The Complete Rundown Of Movieguide®’s 2020 Award Nominees

APOLLO 11 documents NASA’s first moon landing with astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins. It utilizes stunning visuals, captivating music, dramatic editing, and unseen footage to show arguably man’s most extraordinary achievement in a new light. With very little questionable content, APOLLO 11 is a movie the whole family can enjoy.

BREAKTHROUGH is a must-see, entertaining, powerful, convicting, heartrending story about the real-life incident of a boy who fell through some ice and had no pulse for a longer period than any doctor thought possible when he then miraculously revived. Each character, believers and unbelievers, undergoes a tremendous journey in BREAKTHROUGH, an inspiring movie that will make you laugh and cry.

A live action version of the 1941 animated classic, DUMBO tells the beloved story of a young elephant with big ears who can fly and then is separated from his mother. Directed by Tim Burton, DUMBO is beautifully made, with a strong moral worldview about the need for family and helping others, along with lots of suspense that may scare very young children.

In the animated fantasy adventure HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD, new Viking chief Hiccup must find a legendary dragon world and defend both his people and their dragons from a villainous dragon-hunter. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD features the heart-pounding adventure and stunning visuals moviegoers have come to expect from this movie franchise, along with a wonderful story promoting selflessness, marriage, love, and family, but caution is advised for young children due to action violence and some light pagan, environmentalist elements.

THE LEAST OF THESE: THE GRAHAM STAINES STORY tells the story of an Australian medical missionary and his two sons who are murdered in a remote Indian village in 1999 by radical Hindus. It’s a powerful story of the quest for truth, and the power of love to redeem and transform.

In THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART, the LEGO world of Bricksburg is invaded by aliens who kidnap their best leaders, and it’s up to the city’s big-hearted savior hero, Emmet, to rescue them. LEGO MOVIE 2 has plenty of laughs, action and twists to keep everything engaging, with a strong Christian, biblical worldview promoting love and sacrifice, including a reference to a major passage in the New Testament.

THE LION KING returns to the big screen in a live-action remake of the popular 1994 cartoon, as Simba the lion has to learn to grow up and save the ones he loves. THE LION KING is well made and has a strong moral, redemptive worldview extolling sacrifice and acting honorably, but it does have some pagan mysticism and scary scenes of lions fighting each other that merit caution for younger children.

OVERCOMER is the heartwarming, often funny, poignant story of a young, new track star named Hannah who runs to Christ with the help of a basketball coach. OVERCOMER features a very strong Christian worldview and is filled with many touching, poignant moments.

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS tells the story of Christian, who is an archetype of every Christian who perseveres in his faith until he enters the kingdom of heaven. This is a well-made adaptation of the classic book by John Bunyan with excellent production values and a very strong Christian worldview.

TOY STORY 4 is another breakthrough in great computer animation, and even greater storytelling, with a story about Woody needing to rescue a new friend who’s being held hostage in an antique shop. Filled with laughter, tears, thrills, and romance, TOY STORY 4 has a few scary scenes that merit caution for very young children.

1917 is a powerful, patriotic, moral war movie set at the western front in France and Belgium during World War I about two British soldiers sent by their commander on a suicide mission to warn the British frontlines that they’re rushing into a German trap. Not only is it an entertaining movie, with a strong moral worldview about courage under fire, but it has about 36 obscenities and profanities and significant wartime violence. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution

AD ASTRA follows astronaut Roy McBride as he is missioned to uncover the truth behind his father’s disappearance 30 years ago that’s now threatening the safety of the solar system. AD ASTRA captures the audience from beginning to end and contains many positive Christian, biblical elements, but has some strong foul language, some disturbing images and violence. MOVIEGUIDE®, therefore, advises strong or extreme caution, depending on the viewer’s sensitivity to such material.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME picks up five years later where the last movie left off, with the remaining Avengers still mourning the loss of their friends at the hands of Thanos, but deciding they must find a way to go back in time and defeat Thanos once and for all. Some plot points are unresolved and some storylines are left hanging, and there’s lots of foul language, some other edgy, immoral content, and even a few tedious, annoying moments in AVENGERS: ENDGAME, but the movie has a unifying, emotionally powerful, morally uplifting main plot that extols family and fatherhood.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD is a wonderful movie starring Tom Hanks as the famous children’s television host, Fred Rogers, whose simple Christian wisdom helps a troubled reporter become a better man and reconcile with his estranged father. A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD is a delightful, winsome, powerful, heartrending movie that exalts forgiveness, kindness, grace, and love.

