The Latest Family-Friendly Production from Angel Studios

Amanda Lauer reviews The King of Kings, an imaginative retelling of the story of Jesus Christ inspired by the work of Charles Dickens.

When it comes to family-friendly Christian entertainment, Angel Studios has corned the market. Their most recent endeavor, the animated film The King of Kings, opens in theaters nationwide on April 11, 2025. Having watched the trailer when we were at another movie recently, I was intrigued to see the movie, which is billed as an imaginative retelling of the story of Jesus Christ, inspired by Charles Dickens.

The movie opens in Dickens’ time, with him narrating A Christmas Carol onstage as his family waits in the wings. Things go astray when his son Arthur’s cat steals the show, and consequently, the latest script Dickens had been working on.

At home, Arthur is sent to his father’s study to be reprimanded but rather than punish his youngest child, Dickens is inspired to share with him a bedtime tale, his latest story, The King of Kings. The movie is a journey of faith, seen through young Arthur’s eyes.

A Thoroughly Entertaining and Engaging Movie

Between the outstanding animation and the all-star voice cast, including Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan, Mark Hamill, Roman Griffin Davis, Forest Whitaker, Ben Kingsley, and Oscar Isaac, the movie is thoroughly entertaining and engaging. But what truly makes this a wonderful film for the entire family — school-age children and up — is the story itself.

Jesus’ life is portrayed in brief segments ideal for even the shortest attention spans, but touches on the most pivotal moments in the life of the Messiah. The darkest times in His life are covered, but with a delicate touch with the violence implied rather than shown. The scene of the Last Supper was moving, particularly when Jesus pronounced, “This is my body. This is my blood,” instituting the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

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Ideal Entertainment for Viewers from Grade School Through Adult

Children will relate to this movie because Arthur, through his vivid imagination, walks alongside Jesus throughout the events in His life as recorded in the Gospels. Arthur witnesses the miracles, His trials, and ultimately His sacrifice for all humankind. The goal of this production was to rediscover the enduring power of hope, love, and redemption through the eyes of a child, and that’s exactly what they’ve done.

If you’re looking for an outing for your family this Lent, I’d highly recommend going to the theater to see The King of Kings. It’s a well-produced film that shares lessons on our faith in an entertaining and unforgettable way.

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