[Movie Reviews]: Are You Making These Common Movie-Choice Mistakes? A Christian Parent's Quick-Start Guide to Family-Friendly Films

Let me be honest with you: I used to grab the remote and think, "It's animated: it must be fine for the kids." Then my seven-year-old asked why the hero lied to his parents and got rewarded for it. That moment changed how I approach family movie night.

If you're a Christian parent trying to navigate the flood of new releases in 2025, you're probably making some of the same mistakes I did. The good news? Once you know what to look for, choosing faith-affirming films becomes much easier.

The Big Mistake Most Christian Parents Make

Here's the trap: we assume "Christian-safe" means avoiding anything with conflict or struggle. But that's backwards. The most powerful faith-based stories show us how God works through difficulty, not around it. When we only show our kids sanitized stories where nothing bad ever happens, we're not preparing them for a world that desperately needs Jesus.

The question isn't "Does this movie have problems?" The question is "How does this movie handle problems?"

Spring 2025 Movie Reviews: What's Safe and What's Not

Let me walk you through some major releases hitting theaters right now, with the practical information you actually need.

The Minecraft Movie (March 2025)

Christian Safety Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

This video-game adaptation surprised me. While there's plenty of action and mild peril (monsters, explosions, characters in danger), the core story centers on teamwork, creativity, and protecting your community: all values that align with biblical principles.

Content Breakdown:

• Profanity: 3 mild words ("crap," "stupid," "butt")

• Violence: Cartoon-style combat; no blood or gore

• Spiritual content: Fantasy magic system (crafting, potions)

• Positive themes: Sacrifice, working together, stewardship of resources

Parent Insight: The fantasy magic might concern some families, but it functions more like engineering than witchcraft. The protagonist learns that selfishness destroys community, while generosity builds it up: a lesson straight from Philippians 2:3-4.

Best for: Ages 7+

Elio (June 2025)

Christian Safety Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Pixar's latest follows a boy mistakenly identified as Earth's ambassador to an alien confederation. This one's a winner for families seeking wholesome entertainment.

Content Breakdown:

• Profanity: None

• Violence: Slapstick humor, no real danger

• Spiritual content: None (science fiction setting)

• Positive themes: Identity, honesty, courage to be yourself

Parent Insight: The film beautifully explores what it means to represent others well and the courage it takes to be honest when you're in over your head. It's a great conversation-starter about integrity and how God sees us beyond our accomplishments.

Best for: Ages 5+

Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action, May 2025)

Christian Safety Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

The live-action remake stays faithful to the animated classic's heart: a broken family finding healing through unconditional love and commitment.

Content Breakdown:

• Profanity: 2 instances ("butt," "stupid")

• Violence: Sci-fi action; property damage; brief frightening images

• Spiritual content: Hawaiian spirituality referenced respectfully

• Positive themes: Adoption, family, forgiveness, redemption

Parent Insight: "Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind" might be one of the most gospel-adjacent messages in mainstream cinema. The film shows a young girl loving the unlovable and refusing to abandon someone everyone else has rejected. That's Jesus in action.

The Hawaiian spiritual elements are presented as cultural rather than prescriptive, making this an opportunity to discuss how different cultures express reverence for creation while pointing to the one true Creator.

Best for: Ages 6+

Superman (July 2025)

Christian Safety Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

James Gunn's reboot takes Superman back to his hopeful roots, but it's grittier than previous family-friendly versions.

Content Breakdown:

• Profanity: 8-12 mild-to-moderate words (mostly "hell," "damn")

• Violence: Superhero combat with destruction; some intense moments

• Spiritual content: None explicitly, though Superman functions as a Christ-figure metaphorically

• Positive themes: Hope, sacrifice, choosing good despite temptation

Parent Insight: Superman has always worked as a Christ allegory: an only son sent from above to save humanity, using his power to serve rather than dominate. This version emphasizes Clark Kent's struggle to remain good in a cynical world.

The violence is comic-book style but more intense than Marvel's lighter fare. A few fight sequences might frighten younger kids. The language is mild by Hollywood standards but noticeable.

Best for: Ages 10+

Three Movie-Choice Mistakes You're Probably Making

Based on my own journey and conversations with other Christian parents, here are the traps to avoid:

Mistake #1: Treating All "Christian Films" the Same

Christian cinema includes biblical adaptations, true faith stories, value-centered family comedies, and serious dramas about suffering and redemption. The Chosen and Miracles from Heaven and God's Not Dead all serve different purposes. Know what type of story you're selecting so you can set appropriate expectations for your kids.

Mistake #2: Relying Only on MPAA Ratings

The PG rating tells you almost nothing about spiritual value or worldview. Some PG movies subtly undermine biblical values through mockery of authority, celebration of deception, or normalizing sinful behavior. Meanwhile, some PG-13 films tackle heavy topics with genuine faith perspectives. Dig deeper than the rating card.

Mistake #3: Avoiding Difficult Topics Entirely

Films that address addiction, suffering, doubt, injustice, and failure: handled with a faith lens: create the richest conversations. When your teenager sees how Father Stu portrays redemption from a broken life, or how Sound of Freedom confronts evil with righteous courage, you're equipping them to see God's work in a fallen world.

Sanitized stories produce shallow faith. Stories that show faith working in darkness produce resilient disciples.

Your Quick-Start Strategy for Better Movie Choices

Here's the system I use now:

Before You Stream:

1. Check Plugged In or Christian Spotlight on the Movies for detailed content breakdowns

2. Read the "Bottom Line" from multiple Christian review sites

3. Ask yourself: "What conversation could this create afterward?"

During the Movie:

• Watch with your kids when possible, especially new releases

• Pause for questions if something confuses or concerns them

• Model how to think critically about messages

After the Credits:

• Ask: "What did you notice about how the characters handled problems?"

• Discuss: "Did this match what we believe about [honesty/courage/forgiveness]?"

• Connect: "Where do we see this in Scripture?"

The Bottom Line: Movies Are Discipleship Tools

Every film you allow into your home sends a message about your family's values. I'm not suggesting perfectionism or fear-based filtering. I'm suggesting intentionality.

When you choose films that show faith responding to real struggles: not avoiding them: you're teaching your children that Christianity isn't a hiding place. It's a foundation that holds when everything shakes.

The Minecraft Movie teaches stewardship. Elio teaches integrity. Lilo & Stitch teaches sacrificial love. Superman teaches hope in darkness. These aren't explicitly Christian films, but they carry echoes of the gospel if you have eyes to see and ears to explain.

Your movie choices matter less than what you do with them. The conversation after the credits is where discipleship happens.

Stay Updated on Family-Friendly Reviews

New releases hit theaters every week, and the landscape changes constantly. Rather than navigating this alone, let's stay connected.

For more Christian perspectives on faith, culture, and media that matters to your family, visit laynemcdonald.com. You'll find resources designed to help you grow in faith while engaging the world wisely.

Looking for a church community that understands the challenges of raising kids in today's culture? Check out boundlessonlinechurch.org for a welcoming place to connect, grow, and worship together: wherever you are.

Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. You're not walking this parenting journey alone. We're here, and more importantly, God is here( every step of the way.)