Like its predecessor Fireproof, Courageous provided a significant boost to the home-viewing section of Christian stores.

The 2011 faith-based cop drama from Sherwood Pictures and Provident Distribution sold more than a million copies in the first 90 days—just as Fireproof did. Courageous was also the best-selling DVD in the country its first week.

Another Provident-distributed DVD, pro-life drama October Baby was a surprise hit in theaters—an independent film that topped $5.3 million and debuted at No. 8 at the box office—and saw strong sales with its September DVD release.

The continued rising tide for Christian movies was again showcased at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS)   with CBA’s inaugural Resonate Film Festival featuring 14 films, including Undaunted: The Early Life of Josh McDowell; God’s Not Dead: The Movie; and VeggieTales: The League of Incredible Vegetables.

Among the more significant releases from Pure Flix were Apostle Peter and the Last Supper, featuring actor Robert Loggia as the elderly apostle, reflecting on his life to two jailers as he awaits execution. Bruce Marchiano portrayed Christ in the film as well as in The Encounter: Paradise Lost, also from Pure Flix.

Another notable release was Seven Days in Utopia, featuring Oscar winner Robert Duvall as an eccentric rancher who helps a young golfer find direction. Released through Provident, the film was based on the Zondervan book Golf’s Sacred Journey by life coach David Cook. 

There Be Dragons followed the journeys of two childhood friends—one whose faith lead him to found the Catholic organization Opus Dei, the other spurred to conflict by his anger. Directed by Roland Joffé (The Killing Fields, The Mission), the drama was released through 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

There was also a plethora of Christmas-themed films. Released by Image Entertainment and distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, The Heart of Christmas tells the story of a 2-year-old, whose struggle with Leukemia sparked a worldwide outpouring of support for his family who gave him one last Christmas in October.

The movie was inspired by the song “One Last Christmas” by singer-songwriter Matthew West who was moved by a true story he received in a letter. West, who was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for the song, is featured in the film.

An uplifting story from the late Thomas Kinkade, Christmas Miracle (GT Media/EMI CMG) showed the real meaning of the season when eight strangers are forced to take refuge in an abandoned church during a snowstorm.

In Christmas Comes Home to Canaan, also from GT Media, Daniel Burton (Billy Ray Cyrus) learns to love again when he meets Briony Adair (Gina Holden). The film is the sequel to the Hallmark Channel’s highest-rated movie of 2009, Christmas in Canaan.

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