Journey to Bethlehem: Blockbuster Musical Movie Now in Cinemas!
Journey to Bethlehem is now showing in cinemas across the country! Released yesterday (30 November), it’s a Christmas musical movie about Mary, Joseph, Herod, the Magi and of course, the birth of Jesus!
This year has seen the release of blockbuster films such as Jesus Revolution and Sound of Freedom. And not to mention the continual releases of The Chosen.
Journey to Bethlehem is a little different – being a musical – but it’s a welcome addition to an ever-increasing lineup of quality Christian movies impacting the local cinema. And that is something to rejoice at!
Watch as Warwick introduces the film and see the trailer below!
Responses to Journey to Bethlehem
Journey to Bethlehem takes the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and repackages it as an upbeat and joy-filled family-fun musical adventure.
Its marvellous musical score combines with an uplifting message that a baby born in a backwater of a vast Roman Empire is destined for His eternal throne (Luke 1:32–33). No wonder Herod “was deeply disturbed” (Matt 2:3)!
The film is produced by Affirm Films, who’ve put out the previous releases of Fireproof, Soul Surfer, Risen, War Room and Courageous.
The star-studded cast features Antonio Banderas (Shrek, Puss in Boots, The Mask of Zorro) as King Herod, Joel Smallbone from for KING & COUNTRY as Herod’s son, Antipater, and rapper Lecrae as the angel Gabriel. Key characters Mary and Joseph are played by Fiona Palomo and Milo Manheim.
Lecrae puts his thoughts on the film this way,
“It is a story that has been important for thousands of years. It needs to be told and retold. What an amazing opportunity to be the first musical offering of a story this significant.”
Kurt Malhburg writes, “The live-action musical Journey to Bethlehem puts an upbeat, joyful and unexpected spin on the Christmas story, making it the must-see family movie of this holiday season.” Read the rest of Kurt’s review article here.
“By all accounts”, writes Cody Mitchell, “the heart behind Journey to Bethlehem is deeply biblical — a desire to communicate the greatest story of all time, to glorify Christ and to direct people to Him.” Read Cody’s complete review article here.
Journey to Bethlehem is playing in cinemas across the country. It is critical that we fill the cinemas over the next four days. This will be the ONLY way that it stays on the big screen for another week. Tell your friends and go yourself. Click the green button below to find a cinema near you!
See and Support the Film!
As Dallas Jenkins (the creator of The Chosen) said after watching the movie, it is important that Christians support projects like Journey to Bethlehem. It’s money that talks in Hollywood. As Christian films continue to do well at the box office, we can expect more faith-affirming films to hit the big screen.
In our increasingly secular culture where Christianity is kicked to the curb, Christian content in the public space is a cause for rejoicing.
And as Kurt points out in his article, if the cynical, anti-Christian New York Times hates Journey to Bethlehem, then it’s absolutely a film worth seeing!
Book your tickets and take the whole family to a faith-affirming film this festive season!
Yours for good movies, faith and family,
Samuel Hartwich & Warwick Marsh
2 Comments
Leave A Comment
Recent Articles:
31 July 2026
5.9 MINS
It's been 44 years since Keith Green's death in a tragic plane crash, but “his legacy of love for God and love for the lost still lives on to this day.” His uncompromising cross-shaped Christianity is as relevant today as it was over four decades ago.
31 July 2026
12.3 MINS
Christopher Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey" deploys progressive messaging beneath a veneer of cinematic spectacle, using identity politics to create a revisionist betrayal of Homer's original epic. Here's a reveal of this ideology so it doesn't ensnare you.
31 July 2026
5.8 MINS
The Trump administration has cut $67 million of taxpayer funding for controversial “radical leftist sex ed” programs in favour of solid curriculum that emphasises abstinence and marriage.
30 July 2026
4.7 MINS
Tim Kirk isn't just the chief winemaker at Clonakilla, celebrated as one of Australia’s finest wineries. After a dramatic spiritual encounter filled him with the love of Jesus, he incorporates his faith into all of life and is on a mission to share God with others — and often as a result of his profession.
30 July 2026
1.7 MINS
An Australian-made documentary is exposing what few are willing to discuss: babies born alive after abortion — and left to die. The documentary, titled Born Alive Left To Die, is difficult to watch. Yet this 22-minute film sensitively and unflinchingly presents the medical evidence that every Australian needs to know.
30 July 2026
5.1 MINS
"Turn the Tide" is a timely call to the Church in Australia and New Zealand to recover courage, clarity, conviction, and public faithfulness in an age of confusion and compromise. Shelton's book challenges Christians to rediscover the Church's responsibility to protect children, speak truth, and act faithfully in the public square.
30 July 2026
9.5 MINS
The fall of Prince Andrew reveals more than royal excess. It unveils a civilisation in retreat — one where the presumption of innocence crumbles, tribalism festers, and multiculturalism dissolves the moral foundations that once held the West together.
We attended a screening yesterday afternoon, sadly just five people in the cinema 😔
BUT what a wonderful treat this movie is!
As musicians and songwriters we absolutely loved the score, and believe that it certainly is world class in the genre of Musicals.
Particularly Joel Smallbone’s song stood out to us.
So, a bit of poetic licence, but in the scheme of presenting the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to a new audience, it’s wonderful.
Make sure you don’t miss it.
I have just been to a screening of the Journey to Bethlehem. There were only 5 people there including myself and 2 friends. I must say that I am disappointed with the overall message of the film. The music and singing were great, however if you are wanting to view something authentic this is the not the film.