Easter is approaching this weekend! Since Christians believe it is the day that Jesus rose back from the dead, it is a very important event in their community. But everyone celebrates Easter differently, with some preferring the more commercial route of bunnies and gifts. Whichever style you prefer, a good Easter movie is something that your whole family can enjoy, including our diverse list of films below.
King of Kings (1961)
Nicholas Ray’s 1961 epic King of Kings is one of the best portrayals of Jesus’s life, from his birth to his resurrection. This is a true epic with a brilliant Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus Christ and a menacingly good Rip Thorn as Judas, the traitor. King of Kings is a movie from which one could learn a lot and it is a perfect fit for Easter.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
This animated classic doesn’t really have to do much with Easter per se, but it is an adaptation of a beautiful and powerful Biblical story. The animation is amazing and the music is extremely memorable. There is absolutely no doubt that you’ll be humming or singing “When You Believe” after watching the film.
Ben-Hur (1959)
Ben-Hur is considered to be one of the best movies ever made. It won 11 Academy Awards and praised around the world. This Biblical epic, directed by William Wyler and stars Charlton Heston, remains a timeless classic.
It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! (1974)
This is an animated short, but whenever the characters from Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts are concerned, you know you’re dealing with an instant classic. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and all of the other beloved Schulz figures are adored around the world, so it should not come as a surprise that we have this truly magical piece of animation on our list!
Lilies of the Field (1963)
This classic earned Sidney Poitier his Best Actor Oscar as a man who proves his belief by building a church in a desert. It is a heartwarming story about faith and the power that it has. With a title inspired by Matthew 6:27-33, Lilies of the Field is a classic you must see.
Easter Parade (1948)
As the title indicates, this famous musical is focused on Easter and includes a popular hit song of the same name. Irving Berlin’s toe-tapping music is perfect for Fred Astaire and his on-screen companion, Judy Garland, whose love story is truly a worthwhile experience everyone in your family is going to enjoy.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Another animated classic, this Oscar-winning feature is not an Easter-themed movie per se, but it tells the story of a lot of rabbits and that’s really enough for us.
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Tim Rice’s classical musical was adapted into a musical film in 1973 and was a smashing hit, thanks to Webber’s masterful music complemented by its high-quality production.
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Charlton Heston stars in another Biblical epic that, although an Old Testament adaptation where Heston stars as Moses, has religious and renewal themes that resonate with Easter celebrations.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Okay, bear with us on this one. We wanted to end our list with a bang and we picked Donnie Darko, a modern cult classic that is not suited for your youngest family members, but is a good twist on the Easter spirit if you want to have a bit of fun. The deranged bunny from Donnie Darko is why we classified it as an off-the-wall “Easter movie."
So, found any titles you like? Our easter egg hunt is done and we found ten beautifully colored eggs that you’ll adore! Happy Easter!