A Plethora of Catholic Movies Available on Netflix
July 10, 2010 by Patrick Madrid
Filed under Patrick's Blog
One of my Facebook Friends brought this to my attention today. Seems that Netflix, which our family uses almost exclusively to stream movies directly to our TV, carries a plethora of good Catholic movies. (Think of that scene in “The Three Amigos” when you say the word “plethora,” mkay?) If you use Netflix, here are some worthy Catholic titles to add to your queue:
A Hand of PeaceA Man for All SeasonsAfter the TruthDon MatteoFather of Mercy: The True Story of Venerable Don GnocchiFaustinaGod in ChinaInto Great SilenceJohn XXIIIKarol: The Pope, The ManLove is a ChoiceMaria GorettiOur Father’s PlanPadre Pio Between Heaven and EarthPaul VI: The Pope in the TempestPope Benedict XVARoad of HopeSaint AnthonySaint FrancisSaint RitaSaints and SoldiersSt. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the PoorSt. Teresa of AvilaThe 13th DayThe Jeweller’s ShopThe Miracle of MarcelinoThe Reluctant SaintThe Spiritual Exercises of St. IgnatiusThéresè
I am pretty sure catholics may have to stop using netflix due to the immoral content and because moral theology obliges us to not support it due to netflix’s support and creation of many bad things.
isn't "Saints and Soldiers" an LDS flic?
Hello fellow Catholics. My name is David Britt. My wife and I own http://www.piusmedia.com. It is a Catholic version of Netflix. We, too, were members of Netflix but struggled with the immoral content. 95% of the movies mentioned in this thread can be found on Piusmedia. In addition to Ignatius Press, we carry EWTN, St. Joseph's Communications, and Catholic-friendly Hollywood movies. Please check us out! If you decide to join, use code BVM1 to get 50% off your first month.
"St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor" is a wonderful movie with little relationship to the life of Dr. and Saint Giuseppe Moscati. I am reading his life in italian. A. There was no love interest with an Italian noblewoman. B. There was no close friend such as described in the movie. C. There especially was no reconciliation with with this friend such as described in the movie, with the doctor sitting at his desk at the same moment his body is being borne through the streets. IT IS A HUGE FABLE. And it seems to premissed on the notion that since all lives of the saints are fables, there is nothing wrong with using the life of an actual saint as a kind of framework for a tale of holiness and beauty. Bollandists take note!!!!
"Saints and Soldiers" isn't a Catholic title. It was made by Mormons, but nevertheless, a good movie.
I highly recommend "The Island" (Ostrov)a 2007 Russian movie on streaming Netflix about a Russian Orthodox monk. I found it through a Catholic Mother's blog and I loved it.
The Nativity Story is not a Catholic movie. It is the worst portrayal of the Blessed Mother that Hollywood has ever done. Don't waste your time.
And for family movies, I love Pixar's Up. The tenderness and love shown between the husband and wife in the opening scenes are just amazing.
As mentioned before, Molokai is GREAT and it's available to stream on Netflix (we're not talking about the Fr. Damien flick with Robin Williams narrating; I haven't seen it so I can't vouch for it)
I don't know if they have these movies but they are wonderful(most, not for children): Il Postino, Babette's Feast, Central Station; Life is Beautiful; The Boy in Striped Pajamas; Hotel Rwanda; Groundhog Day; Return to Me; Enchanted April; Return to Me, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Something the Lord has Made; Holes; Second Hand Lions (last two for children)
Here are some others that can be found on Netflix —
Karol: A Man Who Became Pope
The Nativity Story
Claire and Francis
The Cardinal
Mother Teresa
Padre Pio: Miracle Man
The Miracle of Our Lady Fatima
John of the Cross
Bernadette
The Song of Bernadette
The Terry Schiavo Story
St. Anthony
St. John Bosco: Mission To Love
The Robe
The Nun's Story
The Passion of The Christ
"Padre Pio: Between Heaven and Earth" is next to my DVD player right now in a bright red Netflix envelope. Can't wait to watch it!
I just saw The Tiger in the Snow with and by Roberto Benigni and I would recommend it.
