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Faith-based programming has had some huge hits recently, with TV series like House of David and The Chosen dominating on streaming platforms. Christian-themed feature films have also had their moment to shine, with movies like Jesus Revolution emerging as an indie hit in 2023 and Angel Studios’ David earning over $52 million at the box office last year. As Easter approaches, every audience can find a movie worth watching in this rich and rewarding genre.
From comedies to dramas, dedicated biopics to futuristic dystopias, there are some truly diverse and dynamic movies with Christian themes to enjoy this Easter season. There are animated classics like The Prince of Egypt, which is visually stunning and features phenomenal music. There are also modern allegories about what is good and bad within the church as an organization in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. No matter what you’re in the mood for, there is an awesome movie with a Christian theme to watch this holiday weekend.
‘The Resurrection of Gavin Stone’ (2017)
From the creator of The Chosen TV series, Dallas Jenkins proves he can do comedy as well as drama with The Resurrection of Gavin Stone. In the movie, Brett Dalton stars as Gavin Stone, a former celebrity whose career and life have been on a downward spiral for some time. When he is obligated to do community service at a church, he lies about being a Christian so he can get a part in their Passion Play.
Although the film had a less-than-hoped-for return at the box office, it is well-liked by viewers and has an 84% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Resurrection of Gavin Stone is a great feel-good comedy that fans of titles like Sweet Magnolias and Hope Floats will enjoy. Dalton is terrific as Gavin, and the rest of the cast are spot-on in their performances as well.
‘The Book of Eli’ (2010)
In a dystopian future, humanity has reverted to the Dark Ages in The Book of Eli, as knowledge was one of the most crucial casualties of the scorched planet. In this hostile environment, a lone traveler on a mission risks his life and walks thousands of miles to ensure a sacred item arrives safely at its destination. Starring Denzel Washington as Eli and Gary Oldman as the manipulative and corrupt villain Carnegie, The Book of Eli is a rated R watch that adults and older teens can’t miss.
There are so many things done exceptionally well in The Book of Eli. Don Burgess‘ cinematography is excellent. Using a restricted color palette to make the mise en scène feel dusty and dry, Burgess plays with camera angles and shadows to make dramatic and interesting visual images. The acting is, of course, superb, and Washington and Oldman once again demonstrate why they are living legends in the industry. Mila Kunis also gives a gripping and impactful performance as Solara and drives the emotionality of the film several times. If you are a fan of dystopian and suspense films, The Book of Eli is a must-watch.
‘Evan Almighty’ (2007)
From the director of Bruce Almighty, Tom Shadyac, comes an animal-filled comedy sequel in Evan Almighty. In the movie, Steve Carell stars as Evan Baxter, a congressman who is too busy to spend time with his wife and kids. When God shows up in person (played by Morgan Freeman), he tells Evan to build an ark for his family and some exotic animals because a flood is coming.
In this modern-day story based on the biblical story of Noah, Evan goes on a unique character journey and has both physical and emotional transformations. Freeman and Carell have some poignant heart-to-heart scenes, and watching them have a connected and personal relationship as their characters is touching. Lauren Graham plays Evan’s wife, Joan, and other cast members include John Goodman, Wanda Sykes, and Jonah Hill, just to name a few. If you want a family-friendly comedy that everyone can enjoy this Easter season, Evan Almighty is perfect, and it recently launched on HBO Max in time for the holiday.
‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ (2025)
Wake Up Dead Man is arguably the best Knives Out mystery to date. The film follows the established detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) as he investigates another murder. What makes the crime in Wake Up Dead Man intricately complex is that the victim was on stage during a church service when he died. As Blanc starts to pull at every loose thread, the perceptions and preconceived notions about the small church community begin to unravel.
The cast is absolutely saturated with talent. Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Thomas Haden Church, Daryl McCormack, and Jeremy Renner are absolutely masterful in their portrayals. Director and writer Rian Johnson manages to accomplish a singular masterpiece that few have ever done. He presents all sides of a topic while keeping the story and plot entertaining and engaging. Nothing feels too heavy-handed or imbalanced. Fans of thrillers, mysteries, and suspense should add Wake Up Dead Man to their watchlist.
‘The Prince of Egypt’ (1998)
A movie that is as entertaining for adults to watch as kids is the DreamWorks animated triumph, The Prince of Egypt. This gorgeous hand-drawn film follows the life of Moses (Val Kilmer) and the mass exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt, where they had been enslaved. The animation of the movie is absolutely spectacular, capturing every detail, from a baby’s hand holding onto his mother’s finger to a sea parting in two and fiery hail raining down from the sky.
