What Christian Filmmakers Can Learn from Hulu’s HAPPIEST SEASON
By Jessilyn Lancaster, Managing Editor
Hulu’s HAPPIEST SEASON broke the streaming platform’s record for a movie premiere, and over the Thanksgiving weekend, HAPPIEST SEASON set the record for most viewership of any original movie on the service, attracting more new subscribers than any other previous feature title.
To be quite clear, HAPPIEST SEASON is not an acceptable movie for families.
As Movieguide® reviewed:
In Hulu’s HAPPIEST SEASON, Harper just wanted to go home for Christmas to see her family, but her girlfriend, Abby, has reservations about Christmas since her parents died. Eventually, Abby consents to going home with Harper for Christmas, but there’s only one problem- Harper parents don’t know she’s gay. Once the couple arrives for the Yuletide festivities, how long can they keep up their charade of lies?
HAPPIEST SEASON, a Hulu Original movie, has a mixed worldview. For obvious reasons, it’s very pro LGBTQ as a lesbian couple kisses, has implied sex and just wants to be accepted for their sexuality. The movie also has elements of morality mainly concerning family and saying sorry and positively there is a positive reference to faith and a few Christmas carols too. However, for all of these elements and some foul language and alcohol use, MOVIEGUIDE® finds HAPPIEST SEASON “excessive.”
However, there is an incredibly valuable lesson for Christian filmmakers as we evaluate HAPPIEST SEASON’s success: Accessibility trumps all.
Pre-pandemic, many filmmakers focused on trying to hit the theater audience. Christian filmmakers wanted to use the big screen to share the Gospel with the masses. It’s a worthwhile goal that saw success.
However, we now live in a world where access to theaters is limited at best. Instead, families are sitting at home, watching streaming content on a loop.
Right now, the average American streams about eight hours of content a day. That means they literally spend one-third of the day consuming streaming content, be it from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, or the smattering of other services that have popped up. HAPPIEST SEASON shows us that you don’t have to be on the big screen to make an impact.
This is the prime time for Christian filmmakers to create meaningful, quality content chock-full of faith and family values and share it with the masses. Families are desperate for wholesome movies and programs to watch together.
Unfortunately, much of what people are streaming is largely unacceptable. Netflix’s top programs contain many gratuitous elements, and Hulu’s top performer, as we now know, is full of homosexuality, alcoholism, and foul language. We absolutely must learn media wisdom as we discern the content in front of us.
Let’s take advantage of this rise in streaming and flood the market with positive, faith-filled messages. People want feel-good entertainment. Why can’t that include titles with strong Christian and biblical worldviews? Now is our time to act and create quality programs that are more accessible in more homes than the theaters could ever reach.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
