Easter Sunday is right around the corner, and that means Easter baskets filled with Easter eggs, Easter egg hunts, and all the celebrations that come with the day. A fun way the whole family can celebrate the Easter holiday is by watching some of the best Easter movies together, and that means movies that are appropriate for kids of all ages. Below is a list that includes religious films of the story of Jesus and even some classic movies that young children and older kids can enjoy. Check out this list of the best religious Easter movies for kids.
If you enjoyed this list of the best religious Easter movies for kids, check out these other articles: Happy Easter memes, Edible Easter Egg ideas for adults, Candy-Free Easter basket idea.
Best Religious Easter Movies For Kids
Easter Parade
Easter Parade Age Rating: G
Plot: In this lavish musical, Broadway star Don Hewes’ dancing partner goes solo, and Don declares that he can make a hit performer out of the next dancer he sees. This turns out to be the inexperienced Hannah, who bristles as Don tries to make her into his old partner. But as he realizes that he is falling in love with Hannah, Don knows that he must let her grow into her own kind of dancer if he wants her to reach her full potential.
Star Cast: Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Ann Miller, Peter Lawford
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth Age Rating: PG
Plot: More than any prior Jesus film, Jesus of Nazareth strives not only to emphasize the Jewishness of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Jesus’ disciples, but to depict first-century Judaism as a complex, living cultural fabric capable of a range of nuanced responses to Jesus beyond full discipleship and sheer rejection.
Star Cast: Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, Anne Bancroft, James Faretino
Veggie Tales: An Easter Carol
Veggie Tales: An Easter Carol Age Rating: G
Plot: In just one unforgettable night, Cavis and Millward (Bob and Larry) and a music box angel named Hope must convince Nezzer that Easter is more about candy and eggs. Inspired by Dickens’ Christmas classic, this very special VeggieTales film explains why millions of Christians around the world celebrate Easter past, present, and future.
Star Cast: Mike Nawrocki, Lisa Vischer, Dan Anderson, Phil Vischer
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments Age Rating: G
Plot: Enjoying a life of ease in the court of Egypt’s pharaoh, Moses discovers his Hebrew heritage and, later, God’s expectations of him. He dedicates himself to liberating his people from captivity and — with the aid of plagues and divine intervention — manages to lead them out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. A greater challenge comes in the form of the golden calf idol, however, and it takes an unforgettable visitation by God on Mount Sinai for Moses’ mission to prevail. Story of Moses.
Star Cast: Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter, Yul Brynner, Edward G. Robinson
Risen
Risen Age Rating: PG-13
Plot: Roman military tribune Clavius remains set in his ways after serving 25 years in the army. He arrives at a crossroad when he’s tasked to investigate the mystery of what happened to Jesus following the Crucifixion. Accompanied by trusted aide Lucius, his quest to disprove rumors of a risen Messiah makes him question his own beliefs and spirituality. As his journey takes him to places never dreamed of, Clavius discovers the truth that he’s been seeking.
Star Cast: Joseph Fiennes, Cliff Curtis, Tom Felton, Peter Firth
The Miracle Maker
The Miracle Maker Age Rating: G
Plot: In this retelling of the life of Christ, his experiences are recreated using claymation. Starting with his birth in Nazareth, Jesus goes on to meet and inspire his apostles, perform various miracles and reveal his teachings. His baptism by John the Baptist is shown, as well as his meeting with Mary Magdalene. Christ must eventually face the betrayal of Judas, and succumb to Herod’s vendetta against him.
Star Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Richard E. Grant, Miranda Richardson, David Thewlis, Anton Lesser
Ben-Hur
Ben-Hur Age Rating: G
Plot: Epic drama about an aristocratic Jew (Judah Ben-Hur) living in Judaea who incurs the wrath of a childhood friend, now a Roman tribune. Although forced into slavery on a galley and compelled to witness the cruel persecution of his family, he survives, harbouring dreams of vengeance. A battle at sea and a chariot race are among the memorable sequences. The film used 300 sets at Rome’s Cinecitta Studios and won a record 11 Oscars.
Star Cast: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Son of God
Son of God Age Rating: PG-13
Plot: In the Holy Land, the Roman occupation has produced a cauldron of oppression, anxiety and excessive taxes levied upon the Jewish people. Fearing the wrath of Roman governor Pontius Pilate, Jewish high priest Caiaphas tries to keep control of his people. That control is threatened when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, performing miracles and spreading messages of love and hope. Those who fear that Jesus will inspire a revolution decide that he must die.
Star Cast: Greg Hicks, Adrian Schiller, Diogo Morgado, Amber Rose Revah
The Greatest Story Ever Told
The Greatest Story Ever Told Age Rating: G
Plot: From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ’s life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod; Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ’s crucifixion and miraculous return.
