Biblical and Christian Movies - Best to Worst
This list is ranked on nuance and accuracy to scripture, as well as getting the underlying message of the Bible's story.
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- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsCharlton HestonJack HawkinsStephen BoydA Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, but it's not long before he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.True, the movie is largely fiction, but it's portrayal of Jesus is larger than life. He feels divine. It's true strength is Judah Ben-Hur's quest, which shows the struggle of a sinful world and that hope lies in the gospel. This is peppered with great cinematography and a beautiful soundtrack.
- StarsTony LeaderPatrick BrennanJoss AcklandStories from the Bible are interpreted in different styles of animation.The most respectful rendition of the Old Testament I have seen, especially with Creation and the Flood. Plenty of other Old Testament stories treated well in here too. May be frightening for children, however.
- DirectorsDerek W. HayesStanislav SokolovStarsRalph FiennesMichael BryantJulie ChristieThe story of Jesus Christ.A very good film on Jesus, with stunning animation. It understands that Christ is God and Man, with Jesus having a clear personality and emotions. We are also showed the flawed characters of Jesus' disciples, a rare focus in most portrayals of the gospels. Unlike the Passion of the Christ, it actually shows why Jesus came to die and the promise of Eternal Life, which is what I want out of religious films.
- DirectorPhilip SavilleStarsHenry Ian CusickDaniel KashChristopher PlummerThe story of Jesus' life as told by the apostle John, narrated by Christopher Plummer.Considering it follows scripture word by word, and has great visual effects, it's up there for the best Bible movies. Unfortunately, it falls flat in some of it's acting.
- DirectorsBrenda ChapmanSteve HicknerSimon WellsStarsVal KilmerRalph FiennesMichelle PfeifferEgyptian Prince Moses learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.Though not very Biblically accurate in terms of Moses and his family, the suffering of the Hebrews is on point, and so is the portrayal of God. And sure, Moses is not a stammerer, but this is the most human portrayal of the prophet on screen. Also it's soundtrack is great. Dreamworks clearly treated Exodus with respect.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsCharlton HestonYul BrynnerAnne BaxterMoses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.A film with spectacle, most certainly. Though the acting is well done and is more accurate to scripture than the Prince of Egypt. It's problem is that the suffering of the Hebrews feels secondary and it's overly dramatic. But it's a landmark piece of filmmaking none the less.
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsJim CaviezelMonica BellucciMaia MorgensternDepicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.Jesus' life is victimhood in this film, and it feels more like watching a gore flick than actually getting why Jesus died on the cross. Yes, Jesus suffered... But why? This movie doesn't really answer that. It just shows his suffering and not the message of eternal redemption. True, it has some Biblical accuracy, but then there's the taunting of Satan, which wasn't in scripture and feels like an unnecessary addition. The film is only really good for seeing Christ suffering (with the awesome addition of their original languages), but that's all it really gives.
- DirectorKevin ReynoldsStarsJoseph FiennesTom FeltonPeter FirthIn 33 AD, a Roman Tribune in Judea is tasked to find the missing body of Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead.I enjoyed this one. Some of the acting isn't great, and the plot is messy, dropping it's main premise far too quickly. But in the very least, it actually has the gospel message behind it, and I find that commendable. If only other parts of the film were better.
- StarsKeith DavidRobert PowellJake CanusoA religious dramatic miniseries about God's creation and physical landmark events leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.Treats the Bible like a spectacle with little regard to accuracy. There is barely any nuance, the acting is bland, and God is hardly the focus.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsChristian BaleJoel EdgertonBen KingsleyThe defiant leader Moses rises up against Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, setting six hundred thousand slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.Really not good. It feels like the directors confused Jewish and Christian middle-eastern beliefs for far east religion. The acting is pretty bad too.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsRussell CroweJennifer ConnellyAnthony HopkinsNoah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.Gosh, if only this film could be erased. How do you mess up the simple tale of Noah's ark so horrifically? It follows gnostic mysticism and feels like a bad fanfic. Even the writers of the apocryphal Book of Enoch would be insulted with this portrayal. Noah feels more like a villain than a righteous man. Terrible visuals too. Go watch the Testament Creation and Flood episode listed above, it's far better handled.
