Hollywood churning out family fare

LOS ANGELES — Long considered the modern-day equivalent of Sodom and Gomorrah, Hollywood is increasingly showing its family-friendly side, churning out an unprecedented number of films and television shows with uplifting, redemptive themes.

In the three years since Mel Gibson released "The Passion of the Christ," hundreds of films with Judeo-Christian, spiritual and family-friendly themes have hit the screen — from "The Nativity Story" to "Amazing Grace."

Last year alone, nearly 50 films featured positive Judeo-Christian content that producers hoped would appeal to the estimated 110 million Americans who attend church every week, according to Camarillo-based Movieguide.

The films raked in an average $39 million, according to Movieguide. All five of the major Hollywood studios have created marketing departments to target the growing demand for faith-based and family fare.

"People are gravitating to anything that gives them hope, inspiration, motivation or a sense of something light," said Mark Clayman, executive producer of "The Pursuit of Happyness."

"People want good stories. They want to be entertained, but they also want something they can bring their kids to and enjoy as a family. Look at our world. There is so much war and junk and disease. I think people are just hungry for the other side."

To meet the demand, 20th Century Fox recently launched Fox Faith Movies, which plans to release a dozen faith-based films a year. Last fall, the Walt Disney Co. also announced it would focus more on family-oriented and faith-based movies.

Movieguide publisher Ted Baehr, who also chairs the Christian Film & Television Commission, said Hollywood executives realize that the public wants more uplifting and spiritual fare.

"There is competition for the Christian audience now that there hasn't been before," Baehr said. "I thought at some point it would level off, but so far it's getting bigger and bigger.

"It's more than I could have possibly imagined. One of the audiences that has become stable and even grown for books, music and movies is the Christian audience."

Stephen Kendrick, executive producer of "Facing the Giants" and an associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., said the film has received broad praise since its release last year.

The drama chronicles a Christian high school football coach who uses faith to battle overwhelming fear and failure.