"The Chosen" is now the most translated TV series ever
The most translated TV series on the planet is a crowdfunded show about Jesus.
"The Chosen" has officially been recognized by Guinness World Records for the second time, with its first season now available in a staggering 125 languages. That puts it ahead of every other television series ever made when it comes to linguistic reach.
The record was announced at ChosenCon and on the official website of The Chosen. What makes the achievement even wilder is the speed at which it happened. Back in September 2025, the show had already set a Guinness record with 86 languages. So the team added nearly 40 more translations in just a few months.
How did a crowdfunded series pull this off?
For those unfamiliar, "The Chosen" launched in 2017 and tells the story of Jesus and his apostles across multiple seasons. It has since reached audiences in 175 countries and racked up over 280 million viewers worldwide. None of that came through a traditional studio pipeline.
Instead, the show's distribution is handled by Come and See, a nonprofit that oversees its global rollout. Their stated goal is almost absurdly ambitious: they want to translate and dub the series into 600 languages. The organization's CEO James Barnett explained the thinking behind that target by emphasizing that people need to experience the story in the language they think and dream in, not just one they loosely understand.
Over 200 specialists are involved in the translation process, including linguists, theologians, and local pastors. Their job goes well beyond swapping out dialogue word for word. Each adaptation has to account for theological accuracy, cultural context, and local expressions, especially in regions where Christianity isn't the dominant faith.and his apostles across multiple seasons. It has since reached audiences in 175 countries and racked up over 280 million viewers worldwide. None of that came through a traditional studio pipeline.
Instead, the show's distribution is handled by Come and See, a nonprofit that oversees its global rollout. Their stated goal is almost absurdly ambitious: they want to translate and dub the series into 600 languages. The organization's CEO James Barnett explained the thinking behind that target by emphasizing that people need to experience the story in the language they think and dream in, not just one they loosely understand.
Over 200 specialists are involved in the translation process, including linguists, theologians, and local pastors. Their job goes well beyond swapping out dialogue word for word. Each adaptation has to account for theological accuracy, cultural context, and local expressions, especially in regions where Christianity isn't the dominant faith.
Over 200 specialists are involved in the translation process, including linguists, theologians, and local pastors. Their job goes well beyond swapping out dialogue word for word. Each adaptation has to account for theological accuracy, cultural context, and local expressions, especially in regions where Christianity isn't the dominant faith.
Creator and director Dallas Jenkins made it clear at the event that the team isn't slowing down, saying this won't be the last translation record they break.
A series built entirely outside the traditional entertainment system has managed to outpace every major franchise in terms of language accessibility. It did so through digital platforms, volunteer networks, and grassroots support rather than the kind of infrastructure that companies like Netflix or Disney rely on.