Hope you have a better Good Friday than Jesus Christ did!

Movie junkie or not, movies are relevant for every season! Be it Thanksgiving or Christmas, there’s always a movie that keeps the holiday spirit alive and abuzz.

Speaking of which, Good Friday is fast approaching. And we know that a lot of us have lost the plot of even our holiest of days. For example, Good Friday is one of the most sacred days on the Christian calendar, as it commemorates the day of crucifixion of Jesus. However, this day is often overshadowed by free meals at the church and preparation of Easter.

Whether you agree or not, the day of mourning and praying is often stripped off its historical and religious significance. Even the strongest believers sometimes get carried away with Easter decorations and carbs-filled family feasts.

Even though movies-watching tradition sometimes believed to deviate us from the true meaning of religious holidays such as Good Friday, part of that same tradition pull us back on track. Here are 10 must watch movies for Good Friday 2021 that teach us what this holy day is all about:

The Greatest Story ever Told

Starring Max Von Sydow, John Wayne, Chartlon Heston, Sidney Poitier, and Shelley Winters, this 1965 movie portrays the life of Jesus Christ for four hours straight. Even though this movie didn’t perform well at the box office, Sydow’s performance as Jesus Christ has inarguably defined the screen adaption of Jesus for generations.

Jesus of Nazareth

It’s just the start of the list, and we’re already cheating. Well, it’s worth it! Jesus of Nazareth is not actually a movie, but a miniseries released in 1977. It tells the story of Jesus over a period of more than SIX freakin…. oops… holiest hours!

The modern generation may find this series a bit boring or out-of-time, but it’s enlightening in so many ways. Go give it a try! The film stars James Earl Jones as Balthazar, Christopher Plummer as Herod Antipas, and Laurence Olivier as Nicodemus.

Risen

Released in 2016, Risen follows a journey of Clavius, a Roman military tribune, along with his friend Lucius, who tries to find out the truth behind Jesus crucifixion.

They learn some shocking facts during their journey. Risen is going to be one of the best Christian movies you will ever see for sure.

Joseph: King of Dreams

This 2000’s animated movie follows the life of Joseph from slavery to becoming the most powerful person in Egypt. Jesus’s story has been told in a very unique manner that is not only entertaining, but also enlightening.

God Bless the Broken Road

The heart touching story is about love between a driver and a widowed mother while she struggles to hold on to her faith. This movie is particularly helpful for all those who’re struggling to keep their faith in God – and let’s be honest, many of us have been through that phase.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar is a movie adaption of the Broadway hit, released in 1973. Directed by Normal Jewison, it stars the hunky Ted Neelay as Christ. The musical flick has same catching tunes that will remain stuck in your head long after the Easter hangover finally ends.

The Passion of Christ

Directed by Mel Gibson, the movie focuses on Jesus’ last moments before his crucifixion in truly horrific details. This movie might not be an appropriate choice for kids, but if you’re interested to watch a profound depiction of Jesus’ last moments, this movie should be the in your ‘to watch’ list for Good Friday 2021.

The movie stars Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ who has been remarkable throughout his performance. Caviezel’s Christ doesn’t just die painfully but believably, he lives well, too. The movie portrays his compassion, justice, love, and sense of humor through a variety of pleasant flashbacks from his life.

Ben-Hur

This 1959 version of Ben-Hur is legendary in so many ways. This academy-winning movie features Charlton Heston as the title character— a member of Judean royalty military who was betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend— who takes back his freedom and comes back for revenge.

While Jesus is not a protagonist of this movie, he is definitely the center of it all. The movie is based on best-selling novel called Ben-Hur: A tale of the Christ. Don’t worry, this movie does not contain any visuals of Jesus; we only see his hands, legs, kindness and sacrifice. Most importantly, we see how people react to Him in the movie.

The Ten Commandments

This epic Biblical movie fictionalizes the pre-Good Friday world of the Old Testament and the life of Moses – before Jesus came to this world.  The movie stars Charlton Heston as Moses, who brings down the Ten Commandments down from the mountain, while Egyptian Prince Rameses (portrayed by Yul Brynner) is on his tale to kill him.

The Letters

The film follows the story of Mother Teresa through the letters she wrote to father Celeste ves Exem. Her letters reflect her struggles with doubts and alienation from God and people around her. The movie is particularly inspirational for those who believe in Christianity.

There you go, we’ve given you names of 10 movies that depict Christianity and Jesus in a unique yet enlightening and inspirational ways. These movies will help you learn the true meaning of these religious days, including Good Friday. So, grab your popcorn and watch our list of Good-Friday-themed films!

Stay tuned to Hayvine for the best Netflix shows, Disney animated movies and series, along with Zootopia, Luca, and Sponge on the Run. We will update our blog with the best kids’ movies of 2021, so don’t forget to like our Facebook page.