The 5 Best Easter Movies of All Time

Decent Easter films are hard to find. There are very few good ones. So take off that suit you only wear once a year, grab a handful of Peeps, bust open a bag of pastel-colored M&M's and watch these movies that celebrate the reason for the season.






5. Ben-Hur

The creator of Survivor produced this remake of the 1959 "classic" that needed an update like Drake needs singing lessons. Morgan Freeman mentors a Jewish prince in Jerusalem who goes from riches to slave rags and avenges himself in a Roman circus (a small-scale version of the Colosseum) through chariot-racing (I know what you're thinking, but the original came out decades before Gladiator). The former prince ultimately learns the power of forgiveness through Jesus' example.










4. The Da Vinci Code

Even though The Da Vinci Code (based on the worldwide best-selling book -- 80 million copies sold) takes place in modern times, it centers on an investigation into Jesus' relationship with Mary Magdalene during his last days and a search for the Holy Grail -- the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper. The book, and thus the movie, stirred a tremendous amount of controversy with its suggestion that the two had a sexual relationship that produced children.

In other news, The Da Vinci Code turned out to be the beginning of a trilogy and features what's probably Tom Hanks' lamest movie haircut. 











3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first installment of the other franchise about young British kids in a magical land. The book on which it's based is a certified literary classic. I did a book report on it myself back in 6th grade. I remember wondering whether Disney's live-action version would do the book justice when the movie was originally announced. Looking back on it, Wardrobe was a good test-run for 2016's The Jungle Book and the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Lion King.  

Besides the witch and the lion, the story features a bunch of mythological creatures as well, including centaurs, griffins, werewolves and minotaurs.
All that and believe it or not, it also tells the Easter story. The lion of the title, Aslan (the Lion of Judah), returns to the land of Narnia in keeping with a prophecy. He later surrenders to his enemies in an act of sacrifice (to save the life of a traitor/sinner), who taunt him before his public execution. Two females care for his body after his death and, finally, Aslan rises from the dead before leaving his followers to continue his movement in his absence.












2. The Passion of the Christ

The Passion of the Christ is Mel Gibson's take on the Easter story, which achieved mind-boggling box office numbers and widespread controversy. And this was before the general public found out he was a scumbag. The movie focuses on Jesus' last 12 hours alive. Although Gibson was criticized for deviating from biblical accounts, the movie does feature the use of Aramaic -- which was the language used in the region at the time. Like most biblical films, The Passion of the Christ is white-washed but it's not as bad a case as The Last Temptation of Christ. Most known for its graphic violence, Passion was a global phenomenon that became the 5th biggest money-maker of 2004.











1. Risen

 

Risen is the closest a Hollywood wide-release has ever come to what Jesus realistically must've looked like. That's not the extent of the realism either. The crucifixions, the sealing of the tomb, the clothing -- everything looked legit.

Risen tells the Easter story from the perspective of a Roman Tribune, Clavius, working on the orders of Pontius Pilate. Clavius is a skeptical, non-believer whose job is to make sure the crucifixions go smoothly and, afterwards, to investigate the disappearance of Yeshua's body. During the course of his search for answers he encounters the apostles and even Mary Magdalene. Clavius also suppresses a riot led by Barabbas, the man freed by Pilate instead of Yeshua. 

The movie works because of its sincere approach to the subject matter. If you prefer sappiness and corny movies this isn't for you. Risen is as close to the real deal as Hollywood gets.





Recommended:



The Best Christmas Movies Ever






The 12 Greatest Comic Book Movies of All Time






The Greatest Space Movies of All Time






Scarface 3





Did Disney Mis-cast the Upcoming Han Solo Movie?







The Best Movies of 2016







Logan is Better Than All of the Other X-Men Movies Combined