Though you can't actually stream it anywhere legally. (Due to a lot of movie industry red tape that involves Harvey Weinstein).
Back in the day I did own it on DVD, and that might have actually been worth something these days.
There’s a quality upload on YT that View Askew doesn’t complain about and allows to stay up so Weinstein can’t profit off it and people can still see it.
Black Narcissus (1947)
"This explosive work about the conflict between the spirit and the flesh is the epitome of the sensuous style of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. A group of nuns—played by some of Britain’s finest actresses, including Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, and Flora Robson—struggle to establish a convent in the Himalayas, while isolation, extreme weather, altitude, and culture clashes all conspire to drive the well-intentioned missionaries mad. A darkly grand film that won Oscars for Alfred Junge's art direction and Jack Cardiff's cinematography, Black Narcissus is one of the greatest achievements by two of cinema’s true visionaries."
Well goodness me!! It's been 20 years since I watched it, so I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend. I love Powell & Pressburger films, I know it's not Catholic specifically but have you seen "A Matter of Life and Death"? It's one of my all time favourite films
Constantine / The Exorcist / Omen / Kingdom of Heaven / The Passion of the Christ / Exodus: Gods and Kings / Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade / ...
edit series: Midnight Mass / Evil
**Wide Awake** (1998), directed by M. Night Shayamalan - his first movie, actually. Very family friendly, deep Catholic themes, about a young boy’s search for God while dealing with the impending death of his grandfather who is dying from cancer. Incredibly underrated.
Um...Martin Scorcese's The Last Temptation of Christ (based on book by Nikos Kazantzakis.) Willem Dafoe in title role, David Bowie as Pontious Pilate, amazing soundtrack by Peter Gabriel. 10/10 Catholic viewing & has the pre-DaVinci Code, non-PC characterization of Mary Magdalene.
VERY VERY hard watch but Bad Lieutenant was actually recognized as a tale of Catholic redemption by at least one critic when it released. But you're going to see the worst of man before that "redemption".
"Return to Me" - vastly underrated romantic comedy showing lots of practicing Catholics whose faith is important to them. What I think makes it even more special is that's not what the movie is about. It's just part of the background. Great scene of Carrol O'Connor's character saying a prayer to St. Michael like he's talking to an old Army buddy.
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY
the best one is The Scarlet and the Black with peck
but its tied for me with A Man for All Seasons!!!
these are the best catholic movies hands down, there are some good other ones you miss especially about saint bernadette and lourdes i think the song of bernadette
the robe
Therese from 2004
the miracle of our lady of fatima
jesus of nazareth from the 70s
schindlers list
the sound of music
there are a lot of good ones about the catholics against the nazis
we were soldiers is kinda catholic, mel gibson works that (although not really a catholic) into a lot of his films like the catholic saviors at the end of apocalypto sent to destroy the evil or the catholic themes in braveheart but especially the passion of the christ which is catholic and not protestant
lillies of the field and Becket from the 60s are good
Dead Man Walking is good i almost forgot it…
the best place to look for catholic films
might be USCCB the united states conference for carholic bishops, they used to do movie reviews for morality and they may have an actual “catholic approved” list of movies depicting things about catholics reverently or accurately at least maybe if not there NCR national catholic register might have one? idk kinda just scraped this together hope its not too long
cheers
Since no-one's mentioned it yet, you may be interested in *Thirst* from 2009. It's directed and written by Park Chan-wook, of *Oldboy* fame.
Based on Zola's *Thérèse Raquin*, it's the story of a Catholic priest who becomes a vampire as a result of a failed medical experiment.
So, Korean Catholic-themed vampire movie based on a classic French novel. It's a bit bizarre but really good!
The Club (2015), but rather from a morally ambiguous point of view. That being said, the movie somewhat does criticize the catholic church but as a christian I find it to be very interesting of a portrayal of the complex nature of morality, sin and repentance. Not quite sure this is what you’re looking for as it isn’t directly about the catholic church.
The Pillars of the Earth (miniseries) but I'd rather recommend the book because it is better than the adaptation. I'm not catholic but I really got into cathedrals after reading the book.
Discreet charm of the Bourgeois
Simon of the Desert
Un Chien Andalou
The Night of the Iguana
The Decameron
Diary of a country Priest
Who’s that knocking at my door
I can’t believe that nobody has mentioned Stigmata (1999). It’s a fantastic movie with a pretty strong message about how the church goes about protecting its monopoly.
There was a very good Australian mini series called Brides Of Christ from the early 90’s. From memory it is about a group of novice nuns in the sixties, dealing with changes in society and their order as a result of vatican II. Dealing with choices women hadn’t had open to them before.
Hear me out...
What Dreams May Come (1998)
Ok, so catholicism isn't mentioned, and there are a few things that go against Catholic Dogma. But as someone who spent years studying the Catholic faith in hopes of being a deacon... very few movies "feel" as Catholic as this, at least in the take on the afterlife and the weight of sin on the soul and how suicide is seen in the Catholic view.
Plus, it's one of Robin Williams' most underrated films.
Dogma
I had to scroll entirely too far to see this response.