FORD V FERRARI is an extremely powerful character study about the famous American car designer Carroll Shelby and racecar driver Ken Miles fighting corporate interference, physical challenges and personal issues to build a revolutionary car for Ford to challenge Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans 24-hour race. FORD V FERRARI has a subtle Christian, uplifting worldview where self-sacrifice, friendship and family win out, but it’s almost fatally marred by lots of strong foul language.

HARRIET is the incredible story about how Harriet Tubman became Harriet Tubman, the woman who saved thousands of slaves and brought them to freedom before the Civil War. HARRIET is an exceptionally well-made movie with a strong Christian worldview, but it does have intense scenes and some foul language.

A HIDDEN LIFE, directed by Terence Malick, follows the true story of an Austrian farmer and his family during World War II, whose lives are turned upside down when the farmer, a fervent Catholic, refuses to pledge loyalty to Adolf Hitler because of the farmer’s strong Christian beliefs. Beautifully photographed, with extremely little objectionable content, A HIDDEN LIFE is a glorious, emotionally powerful tribute to steadfast Christian faith confronting great evil. Though it’s nearly three hours long and moves at an unhurried pace that avoids lots of dialogue, A HIDDEN LIFE is an impressionistic masterpiece honoring one Christian man and his loving, loyal wife.

LITTLE WOMEN (2019) is the most gorgeous, historically accurate big screen version of the famous book by Louisa May Alcott that’s been made several times in movies and for television. Better yet, LITTLE WOMEN has no foul language, no sex, no nudity, no violence but is a delightful character study with very strong Christian content about a family dealing with real issues during the Civil War. Along with the 2019 version, there were productions of LITTLE WOMEN released in 1994, 2018 and 2018 (PBS).

In SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, Peter Parker wants to enjoy his high school’s science field trip to Europe and focus on his plans for telling MJ he likes her, but Nick Fury, the head of the Avengers, needs Spider-Man to help a mysterious new superhero stop giant water and fire creatures from another universe who seem intent on destroying Earth. SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME is funny, exciting and well-paced, with a strong moral, redemptive worldview promoting truth, overcoming deception and saving lives, while thanking God. Caution is advised for older pre-adolescents because of some foul language and a crude joke that’s repeated.

UNPLANNED is the incredible, powerful true story of Abby, a young woman who gets drawn into working for Planned Parenthood because she thinks that the goal is to help prevent pregnancies. UNPLANNED is extremely well made and powerful.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD is a wonderful movie starring Tom Hanks as the famous children’s television host, Fred Rogers, whose simple Christian wisdom helps a troubled reporter become a better man and reconcile with his estranged father. A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD is a delightful, winsome, powerful, heartrending movie that exalts forgiveness, kindness, grace, and love.

FIGHTING PANDEMICS is the first episode of National Geographic’s series, called BREAKTHROUGH. This episode focuses on world Pandemics, such as Ebola. BREAKTHROUGH is very well done, entertaining and has a moral worldview, even though there are mentions of evolution; so, a light caution is advised.

HARRIET is the incredible story about how Harriet Tubman became Harriet Tubman, the woman who saved thousands of slaves and brought them to freedom before the Civil War. HARRIET is an exceptionally well-made movie with a strong Christian worldview, but it does have intense scenes and some foul language.

