I remember as a child that every December The Ten Commandment would play on television and I would watch with my mum, as she was a big fan of Charlton Heston. This is only one of many biblical movies that plays in December each year as everyone prepares themselves for Christmas.
While the Heston classic will always be a favourite, in recent years there have been quite a few new movies released based on stories from the Bible. As well as providing compelling entertainment, they are a great way to become familiar with the stories (it is a very long book…).
There are 20 of the best movies based on Bible stories that you can watch this December.
The Ten Commandments (1956)
IMDB Score 7.8/10
It is no surprise that this is the top Bible movie on Netflix. Charlton Heston is one of the most charismatic actors ever, and be plays opposite the indescribable Yul Brynner. Plus the story of the Jews fleeing Egypt and the reception of the ten commandments is one of the most compelling in the Bible.
The Gospel According to St Matthew (1964)
IMDB Score 7.8/10
Starring Enrique Irazoqui, this film tells the story of Christ taken from the Gospel of Matthew, using dialogue direct from the book. He chose Matthew and he felt John was too mystical, Mark too vulgar and Like too sentimental. In 2015 the Vatican said that it was the best Christ film ever made.
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
IMDB Score 7.6/10
An all-star cast tells the story of Jesus based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film stars Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey and David Bowie. Christ is given a more conflicting character as he struggles with fear, doubt and depression.
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
IMDB Score 7.4/10
Based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera, Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman star in this musical telling of the weeks before the death of Jesus and the conflicts between Jesus and Judas.
Prince of Egypt (1998)
IMDB Score 7.1/10
This Dreamworks cartoon retelling of the story of Moses is surprisingly adult and well thought through. Ramses is painted as a sympathetic character with understandable motives, rather than an outright villain. Features the voices of Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Sandra Bullock.
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
IMDB Score 7.1/10
A Mel Gibson pet project, it stars Jim Caviezel in the lead role of Christ. The film primarily covers the final twelve hours of Jesus; life with flashbacks. The dialogue is entirely in reconstructed Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin.
King of Kings (1961)
IMDB Score 7/10
Another telling of the life of Jesus, from his birth to death, starring Jeffrey Hunter as the messiah. This is definitely a homage to the man of legend, with little depth given to the character, that remains larger than life.
Barabbas (1961)
IMDB Score 6.9/10
Starring Anthony Quinn in the titular role, this is a Roman epic! It tells the story of Barabbas, the criminal who was set free before the crucifixion in the place of Jesus as he looks for redemption.
Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018)
IMDB Score 6.6/10
Telling the stories of the disciples of Jesus, James Faulkner plats Saint Paul, and Him Caviezel Saint Luke. The movie tells the story of Paul, who was a ruthless persecutor of Christians before his conversion We see how he became the pivotal figure in the Church.
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
IMDB Score 6.6/10
Another accounting of the life of Jesus, this time with Max von Sydow in the starring role. They certainly fit a lot in, as we whizz through everything that ever happened in the life of probably the most famous man who ever lived.
Joseph: King of Dreams (2000)
IMDB Score 6.5/10
Another animated entry from DreamWorks, the movie tells the story of Joseph, a shepherd favoured by god who ended up being an advisor to the King of Egypt. Features the voices of Ben Affleck and Mark Hamill.
Risen (2016)
IMDB Score 6.3/10
Joseph Fiennes and Tom Felton star as Roman soldiers given the task of finding the body of Jesus after the resurrection in order to quell uprisings among the followers of Christ. It is both an action epic and a philosophical question.
The Book of Daniel (2013)
IMDB Score 6.1/10
When Jerusalem was taken by the Babylonians in 605 BC many young Jews were taken into captivity to serve, including Daniel. He shows his faithfulness to god in the face of many challenges, and has a profound influence on the people around him.
Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
IMDB Score 6/10
Definitely one of the more creative retellings of a biblical story, it again tells the story of the exodus of the Jews. Christian Bale stars as Moses and Joel Edgerton as Ramesses. The story focuses less on scripture and more on action
Noah (2014)
IMDB Score 5.8/10
Russell Crowe stars as Noah in this telling of the flood myth. The man who nobody believed but built an ark to save humanity. The film also stars Jennifer Connolly and Emma Watson. The film was deemed highly political and banned in China and several Muslim countries.
Mary Magdalen (2018)
IMDB Score 5.8/10
One of the new biblical movies that focuses on a female character (it’s worse that Lord of the Rings for lack of female roles), Rooney Mara stars as Mary Magdalen, who finds her way into Jesus’ inner circle, and competes with his male apostles. Features Joaquin Phoenix as Christ.
Son of God (2014)
IMDB Score 5.7/10
Yet another telling of the story of Jesus, Diogo Morgado takes on the role. Definitely a passion project, Roma Downey both directs and stars as well. Feels a little bit like a Sunday School lesson.
David and Goliath (1960)
IMDB Score 4.9/10
Just one of many renditions of this story, Orson Welles stars as King Saul, and Ivica Pajer as David. Rather than focussing on the battle between shepherd and giant, we see the conflict of King Saul when a prophet tells him that Daniel will be king.
Samson (2018)
IMDB Score 4.4/10
This film starring Taylor James in the titular role tells the story of the trials of the hero Samson as he battles against the Philistines. The movie also features Billy Zane and Jackson Rathbone as the devious Philistine rulers.
The Book of Esther (2013)
IMDB Sore 4.2/10
Staring Jen Lilley in the titular role, the movie tells the story of a young Jewish girl chosen to be the consort of the King of Persia, and her efforts to stop a plot to eliminate the Jews. Based only vaguely on the original biblical story.