The Jesus Music

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2:31

The Jesus Music

PG-13

2021

1h 49m

Documentary

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

97%

Popcornmeter

500+ Verified Ratings

With stirring songs of faith, love, and hope, Jesus music rose from America's 1960s counterculture movement to become a worldwide phenomenon. This fascinating documentary reveals the music's uplifting and untold story -- from its humble beginnings at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California through its transformation into the multibillion-dollar industry of Christian Contemporary Music today. Directed by the Erwin Brothers ("I Can Only Imagine", "I Still Believe", "American Underdog"), THE JESUS MUSIC is the definitive love letter to CCM fans that features intimate interviews with the genre's biggest stars including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Kirk Franklin, and Lauren Daigle. With stories of trials and triumphs, the universal power of music from these artists shine through from their messages of passion, sacrifice, and redemption that inspire millions of devoted listeners.

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Audience Says

This documentary includes loads of informative interviews that will be fascinating for fans of contemporary Christian music -- and may even leave viewers wishing it had been a miniseries instead.

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Adrienne Hunter

Austin Chronicle

Oct 15, 2021

1.5/5

While this approach might make for an exciting celebration of the genre, it unfortunately leads to a rather lackluster and repetitive documentary unlikely to capture the interest of anyone other than devout followers of Christian music.

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Chris Willman

Variety

Oct 6, 2021

Some of why "The Jesus Music" ultimately feels so unsatisfying in its skimming of the CCM surface has to do with running time, but ultimately, it's frustrating how little the doc cares about the third word in its title.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

Oct 5, 2021

It is a celebration of this music and all of its possibilities, but I was surprised at how it also gets at little bits of honesty about the hypocrisy that exists, too.

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Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

Dec 23, 2021

8/10

If you love Christian music you will love The Jesus Music. If you don't you might still love it. It's one of the best documentaries of the year!

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Kenneth R. Morefield

1More Film Blog

Dec 17, 2021

2.5/5

"Rebel" and "pioneer" are free-floating signifiers that are used to praise without really explaining why they are, or should be, praiseworthy.

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Tynan Yanaga

Film Inquiry

Dec 4, 2021

What I appreciate about The Jesus Music is how it attempts to document this living, breathing phenomenon and place it within a broader context.

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Lindsey S

Apr 8, 2025

Awesome faith based film!

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Santayana W

Mar 16, 2022

Love how it gives the history behind the Christian/Gospel genre of music. Very interesting and informative.

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Vicky D

Oct 24, 2021

I loved the opportunity to experience a Christian-based event at the theater.

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RlynnK

Oct 23, 2021

The history told things some may have never known. I Love Christian music.

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Scott C

Oct 22, 2021

Great overview of the CCM movement from the 70s to today. Glad we have been part of it.

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KH

Oct 20, 2021

I really loved seeing how God reached peoples hearts through Christian music and these talented musicians over the past 50 years. Im so thankful for the way he used many of them in my life as well. I really enjoyed hearing some of their backstories and am reminded again of how God loves us. He gives each songs to share and uses the willing, not the perfect.

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Andrew Erwin

Director

Jon Erwin

Director

Amy Grant

Self

Michael W. Smith

Self

TobyMac

Self

Kirk Franklin

Self

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Synopsis

With stirring songs of faith, love, and hope, Jesus music rose from America's 1960s counterculture movement to become a worldwide phenomenon. This fascinating documentary reveals the music's uplifting and untold story -- from its humble beginnings at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California through its transformation into the multibillion-dollar industry of Christian Contemporary Music today. Directed by the Erwin Brothers ("I Can Only Imagine", "I Still Believe", "American Underdog"), THE JESUS MUSIC is the definitive love letter to CCM fans that features intimate interviews with the genre's biggest stars including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Kirk Franklin, and Lauren Daigle. With stories of trials and triumphs, the universal power of music from these artists shine through from their messages of passion, sacrifice, and redemption that inspire millions of devoted listeners.

Director: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Producer: Brandon Gregory, Josh Walsh
Screenwriter: Jon Erwin
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Kingdom Story Company, Southland Studios, K-LOVE Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug Material|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 1, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 7, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $991.7K
Runtime: 1h 49m

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