholic figures, such as Scott Hahn and Eduardo Verástegui, and moving personal testimonies, the film delves into the biblical origins of this sacrament and Eucharistic miracles that reaffirm the real presence of Christ. The film also highlights the importance of renewing fervor for the Eucharistic Jesus in a time when many people have lost this central faith.

The film, produced by Deacon Steve Greco, premiered in the United States on June 4, 2024 and was screened in more than 1,100 theaters in the country for three days.

The film will also arrive in Latin America soon.

Birth

the movie Birthwhich premiered in September in some Latin American countries, tells the life of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Korea’s first Catholic priest and martyr. In 1845, in the midst of the country’s political and social crisis, Kim Dae-Geon received the vocational call after learning the example of a French priest. Together with his seminary classmates, he travels to Macau to train and become the first priest in the country’s history.

The film directed by Park Heung-sik also shows how this story led the director to convert to Catholicism. The two and a half hour tape was recorded in Macau and various parts of South Korea.

This movie is not yet available for streaming.