The Most Popular Jesus Movie, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the movie you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 17, 2024 07:15
Ranking the most popular movies about Jesus provides an engaging way for viewers to find films that resonate with widespread audiences. Through such rankings, new viewers can gauge how different portrayals have connected with varied demographics, aiding in making an informed choice about what to watch. This facilitates a more tailored viewing experience, particularly for those exploring these movies for the first time.
By casting your vote on this list, you contribute to shaping a community-driven assessment of these films. Each vote helps in fine-tuning the list to reflect current public preferences, ensuring that the ranking is both dynamic and reflective of genuine popularity. This collective input not only enriches the user experience but also plays a crucial role in guiding future viewers.
What Is the Most Popular Jesus Movie?
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141votes
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Mel GibsonDirected by Mel Gibson, this film depicts the final hours of Jesus’ life, from the Last Supper to his crucifixion and resurrection. It was a box office success and received mixed reviews from critics.The Passion of the Christ (2004) is a highly acclaimed religious drama film depicting the final hours of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament of the Bible. The film primarily focuses on the intense sufferings and crucifixion of Jesus, with an emphasis on his life, teachings, and sacrifice. It was directed by Mel Gibson and written by Gibson and Benedict Fitzgerald.- Release Date: February 25, 2004
- Genre: Religious drama
- Runtime: 126 minutes
- Language: Aramaic, Latin, Hebrew
- Box Office: $622.3 million
The Passion of the Christ (2004) in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most successful R-rated movie
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243votes
Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli.This epic miniseries was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starred Robert Powell as Jesus. It follows his life and teachings, including his miracles, betrayal, and death. It is still highly regarded for its storytelling and cinematography.Jesus of Nazareth (1977) is a critically acclaimed television miniseries that portrays the life of Jesus Christ, based on the four Gospels of the New Testament. It is a faithful retelling of his birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection.- Release Date: 1977
- Running Time: 382 minutes
- Country: Italy, UK
- Language: English
- Genre: Biography, Drama, History
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315votes
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
George StevensThis classic film directed by George Stevens features an all-star cast retelling Jesus’ life, from his birth to his death and resurrection. It received mixed reviews but is still considered a landmark in religious cinema.The Greatest Story Ever Told is a 1965 American epic film that depicts the life of Jesus Christ, from his birth to his crucifixion and resurrection. It follows the major events and teachings of Jesus as portrayed in the New Testament of the Bible. The film aims to present a reverent portrayal of Jesus' life and ministry.- Year of Release: 1965
- Genre: Epic, Drama
- Director: George Stevens
- Writers: George Stevens, Ivan Moffat
- Main Cast: Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Charlton Heston
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416votesA film adaptation of the highly successful miniseries, The Bible, this movie focuses on Jesus’ life and teachings. It received mixed reviews but was praised for its production values and performances.Son of God (2014) is a biographical drama film that depicts the life of Jesus Christ, from his birth to his crucifixion and resurrection. The movie presents significant events such as his teachings, miracles, moments with his disciples, and ultimate sacrifice. It aims to present a faithful representation of Jesus' story, emphasizing his love, compassion, and message of hope.
- Release Year: 2014
- Genre: Biographical Drama
- Running Time: 138 minutes
- Director: Christopher Spencer
- Screenplay: Richard Bedser, Christopher Spencer, Colin Swash, and Nic Young
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511votesThis film depicts the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, including Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the arrival of the Three Wise Men. It received generally positive reviews and is still regarded as a holiday classic.The Nativity Story (2006) is a religious drama film that depicts the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, as described in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. It follows the journey of Mary and Joseph from their individual lives to their eventual meeting, their betrothal, and Mary's miraculous conception. The film then delves into their challenging journey to Bethlehem to comply with the census, leading to the birth of Jesus in a stable. It also explores the reactions of the shepherds and the magi upon hearing of Jesus' birth.
