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 kids are grown and live 780 miles away. I don’t think my husband will watch with me, but I can ask.

Here’s my list of must see Easter Movies:

1. The Robe. Starring Richard Burton, Jean Simmons,  and Victor Mature. 1953. Won 2 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!

5. God Is not Dead.  2014. Now there are more in the series that I haven’t seen:  God’s Not Dead 2 (2016), God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness (2018), and God’s Not Dead: We The People (2021).

Do you have other movies to add to my top picks? Which of my list of movies have you watched?