Best movies like Barabbas
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Epic account of the thief Barabbas, who was spared crucifixion when Pilate manipulated the crowd into pardoning him, rather than Jesus. Struggling with his spirituality, Barabbas goes through many ordeals leading him to the gladiatorial arena, where he tries to win his freedom and confront his inner demons, ultimately becoming a follower of the man who was crucified in his place.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: biblical, epic, intense, exciting, serious, captivating, christian film, retro, technicolor, realistic
Best tv shows and movies like Barabbas (1961):
Similar in 84%
The Final Inquiry (2006)
Plot Summary:
It is the year 33 of the Vulgar Era. The Emperor Tiberius is troubled by strange phenomena, an earthquake and the sky turning black as an eclipse. His astrologers give him fair warning: their omens indicate that the world is in the throes of a great upheaval and that old gods have been annihilated. A new kingdom is about to rise in the East. The Emperor calls Tito Valerio Tauro, the most prominent.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, History, Mystery
Country: Italy, Spain
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: christian film, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, biblical, spiritual, esoteric
Similar in 89%
In the Beginning (2000)
Plot Summary:
Biblical tales from the books of Genesis and Exodus, including the stories of Abraham's devotion and Joseph's betrayal.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 869
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 189 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, serious, captivating, epic, semi serious
Similar in 86%
A.D. (1985)
Plot Summary:
Set just after the death of Jesus Christ, this mini-series chronicles the life & adventures of Jesus's disciples, and events in Rome during the reigns of the Emperors Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 511
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Italy, France, USA
Duration: 600 min
Plot tags: christian film, biblical, epic
Similar in 90%
Abraham (1993)
Plot Summary:
This engrossing dramatization of the life of Abraham, the most tested servant of God and the father of Judaism, spans from the patriarch's quest for the Promised Land to the sacrifice of his son, Isaac.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Country: Germany, Italy, USA, Czech Republic, France
Duration: 175 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, epic, serious, psychological, captivating, disturbing, exciting
Similar in 82%
The Bible: In the Beginning... (1966)
Plot Summary:
Extravagant production of the first part of the book of Genesis. Covers Adam and Eve, Noah and the Flood and Abraham and Isaac.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 174 min
Plot tags: epic, christian film, biblical, serious, disturbing, psychotronic, exciting, light, inspirational, sexy
Similar in 79%
Jacob (1994)
Plot Summary:
In this inspiring tale from the book of Genesis, young shepherd Jacob (Matthew Modine) falls in love with and wants to marry Rachel (Lara Flynn Boyle), the daughter of his Uncle Laban (Giancarlo Giannini). Lacking a dowry, Jacob toils seven years as his uncle's indentured servant to win Rachel's hand. But calculating Laban dupes him into another seven years of labor. Irene Papas portrays Jacob's iron-willed mother.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, History
Country: Italy, Germany, USA, France, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Austria, UK, Morocco
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, epic, serious, realistic
Similar in 76%
Jesus (1999)
Plot Summary:
The film is notable for presenting a more human Jesus, compared to more solemn portrayals in earlier films; here Jesus laughs and cries like anyone else. Among other things, he weeps at Joseph’s funeral, throws stones in Lake Galilee when meeting Simon Peter and James son of Zebedee for the first time, dances at the wedding at Cana, and starts a water-splashing fight with his disciples as well. Satan is portrayed as a man in modern dress (and as a woman in red). During his temptation of Jesus, he shows him the Earth from the vantage point of space. Satan also shows Jesus images of wars and destruction carried out in his name. The film adds an apocryphal Roman historian named “Livio” who watches and comments as events unfold; he is presumably named after Livy.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, Germany, USA, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Netherlands, UK, Malta, Morocco
Duration: 240 min
Plot tags: biblical, epic, serious, realistic, christian film, emotional, fairy tale, sad, period piece, informative
Similar in 87%
Judas (2004)
Plot Summary:
Judas meets Jesus and at first doesn't know what to make of him or whether or not to trust him. A cynical city boy, Judas makes fun of the country bumpkin disciples who follow Jesus but eventually decides to join the band, as well. He and Jesus become good friends, even though they often see things very differently. Ultimately, Judas is convinced that Jesus needs to use his popularity and wonder-working powers to free the Jews from the Romans, and Jesus sees a larger, spritual perspective. As a friend, Judas convinces Jesus to give his disciples his miraculous powers, and he does with good results. Finally, the Jewish leaders spy on Judas and convince him of the greater good of betraying Jesus, in order to save the Jewish people. Judas gets caught between the corrupt leaders, Caiaphus and Pontius Pilate, and Jesus.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 491
