Being the only Christian nation in Asia and the home to over 70 million Roman Catholics, the Philippines is where you can see a significant number of people religiously observing the Holy Week. From Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, different Filipino Lenten celebrations and traditions can be seen in every corner all throughout the week.

For the most part of the week, processions and masses are held. Several rituals are also done through which people reflect on the sacrifices of the Son of God to save mankind. These practices include the Palaspas, Pabasa, Sinakulo, Visita Iglesia, Siete Palabras, Penitensya, and Salubong.

During the Easter Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday), establishments are closed, students don’t have to go to school, and the adults don’t have to go to work. While a good number of Filipinos spend the whole week participating in different events, some prefer to stay home. And during this time, parents usually have their kids watch films that help deepen one’s faith in the Lord.

Top Movies to Watch for the Holy Week

Here are eight of the best movies to watch for the Holy Week that will get you closer to the very reason we observe this week-long holiday.

1. The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Local TV stations often air this during the Holy Week, so you’ve probably seen this a few times, but that does not mean you can’t again. After all, it is the perfect film to watch if you want to know more about Jesus and His sacrifices.

Released in 2004 and directed by Mel Gibson, The Passion of the Christ details everything that happened during the final twelve hours of Jesus’s life. While the violence in the film might not be a scene children could feast on, it nevertheless remains one of the best movies for the Holy Week and one that just cannot be missed.

2. Himala (lit. Miracle, 1982)

Another masterpiece that is worth every second of your time, Himala is a 1982 film about a young woman (played by Nora Aunor) that engages in faith healing in an isolated village, a practice she started after seeing an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Almost four decades since its release, Himala is still one of the best Filipino movies, and Aunor’s performance in the film remains her best. Himala‘s popularity and the critical acclaim sends it to the top of the list of Filipino cult films.

3. Son of God (2014)

Son of God is a 2014 film that tells the life story of Jesus from his birth through the time he starts teaching. The film also covers the Son of God’s crucifixion and eventual resurrection. The film’s plot is enough reason for you to watch it on a holiday that gives emphasis on the Lord’s sacrifices.

4. Heaven Is for Real (2014)

While it is not a film that shows the crucifixion of Jesus or his resurrection, Heaven Is for Real is nothing short of an amazing film worth watching this Holy Week.

Based on real-life events, Heaven Is for Real is about a young boy who meets God as he undergoes surgery. And now a father is determined to share his son’s story to the world and spread message of faith, hope, and love.

5. Miracles from Heaven (2016)

Also based on a true story and certainly one of the best movies to watch for the Holy Week, Miracles from Heaven is a 2016 film that tells the incredible story of the Beam family from Texas, United States. It’s about the 10-year-old girl named Anna who is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, putting her family’s faith to test. After Anna gets into a freak accident and later encounters God, the Beam family receives a miracle that turns their life around.

6. God’s Not Dead (2014)

A film about faith, God’s Not Dead revolves around a dogmatic professor who starts his class by having his students repudiate in writing the existence of God. The argumentative professor is challenged when he meets a student who refuses to do the task, as it contradicts his beliefs.

7. Makiusap Ka sa Diyos (lit. Make a Plea to God, 1991)

This powerful 1991 film is about a nun who is raped and gets pregnant and had to face cruel punishments for it. She eventually quits her job and decides to marry a man. The woman’s faith is further tested when she later discovers that the man she married is the one who raped her.

Starring Ruffa Gutierrez and Christopher de Leon, Makiusap Ka sa Diyos is one of the best movies to watch for the Holy Week for the sole reason that it makes you realize a lot of things about faith and forgiveness.

Sure, a two-hour film is not enough to change your beliefs, but it pays to open our mind and heart to the stories that helped shape the world we live in now.