15 Best Biblical Movies Everyone Needs to Watch

Irrespective of your religious views, we are bringing the best Biblical Movies that will pique your interest in mythology.

We are familiar with biblical stories in some way or the other, either heard from parents or teachers, read books, or watched a movie about it. They teach some of the moral values in life that we often skip growing up. So, let’s jump into the nostalgia-driven list of the best biblical movies that are a must-watch for everyone.

Best Biblical Movies Everyone Should Watch

1. Ben-Hur (1959)

• Cast: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10

Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) lived as a Jewish Prince in Jerusalem. After returning of his old friend Messala (Stephen Boyd), they seem to be pleased to see each other but different political views set them off. Judah was then wrongly accused by Messala of things he didn’t do intentionally and sent Judah’s mother and sister to prison.

Judah who was sent to the galleys swore to come back and take revenge on Messala. But his inspirational meet with Jesus, helped him to be on the right path.

2. The Ten Commandments (1956)

• Cast:  Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10

The Ten Commandments movie is based on the Old Testament and exhibits how Moses freed the Hebrew slaves from the Pharaoh. The movie starts off showing the Pharaoh declaring the deaths of all newborn babies – Moses was one of them but was saved by his mother by setting him adrift on the river.

Brought up by the Pharaoh Rameses’ Moses grew up to be a general. Later his heritage was revealed and was thrown out of Egypt but God forecasted him to return and free his fellow Hebrews from slavery.

You can watch The Ten Commandments officially here.

3. The Gospel of John (2003)

• Cast: Henry Ian Cusick, Daniel Kash, Christopher Plummer.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10

The Gospel of John is present in the New Testament as the latest-written of the four biographies of Jesus, written by a Christian named John. It’s a story based on the perspectives and beliefs of Jesus that triumphed over the community towards the end of the first century of the Christian Era.

A beautifully engraved movie about Jesus’s miraculous deeds and how He looked into things differently, as a result, sacrificing his life for all the human’s sins. It is the first-ever word-for-word adaptation as a movie.

4. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

• Cast: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10

Jesus of Nazareth was a carpenter and preacher of love and kindness. He also taught people that not violence but love is the only way of salvation.

As He was put to death by cross, he realized this was the only way He could save humanity – sacrificing His life.

You can watch The Last Temptation of Christ officially here.

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This movie is a little horrifying because it hardly shows the good deeds of Jesus but focuses on the last twelve hours before the crucifixion. It’s emotional and heart-wrenching to witness those tortures by the Romans.

No biblical movie has ever shown torture so bloody and brutally flagellated like this, it seemed realistic and painful. It is also based on the New Testament.

7. Quo Vadis (1951)

• Cast: Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Leo Genn.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.2/10

General Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor) fell in love with Lygia (Deborah Kerr), a Christian lady. She was a hostage of Rome. He asked his Emperor to free her in return for his services.

But after realizing her true devotion to Christianity, things change for Marcus as well. Love and faith can change things!

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8. King of Kings (1961)

• Cast: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Hurd Hatfield.
• IMDb Ratings: 7/10

King of Kings depicts the life story of Jesus, right from his birth to crucifixion and later resurrection. It has nicely highlighted all the deeds (from New Testament) He did, like cripples getting to walk, blind got back their eyesight, and many more.

The Jew’s era of despair and fear started when the Romans invaded the Jews. They prayed to God for their savior to come along and to free them of their miseries. That is when Jesus is born in Jerusalem and showed them the light.

You can watch King of Kings officially here.

9. Barabbas (1961)

• Cast: Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Arthur Kennedy.
• IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10

Barabbas (Anthony Quinn) was the criminal who was set free by the Jewish leaders in order to crucify Jesus. The story reveals his life after the lucky escape and getting recaptured (in the sulfur mines) for his deeds.

Barabbas was time and again freed but was said that he couldn’t die. But at last, placing his faith in Jesus, he could take his last breath.

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10. Samson and Delilah (1949)

• Cast: Hedy Lamarr, Victor Mature, George Sanders, Angela Lansbury.
• IMDb Ratings: 6.8/10

Samson (Victor Mature) was the chevalier of Israelites, won the hand of Semadar (Angela Lansbury), a beautiful lady of Philistine, in the contest of strength. However, things went complicated when she was killed in a conflict.

Semadar’s sister, Delilah also loved Samson, but the death of her sister changed her mind into exacting revenge on Samson.

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11. The Robe (1953)

• Cast: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature.
• IMDb Ratings: 6.8/10

An American biblical movie about Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton), who was ordered to crucify Jesus. After the crucifixion, he won the robe of Jesus through a dice game, which was later stolen by his slave. He has horrifying visions of the event since then.

He had the belief that destroying the robe would free him of his grave mistake. So, in search of the robe, the movie shows us how he started to believe in Christianity.

12. Risen (2016)

• Cast: Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth.
• IMDb Ratings: 6.3/10

Risen has a unique point of view in narrating a biblical story. A story about the resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) is given the task of solving the mystery – disappearance of Jesus’s body after ressurection.

Investigating with his trusted partner, Lucius (Tom Felton), his beliefs and devotion were constantly challenged in the quest of disapproving the rumor of risen Messiah.

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13. David and Bathsheba (1951)

• Cast: Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, Raymond Massey.
• IMDb Ratings: 6.1/10

David (Gregory Peck), the King of Israel, had everything except true love. Bathsheba (Susan Hayward) was the wife of a general in David’s army. David was insanely attracted to Bathsheba even though she was married. Both succumbed to their desire for treacherous love.

The affair interfered with his family, the risk to his throne, and even the wrath of God. In order to make things right, he follows the path of righteousness and belief in God.

14. Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)

• Cast: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley.
• IMDb Ratings: 6/10

The movie starts with Moses (Christian Bale) and Ramses (Joel Edgerton) fighting to defend their Egyptian Empire. Although Moses saved Ramses’s life in the battle, he was insecure that Moses will be the King leaving him behind.

After their father’s death and Moses’s lineage was in the limelight, he was exiled to the desert. But the life of Moses changed when he was ordered by God to free his fellows from serving the Egyptians as slaves. The excellent use of VFX (as per 2014) in the film was highly praised.

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15. Noah (2014)

• Cast: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson.
• IMDb Ratings: 5.7/10

Noah (Russell Crowe), descendant of Seth was handed over the herculean task of wiping the Earth by God. He was foretold that a great flood will appear that might destroy every human being on the planet.

He had the task of building an ark large enough for his family and breeding pairs of every animal to stay. After the completion, we witness the apocalyptic work of God.

You can watch Noah here.

Common FAQs on Best Biblical Movies