It’s the most wonderful time of the year for anyone who loves chocolate, cheeky bunny rabbits, and the story of Jesus Christ. That’s right, it’s Easter weekend, and we’re celebrating in style here by stuffing our faces full of the best Easter movies for kids, so that you and the whole family can sit down, take it easy and stream some of the most appropriate films for this particular period.
It’s not hard to find the horror movies to enjoy at Halloween, but Easter is a celebration that’s often overlooked in the film world. Still, we’ve packed this guide full of some real treats; from movies specifically focused on Easter itself, or simply ones that have that spring time vibe, you’ll be catered to for the full weekend with these Easter movies for kids.
Hop (2011)
An easy one to start us off here, but you simply can’t get anything more Easter-related than Hop, a film which literally follows the Easter Bunny as he looks to shirk his responsibilities and experience life among the humans for a little while.
James Marsden does what he does best–reluctantly interacting with computer-generated animals in secret–and truth be told, the film wouldn’t be worth watching were it not for him giving it absolutely everything as usual. Kids will love it, though. Hop is silly, with plenty of slapstick humour and visual gags, including a rabbit pooping Easter eggs–what more could you want?
Peter Rabbit (2018)
From one mischievous rabbit to another, this modern retelling of the classic tale of Peter Rabbit is another crowdpleaser that’ll help 90 minutes of the Easter weekend with the kids while also giving parents a few laughs, too.
James Corden delivers the voice for the titular bunny, while Rose Byrne and Domhnall Gleeson are in as the humans in the cast, and their chemistry is particularly enjoyable to watch. And, if you find you can’t get enough of this one, you can always stick the sequel on, as a bonus, and keep the fun rolling for another 90 minutes.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Easter may be a religious holiday but let’s be honest, it’s all about the chocolate for most people these days, and there's no film that better captures that sentiment than the 1971 classic, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. From Gene Wilder’s enigmatic and energetic leading performance as the iconic factory owner, to the catchy tunes and poppy visuals, this Roald Dahl tale is brought to life superbly and is exactly the kind of colourful, cheery family movie you need to take the Easter weekend up a notch. Just don’t end up like Augustus Gloop, will you?
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
From one Roald Dahl story to another, clearly the famous author had a knack for creating adventures that would stand the test of time, and that would serve a purpose around Easter. Fantastic Mr. Fox was reimagined in 2009 by the visionary Wes Anderson, and it’s one of his very best films, which is saying a lot.
The exquisite stop-motion animation and delightfully rich colour palette in the film combine with a terrific voice cast and a smart script to help this movie strike a chord with audiences young and old, while the story of greed is subtle, yet very suitable for the Easter weekend.
Chicken Run (2000)
We’ve got more stop-motion for you now, and a bona fide classic from Aardman Animation. Chicken Run was a huge hit upon its release, and has remained a family favourite for 25 years after, largely thanks to the fact it’s simply a lot of fun for people of all ages.
This hilarious riff on The Great Escape works so well, but while the original war movie is a little more serious, Chicken Run understands the assignment and keeps things incredibly light. If you’re all about the eggs at Easter, you’ll surely find yourself rooting for this gang of plucky chickens.
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
While Jack Frost may be the front man of this ensemble piece, the Easter Bunny plays an important role in this visually sharp, thematically rich animated adventure. Rise of the Guardians is probably better suited to slightly older children compared to the previous entries in this list, with a few moments of real tension and light peril to endure, but it’s nothing the little ones can’t handle, we’re sure. If the kids have gotten all hyped up on sugar, this effort might actually be ideal to help them burn off some energy with this mystical thrill ride full of magic, evil creatures, and daring heroes.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
We couldn’t assemble this list of the best Easter movies for kids without embracing the religious roots of the holiday, and DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt fits the bill perfectly. It’s a film that dives into the Book of Exodus to tell the tale of Moses, but one which never lets itself get too heavy or dark.
The musical elements really help to bring life and dynamism to this flick, and it’s a brilliant example of old school animation done right, with so much energy in every frame. The Prince of Egypt superbly toes the line between historical drama and fun animation.
Watership Down (1978)
OK, this one should be approached with caution, because you run the risk of scarring your children for life with Watership Down, but it’s very much a formative experience for anyone of the right age to experience their first bout of genuine terror.
That makes it sound worse than it is, but Watership Down is an absolute cult classic, with a harrowing yet heartfelt story that everyone will be richer for watching, whether it’s Easter time or not. The rabbit links help tie it to the holiday, but so too does the deep-rooted narrative of persecution and enduring optimism. Just be sure to check out the details of the film before putting it on your children.
The Wind in the Willows (1983)
If you’d rather not traumatise your children and play it safe, The Wind in the Willows is about as charming and harmless as you can get. This quaint tale is packed with whimsical characters, gentle comedy, and that springtime energy that fits so nicely with the Easter celebrations.
In the film, picnics and plans for jolly vacations soon make way for a wild series of events involving Toad being arrested for causing mayhem on the road and a mean gang of Weasels trying to steal his grand home. This time, though, we really promise it’s not at all dark or scary or stressful at all, really it isn’t.
Christopher Robin (2018)
Is there any character in the history of storytelling more gentle and calming than Winnie the Pooh? Probably not, and it’s this warm nature, plus his love for all things sweet, that make him the ideal ambassador for us to end this list with.
In Christopher Robin, the titular character is all grown up (and played brilliantly by Ewan McGregor), but his furry friends from the past need him to play pretend one more time and save the Hundred Acre Woods. Along the way, he might just save a big chunk of his soul, too, as he finally re how to be happy and how to have a little fun.
Check out our list below for options on where to watch all these excellent Easter movies by catching them on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and more!
