New Under-The-Radar Historical Movie Earns Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

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Despite flying under the radar, a new historical movie is earning immense praise from audiences.

So far in 2026, a few historical films have been quietly released, including the pirate adventure The Bluff with Priyanka Chopra and Karl Urban on Prime Video, and A Great Awakening, which tells the story of a friendship between two notable Americans. But of these films, only one has really captured the public’s attention.

A Great Awakening Earns Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

Despite a limited initial release, the film A Great Awakening is gaining attention thanks to positive audience feedback on Rotten Tomatoes. Written and directed by Joshua Enck, it tells the story of the surprising friendship between Benjamin Franklin and Reverend George Whitefield, and how Whitefield’s work influenced the Great Awakening – a pivotal moment in American history.

The film A Great Awakening, which premiered in theaters on April 3rd, stars John Paul Sneed as Benjamin Franklin, Jonathan Blair as George Whitefield, Josh Bates as Alexander Hamilton, Stephen Foster Harris as William Blount, Zac Johnson as Caleb Strong, and Matt Meyer as Robert Yates. So far, it has earned $2.1 million in ticket sales.

Shortly after hitting theaters, the movie A Great Awakening has received a 97% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on over 250 verified reviews, this score could change as more people share their opinions. Critics have given the film a 67% rating, based on 12 reviews.

What Audiences Are Saying About A Great Awakening

Viewers describe A Great Awakening as a moving and inspiring historical drama about faith. Many appreciate the strong performances and high production value, finding the story of Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield to be lively and captivating. Several also mentioned learning new historical facts and enjoying how the film connects the characters’ personal journeys to the larger context of early American history.

Many people highlight the film’s deeply spiritual message, describing it as moving, encouraging, and even transformative in its depiction of faith’s role in the birth of the country. Viewers often share that the movie evoked strong emotions, such as tears, wonder, and a stronger sense of national pride. While a small number of critics feel it occasionally comes across as overly didactic or lacks consistent focus, the general reaction to A Great Awakening is overwhelmingly positive.

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2026-04-07 21:57