Worst2First: My Top Ten Religious Movies

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Worst2First: My Top Ten Religious Movies

With Easter approaching, I decided to make my next list some movies you might want to check out that has a religious theme to it.  I mean, it's only appropriate.

Here are my personal top ten favorite religious movies, Worst2First.

**There will be no spoilers.**



#10
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Yes, I am a grown man, and yes, I am unashamed to say I love Veggietales.  I sing it at work, I sing it in the shower, and I'm terrible at it.  One of my favorite songs is "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything," and the French peas are the most amazing things ever.  #unashamed.




#9
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

The somewhat underwhelming sequel to the classic children's novel (even though this, as well, is also a novel, it's nowhere near as famous) features some great PG-style action sequences, a heartwarming family story at the center, and a charismatic leading man in Ben Barnes.  More action than the original, but less of an emotional impact.




#8
End of the Spear

In Ecuador, the Waodani is an indigenous people who learn that if you want to live, you have to fight.  When five missionaries arrive, they're brutally murdered, which leads one young member of the Waodani on a trek of forgiveness, truth, and love. 




#7
The Prince of Egypt

This Oscar-winning animated film centers around the life of Moses, who was raised amongst the Egyptian people as the son of Pharaoh, only to discover his true Jewish heritage and, tasked by God, to free the Jewish people from their oppression.  Dazzling animation, moving songs and an all-star voice cast including Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Sandra Bullock.




#6
The Book of Eli


This one isn't as family-friendly as others on this list, but the impact is powerful.  Denzel Washington plays Eli, a man in the midst of a post-apocalyptic wasteland who has a big destiny - protect a sacred book from falling into the wrong hands and causing the end of humankind.  The action is amazing, the cinematography is top-notch, and Washington has a stellar supporting cast including Mila Kunis and Gary Oldman.




#5
The Mission

Jeremy Irons stars as a Jesuit priest who travels to Brazil to bring Christianity to the Guarani.  Robert De Niro stars as a slave owner who converts and assists the priest in his endeavors, and when a Portuguese army threatens the lives of the tribe, they band together to stop them from succeeding.  Winner of the Oscar for Best Cinematography, "The Mission" is a moving, harrowing tale.




#4
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

Four children stumble upon a whole new world on the other side of a wardrobe, where the inhabitants are forced to live in perpetual winter under the rule of the evil Witch, while the heroic lion Aslan teaches the children their true destiny.  The classic novel by C.S. Lewis finally gets the cinematic tale it deserves with dazzling production values, a top-notch cast, and the moving story brought to the big screen for all to enjoy.




#3
Ben-Hur

Charlton Heston's classic 1959 feature is one that everyone should see at least once.  The harrowing tale of Ben-Hur - who went from royalty to slavery and returned to extract revenge - is a tale as old as time, with some great cinematography and stellar performances that earned the film 11 Oscar wins, tying it for the most wins of any film in history.




#2
The Ten Commandments

Another classic from Charlton Heston, Cecil B. DeMille's epic "The Ten Commandments" tells the tale of Moses as he goes through coming to terms with who he really is, and the monumentous task he's assigned.  This 1956 classic has withstood the bonds of time and is just as powerful as it was when it was first released.




#1
The Passion of the Christ

Say what you will about Mel Gibson, but he directed one of the most prolific and accurate films about Jesus' death and resurrection ever put on screen.  Jim Caviezel plays Jesus to brilliance as he goes from Gethsemane to the cross, and Gibson pulls no punches with the severe brutality he endured.  The quintessential Easter movie if there ever was one.

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