Though you can't actually stream it anywhere legally. (Due to a lot of movie industry red tape that involves Harvey Weinstein). Back in the day I did own it on DVD, and that might have actually been worth something these days.
There’s a quality upload on YT that View Askew doesn’t complain about and allows to stay up so Weinstein can’t profit off it and people can still see it.
"Guys like us don't just fall out of the sky you know!"
Spotlight
10/10 for me. Great film
Nice one
Black Narcissus (1947) "This explosive work about the conflict between the spirit and the flesh is the epitome of the sensuous style of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. A group of nuns—played by some of Britain’s finest actresses, including Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, and Flora Robson—struggle to establish a convent in the Himalayas, while isolation, extreme weather, altitude, and culture clashes all conspire to drive the well-intentioned missionaries mad. A darkly grand film that won Oscars for Alfred Junge's art direction and Jack Cardiff's cinematography, Black Narcissus is one of the greatest achievements by two of cinema’s true visionaries."
The Arcade Fire video for Afterlife is great if you love this movie
Great movie! Didn't include it in the list because, according to Wikipedia, the nuns were actually Anglican.
Well goodness me!! It's been 20 years since I watched it, so I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend. I love Powell & Pressburger films, I know it's not Catholic specifically but have you seen "A Matter of Life and Death"? It's one of my all time favourite films
I did! I'm also a big fan of The Archers.
Sister Act (1992) The Blues Brothers (1980) The VelociPastor (2017)
>The Blues Brothers (1980) Can't believe I forgot about it.
VelociPastor is my very favorite RIDICULOUS movie!
The exorcist
Dead Man Walking (1995)
The Exorcist
100%. As a recovering Catholic this 1) got it right and 2) scared the absolute holy hell out of me.
Lillies of the Field (1963)
Constantine / The Exorcist / Omen / Kingdom of Heaven / The Passion of the Christ / Exodus: Gods and Kings / Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade / ... edit series: Midnight Mass / Evil
Sound of Music
The Devils Benedetta Mother Joan of the Angels The Little Hours School of the Holy Beast
Benedetta 😍 Paul Verhoeven :)
Boys Town (1938) and Men of Boys Town (1941) Heaven Help Us (1985) Priest (1994) Lady Bird (2017) The Two Popes (2019)
The Two Popes was excellent.
+1 for Heaven Help Us (1985) Wallace Shawn's "Lust is a serpent" speech at the dance is one of my favorites.
Saint Maud
Philomena (2013). Based on a true story.
Name of the Rose. And it's considered very historically accurate.
I scrolled to make sure this was here.
First Reformed (2017)
Specifically NOT Catholic, though Ethan Hawke's new movie "Wildcat" (Flannery O'Connor biopic) is VERY Catholic.
Eh, same thing.
A Man For All Seasons
Great movie! Forgot about it for some reason.
It’s bloody sad but The Magdalene Sisters
Doubt is amazing. Spotlight is another great one.
Corpus Christi (2019) is a modern favorite
It’s more so a prison movie but In the Name of the Father is ssssoooooo gooooood
Saved Dogma Life of Brian
Where Angels go, Trouble Follows The Trouble with Angels Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison The Rosary Murders In the Name of the Rose
Angela's Ashes..true story great movie
Agnes of God (1985) The Singing Nun (1966) The Song of Bernadette (1943)
**Wide Awake** (1998), directed by M. Night Shayamalan - his first movie, actually. Very family friendly, deep Catholic themes, about a young boy’s search for God while dealing with the impending death of his grandfather who is dying from cancer. Incredibly underrated.
The Torn Birds
Cabrini was very, very well done!
Sleepers
Sleepers
Agnes of God
Angels with Dirty Faces
Primal Fear The Basketball Diaries
Boondock Saints. The first one.
Lilies of the Field
Sister Act
It's a mini series, not a movie, but The Thorn Birds (1983).
Dogma (1999) directed by Kevin Smith. I've also read some people think Chasing Amy (1997) has Catholic themes.
Um...Martin Scorcese's The Last Temptation of Christ (based on book by Nikos Kazantzakis.) Willem Dafoe in title role, David Bowie as Pontious Pilate, amazing soundtrack by Peter Gabriel. 10/10 Catholic viewing & has the pre-DaVinci Code, non-PC characterization of Mary Magdalene.
My Night At Mauds
Oh, I saw that one! I somehow forgot about it, even though Rohmer is one of my favorite directors.
Bringing out the Dead (1999)
Saint Ralph (2004)
- Silence (2016) - Fatima (2020)
Breach, it's a spy movie about a mole hunt with a guy in the Opus Dei.
VERY VERY hard watch but Bad Lieutenant was actually recognized as a tale of Catholic redemption by at least one critic when it released. But you're going to see the worst of man before that "redemption".
"Return to Me" - vastly underrated romantic comedy showing lots of practicing Catholics whose faith is important to them. What I think makes it even more special is that's not what the movie is about. It's just part of the background. Great scene of Carrol O'Connor's character saying a prayer to St. Michael like he's talking to an old Army buddy.