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: biblical, touching, serious, sincere, disturbing, psychological, period drama
Similar in 75%
Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Plot Summary:
Passion, beauty, and brilliant storytelling are all on display in this six-hour-plus epic from Italian director Franco Zeffirelli. Robert Powell is superb in the title role, and with the overwhelming success of this TV movie throughout the world, has perhaps become what Jesus looks like in many people's minds. The story begins with the arrangements of the wedding between Joseph and Mary, and chronicles the nativity, the encounter with John the Baptist (a ferocious Michael York) and everything up to the crucifixion and resurrection.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, Italy
Duration: 382 min
Plot tags: biblical, epic, christian film, serious, atmospheric, inspirational, fairy tale, art house, period piece, costume drama
Similar in 77%
Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999)
Plot Summary:
Mary, Mother of Jesus is a 1999 made-for-television Biblical film that retells the story of Jesus through the eyes of Mary, his mother.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: biblical, sincere, uplifting, thought provoking, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 77%
The Friends of Jesus: Thomas (2001)
Plot Summary:
When Jesus is taken off the cross at Golgotha, THOMAS arrives there. Like most of the other disciples, he had worriedly taken refuge with friends in Jerusalem after Jesus's arrest. After Jesus's burial, the disciples decide to leave Jerusalem quickly, but Thomas refuses to leave Jesus' body behind, as he fears that the tomb may be desecrated.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 209
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: biblical, captivating, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 89%
The Miracle Maker (1999)
Plot Summary:
A mother and father in search of help for their sick daughter cross paths with an extraordinary carpenter named Jesus, who has devoted his life to spreading God's word. An amazing miracle brings to light the true meaning of Christ, and the sacrifices he endured for the deliverance of mankind. A compelling story of faith, trust, and devotion.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Animation, Biography, Drama, History
Country: Russia, UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: uplifting, biblical, touching, captivating, epic, christian film, spiritual, educational, serious, emotional
Similar in 81%
St. Peter (2005)
Plot Summary:
Saint Peter, a reluctant but passionate leader, from the crucifixion of Jesus to his own. The film's first half dramatizes the New Testament's "Acts": early fear, the renewal of Pentecost, Saul's conversion, the decision to baptize pagans, and the Apostles' dispersal. In the second half, an aged Peter goes to Rome to join Paul, arriving on the day of Paul's arrest. Paul's death brings a crisis to Rome's Christians and to Peter; lessons from Jesus's teachings guide his decision to stay. Events within the fictive household of Persius, a Roman aristocrat, capture the upheaval that Christian teachings bring to the Eternal City.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 574
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 197 min
Plot tags: epic, serious, captivating, emotional, biblical, christian film, contemplative
Similar in 90%
Apostle Peter and the Last Supper (2012)
Plot Summary:
The film portrays Saint Peter reflecting on his time with Jesus and his fellow Apostles during his final imprisonment in Rome. In particular, Peter attempts to convert one of his jailers, Martinian, by relating the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, captivating, biblical, epic, realistic, christian film
Similar in 83%
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
Plot Summary:
Oscar-nominated film adaptation of the rock opera of the same name, based on the last weeks before the crucifixion of Jesus. The film was directed by Norman Jewison. Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson were nominated for two 1974 Golden Globe Award for their portrayals of Jesus and Judas, respectively.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 29000
Genere: Drama, History, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: stylized, talky, intense, cult classic, surreal, controversial, emotional, christian film, biblical, lyrical
Similar in 82%
Jeremiah (1998)
Plot Summary:
The young Jeremiah grows up in a priest's family in the village of Anathoth, near Jerusalem. God appears to Jeremiah in different human guises on several occasions, and makes it clear to him that he has been selected to announce God's message to the people of Jerusalem.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, Germany, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, sincere, epic, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 76%
Barabbas (2012)
Plot Summary:
Barabbas or Jesus Barabbas (literally "son of the father" or "Jesus, son of the father" respectively) is a figure in the account of the Passion of Christ, in which he is the insurrectionary whom Pontius Pilate freed at the Passover feast in Jerusalem, instead of Jesus Christ.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 503
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 200 min
Plot tags: biblical, serious, epic, captivating, stylized, mysterious, christian film, realistic
Similar in 77%
The Gospel of John (2003)
Plot Summary:
A word for word depiction of the life of Jesus Christ from the Good News Translation Bible as recorded in the Gospel of John.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Canada, UK
