Are you looking for a way to watch more family-friendly Christian movies with your children? Have you ever heard of Pure Flix? It is probably the most extensive online platform that allows you to stream family-friendly movies to your family. I will show you how with this Pure Flix review.
- Name: Pure Flix
- Website: PureFlix.com
- Cost: FREE 7-day trial, then $7.99/month or $69.99/year ($5.84 per month)
- Recommended: Yes, for an extensive catalog of family-friendly & Christian movies, although it does not carry some of the most popular titles in entertainment.
Note #1: I do not earn any commission or financial kickback from Pure Flix. I believe Pure Flix is the best app for Christian movies and TV shows. If you're Catholic, I also recommend seeing if your parish offers Formed.
Note #2: This review is originally from December 2015 but receives regular updates. Some information on streaming plans may be outdated as streaming plans, catalogs, and compatible devices reverse.
What Is Pure Flix?
Pure Flix is a subscription streaming service that started in 2015 that only streams films and shows that are family-friendly or Christian.
It is an extension of Pure Flix Entertainment, a leading producer of Christian movies that has recently produced movies like God's Not Dead and Woodlawn.
Pure Flix is competitively priced at $7.99 per month or $69.99 for an annual subscription. Plus, they have a 7-day free trial period that you can use before being billed.
I like streaming apps like Pure Flix because my family can watch multiple movies for a low monthly cost.
As we earn an average income, reducing our monthly costs is one way we don't live paycheck to paycheck. I personally choose the monthly subscription as we only watch enough TV during the long winter nights to justify the cost.
However, the annual subscription is a good deal if you can afford the upfront cost.
Ways to Watch Pure Flix
Pure Flix is available on your computer, mobile device, or Smart TV. Visit the website or download the app to start streaming.
It is also accessible on the following devices:
- Roku (Smart TV, Premiere, Ultra, LT, 3, 4, Streaming Stick, and Roku TV)
- Google Chromecast
- Amazon FireTV
- Apple TV (4th Generation and 4k)
- XBOX One
- iPhone
- iPad
- Android phones or tablets
There are no plans to make Pureflix available to stream for PlayStation or Wii gaming devices.
Although I have never tried to, Pure Flix claims users can stream up to six devices at once. Their streaming quality for one device (the most I've ever done) is pretty good and very comparable to Netflix when you have a fast internet connection.
I have been pleased with their streaming quality, but it might buffer more than giants like Netflix and YouTube at times. At the end of the day, it's a small sacrifice to support a noble business.
What Pure Flix Looks Like
I'm trying to refrain from Netflix comparisons as much as possible, (but they are the “gold standard” in online streaming). The Pure Flix interface is very similar to Netflix but a little harder to navigate.
Above is a screenshot of the various titles available to watch on Pure Flix. Â When you hover the mouse over an image, Veggie Tales, in this case, comes up with a brief description and movie duration.
What Movies Does Pure Flix Have
Pure Flix has the largest catalog of family-friendly shows and Christian movies available, over 1,000 to choose from, in one place.
In addition to entertainment, Pure Flix offers the following types of digital videos:
- Educational
- Faith
- Kids
- Movies and Short Films
- TV Series (Torchlighters, The Beverly Hillbillies, Little Rascals, 100 Huntley Street, etc.)
- Classic movies (the old black-and-white classics from Hollywood's “glory days)
For the complete video catalog, please visit this link. Because this streaming service is an offshoot of Pure Flix Studios, you can imagine that a lot of their productions are available.
Though the catalog is extensive, it might not have all of the latest hits. They are offering the blockbuster Kendrick Brothers films like Fireproof and Courageous. They also have other hit movies like God's Not Dead and God's Not Dead 2.
There is a wide variety of films, tv shows, and documentaries available. They have a wide variety of children-friendly programming available like Veggie Tales, educational series on “Heroes of the Faith” and documentaries of historical leaders, events, and locations.
I spent a semester abroad in Spain during college and enjoyed watching some of the educational films for a trip down memory lane.
There are also plenty of movies that adults will enjoy as well on movie nights–or relive childhood nostalgia with your own children! Titles can include the sentimental The Ultimate Gift or The Hiding Place, Christmas movies, Christian comedies and actions, and TV series like The Beverly Hillbillies and Ozzie and Harriett.
*Like any streaming service, the catalog is constantly changing, so movies and shows I have previously mentioned may or may no longer be available to stream at the time of you reading this review.
Their catalog is very large and has a lot of movies that most people probably didn't know even existed, but you will know that they are all family-friendly and you do not need to worry about questionable content and ask “How is this a family film?”
Why Shouldn't I Just Use Netflix?
Above is a screenshot of the various titles available on Pure Flix. When you hover the mouse over an image, (Veggie Tales in this case) a brief description box appears.
