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As Nicole Kidman might have put it in her famous AMC Theaters promo video, “We turn to the movies at Easter for magic.” Whether we celebrate Holy Week or not, great movies can rekindle our hopes. When all seems lost, they can help us believe in dreams that come true, a love stronger than any trouble and, yes, even resurrection.
The Miracle Maker (2000)
When you think of actors who played Jesus on screen, who comes to mind? Willem Dafoe in Martin Scorsese’s 1988 The Last Temptation of Christ? Enrique Irazoqui in Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1964 The Gospel According to St. Matthew? Jim Caviezel’s rigorous imitation of Christ and his physical torments in Mel Gibson’s 2004 The Passion of the Christ? All memorable, but Ralph Fiennes’ voice acting in this British claymation adaptation of the four Gospels is a standard yet to be surpassed. Here’s a movie that makes the Jesus story accessible and engaging for all ages without sacrificing substance or visual artistry.
Watch it: The Miracle Maker on Prime Video
Babette’s Feast (1987)
Film offers no greater Easter feast than 1987’s Oscar winner about a French chef who gives everything she has to serve two aging Danish sisters who rescued her from counterrevolutionary terrors in 19th century France. When something like a miracle occurs, Babette sees an opportunity to bless her weary, troubled neighbors with something they’ve never allowed themselves to imagine: a true French banquet that just might resurrect their neglected taste buds and dazzle their atrophied imaginations. Will they condemn her as a witch sent by Satan? Or open themselves to the heavenly revelations of a wildly sensual experience? Babette dares to suggest that the meaning of life might be found not by rejecting our bodily desires but by embracing them. It’s hard to believe that a 1950 Ladies’ Home Journal story became such a cinematic marvel.
Watch it: Babette’s Feast on the Criterion Channel, HBO Max
The Chosen: The Last Supper (2025)
How come the No. 3 hit film of Easter week 2025 was a movie about the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion that is also available on Prime Video? Because it's the best Jesus movie since Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, and the most popular (filmmakers claim 180 million have watched it). As critic Jasmine Blu wrote, "The Chosen is must-see, even if you're not into Christian or historical programming or particularly religious." So far, The Chosen TV shows turned movies have grossed over $82 million.
Watch it: The Chosen in theaters
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