The lives of Jesus Christ are depicted in these 10 excellent Easter movies.
The Easter tale of Jesus Christ has been the subject of literally hundreds of films since The Life and Passion of Jesus was released in 1902. Both high-budget epics like The Greatest Story Ever Told and more intimate films like The Gospel of St. Matthew have been produced. Some films, such as Jesus Christ Superstar and the (very experimental) Jesus—Der Film, have cheated with the plot. There have been parodies, such as “Life of Brian” by Monty Python. If you take into account films that use Easter iconography in novel contexts, the list becomes much longer (like the Christ imagery in Cool Hand Luke).
It might be challenging to choose a wonderful Jesus movie to watch during the Easter season with so many selections available. The list of ten watchable Easter movies on Jesus’ life is provided below. Biblical epics, family-friendly films, and adult-oriented films are all included in the list. Check out the newest articles on Crosswalk.com and iBelieve.com for a wider range of Easter movies that are good for the whole family.
Each Easter movie’s section includes a suggestion for whether the film is suitable for kids as well as its rating. Each movie also includes a link to the Parent Guide from Common Sense Media or IMDb, so you can choose if it is appropriate for your family. Additionally, a link to websites displaying streaming options for the film is provided. If the movie isn’t available to stream locally, see if your library subscribes to Kanopy, an online service that lets you watch up to 10 movies for free each month with only your library card.
1. The Christ’s Passion (2004)
Grade: R
The Passion of the Christ, perhaps the most divisive film on this list, had the biggest box office earnings of any R-rated film at the time it was released. It’s also credited for demonstrating that there was a market for Christian movies, which paved the way for works like God’s Not Dead and Facing the Giants.
Some Easter-themed films highlight Jesus’ extraterrestrial characteristics, such as the ethereal blond Jesus with blue eyes in Son of God. The divinity of Jesus is captured in such films, yet it is difficult to think that he ever fretted about anything. In The Passion of the Christ, Jim Caviezel plays a very Jewish-looking Jesus who is first seen frightened and wailing in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The Passion of the Christ places a strong emphasis on what transpired on Good Friday rather than glossing over the crucifixion in order to concentrate on the empty tomb. We see graphic depictions of the suffering Jesus underwent, from his bloody sweat in the garden to the Roman floggings to the torture on the cross. Satan shows up in many of the scenes to show that Jesus’ death took away the power of evil (Colossians 3:15).
Some people have asked if the film is cruel because of all the violence. It clearly resembles The Passion of the Christ, but it’s the closest anybody has come to capturing the image of a crucifixion. Even though the Pharisees play too much into Jewish stereotypes, little things like a Jewish girl bringing Jesus water show that the movie isn’t bad-mouthing the whole Jewish race.
Image courtesy of Icon Entertainment
2. The Gospel of John (2003)
Grade: PG-13
Yes, it is appropriate for children.
This 2003 film, which is also marketed as The Visual Bible: John, has the same structure as The Visual Bible: Matthew and The Visual Bible: Acts. Each one selects a Bible book and provides the text as accurately as feasible. The text in this instance is derived from the Good News Bible and comes from the Gospel of John.
It could be better viewed in segments since it lasts for three hours. Even if it isn’t the best telling of Jesus’ narrative, it is special since it is based on John’s Gospel. Most Jesus-centered films are based on the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Although the three gospels have a lot in common, each has a different emphasis (Matthew emphasizes how Jesus fulfilled Messiah prophecies, Mark emphasizes how much Jesus suffered, and Luke emphasizes how Jesus brought freedom). Scholars estimate that the Gospel of John contains 90% new material, and it appears to have been written for a Gentile audience, as John begins by referring to Jesus as the Logos, the Word, rather than the Messiah.
It’s considerably simpler, from an adaptation standpoint, to follow The Jesus Film’s lead and build the plot on the Synoptic Gospels. The Gospel of John is distinctive because it closely adheres to the fourth gospel; as a result, it pairs well with other Easter films. You can set up a schedule to watch a movie based on each of the Gospels. This will give you a full picture of Jesus’ story from the many angles shown in the New Testament.
