Top 10 Depictions of God in Film
These performances were just divine. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 portrayals of God in movies. For this list, we're restricting our choices to portrayals of a Christian-like God. While some of the characters on our list are mere imposters or stand-ins for God, we're letting their heavenly performances onto our countdown.
Special thanks to our users Andrew A. Dennison, jwiking62 and Martin Kyslinger for submitting this idea through our suggestions tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comSuggest
Top 10 Depictions of God in Film
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These performances were just divine. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 portrayals of God in movies. For this list, we’re restricting our choices to portrayals of a Christian-like God. While some of the characters on our list are mere imposters or stand-ins for God, we’re letting their heavenly performances on our countdown.
#10: Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf “Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV” (2000)
Though his part in this spoof superhero movie is more of a cameo, Hank plays an angry, loincloth-wearing God who’s only allowed a select few into that great paradise in the sky during his time as the Supreme Being. While he was probably best known as a frequent guest star on Howard Stern’s radio show, Hank’s portrayal of a bad-tempered God worked in this wacky indie flick – although it wasn’t exactly typical.
#9: Whoopi Goldberg “A Little Bit of Heaven” (2011)
She’s played the creator of the universe before in “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” but Whoopi also played God in this romantic comedy. After Kate Hudson is diagnosed with terminal colon cancer, God visits her to grant her three wishes and to let her know that Heaven isn’t all that bad. While the movie itself was slammed by critics, many agreed that Whoopi made a decent deity – even if she seemed more like a genie.
#8: Ralph Richardson “Time Bandits” (1981)
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We can’t think of a better casting choice than a mature, Shakespearean actor to play God. In this Terry Gilliam classic, a young boy accompanies a group of dwarves as they travel through time with help from a magical map. When the Supreme Being finally appears to the troupe in his true form, he’s portrayed as a rigid administrative type. Dressed as a dapper businessman, the God of the “Time Bandits” universe is also wise, all-knowing, and able to offer valuable advice on the necessity of evil.
#7: Will Ferrell “Superstar” (1999)
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When he wasn’t busy playing Sky Corrigan, the object of Mary Katherine Gallagher’s affections, Ferrell was appearing to this devotedly Catholic schoolgirl as Jesus in the SNL spinoff. Dressed just the way you’d expect, this groovy version of the lord comes to Mary as a vision after she prays to him for help in getting her first kiss from the cutest boy in school. The Holy One in this case is a composite character constructed by Mary’s imagination, but he’s also mellow and super into being a celebrity.
#6: Alanis Morissette “Dogma” (1999)
Although Alan Rickman portrays the Voice of God, Metatron, it’s the Canadian singer-songwriter who offers up one of the most unlikely movie portrayals of God ever in this Kevin Smith comedy. Portrayed for the majority of the movie as an old homeless man who loves skee ball, the image of God in this film is turned on its head when He is eventually depicted as a woman. As God, Alanis is mostly silent – until she shows up and works some miracles.
#5: George Murdock “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier” (1989)
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Spock’s half-brother, Sybok, is searching the galaxy for a supreme being and needs the Enterprise to do it. He uses the ship and its crew to reach Sha Ka Ree, the planet where all life began and where he believes God can be found. But when they arrive at the fabled planet, they find a god-like figure who’s interested in taking over the starship and taking out his anger in a decidedly un-god-like way. This higher power turns out not to be so powerful after all.
#4: Graham Chapman “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975)
Each of the Monty Python guys played many different characters in one of their biggest films ever; but Chapman’s portrayal of a snippy and grumpy God was a short but hilarious part of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail. This version of the Supreme Being stops Arthur to remind him what his quest is all about, but not before telling him and his friends to stop groveling. Wow, he’s one difficult deity.
#3: Charlton Heston “The Ten Commandments” (1956)
This actor had quite a bit of experience playing biblical characters during his long career, but Heston’s best portrayal of His Holiness came through his breakout role in this ‘50s religious film about the life of Moses. Though it’s been debated that Heston actually provided the voice of the Burning Bush, his booming voice fit the part like a glove. Sure, his commanding presence could be considered a bit over the top, but it’s too good to ignore.
#2: George Burns “Oh, God!” (1977)
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At over 80-years-old, this comedy icon played a pretty average Joe-looking but likeable God, who acts as a companion to John Denver’s Jerry Landers in this late ‘70s comedy. God arrives in the film to choose Jerry – a grocery store assistant manager – as the one to spread his gospel everywhere he goes. Jerry accepts his challenge, but not without it getting himself sued for slander. But fortunately, god shows up in court to prove everyone wrong. Before we honor our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - Richard Provost & Linda Gary “Switch” (1991) - Rex Ingram “The Green Pastures” (1936) - Steve Coogan “24 Hour Party People” (2002) - Maurice Roëves “The Acid House” (1998) - Richard Pryor “In God We Tru$t” (1980)
#1: Morgan Freeman “Bruce Almighty” (2003)
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Who better to top our list than the “Voice of God” himself? Playing a good-humored and somewhat ordinary version of God, the king of voiceovers has to deal with Jim Carrey’s character as an unlucky TV reporter who thinks he can do God’s job better than him. Thanks to the dozens of complaints Bruce throws at him, Freeman flips the script and lets him walk in his shoes for a week. After all, even god needs a vacation. Do you agree with our list? Whose portrayal of God is your favorite? With new top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
