My Ranking of Bible Movies and Shows
by FMJBoyGenius | created - 15 Jan 2015 | updated - 27 Apr 2023 | PublicThis is my ranking of all the films I've seen based on stories from the Bible. If you're a Christian looking for good movies based on the Bible to watch, I hope this list helps. All of them are at least good, if not great, except for the last 7. The Ten Commandments (2006) and King David are just ok. The Greatest Story Ever Told, Exodus: Gods and Kings, The Last Temptation of Christ, Noah's Ark and Noah are all bad, with the two Noah versions and The Last Temptation of Christ being three of the worst films I've ever seen.
If you know of anymore film or TV adaptations of Bible stories, please let me know. I will certainly watch and add them to this list.
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1. The Passion of the Christ (2004)
R | 127 min | Drama
Depicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
Director: Mel Gibson | Stars: Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov
Votes: 251,165 | Gross: $370.78M
2. The Ten Commandments (1956)
G | 220 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson
Votes: 77,879 | Gross: $93.74M
3. Ben-Hur (1959)
G | 212 min | Adventure, Drama
After a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
Director: William Wyler | Stars: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Votes: 253,686 | Gross: $74.70M
4. The Prince of Egypt (1998)
PG | 99 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
Egyptian Prince Moses learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.
Directors: Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, Simon Wells | Stars: Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock
Votes: 146,387 | Gross: $101.22M
5.
Animated Stories from the New Testament (1987–2005)
Episode:
He Is Risen
(1988)
Not Rated | 30 min | Animation, Drama, Family
He is Risen is the story of the greatest miracle of all, the resurrection of Jesus. Sorrow and despair at the Lord's crucifixion become complete joy and love as the disciples behold their ... See full summary »
Director: Richard Rich | Stars: Ivan Crosland, John Nicolaysen, Stephen Cracroft, John Runnels
Votes: 62
Animated Stories from the New Testament
6. The Gospel of John (2003)
PG-13 | 180 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story of Jesus' life as told by the apostle John, narrated by Christopher Plummer.
Director: Philip Saville | Stars: Henry Ian Cusick, Daniel Kash, Christopher Plummer, Scott Handy
Votes: 4,200 | Gross: $4.07M
7. The Miracle Maker (1999)
G | 90 min | Animation, Biography, Drama
The story of Jesus Christ.
Directors: Derek W. Hayes, Stanislav Sokolov | Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Michael Bryant, Julie Christie, Rebecca Callard
Votes: 1,780
8. The Jesus Film (1979)
G | 117 min | Biography, Drama, Family
Filmed on location in Israel at authentic biblical sites, this inspirational drama and commercial success retells the life of Christ.
Directors: John Krish, Peter Sykes | Stars: Brian Deacon, Rivka Neuman, Alexander Scourby, Niko Nitai
Votes: 2,712
9. Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)
G | 82 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
When the singing Veggies encounter some car trouble, they are stranded at an old rundown seafood joint, where nothing is quite as it seems.
Directors: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki | Stars: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Tim Hodge, Lisa Vischer
Votes: 4,537 | Gross: $25.58M
10. VeggieTales (1993–2015)
TV-Y | 32 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Bob the Tomato, Larry The Cucumber, and their friends teach Christian and Bible-based lessons in a fun way.
Stars: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Lisa Vischer, Dan Anderson
Votes: 1,808
11. The Nativity Story (2006)
PG | 101 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
A drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.
Director: Catherine Hardwicke | Stars: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abbass
Votes: 12,357 | Gross: $37.63M
12. Testament: The Bible in Animation (1996)
TV-G | Animation, Drama, Family
Stories from the Bible are interpreted in different styles of animation.
Stars: Tony Leader, Patrick Brennan, Joss Ackland, Simon Harris
Votes: 143
13. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999 Video)
Not Rated | 76 min | Musical
A humorously musical retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph.
Director: David Mallet | Stars: Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough, Ian McNeice
Votes: 4,998
14. Abraham (1993)
175 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
Abram a tribal leader denies all the local deities and finds the true God. Through many trials and tribulations he strengthens his faith.
Stars: Richard Harris, Barbara Hershey, Maximilian Schell, Andrea Prodan
Votes: 1,831
15. Moses the Lawgiver (1974)
PG | 360 min | Drama
A biopic of Moses, who led the Jewish people out of Egypt, ex. by parting the Red Sea and afterwards delivered the Ten Commandments from God.
Stars: Irene Papas, Aharon Ipalé, Yosef Shiloach, Marina Berti
Votes: 576
16. Samson and Delilah (1949)
Approved | 134 min | Drama, Family, History
When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille | Stars: Hedy Lamarr, Victor Mature, George Sanders, Angela Lansbury
Votes: 8,982 | Gross: $28.80M
17. Peter and Paul (1981 TV Movie)
198 min | Biography, Drama, History
Peter the Fisherman and Paul of Tarsus assume leadership of the Church as they struggle against violent opposition to the teachings of Jesus Christ and their own personal conflicts.
Director: Robert Day | Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Robert Foxworth, Eddie Albert, Raymond Burr
Votes: 671
18. The Bible (2013)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Drama, War
A religious dramatic miniseries about God's creation and physical landmark events leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Stars: Keith David, Robert Powell, Jake Canuso, Diogo Morgado
Votes: 12,350
19. Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
TV-G | 96 min | Biography, Drama, History
Beginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this mini-series brings to life all of the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.
Stars: Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, Laurence Olivier, James Mason
Votes: 24,862
20. Joseph: King of Dreams (2000 Video)
Unrated | 74 min | Animation, Adventure, Biography
A prophet who has the ability to interpret dreams is sold into slavery in Egypt, where people learn of his gifts.
