I posted this Easter week in 2014. There are a number of new movies released in the past six years that might be added to this list. Or, maybe some classics that I missed? Please comment below if you have more ideas for Easter movies. With everyone hunkered down, watching Netflix, Hulu and TV, what a perfect time to review favorite Easter movies. We can’t join our congregations in person to celebrate. So, let’s get a list going of great movies to share with each other.
When I was a kid, the major three TV networks aired Holiday Specials. My mom would make popcorn in a big pot on the stove, or if we were lucky, my brother and I’d get to shake the aluminum-foil bursting “Jiffy Pop” right on the electric burner. We’d gather on the sofa or in chairs to watch — get this — as a family – the “Holiday Special.”
Around Halloween, it was Wizard of Oz and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Christmas had a bunch of great ones. My favorite was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, but we also watched A Charlie Brown Christmas, and my Mom and Dad’s favorite — It’s a Wonderful Life.
This Easter, I’d love to rekindle the tradition of sitting down with family to watch holiday movies together. Unfortunately, my son’s having a riotous good time at UCSB and my daughter will be off to see Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Beck and Arcade Fire. Yes, she’s going to Coachella!
If I can convince my husband, or maybe alone, I’m going to check out Netflix, Apple TV, or Google Movies to watch my list of must-see Easter movies:
1. The Robe. Starring Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, and Victor Mature. 1953. Won two Oscars.
2. The Ten Commandments. Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter. 1956. Won 1 Oscar.
3. Ben Hur. Charlton Heston. 1959. Won 11 oscars.
4. Passion of the Christ. Mel Gibson director. 2004. Not for the faint of heart!
and at theaters:
5. God Is Not Dead. I’m going to see this sometime this week. It’s made my list based on a friend’s recommendation.
PLEASE add to the list to share your favorite Easter movies with all of us sheltering in please. Add your top picks below in the comments.
I’m not really big on Easter movies but I enjoyed Ben Hur 😉
Ben Hur is a good movie. I think it’s worth watching again this year. Thanks for the comment!
Jesus Christ Superstar! We’re planning a family singalong!
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
I did not realize there were Easter movies! We might check one of these out, since we’re not doing the typical family gathering this year.
These movies probably should be called religious rather than Easter. I remember as a child the TV stations playing these movies around Easter or Christmas. I haven’t watched them for years, but I have plenty of time to watch them this year!