Light of the World (film)

Last updated
Light of the World
Light of the World promotional poster.jpg
Promotional poster
Directed byTom Bancroft
John J. Schafer
Screenplay byDavid Armstrong
Drew Armstrong
Story byDavid M. Armstrong
Jason Heaton
Produced byBrennan McPherson
Starring Ian Hanlin
Benjamin Jacobson
Edited byRob Zeigler
Music byAlex McKenzie
Production
company
Salvation Poem Project
Distributed bySalvation Poem Project [1]
Release dates
  • June 6, 2025 (2025-06-06)(THSC State Convention)
  • September 5, 2025 (2025-09-05)(United States)
Running time
91 minutes [2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million
Box office$2.4 million [3]

Light of the World is a 2025 American animated Christian drama film directed by Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer. The film is about Jesus' life told through John the Apostle's eyes.

Contents

The film premiered at the THSC State Convention on June 6, 2025, and was released in the United States on September 5.

Cast

Production

Epipheo, a Cincinnati studio which launched its film division in 2022, was tapped to help develop the film’s “children’s storybook come to life” aesthetic. Production designer Luke Lehenbauer points out that the creators wanted a “hand of the artist feel,” in part achieved through the application of real painting textures to the digitally painted backgrounds. The animation was provided by Irish animation studio, Lighthouse Studios. [4] [5] The production budget for the film was $20 million. [6]

Release

Light of the World had its world premiere at the THSC State Convention on June 6, 2025. [7] It then premiered at the Bible Museum at Washington, D.C. on August 22, [8] and was released in the United States and Canada on September 5. [9] The film was released a day early in Australia, New Zealand, [10] Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa. [11] International releases will later follow, like Puerto Rico on September 11, Bolivia on September 18, October 29 in the Philippines, and December 4 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. [11]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 91% of 11 critics' reviews are positive. [12] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. [13]

References

  1. ↑ "Light Of The World (2025) [PG]". Motion Picture Association . Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Light of The World[PG]". Australian Classification Board . July 25, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Light of the World – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  4. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (July 25, 2025). "Watch: 'Light of the World' Featurette Delves into the Design & Animation of Jesus's Story – Animation Magazine". Animation Magazine . Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  5. ↑ Light of the World Movie (July 17, 2025). Designing Jesus for Light Of The World . Retrieved August 24, 2025– via YouTube.
  6. ↑ "The Salvation Poem Project Unveils Animated Feature Film LIGHT OF THE WORLD Based on the Life of Jesus". PR News Wire. August 16, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  7. ↑ "🎬 HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉 We're thrilled to share that the Light of the World movie will be hosting its WORLD PREMIERE at the 2025 THSC State Convention! 😱". Instagram . May 2, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  8. ↑ "@tiffanyellice and I were honored to attend the red carpet premiere of @lightoftheworldmovie in Washington DC. This movie is incredible and I promise you is going to impact people all over the world and draw them closer to Jesus. We cannot tell you what an amazing job Matt McPherson, his team, and the entire cast and crew did on this film. Be sure to check it out in theaters Sept. 5th-you won't be disappointed! #lightoftheworld". Instagram. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  9. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (November 12, 2025). "'The Light Of The World' Teaser: Feature Animation From Ex-Disney Talents Tells Story Of Jesus Christ Through Teenage John The Apostle". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Light of The World - IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 4TH". New Life Magazine. August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  11. 1 2 "International release Schedule". Light of the World official website. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Light of the World". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  13. ↑ "Home". CinemaScore. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
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