4 Greatest Movies Based on Bible Stories

When it comes to faith-based films, the cinema has a rich and diverse range of options for viewers to enjoy. From comedies to dramas, animated epics to Hollywood classics, there is no shortage of movies that have been centered around Christian themes. However, when it comes to defining excellence in this multifaceted genre, there are certain movies that keep rising to the top again and again.

Whether it is the visually stunning animation of The Prince of Egypt or the sincere dedication to authenticity in The Passion of the Christ, these movies are the best of the best. Blending a background of biblical stories with new, creative genius, they capture some of the most significant moments from the Bible and bring them to life like never before. With their impactful storytelling and cinematic prowess, these are the four greatest movies based on Bible stories.

‘The Ten Commandments’ (1956)

Image via Paramount Pictures

In the 1940s and 1950s, there was an abundance of epic studio films based on the Bible. Movies like The Robe, Samson and Delilah, and Solomon and Sheba were grand in their scope and scale. The principal movie to come out of this era was The Ten Commandments.

Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, The Ten Commandments follows the life of Moses and includes important events like the 10 plagues of Egypt, the mass exodus of the Hebrew people, and the origin of the Ten Commandments. Charlton Heston was the preeminent actor of the time, and his larger-than-life presence on camera lent itself well to playing the lead role. Yul Brynner, another iconic actor, was irreplaceable as Rameses and brought the pomp and confidence needed to play the stubborn and narcissistic ruler.

DeMille had actually made a silent film called The Ten Commandments back in 1923. This version was half biblical story and half modern-day tale about a family and how the Ten Commandments impacted them. DeMille received so many requests from fans to remake a movie about the Ten Commandments that he did, 33 years later. This time, by focusing solely on the biblical story, the film felt more intentional and captivating. The 1956 version of The Ten Commandments was unlike any other movie before it. It was unmatched for grandeur and sheer enormity. The cast included thousands of extras and live animals, and filming took place in California and Mount Sinai in Egypt.

He suffered a heart attack during filming, but refused to abandon the project and returned to the set as soon as he physically could. The Ten Commandments was nominated for seven Oscars and won for its groundbreaking special effects. From the parting of the Red Sea to the pillar of fire, The Ten Commandments had some of the most innovative and spectacular special effects ever captured on screen. Celebrating its 70-year anniversary this year, The Ten Commandments is still as inspiring to watch now as it was upon its advent. When it comes to the sweeping studio epics that are based on the Bible, it is undoubtedly the paragon.

‘The Nativity Story’ (2006)

Image via New Line Cinema

Movies focusing on the birth of Jesus are mostly animated and focused on children as the audience. The Nativity is left to be a footnote in biblical biopics, seemingly always good to mention, but never really focused on. In 2006, writer Mike Rich and director Catherine Hardwicke released the best biopic focusing solely on the birth of Christ with The Nativity Story.

Casting in a film where there are two or fewer main characters is crucial. The whole story is on their shoulders. They have to have good chemistry with each other and be engaging enough for viewers to want to follow their journey. The casting for The Nativity Story is spot-on, and Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac deliver dynamic performances. Castle-Hughes, who has starred in TV series like Game of Thrones and Star Wars: The Bad Batch, is most celebrated for her role in the feature film Whale Rider, where she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the age of 13. Isaac is a superbly talented actor who is able to inhabit a role with the adaptive skill of a chameleon. His roles in films like Ex Machina and Frankenstein have put him on the map in Hollywood and solidified his career as a consummate character actor.

In The Nativity Story, Castle-Hughes is endearing, believable, and captivating as Mary. Isaac is perfect as Joseph, displaying great depths of loyalty, courage, and obedience. Watching the two of them together on screen is wonderful as they try to bond and navigate their way through newlywed life under extraordinary circumstances. The three wise men, portrayed by Nadim Sawalha, Eriq Ebouaney, and Stefan Kalipha, provide jovial levity, and all of the supporting cast, including Shohreh Aghdashloo as Elizabeth and Ciarán Hinds as Herod, are terrific. The Nativity Story’s dedication to authentic cultural and historical representation is refreshing and sets this adaptation apart from its peers. When it comes to depicting this important moment in the life of Christ, The Nativity Story is unmatched in both its acting and overall cinematography.

‘The Prince of Egypt’ (1998)

DreamWorks Animation has gifted the world with some fantastic films. Titles such as How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek, and Kung Fu Panda have become fast favorites with moviegoers around the world. In 1998, they released an animated masterpiece called The Prince of Egypt. Similar to The Ten Commandments, The Prince of Egypt follows the life of Moses (Val Kilmer). The cast for the film is tremendous and includes the voice talents of Michelle Pfeiffer, Ralph Fiennes, Sandra Bullock, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Stewart, and Helen Mirren.

The animation for The Prince of Egypt is absolutely stunning. Hand-drawn images are used predominantly, with computer-generated graphics added in scenes that require it. The parting of the Red Sea is one of the most incredible scenes in animation history and took a reported two years to animate. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert called The Prince of Egypt “one of the best-looking animated films ever made,” and further commented, “The more movies I see, the more grateful I am for new films that go to the trouble of creating astonishing new images.”

In addition to the visually gorgeous aspects of the film, The Prince of Egypt boasts an Oscar-winning song in “When You Believe.” Performed by Michelle Pfeiffer and Sally Dworsky for the film, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston’s version of the song hit #15 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1999. Hans Zimmer, the maestro behind films such as Dune: Part One and Inception, composed the beautiful score. The music of The Prince of Egypt plays an integral role in the film and includes lighthearted melodies full of texture to poignant lyrics full of drama.

Walt Disney once staked everything he had to prove that animated films could tell compelling stories. Although released by a competitor, The Prince of Egypt more than realizes his vision and proves his point. From the dedicated performances of the highly skilled actors to the award-winning music and phenomenal animation, The Prince of Egypt is an unparalleled triumph. No other biblical animated movie even comes close. The Prince of Egypt is not only one of the best movies based on Bible stories to ever be made, but one of the greatest animated movies of the last 100 years as well.

‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004)

Image via Newmarket Film Group

In 2004, director and co-writer Mel Gibson made history with The Passion of the Christ. A rated-R film depicting the crucifixion of Jesus in gory, unapologetic detail, it soon became the highest-grossing religious movie of all time, and it has the Guinness World Record to prove it. The film earned a global box office take of over $600 million.

What makes The Passion of the Christ so unique is its dedication to realism. Although English-speaking audiences were one of the main target demographics, Gibson chose to predominantly have the actors speak in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin because those were the languages of the region and time period. Gibson also chose not to pull any punches when it came to the visceral violence involved in a Roman crucifixion. Every bloody detail is allowed screen time and makes The Passion of the Christ a provocative viewing experience that few walk away from unimpacted.

Gibson and those involved with The Passion of the Christ did what, sadly, few faith-based films had done before: extensive research. The filmmakers not only took the time to learn about the subject matter in detail, but also broke Hollywood norms by refusing to whitewash the cast. Though The Passion of the Christ is not casual viewing and has its share of critics, it made waves in the entertainment industry that current successes like The Chosen and House of David are riding on now. The Passion of the Christ has become the definitive work about the crucifixion of Jesus, and every biblically based biopic released since owes it a debt of gratitude.