Heaven Is Not Enough: Disappointment as a Reoccurring Theme of Heaven, As Portrayed Through Mainstream Films and TV Shows

Abstract The Author believes that an authentic movie about heaven has not been made that squarely lines up with Christian theology and biblical texts. This study analyzes how existing mainstream movies and television series view the afterlife with a theme of disappointment, but these media titles speak about heaven from broader, not necessarily Christian, worldviews. Upon arrival, cinematic characters enter heaven but cannot fully enjoy paradise. This state of discontentment typically lands in three sub-motifs: 1) human romantic love is more important, 2) the person’s first life prevents them from completely enjoying heaven, and 3) heaven ultimately has a boredom problem. In total, the Author dissects ten movies and two television series that showcase these themes of afterlife disappointment. If moviemakers did ever produce such a doctrinally sound movie that draws (solely) from the Christian worldview, it might serve apologetically against these three sub-motifs, as Christian eschatology offers counter arguments to all three disappointment presuppositions.