The history of Easter is, without a doubt, a colourful one. For anyone who belongs to the Christian faith, this weekend is significant. Traditionally here in Botswana, this is a beloved long weekend where we get to rest and travel to spend time with family.
This year I’ve decided to make Easter about remembering. Remembering that though Easter Weekend began with death it ends with hope, despite how dark things look in the moment. Remembering the good old times, and in the same breath creating new memories.
Here are ten family-friendly movies, all around the theme of Easter that I love. To help you wind down, have a breather, soak in the quality time and create memories with your family.
1. Rise of the Guardians
I’ve watched this movie over and over since it was released in 2012. While it may be easy to put Rise of the Guardians in the confines of the Christmas movie collection, honestly, its all-encompassing narrative takes it well beyond the North Pole.
When an evil force known as Pitch Black threatens to wipe out childlike wonder across the globe using fear, it’s time for the Guardians—the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Jack Frost, and of course Santa—to get to work. This movie carries significant sentiments for me this year. Though dark times threaten to take over the world, the goodness that comes from who we are, fighting together side by side, and our intrinsic purpose here on earth shine until the dark spell is broken. And hope and joy take their rightful place in our lives.
2. Zootopia
Zootopia is definitely an Easter movie because the lead character is a bunny!
We all need the reminder to be tenacious through tough situations, especially in the workplace. I don’t know about you, there are times when I feel small in the face of the challenges of COVID-19, but with some good old optimism and adventure, there’s no mystery that cannot be solved.
3. Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S Lewis is one of my favourite authors. I’m a lover of fantasy and creative retelling of stories, especially bible stories that after a while of reading them over and over, can become stale. My favourite scene has to be when the Lion is killed by the White Witch and comes to life again.
The Chronicles of Narnia wrap up biblical analogies in fairytale with magic and literal otherworldly experiences. This movie is thrilling watch for all ages.
4. Peter Rabbit
This family comedy is adapted from a century-old tale that follows the adventures of a rebel rabbit who meets his match in the form of a human when the vegetable garden he and his floppy siblings ravage gets a new owner.
5. Hop
E.B (short for Easter Bunny of course), is having a bit of a crisis: His father wants him to inherit the candy business but all he wants to do is move to Los Angeles to live out his dream of becoming a rock star.
Not even the Bunnys are immune to the familial struggles that come with succession and inheritance. But also: You can’t stuff your dreams in an Easter basket. You have to live ’em.
6. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Wallace & Gromit is a beloved stop-motion British cartoon centering on a cheese-loving inventor and his intelligent, but silent, dog companion. In this Academy Award-winning, feature-length installment of the series, Wallace and Gromit try to help a quaint English town with their rabbit infestation, then discover these are not your usual bunnies. This clever film is sure to win over kids and adults alike.
7. The Dog Who Saved Easter
Labradors are known to be friendly companions. In this movie, Zeus, is left at doggy care while the family goes on a cruise for Easter. Zeus ends up saving the doggy care from bad guys.
This light-hearted comedy has the same feeling as Home Alone for dog lovers.
8. The Passion of the Christ
This one may be a little too graphic for younger kids, parental guidance is advised. The Passion of the Christ tells the story of the final 12 hours before Jesus’ crucifixion.
These are just a few family-friendly Easter movies to enjoy this Easter weekend. Let us know in the comments below what your family-friendly Easter favourites are.
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