The Best Easter Movies Of All Time Ranked

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As springtime rolls around, people look forward to sunshine, fresh flowers, and the fun holidays celebrated at the beginning of the year. But while varying crowds might prefer Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day, it's Easter that feels like the most family-friendly early year celebration. Originating as a Christian festivity, Easter Sunday has become the fifth most popular holiday in the United States, according to a 2015 Harris poll. 

Although many individuals participate in the holiday for religious worship, there's another side to the celebration — one that continues to grow via egg hunts, decorations, overflowing baskets and a holiday mascot second only to Santa: The Easter Bunny.

While the history of the Bunny is generally unknown, some historians believe the symbolism of rabbits has its roots in Paganism and a connection between springtime and fertility. Thousands of years later, modern-day kids get together with friends and family to exchange baskets of treats and search for brightly-colored eggs hidden by a giant, magical rabbit — much like Christmas, a significant departure for many from the holiday's original meaning. But indulging in chocolate eggs and chicken-shaped marshmallows isn't the only way people celebrate with their loved ones; like Christmas, there are multiple beloved, family-friendly movies about Easter. Here's a look at some of the best bunny tales.

The 2010s were filled with all sorts of movies about sentient, talking dogs, so of course there's a talking dog movie about Easter. "The Dog Who Saved Easter" is exactly what you would expect: a lighthearted flick following on the heels of "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," cute and breezy and easily forgotten by the time the end credits finish rolling.  

"Easter" tells the story of Zeus (a yellow lab voiced by Mario Lopez), who is trying to save the day when evil cat people attempt to sabotage a doggy daycare. Does he succeed? Well, he'd better — this pooch has plenty of experience saving holidays, as previously seen in 2009's "The Dog Who Saved Christmas," 2010's "The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation," 2011's "The Dog Who Saved Halloween" and 2012's "The Dog Who Saved the Holidays." As if all that wasn't enough, after his Easter exploits Zeus would return once more for 2015's "The Dog Who Saved Summer."

Sure, the film is made for younger audiences and has plenty of physical comedy and sight gags. But in terms of originality, the film has about as much as its tagline: "It's an eggcellent adventure!"

In a complete 180-turn for the realm of "Peter Rabbit" and talking dogs, "Hank and Mike" is an Easter black comedy for an older crowd. 

The flick follows Hank and Mike, two blue-collar Bunnies in a world where hard-drinking, stubble-faced Easter enablers is a reality. When they are suddenly fired from their Easter Bunny jobs, the two must venture into a cold, uncaring world with no tangible skills, searching for new careers in their pink suits and floppy ears. Featuring supporting work from the likes of Chris Klein and Joe Mantegna, the flick feels like "Bad Santa" meets "Shakes the Clown."

Although the film is a comedy, it dabbles in themes like depression and low self-esteem. Hank and Mike aren't necessarily likable characters, but they're grounded in reality, albeit a sometimes depressing one. A commentary on the working class and a dark comedy that earns its R rating, "Hank and Mike" is like receiving a tiny adult beverage bottle in your Easter basket — tuck it away for after the kids go to sleep, and it could be a good way for the grownups to decompress. 

When planning your Easter viewing party, don't forget this sweet biopic about the creator of "Peter Rabbit," starring Renee Zellweger in a largely forgotten but no less impressive performance than many of her classic films.

This romantic drama would play well with older kids in your family, telling the story of a turn-of-the-20th century female author balancing her search for love with a desire to launch a career in a male-dominated industry. The film is directed by Chris Noonan, marking his first directorial effort in more than a decade since "Babe" became an unexpected Oscar-nominated hit, and "Potter" has a similar pervasive sweetness that feels particularly appropriate for the Easter holiday.

Co-starring the likes of Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson, the film could make a great double feature with "Peter Rabbit," first taking a look at what Potter's creation has become in the 21st century, and then looking back on the woman who first envisioned such a sweet, mischievous, heartwarming world.

Between the late 1960s and mid '80s, Rankin/Bass Productions found a place in children's hearts with its warm, playful stop-motion clay animation. Although 1977's "The Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town" wouldn't prove to be as popular as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" or "The Year Without a Santa Claus," it is no less worth an annual watch. 

This 50 minute made-for-television movie explores the unorthodox origin story of the Easter Bunny. Based in Kidville (a town run by orphaned children), we see the one-year-old rabbit team up with his orphaned friends to help liberate a young boy from his dreary town. Through the power of colored eggs and jellybeans, the childless town is freed from its oppressive dictatorship and finally becomes able to celebrate Easter.

This Easter special is full of fun, original songs and even features the voice of the legendary Fred Astaire. 

Thirty years before Fred Astaire was lending his voice to "The Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town," he appeared opposite Judy Garland in this high-kicking, ebullient take on an Irving Berlin classic, billed as "The Happiest Musical Ever Made."

Nearly three-quarters of a century later, it's still hard to argue with the joys of sitting down and revisiting Hollywood's golden age of cinema. "Easter Parade" begins the day before Easter in 1911, when Broadway star Don Hewes' dancing partner 9and love interest) decides to go solo. Crushed by the loss, Hewes vows to make the next dancer he sees a star in time for the following season's Easter parade. Of course, he falls madly in love with her, further complicating matters. Garland and Astaire shine in their roles, with the type of chemistry you'd expect from two titans of the medium.

"Easter Parade" combines all the elements of a timeless Hollywood musical, showcasing incredible song and dance. But caveat emptor: this film is guaranteed to have its songs stuck in your head long after the last Easter egg has been found.

Sure, it doesn't have the same name recognition as 1965's "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 1966's "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" or even 1985's "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," but this mid-'70s Easter special proves once again that there's a Charles Schulz television special for every major holiday (if you need further proof, look to 1976's "It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown"), and it deserves a place alongside the best "Peanuts" efforts.

"It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown" follows the gang as they try — and often fail — to celebrate Easter. Between Peppermint Patty and Marcie attempting to color Easter eggs and Linus believing in the Easter Beagle rather than the Easter Bunny, this animated special has some solid laughs for viewers of all ages.

When firing on all cylinders, the "Charlie Brown" animated specials capture a nostalgic, timeless experience like none other, blending a soundtrack that plays like a warm blanket on a snowy day with cute, simple, hand-drawn animation that speaks to the egg-hunting, bunny-loving child in all of us.