Visual Bible International provided the image.
3. Ben-Hur (1959) G-Rated
Ben-Hur is a superb example of what William R. Telford refers to as the Roman-Christian epic: movies that convey the impact of the Gospel message via supporting characters rather than retelling the Gospel account. The Robe, Risen, and even a 1961 Barabbas film are among these films. Of these films, Ben-Hur is by far the most well-known. Even though it has been made over and over again, no one has really been able to match its quality.
The narrative opens with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem before focusing on Judah Ben-Hur, an affluent young Jew growing up in Jerusalem. Judah has a straightforward strategy to escape slavery after being betrayed by an old friend. Years later, when Judah arrives in Jerusalem as a free man, he encounters his old foe but is also shocked to meet a new instructor who may be the long-awaited Messiah. Judah has been captive by the Romans. Therefore, he is happy that liberation could be on the horizon soon.
Everyone will find something to like in the narrative, which includes romance, adventure, sports, exotic settings, and melodrama. Viewers may see what the typical Jew anticipated the Messiah to be like when Jesus first arrived, thanks to Judah’s desire for revenge against Rome. Judah’s desire for vengeance forces viewers to see how paradoxical it is for Jesus to encourage us to love our adversaries.
Although not gory, this movie is a little too lengthy for children to watch. Check out the animated adaptation from 2003 if you wish to introduce youngsters to the tale. It is much shorter (one hour, seventeen minutes) and Charlton Heston, who provides Judah Ben-voice, Hur’s introduces it.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer provided the image.
4. The Miracle Maker (G)
Yes, it is appropriate for children.
Biblically inspired animated films have a lengthy history. With a few notable exceptions, like Prince of Egypt and the Rankin-Bass stop-motion animated film, The Little Drummer Boy, they are often a little dry. In general, it’s easier to adapt a Bible story with some satire (like VeggieTales) than to tell the story straight from the Bible and risk using all the same old phrases.
The Miracle Maker goes above and beyond what you’d anticipate and is produced by a number of small businesses with Icon Entertainment. Claymation figurines are used to depict the narrative of Jesus, with certain sequences (such as Mary’s flashbacks to discovering Jesus in the temple) switching to hand-drawn animation. Jairus takes his ill daughter to a healer at the beginning of the novel, but the healer is unable to save her. As Jesus (voiced by Ralph Fiennes) completes his last task before leaving to do his “father’s work,” they cross paths with him. The next scenes depict Jairus and his family responding to Jesus’ teaching both before and after he cures Jairus’ daughter. The rest of the movie tells about Jesus’ mission, from when he chose his disciples to when he was raised from the dead.
The animated characters in The Miracle Maker are fluid and realistic despite having a limited budget. The camera approach is similar to that of Aardman’s Wallace and Gromit flicks, which makes the characters much more fascinating. Jesus (voiced by Ralph Fiennes) strikes his disciples as personable and amusing.
The British Broadcasting Corporation, British Screen Productions, Cartwn Cymru, Christmas Films, Icon Entertainment International, and Sianel 4 Cymru contributed to this image.
5. King of Kings (PG-13), a 1961 film
Yes, it is appropriate for children.
Many of the Biblical epics that were published in the 1950s and 1960s haven’t held up well over time. Bathrobe epics, as they are often referred to, appear to have campy performances and manufactured costumes. The length of these films’ runs makes the lengthy Lord of the Rings trilogy seem like a light jaunt.
