Why Netflix is removing Christian movies as studios reclaim rights for proprietary streaming platforms. Unable to license faith films, Netflix invests billions in originals, edging out niche genres. Christians must find substitute sources like Pure Flix and digital purchases to replace vanished titles.
Netflix has recently removed several Christian movies from its platform, much to the disappointment of faith-based viewers.
This in-depth article explores the reasons behind this trend and what it means for the future of Christian content on Netflix and other streaming platforms.
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Why Netflix is Removing Christian movies
Over the past few years, Netflix has removed films like The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, Polycarp, Joseph: King of Dreams and dozens of other Christian titles from its catalogue. These movies had been available for years on the streaming giant’s “Faith & Spirituality” section, which boasts over 300 titles currently.
However, the recent disappearance of these Christian films is inextricably linked to Netflix’s major strategic shift away from licensing content to producing owned original series and movies.
As competition reaches cutthroat heights in the streaming world, Netflix is focused on exclusive rights to differentiate its platform.
But this priority on originals is reducing niche genres, including faith-based Christian programming.
Why Does This Matter?
With over 220 million global subscribers, Netflix has become akin to public utility in entertainment. 64% of US households subscribe, along with millions of Christians who want content reflecting their values. Hence the removal of beloved faith-based titles has upset this demographic.
Understanding the reasons behind Netflix’s decisions provides insight into how the streaming landscape is radically evolving. Christians who want to keep watching these movies will need to find them elsewhere or purchase DVDs.
Factors Behind Netflix Dropping Christian movies
Two key factors are causing the disappearance of Christian movies on Netflix:
- Loss of lucrative licensing deals
- Prioritization of owned original content
We’ll analyze how these interconnected reasons have led Netflix to cull faith-based programming.
Loss of Lucrative Licensing Deals
For years, Netflix has licensed thousands of movies and shows from major Hollywood studios instead of bearing production costs itself. Licensing third-party content massively expanded Netflix’s catalogue without bankrolling filming budgets.
But as legacy studios like Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros launch their own direct-to-consumer streaming services, they are reclaiming prized titles to run exclusively on proprietary platforms. Disney has removed Marvel, Star Wars and other beloved franchises from Netflix to stream only on Disney+.
The same pattern holds true for Christian-themed films which are being pulled from Netflix to stream solely on studio-owned niche platforms targeting faith subscribers.
Here are some examples:
- The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler: Acquired by CBS for streaming on Paramount+
- Polycarp: Now available only on Pure Flix, a Christian subscription service
- Joseph King of Dreams: Shifted to Amazon Prime Video
- God’s Compass: Moved to the Faith-based Pices streaming app
Losing these licensing deals forces Netflix to remove Christian movies as studios capitalize on the subscription revenue themselves. Many mid-budget dramas like The Ultimate Gift have also vanished after their licenses expired.
Major studios have come to see niche genres as an opportunity for dedicated streamers. By withdrawing Christian films from Netflix, they can funnel audiences towards proprietary faith-based platforms.
Billions Spent on Originals – Not Licenses
As of 2022, Netflix is projected to spend a record-breaking $17 billion on developing original content to fuel its 220+ million members with an endless pipeline of new movies, series, documentaries and more.
The focus has swung sharply from licensing third-party titles to owning rights for in-house productions. This allows Netflix to control films and shows instead of relying on outside studios:
This astronomical programming budget finances over 500 original films and TV shows per year – with fully half of the catalogue now Netflix-owned.
Producing proprietary movies and shows differentiates Netflix amidst intense streaming competition. But it increasingly edges out previously licensed titles across all genres, especially niche categories like faith-based films.
In short, owning content is clearly Netflix’s priority now over maintaining a broad catalogue of licensed titles. Their data shows originals vastly outperform licensed content:
| licensed content | Avg Viewership |
| Netflix Original | Over 32 million |
| Licensed Title | Less than 1 million |
Given the viewership difference above, Netflix is incentivized to aggressively grow its portfolio of owned films and series to attract and retain subscribers – even at the expense of no longer licensing Christian movies.
Case Study: The Chosen – Breakout Christian Hit Staying on Netflix
However, Netflix has retained breakout original series The Chosen – a multi-season TV drama on Jesus’s life that ranked as 2021’s #1 crowdfunded media project ever. Over 200 million viewers have streamed the show worldwide.
The Chosen demonstrates major Christian originals still have a home on Netflix if independently financed. By funding production itself, the show’s creators were able to license streaming rights to Netflix based on the proven demand.
