A dozen Easter movies to watch over this weekend
Like most major holidays, Easter has been the inspiration for many classic – and not so classic – movies.
Some filmmakers attempt to tell the story of Jesus’ life and resurrection, while others use elements of that story to get across other ideas. There are plenty of kid-friendly links to the holiday as well, with animated rabbits delivering candy and eggs or other symbols of spring. And some movies simply use Easter as a setting for telling entirely different tales altogether.
Here are a dozen favorite Easter movies. The list includes classic period pieces, musicals, animated stories for kids and a few Easter-adjacent films.
Classic Easter movies
“Ben Hur” (1959): Starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd and Haya Harareet. Heston made a career out of movies in this genre — he also starred as Moses in “The Ten Commandments,” another film popular at this time of year. In this story he stars as Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is betrayed and imprisoned by a Roman friend. Ben-Hur’s life is touched by Jesus in several memorable ways.
“The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965): Starring Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire and Charlton Heston. This is probably the most straightforward Easter story on the list as it attempts to chronicle the life of Jesus from birth to resurrection. The movie was based on a 1947 radio series.
“The Passion of the Christ” (2004): Starring Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci and Maia Morgenstern. This film depicts, in unflinchingly brutal detail, the final 12 hours of the life Jesus. Reportedly, director Mel Gibson’s goal was to give the audience a realistic look at the cruelty Jesus endured on that day.
Easter musicals
“Easter Parade” (1948): Starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford and Ann Miller. Astaire is a dancer looking for a new partner when he meets Garland and movie magic follows. The story isn’t all that important — the dancing and Irvin Berlin’s songs (including the title number) are the rea
sons to watch.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” (1973): Starring Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman. “Jesus Christ Superstar” is among the most produced musicals on high school and community stages. The 1973 film is based on the Broadway version of the story of the last few days of Jesus’ life as seen by Judas Iscariot.
Easter movies for kids
“It’s the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown” (1974): Fans of the Peanuts specials about Halloween and Christmas will enjoy this one as the Easter story gets the Charlie Brown treatment. Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy takes on the role of the Easter Bunny.
“The Easter Bunny Is Comin’ to Town” (1977): Fans of the Christmas classic “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” might recognize the voice of Fred Astaire as S.D. Klueger, the mailman who narrates the story. The story involves the Easter Bunny delivering eggs and candy to kids.
“Hop” (2011): Starring Russell Brand, James Marsden and Elizabeth Perkins. This film mixes live actors with animation as it tells the story of the Easter Bunny’s son E.B., who moves to Los Angeles to become a drummer in a rock band.
Loosely connected to Easter
“Rebel Without a Cause” (1955): Starring James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo and Jim Backus. It’s the classic
tale of misguided teenage angst in Jim Stark, a newcomer in town who makes a series of unfortunate choices. The story doesn’t involve Easter, but it does take place at that time of year.
“Monty Python’s Life of Brian” (1979): Starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. This irreverent comedy is considered a classic by fans of the British comedy troupe but might not be for everyone. It tells the story of Brian Cohen, whose life parallels that of Jesus in a number of ways. “Life of Brian” includes the memorable song, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
“Cookie’s Fortune” (1999): Starring Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler and Charles S. Dutton. The story takes place during Easter weekend and revolves around a woman’s attempt to cover up her aunt’s suicide. This quirky movie features great performances
from Close, Moore, Dutton, Patricia Neal and Courtney B. Vance.
“Lilies of the Field” (1963): Starring Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala and Lisa Mann. Poitier is a construction worker headed west for a job who stops at a farm run by nuns in the Arizona desert to get water when his car overheats. He ends up staying to help the nuns build a chapel while also teaching (and learning) lessons on tolerance. The connection to Easter is mainly in the name (lilies are a symbolic flower for Easter), but it’s a good chance to appreciate Poitier.
From the Source
Magnolia Network, 3 p.m. New Series Award-winning chef and restaurateur Katie Button explores the origins and stories behind different delicious ingredients. She also shares her knowledge of cooking techniques to inspire others to be more curious, creative and joyful cooks. The series makes its linear cable premiere with two back-to-back halfhour episodes.
American Song Contest: “The Qualifiers Part 4”
NBC, 7 p.m.
In a repeat of last Monday’s episode of the competition series, three artists from Week 3 are revealed as advancing to the semifinals, and 11 artists from across the country perform original music to earn the country’s vote for best hit song. Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson host.
Tournament of Champions III: “A Champion Is Crowned”
Food Network, 8 p.m. ● Season Finale Of the remaining nervous chefs, four become two become one big ($100,000) winner crowned by Guy Fieri.
When Calls the Heart: “Hope Valley Days”
Hallmark Channel, 8 p.m.
In the first of a two-parter, teacher Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) and her fellow locals celebrate Hope Valley Days – though an unwelcome attendee casts a shadow on the event.
Power Book IV: Force Starz, 8 p.m. Season Finale
Power
●
The spinoff following Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora) and his exploits in Chicago’s drug game finishes its first season with “Family Business.” Starz has renewed the series for Season 2.
90 Day Fiancé
TLC, 8 p.m. ● Season Premiere
The original 90 Day series that started it all and sparked obsessive conversation around the world is back! Seven couples have 90 days to figure out whether their love can go the distance when the ninth season of the popular series returns. Couples have 90 days to wed before visas start to expire and their fiancé is sent back to their home country. Will any of these seven couples make it to the altar?
Fear the Walking Dead: “Follow Me”
AMC, 9 p.m.
Season 7 resumes with the huge news that Madison Clark (Kim Dickens), presumed dead after a noble sacrifice in Season 4, is returning. But when?!
NCIS: Los Angeles: “MWD”
CBS, 9 p.m.
NCIS investigates the kidnapping of Boomer, a military working dog, in the new episode “MWD.”
The First Lady
Showtime, 9 p.m. New Series American leadership is reframed through the eyes of three of its most memorable first ladies – Eleanor Roosevelt (Gillian Anderson), Betty Ford (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Michelle Obama (Viola Davis). Exploring everything from their journeys to Washington to their family life and world-changing political contributions, the impact of the White House’s women is no longer hidden.