- Release Date: December 1, 2006
- Genre: Religious drama
- Runtime: 101 minutes
- Language: English
- Country: United States
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616votes
The Gospel According to Matthew (1964)
Pier Paolo PasoliniThis Italian film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini is a faithful retelling of the Gospel of Matthew, with non-professional actors and a minimalist style. It is still highly regarded for its unique approach and artistic vision.The Gospel According to Matthew (1964) is a biographical drama film that depicts the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, based on the Gospel of Matthew from the New Testament of the Bible. The film follows Jesus from his birth to his crucifixion and resurrection, highlighting key moments and teachings from his life. It presents a thoughtful and reverent portrayal of Jesus as a compassionate and wise teacher, who preaches love, forgiveness, and justice to all. The film is known for its minimalist approach, using stark black and white cinematography and capturing the story with a documentary-like style.- Release Year: 1964
- Genre: Biographical Drama
- Running Time: 137 minutes
- Language: Italian
- Country: Italy
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715votes
Pathe · Public domainThis epic film directed by Nicholas Ray retells the story of Jesus, featuring Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus and a large ensemble cast. It received mixed reviews but is still remembered for its grandeur and spectacle.King of Kings is a historical drama film released in 1961. It depicts the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, based on the four New Testament Gospels. The movie follows Jesus from his birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem.- Release Date: October 11, 1961
- Running Time: 168 minutes
- Language: English
- Filming Location: Various locations in Spain
- Budget: Approximately $5 million
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89votesWhile not exclusively about Jesus, this classic film directed by William Wyler features a subplot involving Jesus and his teachings. It won 11 Academy Awards and is still regarded as a cinematic masterpiece.Ben-Hur is a 1959 American epic historical drama film directed by William Wyler. It tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is betrayed and falsely accused of treason by his childhood friend, Messala. Set during the time of Jesus, the film follows Ben-Hur's journey of redemption as he becomes a chariot racer and seeks revenge against Messala. With its grand scale, stunning visuals, and memorable performances, Ben-Hur became one of the most popular Jesus movies of all time.
- Release Date: November 18, 1959
- Running Time: 212 minutes
- Genre: Historical drama, Epic
- Country: United States
- Language: English
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913votes
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Directed by Martin ScorseseDirected by Martin Scorsese, this controversial film imagines an alternate reality in which Jesus succumbs to temptation and lives a different life. It received mixed reviews and sparked controversy among religious groups.The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) is a controversial drama film that examines the life of Jesus Christ, based on the novel of the same name by Nikos Kazantzakis. It explores the concept of Jesus' human nature, including his doubts, desires, and struggles with his divine calling. The movie delves into the portrayal of Jesus' inner conflict and presents an alternative narrative of the crucifixion.- Release Year: 1988
- Genre: Drama
- Duration: 164 minutes
- Based on: The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis
- Starring: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey
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108votesThis film tells the story of a Roman soldier tasked with investigating the resurrection of Jesus, and it stars Joseph Fiennes. It received mixed reviews but was praised for its unique take on the story.Risen (2016) is a biblical drama film that depicts the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The movie follows a Roman military tribune, Clavius, who is tasked with finding the missing body of Jesus following his crucifixion. As Clavius investigates, he becomes embroiled in a thrilling mystery that challenges his beliefs and forces him to confront the truth of Jesus' resurrection.
- Release Date: February 19, 2016
- Runtime: 107 minutes
- Genre: Biblical drama
- Language: English
- Country: United States
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular movie
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Box office successThe financial success of the movie in its theatrical release, measured by revenue generated, can indicate its popularity among audiences.
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Critical receptionThe opinions of professional film critics can be a useful barometer for the quality and appeal of a Jesus movie.
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Audience receptionViewer ratings and reviews on platforms such as IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic can provide insight into how the general public perceives the film.
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Historical accuracyHow closely the Jesus movie follows the biblical accounts and historical context can be a key factor in its appeal to viewers.
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Acting performancesThe portrayal of Jesus and other central characters can significantly impact the popularity of the film. A strong performance can make a Jesus movie more memorable and engaging.
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Direction and production qualityThe overall quality of the film, including its direction, cinematography, production design, and visual effects, can contribute to its popularity.
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Cultural impactA Jesus movie's influence on popular culture and its lasting appeal over time can be a prime indicator of its significance and popularity.
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Awards and nominationsRecognition from prestigious film organizations and festivals can further validate a Jesus movie's success and cultural impact.
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AccessibilityHow widely available the movie is for audiences on various platforms and formats, such as streaming services, DVD or Blu-ray releases, and television broadcasts, can affect its overall popularity.
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Target audienceSome Jesus movies may cater specifically to religious audiences, while others may target more mainstream or secular viewers. The intended audience and how well the film resonates with those viewers can be a crucial factor in its overall popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Jesus movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2242 views
- 180 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular jesus movie
The story of Jesus Christ has been a source of inspiration for filmmakers for decades. Over the years, many movies have been made about the life of Jesus, each offering a unique perspective on his teachings and messages. From epic-scale productions to intimate character studies, Jesus movies have become an important part of the film industry, and a touchstone for audiences around the world.
The popularity of Jesus movies can be attributed to the enduring relevance of his teachings, as well as the compelling nature of his story. Whether you are a devout Christian or simply a fan of great cinema, there is something to be learned and appreciated in each of these films. So if you're looking to explore the world of Jesus movies, you've come to the right place.
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