Australia’s Largest Christian News Site

Light of the World is coming to Australian cinemas on September 4, 2025, and it’s a movie experience not to be missed.

Created for a younger audience, the 2D animated film is no regurgitated rehash of previous film productions about Jesus. Instead, Light of the World tells the story about His life, death and resurrection in a surprising and refreshing way: through the perspective of a young, teenage John (Jesus’ disciple and closest friend).

The Bible doesn’t tell us how old John was during Jesus’ ministry. John is widely believed to have been the youngest apostle, but was he as young as Light of the World portrays him? I doubt it, but since the Bible is silent on the matter, we cannot be certain.

In any case, setting the plot around a young, energetic John is a wonderful way to relate and narrate the story to a younger audience. Yet, the movie is so well done that older viewers will appreciate this hope-filled, light-hearted, engaging and well-crafted take on the best story ever told.

Here are six notable points about this latest offering from The Salvation Poem Project.

1. This Is No Mundane Retake of the Story of Jesus

With many animated productions of Jesus’ life already made, it’s a challenge to create something unique. But the producers easily leapt over that hurdle.

As one Christian mum wrote, while some animated Bible stories are “sweet”, and others “forgettable”, “this one was different.”

“There’s something powerful about seeing the gospel told in a fresh way. I was watching stories I’ve read a hundred times – Jesus healing the blind, calming storms, welcoming little children – and it all felt new again.

“The animation was beautiful, but what gripped me most was how Jesus was portrayed. Gentle. Strong. Kind. Real. The movie walks through His ministry… in a way that even my kindergartener could follow, but with enough depth that I, too, was reminded of the Saviour I love.

“I was wiping tears from my eyes before the credits rolled.”

Jesus weeping after John the Baptist has been arrested and killed. Image: Light of the World.

2. Brilliant Balance of Invented Storytelling with Biblical Narrative

Light of the World does an incredible job of weaving together artistic licence with biblical storytelling.

Biblical characters such as John’s parents, Zebedee and Salome and brother James, the Roman centurion who requested healing for his dying servant in Matthew 8:5–13, Mary Magdalene, and disciples Peter and Matthew, are introduced into the script using creative licence.

However, the production team faithfully used biblical information about these people to create a realistic portrayal of their personalities – even though some of the individual scenes are fictional.

For example, the film begins with young John landing his family in deep trouble with Rome’s tax collectors due to his fiery temper. John’s thunder-like qualities, such as impulsivity and anger, are clearly recorded when Jesus calls him a “son of thunder” in Mark 3:17. (James and John asking to call down fire from heaven in judgment, recorded in Luke 9:54, is another example.)

It’s unlikely (although possible) that a fiery John really did land his family in hot water with Roman authorities as portrayed in the movie. But seeing John come to life like this caused me to ask: How would he have interacted with authorities? Or his parents and brother (James), when he was younger? Or with Jesus? The film presents characters that resemble Scripture, making it almost feel real.

It’s creative artistic licence at its finest.

Image: Light of the World.

3. Telling a Serious Story in an Uplifting Way

Sharing the Gospel is serious business. Deadly serious, in fact. After all, people’s eternal destiny hinges on their acceptance – or rejection – of the message that God gave His only Son to be crucified for the sins of the world. (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2)

However, Light of the World tells the story with light-heartedness and humour. Yet none of the film’s fun feels out of place. Quite the opposite. Because the characters have a real-life sense to them, humour is easily woven in to delight young and old alike.

The movie opens with God declaring, “Let there be light.” It concludes that Jesus is indeed “the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

From start to finish, the movie’s producers have crafted a fast-paced, engaging and hope-filled film that honours God’s love and desire for a relationship with every person without skipping the hard truths that the world is in darkness and it took a gruesome crucifixion to break evil’s firm grip on it.

4. An Evangelistic and Discipleship Tool

The movie is pitched at a young audience, so anyone encountering the story of Jesus for the first time will readily follow it.

Those already familiar with the biblical account – as recorded in the four eyewitness accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – will enjoy the film in greater depth. (Matthew and John were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ life. Mark recorded the disciple Peter’s eyewitness testimony, and Luke relied on first-hand accounts when he wrote his Gospel.)

The producers have obeyed the command to “make the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:16) and present a response to the Gospel message at the end. Many viewers will recognise “The Salvation Poem” featured – it’s played at the end of each Superbook episode.

As a dad with children who love Superbook, the movie naturally incorporates these lines that my kids have sung in the kitchen:

“Jesus, You died upon a cross
And rose again to save the lost.
Forgive me now of all my sin
Come be my Saviour, Lord, and Friend.
Change my life and make it new
And help me, Lord, to live for You.”

Light of the World naturally offers a relationship with God through Jesus. As John says at the end of the film, Jesus is “my friend,”  and anyone can be His friend, too.

5. Additional Ministry Resources

The Salvation Poem Project has produced resources to help people engage with the film’s content. Families, Sunday schools, homeschool parents and Christian schools will significantly benefit from using them to teach and disciple children.

A free seven-week children’s curriculum, with lessons, memory verses, and family activities, is available. This, plus a family devotional, colouring and activity books, and other resources, can be found here.

6. A Missing Piece: Kingdom Awareness?

Nearly all productions of Jesus’ life present the disciples as severely misunderstanding God’s kingdom. As Light of the World itself puts it, Jesus came not to conquer and rule, but to suffer and die. True, the Messiah came not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45) – an astonishing verse considering the biblical background of Daniel 7:14.

However, does Light of World miss out on giving people a kingdom awareness that Jesus will one day rule “on His glorious throne” (Matthew 25:31), and that this was an integral part of Jesus’ teaching? Granted, the disciples were mistaken in thinking that because Jesus was going to Jerusalem, “they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away” (Luke 19:11).

But Jesus didn’t tell the parable of the nobleman that follows (Luke 19:11–27) because the disciples had a severe misunderstanding of the nature of God’s kingdom. He taught the parable to correct their misjudgement of its timing.

The kingdom would only appear after Jesus travels “to a far country” (heaven) and returns. And while He is away, His disciples have work to do.

When presentations of Jesus’ life ignore this aspect that he will indeed come as conquering king to reign as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11–16), are we at risk of minimising a ‘kingdom consciousness’ of Jesus’ power, authority and soon-coming victory over this world?

I would suggest we are.

Conclusion: Go and See This Quality Movie

Light of the World follows in the footsteps of many quality Christian movies. With the resurgence and popularity of these God-honouring works of art showing no signs of slowing down, Light of the World is certain to thrill audiences and gain a significant box-office showing.

There’s no doubt God will use this film to change lives and make them new. Every Christian can give a hearty ‘Praise God!’ to its September 4 release.

Let’s take our family and friends and discover anew – or for the first time – that Jesus is the light of this world, just as His closest friend, John, did 2000 years ago.

Download a shareable and printable movie poster below.

___

Image via Light of the World.