The King of Kings is one of the few timeless biblical epics. Although lengthy, it is far shorter than The Greatest Story Ever Told. It embellishes the narrative, as does pretty much every epic; the plot begins with the Roman invasion of Jerusalem in 63 BC. In it, a Roman soldier repeatedly encounters Jesus and, at Golgotha, declares, “Surely this guy was the son of God.” The stepdaughter of King Herod Antipas is a flirt who is first drawn to and then disgusted by John the Baptist, in the style of Oscar Wilde’s play Salome. Barabbas is a tough freedom warrior who is familiar with Judas Iscariot but has no interest in a Messiah who is nonviolent.
These particulars are extrabiblical, yet the same may be said about the Ten Commandments. What’s more, these adjustments offer the King of Kings a specific emphasis: what was Jesus’ teaching throughout a violent age? Judea was intended by the Romans and Herod Antipas to be a tranquil province. The Israelites desired to depose their kings. Although Jesus claimed to be the foretold king, their expectations were not met by his rule. This intriguing balance is captured by Jeffrey Hunter, who is best recognized for his role as Christopher Pike in Star Trek. The Monarch is strong yet otherworldly, and his intentions will astound the whole planet.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer provided the image.
6. (G) Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Yes, it is appropriate for children.
This 6-hour miniseries works well as a series to watch during the Easter season, albeit being a tad lengthy for one day. Episode 1 opens with Gabriel sending a message to Mary, while Episode 4 closes with Jesus appearing to his followers after his resurrection. Each episode is about 90 minutes long, so it can be watched in a single evening during Holy Week.
This miniseries was directed by Franco Zeffirelli, who is well known for his operas and the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. Although his mother (Olivia Hussey) has a lot of grey powder in her hair, she still appears like a teenager. Jesus (Robert Powell) is unbelievably attractive. As King Herod Antipas, Christopher Plummer brings some operatic fun. But rather than feeling like a primary ingredient, these synthetic components seem more like a side dish. Even while the plot is dramatic, it never devolves into a silly Bible pageant.
The miniseries also makes excellent use of its running time to provide setting information. Jesus of Nazareth emphasizes the Jewish standpoint, whereas the King of Kings emphasizes the Roman perspective. The process begins with Mary’s mother setting up the marriage proposal to Joseph. Later scenes include Jesus, at 13, having his Bar Mitzvah, and Joseph, after learning of Mary’s pregnancy, meeting with his rabbi. Later in the plot, viewers will witness authorities like Joseph of Arimathea debating how to deal with this new rabbi who seems to be redefining their faith. Jesus went against the rules to fulfill the law in a way that wasn’t expected. This has never been clearer.
Credit for the image: ITC Entertainment/RAI
7. The Jesus Movie (1979), grade G
Yes, it is appropriate for children.
Watch The Jesus Film Project online.
Due to the Jesus Film Project’s desire to reach as many people as possible, many people claim that this film has been translated more than any other film in history. It was created by Cru (previously Campus Crusade for Christ) with a focus on education rather than as a theatrical release. It closely follows the Good News Bible translation’s rendering of the Gospel of Luke, but it only lasts a little under two hours. Given its brief length, it is perfect for viewers who have already viewed The Gospel of John or The Visual Bible: Matthew and would want to see a Jesus film based on a different Gospel. On the Jesus Film Project’s website, it is also accessible for free all year round.
This film includes a few surprises, even if the narration is awkward and many of the visual effects (even ones added years later for the online version) haven’t held up well over time. In the scenes of temptation in the desert, Satan is shown as a serpent, a cunning allusion to Genesis 3. When Zacheus pulls aside a tapestry to reveal money he’s concealed beneath a rock in a hole in the wall, he announces he will pay back any customers he has defrauded. In the Gospel of Luke, Brian Deacon is unable to stray from Jesus’ phrases, but he manages to add a few subtle nonverbal cues while Jesus is out with his followers. Though he may not be the most down-to-earth Jesus, this one shows compassion.
The Jesus Film Project provided the image.
8. Son of God (2014) is rated PG-13.
Yes, it is appropriate for children.
