Best Religious Movies

Religion and Christianity were popular themes during the “Golden Age” of Hollywood in the 1950s and 1960s. During the first decade of the 21^st Century the rise of quality Indy film producers have brought a revival of religious based movies.

Here are ten of the best religious/Christian movies of all time. They represent a mix of the classic epic films and the new Indy/Major studio collaboration films. Most are true story based films. They’re all excellent flicks.

A Man Called Peter (1955) stars Richard Todd in the true story of Scottish preacher Peter Marshall and his American wife Catherine. It was Marshall who immediately before and during World War II was credited as bringing revival of religion to Washington DC. It’s a powerful story based on the book written by Marshall’s wife.

The Ten Commandments (1956) is the epic story of Moses, the Jewish slave raised in the Egyptian Court who goes on to lead the people out of slavery and to the “Promise Land.” It stars Charlton Heston as Moses. The movie is shown on television about every year around Easter.

Ben-Hur (1959) stars Hollywood great Charlton Heston in this third and best version of Civil War general Lew Wallace’s novel of a young rich Jew who is caught in a struggle with Imperial Rome during the time of Jesus Christ. This one is truly a timeless classic and it retains a tie for most Academy Awards (11) ever won by a motion picture (tied with Titanic and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King)

A Man for all Seasons (1966) stars Paul Schofield as Sir Thomas More, the English Chancellor who opposed King Henry VIII when the King wished break from the Catholic Church and divorce his wife. More was eventually martyred for his opposition. The movie also features young John Hurt and noted actor Robert Shaw.

Cross and the Switchblade (1970) is the true story of preacher David Wilkerson and New York teen gang member Nikki Cruz. Based on the 1963 bestseller of the same title, this is the powerful story of a “chance” meeting between the preacher and the street gangster and how they’re meeting brought about transformation in the lives of hundreds of teens. The movie stars Pat Boone and young Eric Estrada (CHIPs) as Nikki Cruz.

David Wilkerson and Nikki Cruz have worked for 50 years to bring the Good News to youth around the world.

The Mission (1986) features young stars Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson in the fact-based story of Godly Jesuit missionary who peacefully resists his corrupt church leaders who order the enslavement and genocide of South American natives. This picture was nominated for 7 Academy Awards in 1986.

Luther (2003) is the true story of Martin Luther who, after experiencing God, forsakes his noble birth and becomes a monk who opposes the corruption of the Catholic Church and gives birth to the Reformation and Protestantism. Joseph Fiennes gives a magnificent performance as the revolutionary German monk.

Amazing Grace (2006) is the true story of William Wilberforce, the English merchant, politician, and social reformer who persevered for more than 20 years to bring about the abolition of the English slave trade in 1807. Fantastic Four hero, Ioan Gruffudd, plays Wilberforce in this powerful picture.

Fireproof (2008) is the story of a fireman who attempting to save his marriage takes up a challenge given by his father. The challenge is a 40 day “Love Dare” aimed at winning back his wife who is fast drifting away from her husband. The movie was made by the same folks who brought Facing the Giants. Fireproof is a step of above.

Blind Side (2009) stars Sandra Bullock in the “surprise” blockbuster based on the true story of NFL player Michael Oher and the wealthy family that took him in when he was a teen. Powerful Christian believers, the Tuohys helped Michael journey from troubled youth to a man of character.

About the Tuohys Bullock said “I finally met people who walk the walk.” Remember that the Tuohys are wealthy people and during the past 20 years Bullock has associated mostly with wealthy people; it’s great she’s finally met wealthy people who are authentic Christians.

Of course the Lord of the Rings and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movies are based on religious allegory books written by Christian writers JRR Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. No account of best religious movies is complete without mention of those.

We can only hope and pray that religious/Christian themed movies will continue to be successful at the box office and continue to get better and more numerous.