I’m an Entertainment Editor Who Celebrates Jewish Holidays—These Passover Movies Are Always on My List
I’m not eating leavened bread, and I’m not skipping these films either.
A few things come to mind instantly when I think about Passover.
One, I need to stop eating chametz (a.k.a. foods that have leavened grain, like wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt). Two, I have to clean my house (to get rid of all the foods made with leavened grains, of course) so I’m ready to host my friends and family for the Seder, the yearly ritual of retelling the story of Moses leading the Jews out of slavery in ancient Egypt. And three, why aren’t there any Passover movies that accurately depict the unique traditions surrounding this time of year?!
I had to get to the bottom of this—after all, I write about pop culture, movies, and TV for a living. As it turns out, when it comes to the best Passover movies, there aren’t a ton of options, but I did manage to find a select number that I feel embody the true spirit of Passover.
Whether it's musical films like The Prince of Egypt or iconic choices like The Ten Commandments, there are unique ways everyone can embrace Passover on the screen. So, grab some matzo, put a little butter on it, and settle in for a walk down Jewish memory lane.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
This animated musical film is one of the most iconic Passover movies, making it my first choice for this list.
With Val Kilmer voicing Moses and a cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, and more, each minute of The Prince of Egypt gets better and better. Make sure to stick around for the song “When You Believe,” sung by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
Shari’s Passover Surprise (1995)
Famed ventriloquist Shari Lewis created several TV specials celebrating Jewish holidays in the 1990s.
Shari’s Passover Surprise has everyone gathering together to celebrate the true meaning of Passover ... albeit with a few trials and tribulations along the way.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Now, here’s the thing about Uncut Gems: Adam Sandler portrays a Jewish-American jeweler, so this movie probably isn’t one you’d think is synonymous with the lessons of Passover.
But there’s a scene involving a Seder in the middle of the film, so we had to throw it on our list.
A Rugrats Passover (1995)
Technically, A Rugrats Passover is actually a season 3 episode of the iconic kids series of the same name. So, while it’s not a full-length film, who can resist a group of babies telling the story of the Jews leaving Egypt in such a sweet way?
The Ten Commandments (1956)
A classic film starring Charlton Heston as Moses, The Ten Commandments regales the story of the Jews leaving Egypt.
Considered the most expensive film made at the time of its release, the film won multiple Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Actor for Charlton) in 1957.
When Do We Eat? (2005)
OK, OK ... so this movie is raunchier than some of the other choices on this list. But the film centers on a dysfunctional Jewish family getting together for their first Passover seder in a while, making it an interesting (and perhaps relatable) choice for this time of year.
As for how all the family members interact after some time apart ... well, you’ll just have to watch to find out.
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