A Thief in the Night (film series)

The A Thief in the Night film series is a collection of Christian end-times thrillers, beginning with the original film A Thief in the Night released in 1972. The series primarily explores the dispensationalist and pre-millennialist interpretation of Christian eschatology, particularly focusing on the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the eventual Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The original film, A Thief in the Night, depicts the story of Patty, a young woman who initially dismisses the warnings of a friend regarding the Rapture. When the Rapture occurs, she is left behind and must navigate a world increasingly controlled by the Antichrist and his global governing body, UNITE (United Nations Imperium of Total Emergency).

Subsequent films in the series, A Distant Thunder (1978), Image of the Beast (1981), and The Prodigal Planet (1983), continue Patty's story and expand upon the themes and prophecies presented in the first film. These sequels further develop the dystopian world under the Antichrist's rule and explore the struggles of those who have accepted Christ after the Rapture.

The A Thief in the Night series is known for its low-budget production values, melodramatic acting, and overt Christian messaging. Despite criticism for its production quality and theological interpretations, the series has remained popular within certain Christian subcultures and has been influential in shaping popular understandings of the end times within those communities. The films are often used in evangelistic contexts to encourage viewers to accept Jesus Christ and prepare for the potential occurrence of the Rapture.