The 2025 animated film The King of Kings, directed and written by Seong-ho Jang, begins with a warm yet turbulent domestic scene where the famed author Charles Dickens tells his son Walter a bedtime story that will become a transformative journey. Walter, a lively boy enthralled by tales of King Arthur and knights, swishes his wooden sword around imagining himself a great king. His father, Charles, gestures with patience and care, preparing to tell a different kind of story: the greatest story ever told—that of Jesus Christ.

The narrative then transitions into a vivid imaginative realm where young Walter walks alongside Jesus, seeing the story unfold firsthand. It opens with the biblical scene of Joseph and Mary searching for lodging in Bethlehem, as the decree of Caesar Augustus sends them on this journey. The animation brings to life the crowded and tense atmosphere of the town, culminating in the humble birth of Jesus in a stable. The scene then shifts to the magi's arrival, bearing gifts and following the guiding star, while dark tension simmers as King Herod schemes from his palace—his voice and presence commanding yet menacing.

As the story continues, viewers witness Jesus at the age of twelve teaching in the temple, impressing the elders with his wisdom but also showing the early sign of his unique destiny. The narrative then moves to John the Baptist's call for repentance, a powerful voice echoing in the wilderness. The baptism of Jesus follows, with water depicted in fluid, glowing animation, symbolizing purification and divine acceptance. Next comes the scene of Jesus’ temptation in the desert, where he faces and resists Satan’s temptations in a stark, haunting landscape, highlighting his spiritual strength.

The film then depicts Jesus gathering his disciples, a ragtag group of followers who soon witness numerous miracles. These include scenes of healing the sick with tender compassion, feeding the five thousand with a sense of miraculous generosity, and Peter walking on water—a visually stunning moment that captures Peter’s faltering faith and Jesus’ support. More dramatic are the moments where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, a scene charged with emotion, the jubilant reunion contrasting starkly with the oppressive atmosphere that follows in Jerusalem.

The narrative intensifies as Jesus enters Jerusalem amid crowds waving palms in celebration, leading into his confrontation at the temple where he upends the money changers’ tables in righteous fury. This scene is rendered with kinetic energy, the anger and justice palpable. The Last Supper is a solemn, intimate scene filled with symbolic gestures and quiet tension, foreshadowing the trials ahead.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestles with anguish and fear, his prayers whispered under the night sky. The subsequent arrest follows, dark and chaotic, leading to his trial before Pontius Pilate, who is portrayed with a conflicted bearing as he weighs political pressure against justice.

The climax unfolds with Jesus’ crucifixion, portrayed with solemn reverence, focusing on the gravity and sacrifice of the moment. The film does not shy away from the emotional weight, emphasizing love and redemption through detailed animation of Jesus’ suffering and the reactions of those around him. The story concludes with the resurrection, a triumphant and luminously animated sequence that brings hope and affirmation, echoing the father’s closing words to his son, reinforcing the power of hope and faith.

Throughout the film, the arc of young Walter parallels the biblical narrative. As Charles tells the story, Walter’s imagination and understanding deepen, and Charles himself becomes more reflective and patient, softening from a stern disciplinarian to a more tender father, symbolized in the film by his removal of a "Do Not Disturb" sign from his study to make room for family and forgiveness.

The King of Kings thus unfolds as an intimate, vividly animated retelling of Jesus Christ’s life, seen through the eyes of a child whose imagination bridges the past and present, infusing the ancient story with fresh life and enduring meaning.

The film portrays many significant events from Jesus' life, including Joseph and Mary seeking shelter in Bethlehem, the visit of the wise men, King Herod's pursuit of Jesus, Jesus teaching at age 12, John the Baptist's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, His temptation in the desert, calling of the disciples, numerous healings, the feeding of the 5000, Peter walking on water, raising Lazarus from the dead, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus overturning the tables in the Temple, instituting the Last Supper, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.

The story is framed as a father telling his son the greatest story ever told, which transforms from a bedtime tale into a vivid, life-changing journey. Through the boy's imagination, he walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, trials, and ultimate sacrifice, allowing viewers to rediscover themes of hope, love, and redemption through a child's perspective.

The film features an ensemble voice cast including Oscar Isaac as Jesus Christ, Pierce Brosnan as Pontius Pilate, Kenneth Branagh as Charles Dickens, Uma Thurman as Catherine Dickens, Roman Griffin Davis as Walter Dickens, Mark Hamill as King Herod, Ben Kingsley as High Priest Caiaphas, and Forest Whitaker as Peter.

The film uses the narrative device of Charles Dickens telling the story of Jesus to his son Walter Dickens. This framing story includes Charles explaining complex ideas to Walter and reflecting on his own behavior, which ties the biblical events to a contemporary father-son relationship.

As Charles tells the story of Jesus to his son, he begins to recognize and feel embarrassment for his own inappropriate outbursts of anger. By the end of the film, he removes a 'Do Not Disturb' sign from his study, symbolizing his desire to spend more time with his children and showing personal growth influenced by the story he shares.

The 2025 animated movie The King of Kings is generally considered family-friendly and suitable for children, particularly those aged 6 and older, though parental guidance is suggested for younger children due to some mild sensitive content.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting scenes for children or sensitive viewers include:

• Mild violence and scary scenes: References to events like the slaughter of innocents and scourging of Jesus, which are presented in a way appropriate for children but could be unsettling.
• Sexual references and nudity: There is a scene where Adam and Eve are shown nude but with genitals covered, and a woman accused of adultery is depicted; Judas also kisses Jesus on the cheek.
• Use of substances: Wine drinking is shown during the Last Supper, reflecting biblical context.
• Mild coarse language: Includes words like "gosh".

Despite these elements, the movie is praised for its warm, reverent, and engaging retelling of the life of Jesus, with beautiful animation, music, and a message emphasizing biblical values such as love, forgiveness, unity, and kindness.

Overall, The King of Kings is recommended as an excellent faith-based film that families can watch together, with the benefit of providing opportunities to discuss real-life moral and ethical themes in an age-appropriate way.