Top 10 Best Easter Movies of All Time to Watch with Your Family

10. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

It is based on the famous Broadway musical by the stellar writing team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Even though it is loosely referred to as a musical it’s actually a rock opera. There is no spoken dialogue. The film version features music that is truly powerful, emotional, and haunting. Ted Neeley stars as Jesus, Carl Anderson as Judas, and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene. This film is set in the last few weeks on the life of Jesus with its main focus on the conflicts between Jesus and Judas. There are many memorable songs most notably “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”

9. Amazing Grace (2006)

The central figure in Amazing Grace is William Wilberforce (1759-1833). He is played by Ioan Gruffudd as the zealous believer in God, human rights activist and British member of Parliament, who battled through discouragement and illness for two decades to end the slave trade in England. In a time of personal crisis, Wilberforce is inspired and encouraged in his long fight to abolish slavery by the former slave ship master, John Newton (Albert Finney), who wrote the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace” following his conversion to Christianity.

8. Holiday Inn (1942)

Here is another musical film that not only features Easter as one of the holidays, but all the other ones too. It’s about a pair of former vaudeville performers who buy a rustic farmhouse in New England. They set it up as an inn only to be opened on the major holidays. Holiday Inn stars Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, two very legendary actors in their own right.

7. The Gospel of John (2003)

The Gospel of John is the story of Jesus as told through the eyes of his disciple John. Starring Henry Ian Cusick as Jesus and narrated by Christopher Plummer, the film was originally released in theaters in 2003. It is rated PG. The film focuses on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, offering a very human, intimate picture of the passion and compassion of Christ’s three years of ministry. Christians will come away with an even greater appreciation for their Savior and the love that prompted his mission on earth.

6. Jesus (1979)

Often times referred to as “The Jesus Film” it is a classic.  An Easter great as this is a movie that is popularly shown to non-believers by believers.  This movie is based primarily off of the book of Luke.  It is a journey of Jesus life that goes all the way through the miracle birth, to the crucifixion and resurrection.

5. The Greatest Adventures of the Bible:  The Easter Story (2006)

This is a story about some time traveling children who go back in time and are able to watch Bible stories take place before their very eyes.  This is one of their last journeys as they have now traveled to the point in time where they will see the Easter story unfold.

4. Easter Parade (1948)

Now for something lighter and more cheerful here is a musical starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire with music by Irving Berlin. The story takes place when a famous dance team breaks up and the male lead needs a new partner right away. One is discovered immediately while as a chorus girl in a stage production. You will see plenty of extraordinary dancing from Astaire and hear phenomenal vocals by Garland. This is considered the ultimate Easter movie classic.

3. Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)

In this early-90s robot time-travel comedic gem, Bill and Ted must defeat the evil robot versions of themselves. The Easter Bunny appears in a hilarious scene where Bill and Ted confront the monsters from their personal hells.

2. The First Easter Rabbit (1976)

This animation movie is the story of the first Easter bunny. When a little girl tosses her stuffed bunny, the movie goes on telling the story of the animal going out in the world and officially becoming the first Easter rabbit.

1. The Passion of the Christ (2004)

What makes this film stand out above all the others is it isn’t even in English. The entire dialogue is in the ancient languages of Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew. At least what you hear is what was actually spoken during those biblical times. Yet again this film, before and after its release, was extremely controversial on many levels, most notably the violence. The passion is based on the events and suffering from the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ arrest, trial, torture, crucifixion and resurrection. It was directed by Mel Gibson and starred Jim Caviezel as Jesus. The Passion of the Christ is still the most successful non-English language film ever at the box office.