Quick Facts
| Title | Journey to Bethlehem |
| Type | Christmas musical film |
| Release Date | November 10, 2023 (US theatrical) |
| Director | Adam Anders (feature directorial debut) |
| Writers | Adam Anders & Peter Barsocchini |
| Composers/Songwriters | Adam Anders, Nikki Anders & Peer Åstrom |
| Starring | Fiona Palomo, Milo Manheim, Antonio Banderas, Joel Smallbone, Lecrae |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures / Affirm Films |
| Where to Watch | Netflix, Hulu (subscription); rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Journey to Bethlehem is a 2023 live-action Christmas musical from Sony Pictures and Affirm Films, directed by Adam Anders in his feature directorial debut. The screenplay is by Anders and Peter Barsocchini (writer of the High School Musical franchise).
About the Movie
This live-action Christmas musical weaves classic Christmas melodies and new pop songs into a retelling of the Nativity story — the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. Newcomer Fiona Palomo stars as Mary and Zombies-franchise star Milo Manheim as Joseph, with Antonio Banderas as a scheming King Herod. The film opened theatrically on November 10, 2023, alongside The Marvels, on a reported $6 million budget, and went on to gross about $7.9 million worldwide. It holds a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A–” CinemaScore from opening-weekend audiences; in 2024 it won the Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring Movie at the Movieguide Awards.
The Cast of Journey to Bethlehem
- Fiona Palomo as Mary
- Milo Manheim as Joseph
- Antonio Banderas as Herod the Great
- Omid Djalili as Melchior
- Rizwan Manji as Gaspar
- Geno Segers as Balthazar
- Moriah (Moriah Smallbone) as Deborah
- Joel Smallbone as Antipater
- Lecrae as Gabriel
- Stephanie Gil as Rebekah
- Maria Pau Pigem as Ana
- Alicia Borrachero as Rachel
- Antonio Gil as Jacob
- Pedro Aijon
- Ricard Serra
- Eric Halverson
- Juan José Marco
Composer of Journey to Bethlehem
The film’s score and original songs were written by director Adam Anders (known for Glee, Rock of Ages, and Dirty Dancing) together with Nikki Anders and Peer Åstrom. The soundtrack was released digitally by Capitol Christian Music Group on November 3, 2023, with a deluxe edition adding the film’s instrumental score on November 24, 2023.
Journey to Bethlehem Soundtrack — Full Tracklist
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (0:18)
- Journey to Bethlehem – The JTB Choir (1:47)
- Mary’s Getting Married – Fiona Palomo, MŌRIAH, Stephanie Gil & The JTB Choir (3:34)
- Good to Be King – Antonio Banderas & Joel Smallbone (2:57)
- Can We Make This Work – Fiona Palomo & Milo Manheim (2:46)
- Mother to a Savior and King – Fiona Palomo (3:54)
- The Ultimate Deception – Milo Manheim (2:55)
- Three Wise Guys – Omid Djalili, Rizwan Manji & Geno Segers (2:34)
- We Become We – Fiona Palomo & Milo Manheim (2:08)
- In My Blood – Joel Smallbone (2:54)
- The Nativity Song – Zoe Arnau, Lecrae, Fiona Palomo, Fran Llorens, Geno Segers, Rizwan Manji, Omid Djalili & The JTB Choir (4:04)
- Brand New Life (feat. We The Kingdom) – Steven Curtis Chapman (3:27)
Where to Watch Journey to Bethlehem
Journey to Bethlehem is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu, or to rent/buy on Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. It’s also out on Blu-ray and DVD (released January 16, 2024). The soundtrack streams on Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed Journey to Bethlehem?
Director Adam Anders wrote the score and original songs with Nikki Anders and Peer Åstrom.
Is “We Become We” a real song from the movie?
Yes — it’s track 9 on the official soundtrack, performed by Fiona Palomo and Milo Manheim as Mary and Joseph.
Who stars in Journey to Bethlehem?
Fiona Palomo and Milo Manheim lead as Mary and Joseph, with Antonio Banderas as King Herod, plus Joel Smallbone, Lecrae, Omid Djalili, and Rizwan Manji.
Where can I watch Journey to Bethlehem?
It’s streaming on Netflix and Hulu, and available to rent or buy digitally on Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
Did Journey to Bethlehem do well at the box office?
It grossed about $7.9 million worldwide against a $6 million budget, with a 75% Rotten Tomatoes score and an “A–” CinemaScore.
Related reading: Movie Soundtracks | Netflix | Hulu