Top 5 Christian Movies to Enjoy This Easter Holiday

This Easter is a bit unconventional for my family and me as we are on the road helping my parents move out of their home in Oklahoma and out east with us to spend the rest of their days with their grandchildren. So while there might not be Easter baskets, egg decorating, subsequent hunting, and pretty Easter Sunday outfits, the holiday spirit will still be with us.

Anyone who has ever had to embark on moving out of their home across the country knows that a lot of time is spent going through rooms, taking bags to Goodwill, and boxes… lots and lots of boxes. So naturally, my poor six and three year old often have to stay in one confined location in the room to ensure they don’t end up underfoot – or packed up in a box.

In honor of the upcoming holiday, however, I have some movie ideas to keep the kiddos entertained while their parents and grandparents box away books and books and more books.

So, these are my Top 5 Christian-themed movies without any further delay.

#5 – It’s A Wonderful Life – 1946

While this is clearly a Christmas movie, It’s A Wonderful Life makes my Top Christian-themed movie list for obvious reasons.

An angel is a crucial fixture of the movie; Clarence Odbody visits one of my favorite movie characters of all time, George Bailey.

Played by Jimmy Stewart, who is not only a fellow Air Force veteran but also a man who looked a lot like my dear departed Grandpa, George is convinced that life is worth living because of all the lives he’s touched.

Do you hear that? That sounds like a bell ringing to me…

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#4 – The Ten Commandments – 1956

How anyone, regardless of religious affiliation, can pass up a Charlton Heston and Yul Brenner film is beyond me. This classic epic Bible tale follows the struggle between Moses and Pharoah Rameses and, of course… the story of how we got the beloved Ten Commandments.

A prominent member of this movie is, of course, the voice of God. However, no screen credit was given to those who had provided the voice of the Almighty.

Some say it was Charlton Heston; some say it was the director Cecil B. DeMille. Either way, this film is a must if you want some classic Bible story cinema.

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#3 – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – 1999

I can’t make a list like this without including this musical classic. This movie based on Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical by the same name went straight to video and is a well-worn-out DVD in our household.

Starring Donny Osmond as Joseph, this movie has other big names such as:

• Richard Attenborough as Jacob
• Joan Collins as Mrs. Potiphar
• Alex Jennings as The Butler

The story of Joseph is one of my daughter’s favorites, next to Jonah and the Whale, which has perplexed her since she was three years old. If you have kids, I highly recommend you snatch up this DVD.

Filled with toe-tapping musical numbers, fun dance routines, colorful sets, and a great message, you can’t go wrong with this upbeat classic.

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#2 – Noah – 2014

Starring Russell Crowe as Noah and Jennifer Connelly as his wife Naamah, this movie is a beautiful visual experience and artistic dive into the fantastic tale of Noah and the flood. Unfortunately, while this movie did receive general positive praise, it wasn’t without some controversy.

Some might fault me for including this movie because of its obvious environmentalist undertones. Still, you can’t find any film these days that don’t slip in a bit of environmentalist blabber. Plus, I find the special effects make up for any of the Mother Earth undertones.

On the flip side, a good reason to watch this movie is that China and a bulk of the Muslim nations banned the film for “religious reasons,” which means it probably hits on enough truth to irritate the nerves of nonbelievers.

Fair warning, this rendition of the story of Noah is not what you would expect if you went to Sunday school since the director took inspiration from not just the Bible but other sources like the Book of Enoch. 

#1 – Ben-Hur – 1959

Growing up, I fondly remember watching Ben-Hur, which seemed to always be on television when I wasn’t feeling well. I’d lay on the living room couch under one of Mom’s blankets, snacking on saltines, waiting for Dad to come home from work with more than likely a candy bar for his sick daughter, and I’d watch Ben-Hur.

This is the second Charlton Heston classic on this list, but it’s actually a ‘sandwich movie.’ A remake of the 1925 silent film, it was remade again in 2016. Personally, I prefer the Heston version.

The story of Ben-Hur follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur and his rivalry with his childhood friend Messala. The story takes you on a wonderful journey as Judah makes his way through adversity to become a celebrated charioteer.

Judah finds himself face-to-face twice with Jesus Christ in the film, including a run-in with Pontius Pilate. Still a favorite of mine and worth just shy of three and a half hours of viewing.

What’s Good?

I will leave you with this, dear reader; I hope you have a blessed Good Friday and Easter Sunday. On Good Friday, we commemorate Jesus’s sacrifice to save us all from our sins.

It might be difficult to understand what is good about a day that the man who would rise again would suffer so much and ultimately perish on the cross. Other than the obvious, I would argue sacrifice is one of the few things in this world that is purely good.

So while we are all fallible creatures, many of you all sacrifice daily for your families, country, and faith. Finally, whether you agree with my list or not, I hope God fills you with goodness and blesses you always.