The Essential Easter Movie Watch List (Beyond the Obvious)
Every Easter, the same films get recommended: The Passion, The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur. They're all excellent. They're also predictable.
Here's a deeper list that includes the classics alongside films that deserve Easter-season attention.
The Passion of the Christ — Start here if you can handle it. Mel Gibson's unflinching portrayal remains the most visceral depiction of Christ's sacrifice ever filmed. Jim Caviezel endured real physical hardship during filming. The Aramaic and Latin dialogue strips away any modern gloss. Not for younger viewers, but for adults willing to sit with the discomfort, it remains unmatched.
Risen — This is the sleeper pick of the list. A Roman military tribune tasked with finding Jesus's missing body after the crucifixion. Joseph Fiennes plays Clavius as a skeptical detective, and the first half plays like a thriller. When he finally encounters the risen Christ, the film earns its awe because it spent so long building the case against it.
The Prince of Egypt — Not strictly an Easter film, but the Exodus story (liberation, sacrifice, God acting in history) resonates powerfully during Holy Week. The parting of the Red Sea still gives chills. "The Plagues" is one of the best songs in animated film history.
Paul, Apostle of Christ — Set during Nero's persecution, this meditative drama follows Luke visiting the imprisoned Paul. James Faulkner's weary, peaceful Paul is a masterful portrayal of a man who has fought the fight and is ready to finish well.
The Gospel of John — A word-for-word dramatization of John's Gospel. Henry Ian Cusick (Lost's Desmond) plays Jesus with warmth, and Christopher Plummer narrates with gravitas. Perfect for extended Holy Week viewing.
Son of God — If you want the full arc from Nativity to Resurrection in one sitting, this theatrical cut from the History Channel's "The Bible" delivers scope and spectacle. Hans Zimmer's score elevates everything.
The Chosen (Easter episodes) — The most humanized, emotionally complex Jesus on screen. Watch the Last Supper and crucifixion episodes for a fresh perspective on familiar events.
Ben-Hur (2016) — The remake gets unfairly compared to the 1959 original. On its own terms, it's a decent film with a stronger Jesus subplot than the classic version.
The Resurrection of Gavin Stone — A lighter option. A washed-up actor faking faith to star in a church Easter play. Genuinely funny, and the questions it raises about authentic versus performed faith are worth discussing.
A marathon suggestion: Watch Risen on Good Friday (the investigation), The Passion on Saturday (the suffering), and The Chosen's resurrection episodes on Easter Sunday (the joy). Three different perspectives on the same events, three different emotional registers.