Jair says:
they also carry the complete series of the Footprint of God – very recommended!
also:
in the presence of our Lord
Lost Gospels or False Gospels
Bishop Fulton Sheen (some)
Let's not forget "The Song of Bernadette", "The Bells of St Mary", "The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima"
Thank you so much for sharing this!!I'm so excited : ) I just started streaming from Netflix 2weeks ago.I can't believe they have all these Catholic movies!I'm going there now to queue these up!
It also has "Becket" availabe to watch online.
molokai: the story of Fr. damien is also great movie and also the mission starring jeremy irons and robert de niro as jesuit missionaries in south america
Two Catholics movies that were not mentioned:
Brideshead Revisited is available as is Kristin Lavransdatter. I have seen the first, the long version, and it is very well done, although not as good as the book. The second I have not watched yet as I am waiting until I finish the book. I hear that it is a beautiful movie and won many awards. I am anxious to see it.
If you don’t mind subtitles (it’s black-and-white and in French), “Diary of a Country Priest” is also an excellent and thoroughly Catholic movie.
To Shelley and others: I think the Ss Francis and Clare movie is "Brother Sun, Sister Moon". It is good – Italian dubbed in English I think.
What about "Becket" and "Going My Way?"
Super cool! What a timely post. We just got Netflix. Now I have a convenient list and we can watch something in addition to Sponge Bob and Doctor Who. 🙂
Oh and they have Veggie Tales. Not Catholic specifically, but good Bible stories for the smallest of us.
Although, in "Harry Poole is Here," comedian George Lopez did a great (and respectful) job playing the priest.
"I like these guys. These are funny guys. Kill just one of them!"–the three amigos. One of my favorite silly movies. I second the Footprints of God series with Steve Ray. It's a great series.
I HIGHLY RECCOMEND "BELLA"
>>Another I would recommend and portrays Catholics very well is "Henry Poole is here"
I wouldn't say it portrays Catholics very well. I would say it doesn't make fun of Catholics for the whole movie.
Hey thanks for posting this, Patrick. I recently watched "A Man For All Seasons" on Netflix…what a GREAT movie.
oh, there are a ton of great Catholic movies on Netflix. when i go through my Ignatius press catalog i check the movies against the netflix titles.
there are 4 Padre Pio movies. and the "Francis and Clare" movie, off the top of my head.
While not mentioning the word "Catholic", and being a bit raw, the movie "Ink" is an incredible story of what is at the heart of Catholicism.
LOVED Grand Turino!! What!? The Blues Brothers is not included??
Another I would recommend and portrays Catholics very well is "Henry Poole is here"
Oh! How about "The Mission" with Robert De Niro? Love that movie! Beautiful soundtrack too.
Another great one is Alfred Hitchcock's "I Confess" – the main character is a priest who won't break the seal of the confessional…AND he's the good guy! Very refreshing these days.
Amen to Gran Torino — the biggest Jesus movie since TPOTC.
Although it was never marketed as a religious film, I would vote for Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino"–the perservering priest and the reluctant hero.
We recently watched: Molakai:The Story of Father Damien. Very nicely done. Had Peter O'Toole in it for goodness sake!
I don't usually comment on these, but one mentioned on Catholic Radio a while back that can be viewed instantly is: "Ostrov(the Island)" and though it is in russian, it is very beautiful and i think the best movie of 2007!
It is astounding how irrelevant this list is to the overall culture.
Wizards, vampires and werewolves are ruling the day (and night) and our Catholic youth (and adults) are almost completely possessed by the spirit of the times.
Well, at least we have Mel Gibson.
Oh, crud…
Many of these titles bring up other good Catholic selections too when Netflix suggests similar titles. Check the pop up boxes for finding fine Catholic "wheat" among the other less desirable "chaff". I also found Steve Ray's "Footprints of God" series and selections by Fr. Benedict Groeschel and Dr. Scott Hahn. Patrick, are you on Netflix too? 🙂
Thank you Patrick for the good list, another one on Netflix available on instant view is "Celebration of Catholicism".
Also Hitchcock's "I Confess"
If you are Ingmar Bergman fan, "The Virgin Spring" is powerful, also the classic "The Seventh Seal" – both unusual films, but compelling. Both have Max von Sydow who has played Jesus and an Exorcist.
The Gospel of John is also fantastic.
Wow! What an awesome list! I have only seen 3 of these.