Spring is here and so is Easter, which offers the perfect excuse to get lost in a good movie or host a family movie night.
Here are The Eagle’s picks for some films about or set during Easter, with some seasonal staples and surprising suggestions:
The Long Good Friday (1980)
Kick off your Easter film binge with an unconventional '80s British gangster movie that opens up with crime boss Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins) on Good Friday. The film follows Shand as he tries to find the traitor in his organization following a series of bombings while simultaneously trying to become a legitimate property mogul.
Over Easter weekend, Shand and his henchmen threaten criminals and corrupt police officers whom they believe may be connected to the bombings. All the while, Shand is trying to keep his future American business partner unaware of the violence taking place.
We warn that this is an exceptionally brutal film, but action lovers will appreciate what has been called “the Godfather” of British gangster films.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
If action movies aren’t your speed, cozy up with this classic retelling of the Easter story instead. Based on the C.S. Lewis novel of the same name, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is the first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia.
Siblings Lucy (Georgie Henley), Peter (William Moseley), Edmund (Skander Keyens) and Susan (Anna Popplewell) crawl through a wardrobe during a game of hide and seek and enter the world of Narnia, embarking on a mission with Aslan (Liam Neeson), a talking lion, to defeat an evil witch (Tilda Swinton). This is a great pick to watch with family, complete with a magical score, special effects and 1940s history woven in.
Try some Turkish Delights, a sweet featured in the movie, while watching as well!
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
If you’re a fan of theater and musicals, chances are you are familiar with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s controversial rock opera retelling of Jesus’ (Ted Neeley) last days, viewed through the eyes of Judas Iscariot (Carl Anderson).
If you’re unfamiliar, the story is completely told through song and written in the historical context of the hippie movement and the Vietnam War that occurred during the sixties. It includes multiple anachronisms, such as slang and clothing, while still being set in Jesus’s period.
As previously mentioned, it also highlights Judas’s point of view, which is not usually emphasized in other retellings.
Although it’s not the most accurate depiction of the events, it’s a fun and creative twist on the classic story of Easter.
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
While not centered around Easter, one of the main characters in this family film is the Easter Bunny, who sports a boomerang and an Australian accent.
When Pitch Black, an evil entity, begins attacking Earth, a group of superhero-like mythical characters team up to defeat him. The lineup of heroes in this film draws from existing legends: Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, Jack Frost and, of course, Easter Bunny voiced by Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher, Chris Pine and Hugh Jackman respectively.
Steel Magnolias (1989)
This classic comedy drama, which ends on a grand Easter egg hunt, centers around a group of women in northern Louisiana. The movie starts on a big day, Annelle’s (Daryl Hannah) first day of work at Trudy’s (Dolly Parton) hair salon, and it is M’Lynn’s (Sally Field) daughter Shelby’s (Julia Roberts) wedding day.
Over a year and a half, we watch these women through love, grief, friendship and gossip. Keep a tissue box close while watching this one.
Hop (2011)
A quintessential family film and Easter favorite, Hop is a story about the Easter Bunny’s son, E.B. having different aspirations than hiding easter eggs.
While the Easter Bunny is hard at work, his teenage son E.B. (voiced by Russel Brand) ditches Easter Island for Hollywood in search of a rock-and-roll career. When a man, Fred (James Marsden), accidentally hits E.B. with his car, E.B. feigns injury for a place to stay. Back on Easter Island, trouble begins brewing, and both E.B. and Fred must learn to grow up quickly.
From action to fantasy, to strong women and a musical adaptation of a biblical story, there’s something for everyone to watch this Easter. Settle down with some Easter candy, and watch any or all of these Easter-appropriate films.
This article was edited by Alia Messina, Marina Zaczkiewicz and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Emma Brown and Ariana Kavoossi.