The cast of The Prince of Egypt is star-studded with talents like Ralph Fiennes, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helen Mirren, Danny Glover, and Jeff Goldblum lending their voices to the story. Along with the accomplished voice acting and stellar graphics, The Prince of Egypt has a wonderful soundtrack. Hans Zimmer, who is known for his work on projects like Dune: Part One, Interstellar, and Inception, gives The Prince of Egypt the exact amount of gravitas it needs. For its excellence in all of these categories and more, The Prince of Egypt is easily one of the best animated movies of the last 100 years.
‘Angels in the Outfield’ (1994)
For sports fans, the 1990s were rich with athletic-themed family movies like The Mighty Ducks, The Sandlot, and Little Giants. The best and most inspiring of the era was the baseball-focused Angels in the Outfield. In the film, a young boy named Roger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) desperately wants to reunite with his father, played by Dermot Mulroney. When Roger’s dad makes an off-handed comment that their chances of being a family are as likely as an underperforming baseball team winning the pennant, Roger takes it to heart. Praying for help for the baseball team, Roger’s request is answered in the most spectacular way, and heavenly angels appear and help the players improve.
The cast of Angels in the Outfield is sublime, and Danny Glover shines as the short-tempered coach George Knox. Angels in the Outfield also features supporting performances from Adrien Brody and Matthew McConaughey, years before they became household names. Full of humor and heart, Angels in the Outfield is a treasure among 1990s cinema and is just as entertaining to watch now as it was over three decades ago. It has aged remarkably well and is an absolute banger from start to finish.
‘David’ (2025)
In 2025, Angel Studios’ David became a smash hit. The studio formerly behind The Chosen turned its sights to an animated kids’ film, and the result was a highly engaging and beautifully animated gem. David follows the life of King David from a humble shepherd boy to a giant slayer and skilled warrior.
The music in David is amazing. The vocalists for the young and adult versions of David — Brandon Engman, and Phil Wickham, respectively — have strong singing voices with rich melodic layers. Grammy Award winner Lauren Daigle and international award-winning vocalist Miri Mesika lend their powerful singing voices to the songs, and it is hard not to get catchy tunes like “Adventure Song” or “Follow the Light” stuck in your head. David is the best entry on this list for the youngest of movie viewers and makes an excellent watch at Easter or any other time of the year.
‘Jesus Revolution’ (2023)
An independent film that came out of nowhere to become a massive sleeper hit in 2023 was Jesus Revolution. Co-directed by Jon Erwin, the same writer and director of House of David, Jesus Revolution is a biopic set during a revival in the 1970s. Based on the incredible true story, Jesus Revolution highlights events in Southern California that led to one of the largest spiritual awakenings in American history.
Starring Joel Courtney as Greg Laurie, Jonathan Roumie as Lonnie Frisbee, and Kelsey Grammer as Chuck Smith, Jesus Revolution is a fantastic film that explores the dramatically different cultural movements of the era. When the hippie lifestyle was king and anti-war protests prevalent, a small group of individuals found a calling. Jesus Revolution is a good choice for fans of The Chosen and vintage biopics.
‘The Ten Commandments’ (1956)
The 1956 sweeping studio epic The Ten Commandments is solidly tied to Easter traditions in broadcasting. Directed by cinema maestro Cecil B. DeMille, it features Charlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner as Rameses. DeMille had actually made a Ten Commandments movie in 1923 as a silent film that blended aspects of the biblical story with a modern tale. After an outpouring of response from fans, DeMille remade the movie 33 years later and focused solely on the biblical storyline.
The result was the most expensive and most successful movie of its time. The Ten Commandments was an extremely ambitious project with a cast of thousands and live animals among the extras. Heston and Brynner are two of the greatest actors in cinema history, and they are exemplary in their roles. The Ten Commandments has stood the test of time, cementing its legacy as a true masterpiece. It continues to be a top pick on streaming, seven decades later.
‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004)
Another R-rated film on this list is The Passion of the Christ. Mel Gibson‘s record-breaking biopic is one of the most financially lucrative films in history. Starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, The Passion of the Christ gives insight into Jesus’ life, but mainly focuses on the crucifixion and the events leading up to it.
For those wanting to watch a biopic about the death and brief mention of the resurrection of Jesus, there is no film better. With its authentic representation of not only the cultures and customs of the era but of the physical realities of what crucifixion was like, The Passion of the Christ is the paragon of the genre. Gibson has begun work on a sequel titled The Resurrection of the Christ, and it is scheduled for an Easter release in 2027.
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Lisa Nordin
Almontather Rassoul
