Easter is one of the most important holidays on the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. While movies like Pirates of the Caribbean may be entertaining adventure films set around this time of year, they don’t directly connect to the theological and spiritual themes of Easter. If you’re looking for a movie to watch during the Easter season that more authentically captures the meaning and message of the holiday, here are some excellent options to consider.

Classic Animated Films

Two animated classics that feature Easter-related characters or imagery are Rise of the Guardians and parts of Fantasia. Rise of the Guardians (2012) brings together classic childhood icons like the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, Santa Claus, and Jack Frost to protect the hopes, beliefs, and imagination of children. In the movie, the Easter Bunny, voiced by Hugh Jackman, is a master of hand-to-hand combat and uses his skills and speed to help defend the children of the world. While the plot involves scaring away an evil spirit named Pitch, the Easter Bunny’s role represents how this holiday figure brings joy, wonder, and new life each spring season.

Fantasia (1940) is Walt Disney’s experimental film that set abstract animated sequences to classical music. One memorable segment depicts the sorcerer’s apprentice set to the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment from Paul Dukas’ Tone Poem. But another animated portion uses Bach’s iconic “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” as its soundtrack. In this haunting scene, viewers are taken on a surreal journey through nature that ends with the coming of dawn and the rising of the sun. The imagery of darkness giving way to light is a metaphor for how Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and the defeat of death. While not explicitly about Easter, this Fantasia segment captures the spiritual themes of rebirth, hope, and overcoming darkness with its wordless visual storytelling.

Live-Action Biblical Epics

Some of the most epic and acclaimed movies ever made tell the stories directly from Scripture that Easter commemorates. Cecil B. DeMille’s 1923 silent film The Ten Commandments depicts the biblical account of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt through the parting of the Red Sea. While not focusing on Easter itself, the Exodus story is the dramatic backdrop for how the Jewish Passover holiday came to be—a tradition closely tied to Christian Easter. DeMille’s 1956 remake with Charlton Heston as Moses is even more spectacular in scope. Both versions bring to life the miraculous plagues and defining events that shaped Judaism and ultimately paved the way for Christianity.

Another religious epic that made its mark is William Wyler’s Ben-Hur (1959). While primarily known for its breathtaking chariot race, the movie traces the journey of Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston again) from a prince of Jerusalem to a slave who regains his freedom and seeks revenge against the Romans. A subplot involves Ben-Hur encountering and being influenced by a humble carpenter and prophet named Jesus. In its portrayal of the political and social tensions of first-century Palestine under Roman occupation, Ben-Hur provides meaningful historical context for how the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus came to pass around the time of the Jewish Passover.

For a more straightforward retelling of Jesus’ story, the recent film Son of God (2014) chronicles the major events of his life as depicted in the Gospels. While not breaking new ground cinematically, it authentically captures Jesus’ teachings, miracles, crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, and resurrection appearances—the very events that Easter celebrates. Roma Downey and Mark Burnett produced this movie by splicing together scenes from their History Channel miniseries The Bible. Viewers seeking to understand the biblical account of Holy Week can find it faithfully presented in Son of God.

Family Films with Easter Themes

Some family movies incorporate Easter themes or symbolism in heartwarming ways. In Rise of the Guardians, the Easter Bunny plays an important supporting role among the legendary characters and gets key moments to shine, like when he uses his skills and speed to save children. Younger viewers will enjoy the Easter Bunny’s adventures alongside Santa, the Tooth Fairy, Sandman, and Jack Frost.

Another film with an Easter-related character at the center is Hop (2011), a live-action/animated comedy starring Russell Brand as the voice of E.B., the teenage son of the Easter Bunny who wants to become a drummer in a rock band. When E.B. accidentally hits and damages his father’s magical Easter Basket, he has to go to Hollywood to get it repaired in time for Easter. Along the way, he develops an unlikely friendship with Fred, a slacker played by James Marsden. Hop is a lighthearted romp that celebrates themes of finding your purpose, family bonds, and new beginnings—all very much in line with the Easter season.

For those with very young children, classics like It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (1974) charm with their simplicity. Snoopy goes on an adventure to find the perfect gift for Woodstock’s Easter while Charlie Brown tries to find his calling. The messages of friendship, hope, and renewal make It’s the Easter Beagle a sweet short film for little ones during the Easter holiday. For older kids and families, movies like Jesus of Nazareth (1977) or The Passion of the Christ (2004) could also spark meaningful discussions around the historical context and spiritual significance of Easter Sunday.

Some international films offer fresh cultural perspectives on the Easter story or its related biblical events. The French film Golgotha (1935) was an early talkie that portrayed the Passion of Christ in Aramaic with an entirely Middle Eastern cast. While the production values show its age, it transported viewers to the lands and era of Jesus in an immersive way.

The Russian film Nazarene (1989) tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of fictional characters, including a Roman soldier named Flavius who is charged with monitoring the crucifixion. It provides thoughtful commentary on faith, doubt, and political oppression through its Eastern Bloc lens.

For those wanting to learn about Holy Week traditions beyond North America, the Italian film The 24 Days (2014) follows a priest in Sicily preparing his parish for Easter. It offers a glimpse into the rich spiritual practices, music, and community rituals that mark the days leading up to Resurrection Sunday in Mediterranean Catholic culture.

Documentaries

For those seeking Easter films that are more informational than dramatic, numerous documentaries explore the historical context and religious significance of this holy day. National Geographic’s The Jesus Film Project (1979) is a word-for-word dramatization of the Gospel of Luke filmed on location. While not a documentary per se, its authentic settings transport viewers.

PBS and the BBC have produced several multi-part documentary series on religion, history, and archaeology that include insightful segments on Easter. Films like PBS’s From Jesus to Christ (1998), BBC’s Sacred Sites (2002), and Christianity: The First Thousand Years (2009) weave together location footage, expert interviews, and historical analysis to deepen understanding of how Jesus’ resurrection became the central doctrine of Christianity.

For families, kid-friendly docs like Magic School Bus Explores the Bible introduce Easter traditions and their ancient origins in lively, educational formats. History and science merge to make religious holidays more comprehensible for young minds.

Conclusion

While Pirates of the Caribbean or other secular films can provide entertainment any time of year, the movies above authentically capture the spirit and meaning of Easter through dramatizing biblical stories, featuring Easter-related characters, expressing Easter traditions from other cultures, or simply presenting the historical context and theology of Jesus’ resurrection. For Christians wishing to mark Holy Week and celebrate Easter Sunday with film selections that align with the holiday’s religious significance, these cinematic options offer thoughtful, inspiring, and informative viewing choices for all ages.