Let’s be real: Hollywood simply can’t get enough of Jesus. Whether you are into faith-based drama, epic historical retellings, or even musical adaptations, the story of Christ keeps finding its way to our screens, sometimes reverent, sometimes playful, and sometimes just downright provocative.
So, grab your popcorn or, if the spirit takes you, a prayer or two as we count down the seven most memorable portrayals of Jesus in film and TV, all the way from seven to that ultimate classic.
7. Light of the World (2025) — Animated and Heartfelt
Yes, animated Jesus is a thing, and it works surprisingly well. Light of the World is a 2D animated feature that tells the story of Christ through the eyes of the Apostle John. What makes it different, though, is the way it centers itself on emotion: Jesus is not just the Messiah; He is a child, a son, and a friend, which makes this story deeply personal. The tender moments Mary remembers Jesus’ first steps while he journeys toward Calvary bring parents and kids into the story. This isn’t just a movie about faith; it’s a story of family, love, and the human side of a divine figure. It is already sparking a lot of home, school, and Sunday class discussions about empathy, sacrifice, and the power of storytelling.
6. The Last Supper (2025) — Ambitious but Uneven
You’d think a movie called The Last Supper would be an instant classic, especially around Easter season. Pinnacle Peak Pictures tried to do something new by examining the complicated relationships of Peter, Judas, and even Satan as a recurring tempter for Judas. Ambition aside, the execution leaves something to be desired: the performances are wooden, the dialogue is clunky, and the narrative plods through Holy Week without much spark. Though the concept was good on paper, this feels more church pageant than a cinematic revelation. It’s an interesting experiment in narrative risk, even if it’s better suited for a quiet night at home than a big screen experience.
5. Jonathan & Jesus (2024) — Life Behind the Role
Jonathan & Jesus is a docuseries on what it is like backstage when an actor plays Christ on screen. Centered around Jonathan Roumie, the star of the popular series The Chosen, it explores the weight of taking on the mantle of a figure of divine importance amidst the chaos of sudden fame and the public blurring of lines between actor and character. Intimate, honest, and at times hilarious, the series reveals the emotional burden, spiritual introspection, and surreal realities that come from being widely recognized as Jesus. It’s a raw look at the three-way intersection of faith, celebrity, and human vulnerability, a reminder that even playing the Son of God can be a distinctly human experience.
4. The Chosen (2017–present) — Character-driven and Crowdfunded
If you haven’t heard of The Chosen, it’s time to catch up. This multi-season series has raised nearly $100 million from fans and reached hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. Its strength lies in its long-form storytelling, allowing audiences to invest in the humanity of Jesus and his disciples. Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal balances reverence with relatability, while the show takes creative liberties, Matthew is autistic, and Jesus is shown practicing sermons to make the narrative more intimate and human. Sure, some viewers question these choices, but this series has spawned Bible study groups and intergenerational conversations, a testament to how thoughtful storytelling can make faith new and meaningful again.
3. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) — Rock Musical Controversy
When Jesus Christ Superstar first landed on Broadway in 1971, the musical was scandalous. Ted Neeley, who played Jesus, remembers protests every night outside the theater, accusing it of blasphemy. The way it portrayed Jesus as questioning, conflicted, and possibly having a romantic connection with Mary Magdalene was shocking to them. Over the years, though, it has become a kind of cult favorite, admired for the strength of its songs, its humanity, and a lack of fear when confronting faith and doubt. What once caused outrage has now become something lauded for its bold storytelling and its ability to make relatable a figure so frequently merely iconic. Controversy, if used correctly, can become a stepping stone toward cultural resonance.
2. The Passion of the Christ (2004) — Unflinching & Iconic
No one who has seen Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ is likely to forget the experience of this raw, reverent film. Jim Caviezel gives a stunning performance that captures the weight, nobility, and emotional depth in Jesus’ final hours without falling into melodrama. The highly realistic violence in the film, intercut with flashbacks and symbolic imagery, elevates the violence into a meditation on sin, redemption, and what the Crucifixion means on a spiritual level. Love it or hate it, Passion redefined the possibilities in faith-based cinema, demonstrating that film can tackle the darkest moments of humanity and still inspire reflection and devotion.
1. Jesus of Nazareth (1977) — The Timeless Benchmark
For many, Franco Zeffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth is still the ultimate portrayal of Christ on screen. This British-Italian miniseries is a complex example of what can be accomplished with a judicious blend of historical context, an all-star cast Rod Steiger as Pilate, Michael York as John the Baptist, and one indelible performance. It perfectly captured the anticipation, conflict, and spiritual intensity of first-century Judea. Powell’s portrayal may seem formal at first, but over time it becomes the archetype: a Jesus who is fully divine yet undeniably human. Decades later, it remains the standard by which all other Jesus portrayals are measured.
From animated adventure to edgy musicals to sweeping miniseries, the story of Jesus keeps reimagining itself on screen. Provoking, comforting, and awing in turn, each leaves its mark.
These seven performances do their part to remind us that no matter the medium, the story of Christ is timeless, powerful, and endlessly fascinating.