Most Nostalgic Easter Movies & Specials to Watch
Easter is right around the corner and hopping into town early this year on March 31, 2024! If you celebrate the holiday that represents when Jesus rose from the dead, you may want to watch a special film with your family on Easter. Some of these are more religious than others, but all of them are extremely nostalgic. Let’s get right into it!
‘It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown’
Everett Collection
Let’s start with a kid-friendly classic! Charlie Brown and Snoopy get into some springtime trouble in It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown as they prepare for the coming of the Easter Beagle. It was first released in 1974 but is just as adorable today. Watch it on Apple TV+.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Everett Collection
It first began as a ’70s rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice and has since been recreated all around the world including in movie form. The 1973 film stars Ted Neeley as Jesus Christ while the 2000 version stars Glenn Carter. Watch the ’73 version on Peacock.
‘Easter Parade’
Everett Collection
If you’re in the mood for a classic love story, watch this classic starring the irreplaceable Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. You can rent the 1948 film on Amazon Prime Video or wherever you rent films.
‘Harvey’
Everett Collection
Jimmy Stewart stars in the movie adaptation of the stage show as Eldwood P. Dowd, a man who befriends an imaginary six-foot-tall rabbit. You can rent the 1950 film on Amazon Prime Video or wherever you rent films.
‘The Prince of Egypt’
DreamWorks/Everett Collection
The Prince of Egypt is another older kid-friendly film that follows animated Prince Moses throughout his life. It has some great music and you can watch the 1998 film on Peacock.
‘The Ten Commandments’
Everett Collection
We could not forget the classic biblical drama The Ten Commandments which generally gets played on Easter each year. It follows Moses as he struggles to retrieve the Ten Commandments from the mountain. Tell us, do you watch this one every year? If you can’t find it on cable, you can stream it on Philo or rent it.
Remind ‘Ben-Hur’
Everett Collection
According to Amazon Prime Video, where you can rent Ben-Hur, the drama is about, “A member of the Jewish nobility living in Jerusalem, Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) [who] lives a religious life and peacefully opposes the tyrannical occupation of Judea by Rome.” It won 11 Academy Awards.
‘The Last Temptation of Christ’
Everett Collection
Martin Scorsese directed this 1988 film starring Willem Dafoe that showcases the life of Jesus Christ. Watch it on Peacock.
‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’
Everett Collection
Another film that shows the life and death of Jesus Christ, starting with his birth in Bethlehem. Watch the 1965 film on Pluto TV or Tubi.
‘Jesus of Nazareth’
Everett Collection
This 1977 drama is a miniseries following the life and death of Jesus Christ. Watch it on Peacock.
Rankin/Bass Easter specials
Everett Collection
We can’t forget the fun Rankin/Bass Easter specials including Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971), The First Easter Rabbit (1976), and The Easter Bunny Is Comin’ to Town (1977). Learn more about those here from Rankin/Bass historian Rick Goldschmidt himself!
Which movie(s) will you be watching on Easter this year?
Kid Stuff
June 2018
Unleash your inner child by reliving your favorite kids TV shows, cartoons, toys and more!
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