A Great Awakening

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2:07

A Great Awakening

PG-13

Apr 2026

2h 9m

History

Drama

Faith & Spirituality

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69%

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16 Reviews

97%

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1,000+ Verified Ratings

A GREAT AWAKENING, tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between the Reverend George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin that resulted in one of the most defining moments in American history. With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Reverend George Whitefield ignites the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering and faithful sermons and proclamations of liberty. In a miraculous turn of events, one of Whitefield's closest friends and greatest promoters becomes none other than Benjamin Franklin. With the nation's freedom hanging in the balance, the founders discover true liberty cannot only be written into law -- it must be awakened in the hearts of the people.

Audience Says

A Great Awakening is especially powerful for those drawn to faith-driven, uplifting stories with a strong dose of history.

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Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

Apr 13

3/5

For fans of faith-based films, A Great Awakening provides an ideal way to celebrate a treasured holiday and the pending 250th anniversary of the United States with one theater ticket.

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Glenn Kenny

New York Times

Apr 2

It’s an earnest account of a religious movement that still resonates.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

May 23

2/5

This biographical drama clicks when it spends time on the friendship between Franklin and Whitefield but sinks when it's focused on the latter, who is depicted as a one-dimensional messiah type.

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

May 7

3/4

A Great Awakening shows, quite powerfully at times, how religious belief can shape political thinking and action, but it would be a real shame to mistake it for a simplistic Christian nationalist screed.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Apr 12

the story is appealing in an old fashioned, old orator declaratory fashion, but the story squints aplenty and uses the bombastic style to disguise the pacing issues.

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Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Apr 7

"A Great Awakening" reminds audiences that belief in freedom is not divorced from belief in the providence of God.

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Heidi K

5d

Incredible, historically sound, and we'll presented representation of Benjamin Franklin and the many impactful events and individuals in his life eventually leading to him finding God's hand! Tears of joy as a Christian, who today feels like we're long overdue for another awakening! Thank God there are actors and studios willing to represent the forever important, Faith-based history of this great country.

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Donna O

May 20

INCREDIBLE MOVIE!!! I’ve seen it 5 times!!!

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Catherine F

May 14

Very interesting and rarely told story of the relationship between George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin. Terrific acting.

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Sonia

May 12

Superb acting! Worthy Movie

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Joe

May 10

Great untold historical stoty

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Deborah S

May 9

Loved it! Especially that it is supposed to be historically true. That George Whitefield was one of the Forgotten Founding Fathers is important to shout from the rooftops. I loved the acting, the actors, the plot and the fact that it portrays our country being founded on God and biblical principles and we were and that needs to not be forgotten. ITs why we have been so great for so long. Let us not lose the Lords favor! May we as a country go back to those beliefs again!

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Joshua Enck

Director

John Paul Sneed

Benjamin Franklin

Jonathan Blair

George Whitefield

Josh Bates

Alexander Hamilton

Alana Gerlach

Elizabeth Whitefield

Russell Dean Schultz

George Washington

A Great Awakening: Exclusive Clip - Friendship

1:46

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A Great Awakening: Trailer 1

2:07

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Synopsis

A GREAT AWAKENING, tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between the Reverend George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin that resulted in one of the most defining moments in American history. With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Reverend George Whitefield ignites the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering and faithful sermons and proclamations of liberty. In a miraculous turn of events, one of Whitefield's closest friends and greatest promoters becomes none other than Benjamin Franklin. With the nation's freedom hanging in the balance, the founders discover true liberty cannot only be written into law -- it must be awakened in the hearts of the people.

Director: Joshua Enck
Producer: Steve Buckwalter, Troy Thorne
Screenwriter: Joshua Enck, Jeff Bender, Jonathan Blair
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Sight & Sound Films
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Violence)
Genre: History, Drama, Faith & Spirituality
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 2026, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 5, 2026
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.9M
Runtime: 2h 9m