But most Christian movies need outside studios and distributors to fund multi-million dollar budgets. Hence, Netflix loses these titles if parent companies pull them for proprietary streaming. Producing record-breaking original programming leaves no room for licensing third-party niche films.
Impact on Christian Viewers
Many Christian Netflix subscribers feel dismayed at losing their faith-centric entertainment options on the platform:
- 83% of White evangelical Christians have a Netflix account
- 44% stream religious shows monthly on any platform
Almost 2 in 5 US adults identify as born-again or evangelical Christians – representing over 50 million Netflix users alone hungry for spiritual programming.
These viewers supported Christian movies on Netflix through years of subscriptions. Now, they are rightfully asking: With removals accelerating, where else can we stream our beloved Christian films going forward?
Alternate Sources for Christian Content
If licensing deals with Netflix continue dissolving, here are the top alternative sources for Christian movies and entertainment:
Christian Streaming Services
| Platform | Details | Sample Titles |
| Pure Flix | Leading faith-based streaming service; $12.99/month | The Encounter, Me Again |
| PREACH | Christian-focused streaming app with originals; $6.99/month | The Return, Revelations in Blood |
| Pices | Free streaming with faith films | God’s Compass, Remember the Goal |
| Light TV | Free streaming service; cable/satellite required | Brush of the Wind, Hidden Secrets |
| Minno | Kids Christian streaming starting at $5.99/month | Buddies quartet of animated series |
| Yippee | On-demand streaming app for Christian shows | Adventures in Booga Booga Land |
Digital Purchase/Rental
Major digital retailers who sell or rent Christian movies:
- Google Play
- VUDU
- Amazon Prime Video
- iTunes
Prices range from $2.99 rental to $12.99 purchase per title.
DVD Collections
Physical DVDs remain the surest way to keep building a Christian film collection. Major DVD retailers include:
- Christian Books
- Christian Cinema
- Amazon
- eBay
DVD purchases typically range from $7.99 to $25 per movie. Bundled packs offer discounts.
Broadcast Television
Free TV channels airing Christian programming:
- The Christian Broadcast Network (CBN)
- BYUtv
- Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN)
- The Church Channel
- SafeTV
- Generations
- CTN (Christian Television Network)
Broadcast times for movies are publicized online. A cable package is typically required for access.
Other Niche Streamers
A few other small streaming platforms offer limited Christian movies in their free ad-supported libraries:
- Crackle
- Tubi
- Pluto TV
- The Roku Channel
Selection is hit-or-miss but can serve in a pinch. Avid Christian households may need to utilize a combination of the above streaming sources, retailers for digital rental/purchase, DVD collections, and OTA channels if Netflix programming shifts further away from the genre.
Perspectives on Netflix’s Changing Landscape
With Christian films vanishing, industry observers and faith leaders have commented on the implications of Netflix pivoting towards owned originals over licensed catalog depth:
“As major studios remove content for proprietary streaming platforms, Netflix relies more on original productions.” – Julia Alexander, Senior Strategy Analyst at Parrot Analytics
“If Netflix’s goal is a catalogue completely dominated by original content, we lose shared cultural touchstones.” – Said by Jason Mittell, well known Professor At American Studies at Middlebury College
“This move opens the door for independent faith-based platforms to fill the void.” – Said Andrea Morris Founder of (CSS) Christian subscription service PREACH
Overall, experts recognize Netflix originals as the future. But niche genres face extinction in this strategy unless specialized streamers can offer homes for orphaned Christian programming.
Key Takeaways: Why Netflix is Removing Christian movies
- Competitive pressure is causing studios to pull licensing deals and retain streaming rights
- Netflix would rather invest billions into owned original movies/series
- Focus on proprietary programming reduces niche genres like faith-based films
- Christian viewers must find substitute streaming sources
With Netflix clearly prioritizing exclusive high-budget original films and series over maintaining licensed catalogue depth, subscribers need to temper expectations around seeing niche third-party titles.
Christians can still access beloved movies – either on DVD or alternative streaming platforms. But Netflix’s “Faith & Spirituality” offerings will likely continue shrinking in favor of expensive owned originals.
In the streaming economy, rights ownership is crucial to draw subscribers. Netflix is now a full-fledged content producer, financing movies budgeted over $200 million in some cases.
For devoted fans of faith-based entertainment however, it means adjusting viewing habits as the media landscape evolves.
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