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: biblical, atmospheric, serious, christian film, mysterious, epic
Similar in 84%
Jesus (1979)
Plot Summary:
This classic film portrays 3½ years of Jesus' ministry as told in the Gospel of Luke from the Good News and King James translations of the Bible. Producer John Heyman created a film so true-to-life, you will feel like you are in first-century Palestine. Everything from clothing, to customs, to food of the country during that time period was studied to ensure authenticity. With a cast of more than 5,000 Israelis and Arabs, "JESUS" was filmed on location in Israel.Own or share the gift of this wonderful story, still as clear, precise, and relevant as it was 2,000 years ago. The film concludes with an opportunity to trust Christ as Savior and Lord.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family, History
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, sentimental, sincere, epic, serious
Similar in 90%
One Night with the King (2006)
Plot Summary:
This amazing biblical drama chronicles the brave and historic legend of Hadassah, a Jewish orphan with exceptional beauty who rises to become Queen Esther of Persia and saves Persian Jews from genocide. By revealing her heritage to the king, Esther thwarts the evil prime minister's plan to annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire. The annual festival of Purim is inspired by her heroism.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: biblical, serious, sincere, captivating, inspirational, christian film, realistic, harsh, uplifting, costume drama
Similar in 75%
Peter and Paul (1981)
Plot Summary:
Peter and Paul assume leadership of the Church as they struggle against violent opposition to the teachings of Christ and their own personal conflicts.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 654
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 198 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, atmospheric, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, spiritual, sexy
Similar in 89%
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
Plot Summary:
All-star epic retelling of Christ's life.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 260 min
Plot tags: biblical, epic, christian film, atmospheric, serious, captivating, breathtaking, period piece, stylized, fairy tale
Similar in 86%
Killing Jesus (2015)
Plot Summary:
Jesus of Nazareth’s life and ministry were subject to seismic social and political events that led to his execution and changed the world forever.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, biblical, psychological, spiritual, esoteric, historical drama
Similar in 84%
Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018)
Plot Summary:
Risking his life, Luke ventures to Rome to visit Paul -- the apostle who's bound in chains and held captive in Nero's darkest and bleakest prison cell. Haunted by the shadows of his past misdeeds, Paul wonders if he's been forgotten as he awaits his grisly execution. Before Paul's death, Luke resolves to write another book that details the birth of what will come to be known as the church.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: christian film, biblical, psychological, tense, sentimental, captivating, contemplative, independent film
Similar in 78%
King David (1985)
Plot Summary:
This is a movie about the life of Israel's king David.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: epic, biblical, sentimental, realistic, serious, christian film, anamorphic, mythical, sincere
Similar in 78%
King of Kings (1961)
Plot Summary:
Who is Jesus, and why does he impact all he meets? He is respected and reviled, emulated and accused, beloved, betrayed, and finally crucified. Yet that terrible fate would not be the end of the story.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 168 min
Plot tags: biblical, epic, suspenseful, christian film, serious, sincere, period piece, retro, fairy tale, technicolor
Similar in 78%
Son of God (2014)
Plot Summary:
The life story of Jesus is told from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 138 min
Plot tags: uplifting, christian film, biblical, captivating, inspirational, historical drama, spiritual, disgusting, serious, contemplative
Similar in 80%
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Plot Summary:
"The Passion of the Christ" is a film about the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus. Director Mel Gibson received much criticism from critics and audiences for his explicit depiction of and focus on violence and on christs suffering, especially on the part of the jewish community. The films languages are Arabic, Latin and Hebrew and its actors are laymen which was controversially received as well.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 246000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, controversial, brutal, rough, emotional, factual, spiritual, visually stunning, disturbing
Similar in 80%
The Message (1976)
Plot Summary:
Handsomely-mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 50000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Lebanon, Libya, Kuwait, Morocco, UK, Egypt
Duration: 177 min
Plot tags: epic, controversial, islamic, breathtaking, spiritual, dramatic, thinking, esoteric, historically accurate, profound
Similar in 83%
The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964)
Plot Summary:
The life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew. Pasolini shows Christ as a marxist avant-la-lettre and therefore uses half of the text of Matthew.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, spiritual, art house, bleak, stylized, black and white, fairy tale, philosophical, mysterious