Films about Jesus have been made for more than a century. Some follow his whole life. Others look at his last hours. Here are seven titles that often appear on “best” lists.
Seven films and series
- The Passion of the Christ (2004). Mel Gibson directed it, and Jim Caviezel stars. It shows the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life. It is very intense, and critics and viewers have argued over its violence.
- Jesus of Nazareth (1977). Franco Zeffirelli directed this TV mini-series. It tells the life of Jesus through the Gospel accounts. Robert Powell plays Jesus.
- King of Kings (1961). Nicholas Ray directed this Hollywood epic, and Jeffrey Hunter plays Jesus. It sets his story against Roman rule in Palestine.
- The Gospel According to Matthew (1964). Pier Paolo Pasolini directed it. It is known for staying close to scripture and for its plain, poetic look.
- Jesus (1999). This TV mini-series tells the life, work and death of Jesus as the Bible describes them. Jeremy Sisto is in the cast.
- The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). This is a classic of the reverent, traditional style of mid-century Hollywood.
- Risen (2016). This film looks at the resurrection through the eyes of a Roman soldier.
How to choose
If you want the full life of Jesus, start with Jesus of Nazareth. If you want a grand classic, try King of Kings. If you want a film about his final hours, choose The Passion of the Christ. It is graphic, so it may not suit every viewer.
Risen is a good pick if you like a story told from a new point of view.
Other titles to explore
The Young Messiah (2016) imagines the childhood of Jesus. The Chosen, a series that began in 2017, follows Jesus and his followers. Both are often named in lists of Jesus films.
Films like these can be more than entertainment. Many viewers use them to think about faith and history.