THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
Follow the Light.
Should You Watch It?
This animated adaptation succeeds where previous movie versions fell short. It creates real jeopardy, memorable characters, strong conflict, and a premise that keeps the story moving. From the beginning, you want to see whether Christian will reach the Celestial City.
The film is also faithful to John Bunyan’s beloved classic. That faithfulness means the middle sags slightly, but it also preserves the story’s richness. Christian’s journey presents spiritual trials in imaginative visual form, while its Christian worldview points toward Jesus as King.
The one family concern is significant for sensitive viewers: the demons are frightening and attack in surprising ways. If your older children can handle that imagery, WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESChristian lives with his wife in the depressing City of Destruction, a place of work, drudgery, slavery, and bondage. After finding a book that maps the way to the Celestial City, where Jesus reigns, Christian leaves the city to follow its light.
Along the way, he meets Evangelist and encounters forces determined to turn him back. Fear, doubt, discouragement, giants, and other trials stand between Christian and his destination.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly successful adaptation and an excellent piece of entertainment. The filmmakers create jeopardy, characters, conflict, and a strong premise that drives the story forward.
The animation is imaginative, and the film works as both art and entertainment. Its success recalls Peter Jackson’s achievement with The Lord of the Rings, especially compared with earlier deficient attempts to film that masterpiece.
Because the movie remains faithful to the book, it sags slightly in the middle. Still, leaving those sections intact is also a blessing, preserving more of Bunyan’s story.
The Worldview
The film presents an extremely Christian worldview. Christian Pilgrim discovers a book that leads him toward the Celestial City, where Jesus is King. His journey becomes a visual account of the trials Christians face, including fear, doubt, pride, worldly wisdom, legality, despair, vanity, and temptation.
The film clearly identifies demonic powers as enemies of Christian faithfulness. Christian must keep following the light despite their attacks and the many obstacles placed before him. The story exalts perseverance, spiritual courage, and the hope of reaching the Celestial City.
Its central longing is for the heavenly city where Jesus reigns. Scripture similarly points believers toward a lasting home: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Extremely Christian worldview in a story about a Christian heading to the Celestial City where Jesus is the King and demonic powers and principalities try to stop him
Foul Language
No foul language
Violence
Scary demons attack Christian Pilgrim and others along the way to the Celestial City, Satan blasts his demon Supervisor several times and frying him, a [swamp] lake of Despondency almost drown Christian, ugly giants take Pilgrim captive, the town of Vanity Fair arrests Pilgrim and his partner, Faithful, and take Faithful to be killed in a fire but Christian escapes, Christian faces an evil and giant leviathan as his last hurdle before the Celestial City, the Mountain of Legality tries to stone Pilgrim, and Pilgrim has a hand-to-hand combat with a demon while dressed in the Armor of God
Sex
No sex
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Obstinance, libel, discouragement, fears, double mindedness, legality, despair, humiliation, disgrace, vanity, temptations, flattery.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Christian leaves the City of Destruction after discovering the book that points toward the Celestial City. What helps you recognize the direction God is calling you to follow?
Psalm 119:105 · John 8:12Christian faces fear, doubt, and discouragement along the way. Where do you most need perseverance, and how can God’s people encourage you?
Galatians 6:9 · Hebrews 10:24–25The film presents Jesus as King and the Celestial City as Christian’s destination. What does it mean to live as a citizen of heaven while still living on earth?
Philippians 3:20 · Colossians 3:1–4Christian encounters temptations, flattery, worldly wisdom, and despair. How can Scripture help you test the voices competing for your attention?
Romans 12:2 · 1 John 4:1The Final Word
This is a faithful, imaginative, and highly entertaining translation of Bunyan’s classic. The demonic attacks may frighten sensitive children, but older children and adults can find encouragement in Christian’s journey toward Jesus and the Celestial City. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