Star Cast: Max von Sydow, Claude Rains, Charlton Heston
The Prince of Egypt
The Prince of Egypt Age Rating: PG
Plot: In this animated retelling of the Book of Exodus, Egyptian Prince Moses, upon discovering his roots as a Jewish slave, embarks on a quest to free his people from bondage. When his plea is denied by his brother Rameses, the new pharaoh, a series of horrific plagues strike Egypt. Moses finally leads the Israelites to freedom by parting the Red Sea and drowning the Egyptian army. God then gives Moses the Ten Commandments, a list of rules for his people to live by. The film features the hit song, “When You Believe,” which won the Oscar for Best Original Song. No surprise there: It was recorded by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
Star Cast: Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock
It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown
It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown Age Rating: G
Plot: Charlie Brown, Linus and the entire Peanuts gang are off on a lively Easter egg hunt. They suspect they’ve spotted the Easter Bunny … but the trouble is, he looks a lot like a certain beagle who’s near and dear to Charlie Brown’s heart. Is it truly the Easter Bunny, or is it just the irrepressible Snoopy playing a trick on the kids?
Star Cast: Todd Barbee, Melanie Kohn, Stephen Shea, Linda Ercoli
Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit Age Rating: PG
Plot: In the retelling of Beatrix Potter’s story. Peter Rabbit AKA Peter Cottontail and his three sisters — Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail — enjoy spending their days in Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden. When one of McGregor’s relatives suddenly moves in, he’s less than thrilled to discover a family of rabbits in his new home. A battle of wills soon breaks out as the new owner hatches scheme after scheme to get rid of Peter — a resourceful rabbit who proves to be a worthy and wily opponent.
Star Cast: James Corden, Fayssal Bazzi, Domhnall Gleeson, Rose Byrne, Margot Robbie
Hop
Hop Age Rating: PG
Plot: Beneath Easter Island, in a giant factory that manufactures the world’s Easter candy, the popular rabbit is preparing to pass the mantle to his son, E.B.. But E.B. has no interest in the job and would rather be a drummer. He runs away to Los Angeles, where an unemployed slacker named Fred O’Hare accidentally runs into him. Feigning injury, E.B. tricks Fred into giving him shelter, but an oversized chick is planning a coup back on Easter Island.
Star Cast: Russell Brand, James Marsden, Veronica Alicino, Kaley Cuoco
Rise of the Guardians
Rise of the Guardians Age Rating: PG
Plot: Generation after generation, immortal Guardians like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy protect the world’s children from darkness and despair. However, an evil boogeyman named Pitch Black schemes to overthrow the Guardians by obliterating children’s belief in them. It falls to a winter sprite named Jack Frost to thwart Pitch’s plans and save the Guardians from destruction.
Star Cast: Peter Ramsey, Nancy Bernstein, Christina Steinberg, David Lindsay-Abaire, Nimit Manatpon, Hugh Jackman
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar Age Rating: G
Plot: Adapted from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar” recounts the last days of Jesus Christ from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, his betrayer. As Jesus’ following increases, Judas begins to worry that Jesus is falling for his own hype, forgetting the principles of his teachings and growing too close to the prostitute Mary Magdalene. After Jesus has an outburst in a temple, Judas turns on him.
Star Cast: Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman
Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade
Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade Age Rating: PG
Plot: Harried mother Ethel entrusts her precious, soon-to-hatch egg to Sid’s booming new egg-sitting service, but when Squint steals and hides all of the offspring, Manny, Diego and the gang come to the rescue.
Star Cast: John Leguizamo, Ray Romano, Seth Green, Taraji P. Henson
The Dog Who Saved Easter
The Dog Who Saved Easter Age Rating: PG
Plot: A canine springs into action when three criminals try to sabotage a day care for dogs during Easter time.
Star Cast: Dean Cain, Elisa Donovan, Mario Lopez
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie Age Rating: G
Plot: When a bunny called evil Irontail turns evil after losing the chance to become the next Easter Bunny to Peter Cottontail, he and his co-conspirators concoct a plan to bring about a permanent winter, which only Peter’s son and his friends can stop.
Star Cast: Tom Kenny, Christopher Llyod, Dee Bradley Baker, Miranda Cosgrove
The Passion of the Christ
The Passion of the Christ Age Rating: R
Plot: In this version of Christ’s crucifixion, based on the New Testament, Judas expedites the downfall of Jesus by handing him over to the Roman Empire’s handpicked officials. To the horror of his mother, Mary, Magdalen, whom he saved from damnation, and his disciples, Jesus is condemned to death. He is tortured as he drags a crucifix to nearby Calvary, where he is nailed to the cross. He dies, but not before a last act of grace.
Star Cast: Jim Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern, Monica Bellucci, Christo Jivkov