'King of Kings': A New Animated Frontier or Divisive Faith Film?
On July 16, 2025, South Korea will release the much-anticipated animated film King of Kings. Produced by Korea's MOFAC studio and distributed in North America by Angel Studios, the film reconstructs the life of Jesus through animation — an ambitious blend of faith, art, and technology. What makes this release noteworthy isn’t just its religious subject, but also the collaboration between Korean and Hollywood talent, including voices from Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min on the Korean side, and Kenneth Branagh and Oscar Isaac on the global version.
Drawing loose inspiration from a lesser-known Charles Dickens story, King of Kings takes narrative liberties by combining Dickensian themes with biblical storytelling — a fusion that has sparked both curiosity and skepticism. With the massive growth of streaming platforms, the decision to center its release in theaters has industry watchers particularly interested.
What Makes This Movie Unique?
First and foremost, King of Kings is unapologetically rooted in a biblical worldview. This means it seeks to tell the story of Jesus not as a historical figure alone, but as the Christian Savior, aiming to resonate with faith-based audiences while introducing the story to potentially new cultural contexts through state-of-the-art digital modeling and CGI animation.
What's even more remarkable is the cultural cooperation: Korean actors voice the original version, while recognizable Hollywood names contribute to the dubbed versions. It's a smart move to give local authenticity and global accessibility to a film that’s bridging continents in both message and business strategy.
Supporters Say: A Showcase of Korean Animation and Christian Values
Supporters of the project argue that King of Kings could become a landmark achievement for Korean animation, much like how Japan carved out global recognition with studios like Ghibli. MOFAC’s advanced CGI techniques provide not only high production value but also help communicate sacred stories with emotional depth.
Beyond the technology, many faith-based families are hopeful that the film will offer a wholesome alternative to the typical mainstream entertainment — something both spiritually meaningful and age-appropriate. Similar religious animation like The Prince of Egypt found immense success in combining faith, drama, and artistic allure, and King of Kings might tap into that same emotional current.
Critics Say: Religious Bias and Stray Too Far From the Source
On the flip side, there’s growing unease about the religious angle. While telling Jesus’s story is meaningful to many, skeptics warn that anchoring the film so firmly in a biblical worldview could alienate secular viewers or those of different faiths. In an era celebrating inclusion and diversity, a movie perceived as too narrowly Christian may struggle to gain traction outside faith-based circles.
Literature enthusiasts have also voiced concerns: Why credit Charles Dickens if the story pivots so dramatically from his original tone and content? For those coming in expecting Dickens-style storytelling, the overt religious themes could be an unwelcome surprise — a sort of tonal identity crisis.
And then there’s the market challenge: launching a new animated film in the age of Netflix and Disney+ binge culture is tough. Theater-only releases can be risky, especially when the audiences most likely to watch — young families and church groups — often prefer the convenience of streaming from home.
A Balanced Perspective: Opportunity and Risk
In many ways, King of Kings represents a crossroads moment — blending Korean creativity with Western spirituality, and embracing both traditional storytelling and cutting-edge animation. It’s a gamble that could pay off: the film industry is hungry for fresh voices and global crossovers, and this film delivers both.
However, success will depend on how the narrative is handled. If the movie offers respectful storytelling that inspires without feeling preachy, and if it communicates in ways accessible to multiple cultures, it could become a standout. If not, it may find itself limited to niche appeal despite the grand production efforts.
Ultimately, King of Kings isn't just a film — it's a test of how well culturally specific stories can make the leap onto the global stage. Whether it finds mainstream success or speaks only to the choir, its efforts in bridging the gap between Korean artistry, faith-driven content, and Hollywood marketing deserve attention.