This film, an edited version of the History Channel miniseries The Bible, falls squarely in the center. Like a documentary, it doesn’t recount a Gospel passage in its entirety. It doesn’t depict everything as a massive, epic journey that must be completed in many sittings. All people, with the exception of little toddlers who are too young for crucifixion gore, may use it since it is small and well-packaged.
Before Jesus appears on the scene and leaps into Peter’s fishing boat in Son of God, a few Bible excerpts, a brief glimpse of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, and some images of Jews evading Roman troops are shown. The video skips a few seconds after Jesus’ ministry and jumps to Jesus entering Jerusalem during Passion Week. The visuals of Jesus being kidnapped, beaten, and crucified are a touch violent for young viewers, but not quite as explicit as in The Passion of the Christ. The Son of God, in contrast to The Passion of the Christ, depicts Jesus’ disciples finding the empty tomb and seeing him before he ascends. Each of these episodes is told by an old man who later reveals himself to be John. He does this as he thinks back on his time in exile on Patmos.
It’s difficult to ignore the fact that this film is a condensed version of a TV show, cutting out numerous details in order to hit the key emotional chords. For kids or adults who are sick of lengthy Biblical epics or docudramas like The Gospel of John, the quick pace also makes this an entertaining watch.
Image Source: 20th-Century Fox
9. Last Days in the Desert (2016), rated PG-13
The tale of Jesus is more reinterpreted than it is adapted in this film. It posits potential causes for several biblical incidents and imagines other interpretations of those situations. By using this method, we may reevaluate the lessons we learn from Bible tales and get a deeper understanding of what matters most.
Ewan MacGregor, widely known for his portrayal as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, has two parts in The Last Days in the Desert. He plays Jesus in the first role, wandering across the desert. He is Satan mocking Jesus in the second instance. A family of three is introduced to Jesus: a stonecutter who lives on the edge of the desert with his ill young wife and his son, who wishes to settle in Jerusalem. Jesus spends many days with the family, becoming embroiled in the tense struggle between what the stonecutter’s son wants and what his father wants for him.
Although the Synoptic Gospels all mention Jesus’ 40-day fasting in the desert, none go beyond the devil’s three temptations. Last Days in the Desert speculates on what could have transpired and reexamines the temptation of Jesus by the devil. Although these scenes are fictional, they encourage viewers to consider what it must have been like for Jesus to experience the full range of temptations (Hebrews 4:15); to be humbled to the point of becoming a servant (Philippians 2:7); and to lack the Father’s limitless foresight while on earth (Mathew 24:36). It’s not a movie for young people who aren’t familiar with the biblical story, but it’s fantastic for adults who want to reflect on how Jesus overcame temptation and the desire for the cup to disappear.
10. The Gospel of Saint Matthew, chapter 10 (1964).
No rating given.
Since its release in the 1960s, this film has generated a lot of discussion. Pier Paolo Pasolini, who didn’t believe in God but said, “My picture of the universe is religious,” wrote and directed it. Pasolini went to Assisi for a papal meeting with non-Christians, which is when the movie started. Pasolini was stranded in his hotel room due to traffic issues and discovered a copy of the New Testament there. Following his study of the Gospels, Pasolini was captivated by the notion of retelling the life of Jesus in order to express “the believers’ point of view.” Pope John Paul II included the film in his 1995 list of significant religious movies.
Because Pasolini was what is today considered an “arthouse” filmmaker, he used an unconventional strategy. The film employs amateur actors (his mother, Susannah, plays an older Mary; Jesus is played by an economics student whom Pasolini was chatting with one day). The camera technique is documentary-like, as if one of Jesus’ disciples were walking about with a camera on his shoulder, recording things as they occurred.
The film underlines an aspect of Jesus we sometimes overlook: he was a revolutionary. It draws all of its dialogue from the Gospel of Matthew. He sent his disciples out into the world like sheep amid wolves, while he threw them out of the temple. He cursed a fig tree and claimed to be a rock that people would be crushed on. This movie shows both the surprising side of Jesus and how unusual his teachings were.
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