10 Best Movies About Jesus Christ

Movies are a powerful medium for telling stories and imparting values to its audience. Many movies have been made to depict the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the central figure in Christianity and Catholicism.

For decades, movies about Jesus Christ have been a part of the movie industry, offering viewers an immersive and unforgettable visual journey. Below, we present a list of 10 movies that explore the story of Jesus from different perspectives.

1. The Passion of the Christ

The Passion of the Christ is a cinematic depiction that vividly captures the sacrifice and suffering experienced by Jesus Christ during the last 12 hours of His life.

Well known for its meticulous and real depiction of Jesus' suffering, the movie elicits deep emotions from its viewers. Directed by Mel Gibson, the film effectively underscores the themes of love and self-sacrifice, although it has been criticized for its violence.

For many viewers, The Passion of The Christ excels in conveying the deep spirituality and sacrifice at the heart of the story. The film skillfully visualizes key moments such as the punishment, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, using an engaging narrative style and impressive cinematography.

2. Son of God

Released in 2014, Son of God offers a full story of Jesus' life, from His birth to His resurrection. Directed by Christopher Spencer, the movie masterfully depicts key moments in Jesus' life, including His teachings, miraculous acts, and interactions with His apostles.

The actors and actresses are able to portray their roles well, and the movie manages to convey a message of love and hope to its audience. This cinematic masterpiece that grossed $70.9 million at the box office is suitable for audiences of all ages.

3. Jesus

Although it was released in 1979, it has earned its place as one of the most watched movies worldwide centering on the life of Jesus Christ. The movie faithfully recounts the life of Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke from the Bible.

What sets "Jesus" apart is the effort of its directors, John Krish and Peter Sykes, to maintain biblical accuracy and provide an authentic depiction of Jesus' life, teachings, miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection.

The high production quality of the movie and Brian Deacon's compelling portrayal of Jesus immerses the audience in the narrative and effectively conveys its spiritual messages. In addition, "Jesus" has been translated into multiple languages, thus increasing its accessibility to a wider audience.

4. The Gospel of John

As the title suggests, "The Gospel of John" provides a cinematic depiction of the life of Jesus, drawn from the Gospel of John. Released in 2003, the movie offers a different and deeper perspective on the person and teachings of Jesus.

Viewers are encouraged to understand and capture the essence of Jesus' messages through the perspective of John, one of His most cherished disciples. With its powerful narrative and captivating visual storytelling, "The Gospel of John" is one of the best movies about the life of Jesus.

5. Risen

It can be said that "Risen" is a unique movie because it offers a different perspective on the story of Jesus. The life of Jesus in this movie is told through the perspective of a skeptical Roman soldier, Clavius.

The movie tells the story of Clavius as he searches for Jesus' missing body after the crucifixion and his spiritual journey as he encounters Jesus' followers. Through his search, Clavius bears witness to the truth of Jesus' resurrection and experiences a spiritual transformation in the form of a heartfelt conversion.

6. Ben-Hur

The main focus of Ben-Hur (2016) is not Jesus, but Judah Ben-Hur. He is a prince who endures years of slavery after being falsely accused of betraying his adopted brother, Messala.

At first, Judah Ben-Hur is overwhelmed by the desire for revenge due to the injustice he has suffered. However, his encounter with Jesus extinguishes the fire of hatred within him, which was caused by vengeance. In fact, the movie also depicts Judah as a witness to Jesus' crucifixion.

7. The King of Kings

In this movie, the epic journey of Jesus' life, from his birth to his resurrection, is well summarized. Director Nicholas Ray skillfully depicts the narrative of Jesus' life with a poetic and artistic touch.

Labeling "King of Kings" as a film filled with emotions would not be an overstatement. The movie offers the opportunity to witness the deep bond between Jesus and His disciples, the impactful teachings He gave, and the resistance against Roman oppression. Watching this movie will definitely provide an unforgettable cinematic experience.

8. Mary Magdalene

The title of this movie immediately tells us that the central character is Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' most devoted followers. In fact, Mary Magdalene witnessed Jesus' crucifixion, death and resurrection.

The movie explores the relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. Here, Mary Magdalene is portrayed as a Jewish woman who actively participated in the teachings and preaching of Jesus.

Rooney Mara plays Mary Magdalene, and Joaquin Phoenix plays Jesus Christ, both giving outstanding performances that capture the intricacies of the spiritual relationship between Mary and Jesus.

9. The Last Temptation of Christ

Martin Scorsese, known for his expertise in making crime and mafia-themed movies, shows his skills as a director in "The Last Temptation of Christ". This movie adapted from the novel of the same name presents a different and controversial interpretation of the life of Jesus.

Viewers are invited to witness Jesus' inner struggles as He attempts to fulfill His role as the Messiah while struggling with human desires. Overall, the movie challenges viewers to re-evaluate Jesus' humanity and divinity, encouraging them to reflect on His sacrifice and spiritual purpose.

Willem Dafoe provides a compelling portrayal of Jesus, and the movie's strong narrative serves as a compelling reason to watch this movie at least once in your lifetime.

10. The Greatest Story Ever Told

Featuring many actors who were famous at the time, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" takes viewers into the life of Jesus, from his birth to his resurrection.

Amazingly, this 1965 movie was produced on a huge budget, making it the second most expensive movie ever made at the time, according to IMDb records. Critics praised its grand visual presentation, which provided a great cinematic experience in the 1960s.

However, the movie was criticized for its long duration of 4 hours and 20 minutes. Strangely, the revenue generated by directors George Stevens, David Lean, and Jean Negulesco was not enough to recoup the investment.

The ten films mentioned above offer diverse and unique depictions of the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Whether viewed from a feminist point of view, a non-Christian perspective, or in accordance with the biblical gospels, each movie provides an invitation to explore and engage with the story of Jesus' life from multiple perspectives, leading to a deeper understanding of His timeless messages.