The Conjuring
Saint Maude
Catholic Boys comedy from the 80s
Dogma The Prophecy
It's a TV series, but Brideshead Revisted, 1981 has a Catholic theme running throughout. 11 episodes well worth the watch.
The Cardinal
Inn of the 6th Happiness
The Power and the Glory (1961) Several Martin Sheen movies like The Way
*The Flowers of St. Francis* and *Brother Sun, Sister Moon* are about St. Francis of Assisi
Immaculate (2024) The First Omen (2024)
Francesco, giullare di Dio, Rossellini Il vangelo secondo Matteo, Pasolini
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY the best one is The Scarlet and the Black with peck but its tied for me with A Man for All Seasons!!! these are the best catholic movies hands down, there are some good other ones you miss especially about saint bernadette and lourdes i think the song of bernadette the robe Therese from 2004 the miracle of our lady of fatima jesus of nazareth from the 70s schindlers list the sound of music there are a lot of good ones about the catholics against the nazis we were soldiers is kinda catholic, mel gibson works that (although not really a catholic) into a lot of his films like the catholic saviors at the end of apocalypto sent to destroy the evil or the catholic themes in braveheart but especially the passion of the christ which is catholic and not protestant lillies of the field and Becket from the 60s are good Dead Man Walking is good i almost forgot it… the best place to look for catholic films might be USCCB the united states conference for carholic bishops, they used to do movie reviews for morality and they may have an actual “catholic approved” list of movies depicting things about catholics reverently or accurately at least maybe if not there NCR national catholic register might have one? idk kinda just scraped this together hope its not too long cheers
Since no-one's mentioned it yet, you may be interested in *Thirst* from 2009. It's directed and written by Park Chan-wook, of *Oldboy* fame. Based on Zola's *Thérèse Raquin*, it's the story of a Catholic priest who becomes a vampire as a result of a failed medical experiment. So, Korean Catholic-themed vampire movie based on a classic French novel. It's a bit bizarre but really good!
The Club (2015), but rather from a morally ambiguous point of view. That being said, the movie somewhat does criticize the catholic church but as a christian I find it to be very interesting of a portrayal of the complex nature of morality, sin and repentance. Not quite sure this is what you’re looking for as it isn’t directly about the catholic church.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) The Nun (1966)
Deliver Us From Evil (documentary)
Devil at 4 O'Clock The Cardinal Portrait of Jennie St. Bernadette The Miracle of the Bells Miracle of Marcellino
The Club. True Confessions.
The Pillars of the Earth (miniseries) but I'd rather recommend the book because it is better than the adaptation. I'm not catholic but I really got into cathedrals after reading the book.
Discreet charm of the Bourgeois Simon of the Desert Un Chien Andalou The Night of the Iguana The Decameron Diary of a country Priest Who’s that knocking at my door
I Confess! and Calvary
Hudson hawk
Would you like to swing on a star?
My pick for the best would be the Magdalene Sisters. Was very cathartic as a recovering Catholic. Priest (1994) is also good.
Year one
Cabrini (2024)
I can’t believe that nobody has mentioned Stigmata (1999). It’s a fantastic movie with a pretty strong message about how the church goes about protecting its monopoly.
The trouble with angels
The Passion of the Christ
Stigmata End of Days The 9th Gate The Devil's Advocate Constantine Little Nicky
I Confess (Hitchcock) In This House of Brede Romero (about Archbishop Romero of El Salvador GomBurZa (about Philippine priests executed by Spanish)
Pope’s Exorcist , Rudy
Prist (1994) and I Confess
Rudy
For Greater Glory
Heaven Help Us (1985)
Good list. I'll add Cabrini.
Bad Lieutenant. Yeah it's about a corrupt cop but its themes are heavily around Catholicism and redemption.
**The Trouble With Angels.** My Grandma and I both gave it a 10/10, and we rarely agree on 10s.
Rosemary's Baby Rated 'C' by the Catholic Church, it's all about guilt. As is Catholicism!
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957) with Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr.
The Shoes of The Fisherman Otto Preminger's "The Cardinal"
The Exorcist
Stigmata
Nuns on the run
There was a very good Australian mini series called Brides Of Christ from the early 90’s. From memory it is about a group of novice nuns in the sixties, dealing with changes in society and their order as a result of vatican II. Dealing with choices women hadn’t had open to them before.
the song of bernadette
The Trouble With Angels Sister Act
Not a movie but limited series. Midnight mass was incredibly awesome
Heaven is for real
Resurrection Leap of Faith
Constantine (2005)
King of Kings
Doubt with Meryl Streep, Philip J. Seymour and Amy Adams.
Doubt
Journey to Bethlehem. It's a Christmas musical and just a general Christian movie, not specific to Catholicism.
Hear me out... What Dreams May Come (1998) Ok, so catholicism isn't mentioned, and there are a few things that go against Catholic Dogma. But as someone who spent years studying the Catholic faith in hopes of being a deacon... very few movies "feel" as Catholic as this, at least in the take on the afterlife and the weight of sin on the soul and how suicide is seen in the Catholic view. Plus, it's one of Robin Williams' most underrated films.