A HIDDEN LIFE, directed by Terence Malick, follows the true story of an Austrian farmer and his family during World War II, whose lives are turned upside down when the farmer, a fervent Catholic, refuses to pledge loyalty to Adolf Hitler because of the farmer’s strong Christian beliefs. Beautifully photographed, with extremely little objectionable content, A HIDDEN LIFE is a glorious, emotionally powerful tribute to steadfast Christian faith confronting great evil. Though it’s nearly three hours long and moves at an unhurried pace that avoids lots of dialogue, A HIDDEN LIFE is an impressionistic masterpiece honoring one Christian man and his loving, loyal wife.

OVERCOMER is the heartwarming, often funny, poignant story of a young, new track star named Hannah who runs to Christ with the help of a basketball coach. OVERCOMER features a very strong Christian worldview and is filled with many touching, poignant moments.

A CHRISTMAS LOVE STORY follows Kate, a retired Broadway performer turned youth choir leader, who’s tasked to write an original song for her choir’s annual Christmas Eve performance and finds romance when she meets the architect father of a new choir member who sings beautifully. Refreshing and highly enjoyable, A CHRISTMAS LOVE STORY has a very strong Christian, morally uplifting worldview and is filled with Christ-centered Christmas Carols, a pro-life message, and a lesson about caring for others before yourself.

CHRISTMAS TOWN is a joyful, inspiring movie about a young woman who finds herself spending very well may be one of the best Hallmark Christmas movies to date, with a strong Christian, biblical worldview, pleasant acting, and a refreshing take on a love story. It extols kindness and charity to others, with multiple references to Christianity, the nativity and prayer.

CHRISTMAS WISHES & MISTLETOE KISSES is one of the best Hallmark Christmas movies. The plot may be familiar, but the execution is superb, with wonderful acting, poignant dialogue and unexpected plot twists.

The “Moondust” episode of THE CROWN follows Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband, as he marvels at the American astronauts who land and walk on the moon in July 1969. A self-proclaimed adventurer, Philip struggles with aging, his role in the world and a desire to be a man of action. During his long thoughts about life in “Moondust,” Philip comes to terms with his need for faith in God.

JESUS:  HIS LIFE is an eight-part docudrama from The History Channel about the life of Jesus from the perspective of different people who knew him and encountered him, and Episode One focuses on Joseph. Episode One of JESUS:  HIS LIFE contains some speculation and a couple skeptical comments from one scholar, but those comments are refuted by other people interviewed during the program, which contains dramatic scenes reflecting a strong Christian worldview and based on the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.

The LAST MAN STANDING episode, “The Passion of Paul,” of Tim Allen’s terrific comedy series, is one of the best episodes in the whole series. In the episode, Mike’s pastor, Paul, has lost his passion for the pulpit, but Mike and Kyle help him find it again. “The Passion of Paul” is funny and winsome, and has a strong Christian, biblical, inspiring message based on the story of Noah and the Great Flood and which extols prayer, listening to God and renewing your faith.

WHEN CALLS THE HEART: Home for Christmas follows familiar characters in Hope Valley as they prepare for the Christmas holiday with a festival in town. “Home for Christmas” has a strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview stressing joy, helping others and generosity. Children sing “O Come Let Us Adore Him” inside a church during the story.

1917 is a powerful, patriotic, moral war movie set at the western front in France and Belgium during World War I about two British soldiers sent by their commander on a suicide mission to warn the British frontlines that they’re rushing into a German trap. Not only is it an entertaining movie, with a strong moral worldview about courage under fire, but it has about 36 obscenities and profanities and significant wartime violence. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution

HARRIET is the incredible story about how Harriet Tubman became Harriet Tubman, the woman who saved thousands of slaves and brought them to freedom before the Civil War. HARRIET is an exceptionally well-made movie with a strong Christian worldview, but it does have intense scenes and some foul language.

A HIDDEN LIFE, directed by Terence Malick, follows the true story of an Austrian farmer and his family during World War II, whose lives are turned upside down when the farmer, a fervent Catholic, refuses to pledge loyalty to Adolf Hitler because of the farmer’s strong Christian beliefs. Beautifully photographed, with extremely little objectionable content, A HIDDEN LIFE is a glorious, emotionally powerful tribute to steadfast Christian faith confronting great evil. Though it’s nearly three hours long and moves at an unhurried pace that avoids lots of dialogue, A HIDDEN LIFE is an impressionistic masterpiece honoring one Christian man and his loving, loyal wife.