What Movies Does Pure Flix Have
Pure Flix has over 1,000 family-friendly shows and Christian movies to choose from. In addition to entertainment, Pure Flix offers the following types of digital videos:
- Educational
- Faith
- Kids
- Movies and Short Films
- TV Series (Torchlighters, The Beverly Hillbillies, Little Rascals, 100 Huntley Street, etc.)
- Classic movies (the old black-and-white classics from Hollywood's golden era)
For the complete video catalog, visit this link.
Though the catalog is extensive, it might not have all the latest hits. It offers blockbuster Kendrick Brothers films like Fireproof and Courageous. They also have other hit movies like God's Not Dead and God's Not Dead 2.
They have a wide variety of children-friendly programming, like Veggie Tales, educational series on Heroes of the Faith and documentaries on historical leaders, events, and locations.
I spent a semester abroad in Spain during college and enjoyed watching some of their educational films for a trip down memory lane.
There are also plenty of movies that adults will enjoy as well on movie nights–or relive childhood nostalgia with your own children!
Titles include the sentimental The Ultimate Gift or The Hiding Place, as well as Christmas movies, Christian comedies and actions, and TV series like The Beverly Hillbillies and Ozzie and Harriett.
Their catalog is very large and has a lot of movies that most people probably didn't know even existed. You can rest assured all content is family-friendly, and you do not need to worry about questionable content and ask, “How is this a family film?”
Why Shouldn't I Just Use Netflix?
Some people might wonder, “Why can't I just apply the parental filters on Netflix so my children can only browse certain categories?”
Firstly, Netflix doesn't have as much family-friendly content. Also, their secular content often includes storylines and content that you don't morally agree with. As one commenter stated, some of Netflix's family programming now has LGBT-friendly content. Do you want your children exposed to these ideas? It's something you may want to consider.
Also, when you watch Pure Flix, you are supporting a Christian organization. Their movie and show catalog has greatly expanded in the four years since I first discovered them.
It might seem a little odd to have a service only for Christian and family-friendly movies, but there are several other similar subscription services available.
Focus on the Family has an $8 per month plan that allows you to listen to an unlimited amount of the Adventures In Odyssey series. I believe Pure Flix can thrive in an environment where more and more families are seeking sources that still provide traditional values.
My Experience With Pure Flix
Pure Flix hasn't perfected the personalized recommendation algorithm like Netflix, so they do not offer recommendations based on your previous viewing history as precisely. Nonetheless, I am satisfied with the service overall.
It takes a little more effort to search for the content you are looking for, but it's not unbearable. In this sense, it is similar to earlier versions of Netflix.
It is a give-and-take relationship with any streaming service and the available catalog. No single service has every movie available. For example, you cannot stream any of the Star Wars episodes on Netflix but you can rent the DVDs.
With Pure Flix, I have only had minimal playback issues where the stream will just halt abruptly, but it always has good resolution. Their streaming quality is reliable (even though we live in a rural area with slow connectivity).
Why I Think You Will Like Pure Flix
Pure Flix isn't for everybody. I know some families like to own the movies they watch instead of renting or simply don't use the service enough to justify the monthly subscription rate.
Others still want the other programming that Netflix or Amazon Prime offers and are satisfied with the “Faith & Family” titles available to stream.
Pure Flix is also an awesome Disney+ alternative.
Positives and Negatives
Pros
- Family-friendly Christian films and TV shows
- Classic movies and TV shows too
- Exclusive movies and shows that other streaming apps don't offer
- Stream from smart TVs and mobile devices
- Free 7-day trial
- No cancellation fees (can pause and restart subscription on demand)
Cons
- Monthly cost ($7.99) can be high if you don't watch many movies
- Catalog may get repetitive
- Some families want secular and Christian content in one platform
Final Thoughts
Overall, Pure Flix is a good streaming app that can fit your family's budget. I personally like the flexibility of being able to pause your subscription anytime without penalty. For example, we watch more movies on long winter nights. But, we don't subscribe during the summer when we are outside most evenings.
What will Pure Flix look like in 5 years? Is it the next Netflix?
For a 7-day free trial, I think it's at least worth trying to find out. If you don't like it, just remember to cancel your account before the trial period ends.
They are growing and adding new titles all the time. I think Pure Flix is here to stay & will improve as the subscription base grows (it certainly has since I first wrote this review in 2017).
Thanks for reading and I hope this review has been helpful.
Is family-friendly or Christian programming a big deal to you? How does your family watch movies (streaming, rent from Redbox, buy them, etc.)?
Pure Flix
12.99/month
Pros
- Wide selection of Christian Films
- Competitively priced
- Always adding new titles
- 7-Day Free Trial
Cons
- Not as sleek as Netflix
- Missing some "key" titles
- High monthly cost if you don't watch much TV
Josh founded Money Buffalo in 2015 to help people get out of debt and make smart financial decisions. He is currently a full-time personal finance writer with work featured in Forbes Advisor, Fox Business, and Credible.