The Best Movies to Watch This Easter Weekend

Easter is a time for celebrating with family, and there are few things that bring families together quite like a great movie.

Whether it's stories about Easter or simply movies that have been specially crafted for the perfect family viewing experience, there are certain films that we keep coming back to year after year—and some that could be brand-new staples of the holiday period.

'Hop' (2011)

Hop has been the definitive Easter movie for some years now, and it's going to stay that way for a long while. Starring James Marsden as well-meaning protagonist Fred O'Hare, the story follows his character as he accidentally injures the Easter Bunny's son and is forced to take him under his wing in order to protect the spirit of Easter.

Marsden's lead performance and Tim Hill's dynamic direction make Hop a timeless classic of the holiday—even today, fifteen years after its initial release. Despite mixed reviews, the film has endured as a springtime staple and continues to win the hearts of new audiences year after year.

'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' (2026)

While unrelated to Easter in its story, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is shaping up to be this year's Easter weekend box office sensation. The film is a direct sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, starring Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black.

The sequel introduces new characters such as Donald Glover's Yoshi and Benny Safdie's Bowser Jr, expanding the universe of the Mushroom Kingdom and incorporating elements from countless classic Mario games.

The film has opened to a record-breaking $34 million on its opening day, marking the highest opening day of the year so far—and the highest ever recorded on a Wednesday in April (via Variety).

'The Last Temptation of Christ' (1988)

A more traditional Easter story, Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ is a religious drama that dramatises the biblical gospels' accounts of Jesus Christ's life and death. The film received hugely controversial reviews upon its release due to its deeply human and complex portrayal of Jesus, presenting him as a man troubled by human struggles and crises of purpose.

The Last Temptation of Christ is a subversive story, but one that remains incredibly true to the spirit of Easter. Scorsese's film is a must-watch for anybody interested in the deeper meaning behind the Easter story—though it's one that's probably best left until the children have gone to bed.

'Peter Rabbit' (2018)

Based on the beloved character from Beatrix Potter's children's books, Peter Rabbit is a perfect movie for the entire family. The story centers around the titular character—voiced by James Corden—as he's forced to deal with a new resident in town who has no time for mischief-making rabbits.

Despite mixed reviews from critics, Peter Rabbit has been cemented as a family favorite in the years since its release. Its impressive box office performance helped spawn a sequel in 2021, though most reviews agreed that it didn't quite capture the same joyous spirit as the original.