THE LEAST OF THESE: THE GRAHAM STAINES STORY tells the story of an Australian medical missionary and his two sons who are murdered in a remote Indian village in 1999 by radical Hindus. It’s a powerful story of the quest for truth, and the power of love to redeem and transform.

UNPLANNED is the incredible, powerful true story of Abby, a young woman who gets drawn into working for Planned Parenthood because she thinks that the goal is to help prevent pregnancies. UNPLANNED is extremely well made and powerful.

COUNTRY MUSIC is a beautiful, insightful, informative, frequently poignant, and sometimes heartbreaking eight-part documentary series from PBS about country and western music from its beginnings to 1996. The final episode, titled “Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’,” is particularly good, has a positive view of America, and ends on a powerful note celebrating country music’s frequent Christian themes and use of gospel music.

The “Moondust” episode of THE CROWN follows Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband, as he marvels at the American astronauts who land and walk on the moon in July 1969. A self-proclaimed adventurer, Philip struggles with aging, his role in the world and a desire to be a man of action. During his long thoughts about life in “Moondust,” Philip comes to terms with his need for faith in God.

HEARTLAND is a captivating show about a four generation ranch family in Alberta, Canada. With clever writing, the viewer is engrossed in individual storylines while getting an overall sense of encouragement and an uplifting feeling from the love and support of the family as a whole for each of its members. With a strong moral worldview and nothing that offends, the whole family can watch this episode.

TOGO is a heartwarming action adventure about Leonhard Seppala and his dog, Togo, two of the unsung heroes of the 1925 “Great Race of Mercy,” the legendary dog sled serum relay from Nenana to Nome, Alaska. TOGO is suspenseful, emotionally engaging and cinematically breathtaking, with a strong moral worldview extolling perseverance, gratitude, selflessness, kindness, courage, repentance, and generosity. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children due to some suspense, brief foul language and references to luck.

WHEN CALLS THE HEART: Home for Christmas follows familiar characters in Hope Valley as they prepare for the Christmas holiday with a festival in town. “Home for Christmas” has a strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview stressing joy, helping others and generosity. Children sing “O Come Let Us Adore Him” inside a church during the story.

HEARTLAND is a captivating show about a four generation ranch family in Alberta, Canada. With clever writing, the viewer is engrossed in individual storylines while getting an overall sense of encouragement and an uplifting feeling from the love and support of the family as a whole for each of its members. With a strong moral worldview and nothing that offends, the whole family can watch this episode.

LADY AND THE TRAMP is a wonderful live action reimaging of the 1955 Disney cartoon classic, available on the new Disney+ streaming service. The movie brings the characters to life as Lady and Tramp try to steer clear of the dog pound and get back to, or find, those who love them. LADY AND THE TRAMP delivers many funny, heartwarming moments and has a strong moral worldview promoting family and sacrificing yourself to help others, but it does have brief moments of peril and shows homeless dogs stealing food.

A PUPPY CHRISTMAS, hosted by Larissa Wohl, is a half-hour TV program promoting pet adoption, which tells a story about some puppies helping Santa prepare for his first stop of the Christmas season. A PUPPY CHRISTMAS is all about encouraging viewers to adopt a puppy from a shelter this Christmas season to give them a forever home. A PUPPY CHRISTMAS is an entertaining, funny, uplifting program for the whole family slightly diminished by the myth of Santa Claus.

TOGO is a heartwarming action adventure about Leonhard Seppala and his dog, Togo, two of the unsung heroes of the 1925 “Great Race of Mercy,” the legendary dog sled serum relay from Nenana to Nome, Alaska. TOGO is suspenseful, emotionally engaging and cinematically breathtaking, with a strong moral worldview extolling perseverance, gratitude, selflessness, kindness, courage, repentance, and generosity. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children due to some suspense, brief foul language and references to luck.