Directors: Rob LaDuca, Robert C. Ramirez | Stars: Ben Affleck, Mark Hamill, Richard Herd, Maureen McGovern
Votes: 14,507
21. Moses (1995–1996)
180 min | Adventure, Biography, Crime
Pharaoh Ramses II decrees the death of all Hebrew children, but Moses, placed in a basket on the Nile by his mother, is picked up by a princess and raised as the brother of the heir to the throne of Egypt.
Stars: Ben Kingsley, Frank Langella, David Suchet, Christopher Lee
Votes: 2,321
22. The Bible in the Beginning... (1966)
Unrated | 174 min | Drama, Family
Extravagant production of the first part of the book of Genesis. Its main highlights are the Garden of Eden, the first brothers, Noah and his family obeying God to build an ark for the Flood and Abraham's attempted sacrifice of Isaac.
Director: John Huston | Stars: Michael Parks, Ulla Bergryd, Richard Harris, John Huston
Votes: 6,255 | Gross: $34.90M
23. Risen (2016)
PG-13 | 107 min | Action, Drama, History
In 33 AD, a Roman Tribune in Judea is tasked to find the missing body of Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead.
Director: Kevin Reynolds | Stars: Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis
Votes: 30,821 | Gross: $36.87M
24. David and Bathsheba (1951)
Approved | 116 min | Drama, Family, History
After King David sees the beautiful Bathsheba bathing from the palace roof, he enters into an adulterous affair which has tragic consequences for his family and Israel.
Director: Henry King | Stars: Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, Raymond Massey, Kieron Moore
Votes: 2,650
25. The Story of David (1976 TV Movie)
PG | 191 min | Drama
He was the chosen king who loved God and committed the acts of sin.
Directors: David Lowell Rich, Alex Segal | Stars: Timothy Bottoms, Anthony Quayle, Norman Rodway, Oded Teomi
Votes: 194
26. Jesus (1999)
TV-PG | 77 min | Biography, Drama, History
A movie about the life, work and death of Jesus as we know it from the Bible.
Stars: Jeremy Sisto, Debra Messing, Jacqueline Bisset, Gary Oldman
Votes: 3,259
27. The Robe (1953)
Approved | 135 min | Drama, History, Romance
In the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.
Director: Henry Koster | Stars: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie
Votes: 11,744 | Gross: $36.00M
28. Left Behind: The Movie (2000)
PG-13 | 96 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
The Biblical prophecy of Armegeddon begins when the Rapture instantly takes all believers in Christ from the Earth. A reporter left behind learns that the Anti-Christ will soon take power.
Director: Vic Sarin | Stars: Kirk Cameron, Brad Johnson, Janaya Stephens, Clarence Gilyard Jr.
Votes: 10,512 | Gross: $4.22M
also includes first sequel.
29. The Beginner's Bible: The Story of Easter (1995 Video)
30 min | Animation, Short, Family
An animated Biblical historical retelling of our Redeemer's divine major duty of his sufferings, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Director: Jean-Pierre Jacquet | Stars: Douglas Brewster, Roger Brule, Agnes Herrmann, Cynthia Livingstone
Votes: 24
Includes the whole series.
30. The Ten Commandments (2007)
PG | 88 min | Animation, Family, History
In this animated adaptation of the Bible story Moses hears the voice of God from a burning bush, which inspires him to confront Egypt's pharaoh and demand freedom for the Israelite slaves. ... See full summary »
Directors: Bill Boyce, John Stronach | Stars: Ben Kingsley, Christian Slater, Elliott Gould, Alfred Molina
Votes: 2,518 | Gross: $0.95M
31. Left Behind III: World at War (2005)
PG-13 | 95 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
The world falls into chaos as Nicolae Carpathia detonates nuclear devices across the globe and stages multiple devastating attacks against both the Tribulation Force and an international militia, led by U.S. President Gerald Fitzhugh.
Director: Craig R. Baxley | Stars: Louis Gossett Jr., Kirk Cameron, Brad Johnson, Jessica Steen
Votes: 4,253
32. King of Kings (1961)
PG-13 | 168 min | Biography, Drama
The temporary physical life of the Biblical Savior, Jesus Christ.
Director: Nicholas Ray | Stars: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Hurd Hatfield, Ron Randell
Votes: 9,027 | Gross: $14.48M
33. The Ten Commandments (2005–2006)
PG-13 | 167 min | Drama
A telling of the biblical tale, where Moses returns to Egypt to free the Hebrews from slavery.
Stars: Dougray Scott, Linus Roache, Naveen Andrews, Mía Maestro
Votes: 1,388
34. King David (1985)
PG-13 | 114 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
The Biblical story of Israel's greatest King.
Director: Bruce Beresford | Stars: Richard Gere, Edward Woodward, Alice Krige, Denis Quilley
Votes: 2,537 | Gross: $4.80M
35. The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
G | 260 min | Biography, Drama, History
An all-star, large scale epic movie that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Directors: George Stevens, Jean Negulesco | Stars: Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Charlton Heston, Michael Anderson Jr.
Votes: 11,926 | Gross: $15.47M
36. Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
PG-13 | 150 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The defiant leader Moses rises up against Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, setting six hundred thousand slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver
Votes: 179,247 | Gross: $65.01M
37. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
R | 164 min | Drama
The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Paul Greco
Votes: 63,136 | Gross: $7.63M
38. Noah's Ark (1999)
Unrated | 178 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Adaptation of the Biblical stories of Noah and Lot and how God destroyed the world due to the wickedness of mankind.
Stars: Jon Voight, Mary Steenburgen, F. Murray Abraham, Carol Kane
Votes: 2,144
39. Noah (2014)
PG-13 | 138 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Noah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.
Director: Darren Aronofsky | Stars: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson
Votes: 267,072 | Gross: $101.20M
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