Withthe passing of Pope Francison Easter Monday, we’ve been thinking about just how much the Catholic faith is represented in cinema. Many of the greatest directors were raised Catholic; there are simply too many to mention, but the obvious ones include Martin Scorsese, Frank Capra, Roberto Rossellini, John Ford, Robert Bresson, Paul Schrader, and Álex de la Iglesia. The epic themes of Catholicism (from suffering, sacrifice, and guilt to faith, love, and redemption) are infused in many of the greatest films ever made. Some of those are included in this list of the best Catholic films, but our list is mainly focused on the movies throughout history which have best reflected not only the themes of Catholicism but its actual history, practices, and figures.
‘Corpus Christi’ (2019)
Corpus Christiis an odd film. It has the premise of a slapstick comedy (and a borderline offensive one at that), but it’s based on an actually true story. And while the movie certainly has humor, it takes its vision of redemption, community, and faith very seriously. The quietly funny thriller follows a young man who has a spiritual conversion to Catholicism while in prison for second-degree murder; upon his release, he stumbles into becoming a priest thanks to an opportune lie. His faith-driven obsession into a recent tragedy, however, threatens to expose him as an impostor.
‘Conclave’ (2024)
Cardinal Lawrence leads the secretive papal election at the Vatican, where he uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that could destabilize the Church’s foundation as leaders gather from around the world.
A surprise hit, the Oscar-nominated filmConclaveis more relevant than ever after the passing of Pope Francis. The film chronicles the conclave to elect a new pope after the current pope dies. The political wheeling and dealing of the conclave exposes secrets and desires among the various cardinals, and the dean of the College of the Cardinals must navigate difficult territory to select the right successor. An all-star cast (Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini) give their all in adapting an excellent (and Oscar-winning) script from Edward Berger in this fascinating film about politics, faith, and doubt.
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‘Lourdes’ (2009)
Jessica Hausner deviates from her usually cold, unsettling narratives with the genuinely moving and gently affecting film,Lourdes. Following one of the many pilgrimages that Catholics and others make to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in the French town, the film focuses mainly on a quiet young woman with multiple sclerosis and her volunteer helper as they make the trek. Sylvie Testud and Léa Seydoux are subtly brilliant as two women balancing belief and doubt as they (and many others) seek a miracle. Hausner’s style is still minimalistic and aloof, but in a very Bressonian turn, that only serves to make its ending all the more powerful.
‘Dogma’ (1999)
Yes,Dogmawas protested by Catholics and absolutely has fun with the religion’s rich history and lore, but it’s a much less offensive film than people realize; if God being physically portrayed by a woman (Alanis Morissette, no less) offends you, then that’s your issue, not the film’s. Kevin Smith’s epic comedy actually balances its irreverence with genuine reverence, showcasing the director’s knowledge of religion and his love for its highest ideals. The movie chronicles the quest of a ragtag group of humans, prophets, and angels to stop the apocalypse. Chris Rock, Jason Lee, Salma Hayek, Linda Fiorentino, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, George Carlin, Bud Cort, Alan Rickman, and many others are all very funny in this better-than-you-remember film.
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‘The Song of Bernadette’ (1943)
The Song of Bernadette
The Song of Bernadette, released in 1943, chronicles the experiences of Bernadette, a young peasant girl in 1858 Lourdes, France, who claims to see a vision. The film explores the varied reactions from townspeople, government officials, and the church as the phenomenon impacts the community.
The beautiful and simple filmThe Song of Bernadettetells the story of Saint Bernadette Soubirous and her visions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, and the community of doubters and believers around her. Based on the real story and the extremely popular 1941 book, the film is elevated by a transcendent, hypnotic performance from Oscar-winning star Jennifer Jones (who was nominated for four Oscars in the 1940s alone). She has the perfect mixture of innocence, confidence, and confusion to master the role, and is downright radiant here.
‘Nazarín’ (1959)
Luis Buñuel incorporated Catholicism into many of his masterpieces, though he usually did so in harshly critical and hilariously sacrilegious ways (L’Age d’Or, Viridiana). During his Mexican period, though, Buñuel allowed himself to be sentimental and genuine, and one of the masterpieces that resulted was his 1959 film,Nazarín. The film follows a priest who is truly living a Christlike life and what happens when he tries to help a sex worker who has committed murder.Simon of the Desertis another wonderful Buñuel film entrenched in the Catholic tradition (perhaps even more so), and is an incredible film worth watching, but it lacks the emotional power and authenticity ofNazarín.
‘Saint Maud’ (2019)
Saint Maud
Saint Maud follows Maud, a pious and reclusive nurse, who becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her new patient, Amanda, a retired dancer grappling with terminal illness. Directed by Rose Glass, this psychological horror delves into themes of faith, salvation, and the fine line between devotion and madness. As Maud’s mission intensifies, her grip on reality begins to slip, leading to a gripping and unsettling climax.
Catholicism has always had a special relationship with the horror genre, largely thanks to its real history with exorcisms and its very cinematic symbols.Saint Maudis one of the greatestCatholic horror movies, and it’s not even explicitly about exorcisms; it takes the twisted Catholic visions of William Blake and Heironymous Bosch (and the Christian Atheism of Thomas Altizer) and uses them to create a warped character study that’s utterly unforgettable. Morfydd Clark leads Rose Glass' feature debut and is disturbingly committed to the role of a psychologically broken woman who becomes the live-in nurse of a debauched former dancer, believing she can convert her.What follows inSaint Maudis terrifying, sad, and theologically profound.
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Like Martin Scorsese,filmmaker Abel Ferraraoften incorporated Catholic themes into his crime narratives, none more so than his 1992 masterpiece,Bad Lieutenant. The film follows a (very) lapsed Catholic who is investigating the horrible sexual assault of a nun. While Bad Lieutenant chronicles that police investigation, it is more focused on the utterly debauched lifestyle of its titular character, played by Harvey Keitel in one of the greatest performances of all time. The film is a study of iniquity and guilt, sin and redemption, and while it’s not an easy watch, it’s an overwhelmingly powerful religious film. Ferrara’s filmPadre Piois an excellent faith-driven drama as well.
‘A Hidden Life’ (2019)
A Hidden Life
Terrence Malick is one of those directors who infuse their films with spirituality in a way that’s hard to describe; movies likeThe Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life,andThe New World, while not explicitly about religion, feel like they’re being told from the perspective of God. There’s a transcendent poetry to his aesthetic, which is a perfect fit for the story of Franz Jägerstätter, a farmer who refused to swear the oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler. He relies on his personal spiritual relationship with the divine through his arrest and beyond in this beautiful epic.
‘The Flowers of St. Francis’ (1950)
Roberto Rossellini’sThe Flowers of St. Francistakes the iconic anthology about the life and sayings of Francis of Assisi (Little Flowers of St. Francis) and turns it into an authentic meditation on the Franciscan order (from which Pope Francis took his name). Historically accurate, quietly funny in places, and supremely simple, like its subject himself,The Flowers of St. Francisis a beautiful portrait of the saint and his followers. It’s both an ode to nature and to the simple life, with gorgeous black and white cinematography.
