This year Easter Sunday falls on April 5. If you’re ready to relax at home after a long week and stream a fun movie to set the scene for the holiday weekend, here are 7 Easter movies to stream that are more than worth it.
1. ‘Easter Parade’ (1948)
Although this movie is nearly 80 years old, it stands the test of time. I grew up watching it in the 1980s and 1990s. I bet you know some of the songs from Easter Parade even if you haven’t seen the movie. Most notably, the title song “Easter Parade” by Irving Berlin which is often played around Easter and was included in the Rankin/Bass special The First Easter Rabbit in 1976.
Many people think of Easter Parade as the gold standard of Easter movies. Fred Astaire and Judy Garland star in it, and it was their only film together. It’s set on the eve of Easter in 1911. Don Hewes is devastated to lose his girlfriend and dancing partner, so he goes to a bar where he randomly chooses a new protege to make into a star for next year’s Easter parade. What could go wrong? Other memorable songs from the film include “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” and “A Couple of Swells.”
Stream on: YouTube (free with ads); rent on Amazon, Apple TV, or Fandango
2. ‘Steel Magnolias’ (1989)
You can’t go wrong with one of the most treasured movies ever made. Steel Magnolias opens on Easter Sunday, and the holiday is a central part of the film. This is a star-studded flick for sure. Among its stars are Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Dylan McDermott, and Tom Skerritt. (I love Skerritt as an actor but hate his character in this movie because he shoots at blackbirds. (I never like characters who hurt animals. I feel like it’s such a tell that they’re a horrible person.)
Steel Magnolias follows a group of women in a small Louisiana town who have complex relationships and ultimately strong bonds that stand the test of some unimaginable challenges. Rather than call it a drama-comedy, it’s sort of a tragedy-comedy. It’s such an incredible film, though, and you’re in for a treat if you haven’t seen it.
Stream on: Paramount+, Hulu, The Roku Channel, fuboTV; and more
3. ‘North’ (1994)
If you look up quirky movies in the dictionary, you are sure to find North. Directed by the wonderful Rob Reiner who recently got a well-deserved Oscar tribute for his wonderful contributions to cinema, North is a “dramedy” adventure movie starring Elijah Wood in the title role. His character is 11 years old and seeks advice from a guy in an Easter Bunny suit at the mall. Bruce Willis portrays the Easter Bunny and also narrates the film in addition to playing other advisors in the movie like the FedEx Driver, Tourist, and Joey Fingers.
North is based on Alan Zweibel’s 1984 novel North: The Tale of a 9-Year-Old Boy Who Becomes a Free Agent and Travels the World in Search of the Perfect Parents. Fun fact: Zweibel co-wrote the screenplay and has a cameo in the movie. There are many famous faces in the cast such as Kathy Bates as Alaskan Mother, Jon Lovitz as Arthur Belt, Dan Aykroyd as Pa Tex, Reba McEntire as Ma Tex, and John Ritter as Ward Nelson.
Stream on: The Roku Channel; rent on YouTube, Fandango at Home, Apple TV, and more
4. ‘Chocolat’ (2000)
Here’s a film that’s set just before Easter during Lent in a small French village that believes in “tranquility at any cost”. Then Johnny Depp arrives as Roux, and things will never be the same. It’s based on the 1999 novel Chocolat by Joanne Harris. I very much recommend reading the book before you see the movie.
Chocolat was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Juliette Binoche stars as a free-spirited chocolatier Vianne Rocher. Victoire Thivisol plays Anouk Rocher, Vianne’s daughter. Then there’s Judi Dench as Vianne’s landlady Armande Voizin. This is a fun movie to watch while you enjoy your Easter chocolates.
Stream on: Hulu, Paramount+, The Roku Channel, and more
5. ‘Harvey’ (1950)
How could I exclude Harvey from this list when the classic movie centers around an invisible six-foot rabbit named Harvey. Jimmy Stewart plays Elwood P. Dowd, a cheerful, gentle man who considers Harvey to be his best friend. This is a light-hearted, whimsical movie that I think is truly timeless. Elwood understands that the world needs more kindness. And a giant bunny is about as Easter as it gets.
Stream on: rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and other apps
6. ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (1973)
Jesus Christ Superstar is based on the 1971 stage musical, which was based on the concept album of the same name with lyrics written by Tim Rice and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which in turn spawned the 1971 stage musical.Although it is based on the last days in the life of Jesus Christ, it doesn’t include Easter. It’s still just the right choice for this holiday weekend.
The musical movie is stunning. The music holds up well more than 50 years later, it’s worth watching for Ted Neeley’s performance alone. According to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s website, the director Norman Jewison showed the movie to Pope Paul VI, and he said, “Mr. Jewison, not only do I appreciate your beautiful rock opera film, I believe it will bring more people around the world to Christianity, than anything ever has before.”
Stream on: Amazon Prime Video; for rent at Fandango at Home, Apple TV, YouTube, and more
7. ‘Hop’ (2011)
Here’s a film that I’m sure will make you laugh. Hop is an Easter comedy movie that blends state-of-the-art animation with live action.
Hop begins on Easter Island and follows a young rabbit who is not eager to take over the Easter Bunny position from his dad. When he meets a slacker human named Fred, chaos ensues. Hilarity does, too! Take it from me, it’s worth the 95-minute run time.
Stream on: HBO Max, Hulu, SlingTV, YouTube TV, The Roku Channel; rent on Apple TV
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