Must-Watch Animated Musical on Netflix: Trending Biblical Films Highlight This Classic Before It Exits the Streaming Service

Currently, a selection of Biblical-themed films is gaining traction on Netflix, prompting viewers to revisit the beloved animated classic The Prince of Egypt before its upcoming departure from the platform. The appeal of Biblical narratives tends to surge during the holiday season, with many families returning to both animated and live-action adaptations that reflect their faith and traditions. Although The Prince of Egypt is not specifically a Christmas movie, it serves as an excellent choice for fans of these other Biblical films. However, time is of the essence, as it will soon leave Netflix.

As of this moment, films such as The Star and Mary are trending on Netflix, both telling tales related to the Christian Nativity narrative. The Star, released in 2017, is an animated feature that follows a donkey named Bo and his friends as they embark on a journey towards the birthplace of Jesus, guided by the titular star. Meanwhile, Netflix’s upcoming live-action film, Mary, offers a different perspective, focusing on the experiences of the mother of Jesus as she faces challenges and persecution stemming from her miraculous pregnancy.

The Acclaimed Animated Musical The Prince of Egypt Is Leaving Netflix Soon

Mark Your Calendars: December 31, 2024

A standout entry in the genre of Biblical films is DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt, released in 1998. This animated musical portrays the life of Moses as depicted in the Book of Exodus. The narrative follows Moses, who discovers his Jewish heritage, escapes Egypt, and ultimately returns to liberate his people from his brother Ramses. While the film takes creative liberties, it remarkably maintains fidelity to the essence of the Biblical story.

Often hailed as one of DreamWorks’ finest visual achievements, The Prince of Egypt is notable for being one of the studio’s rare hand-drawn animated films. The film is also enriched by a stellar voice cast, featuring the talents of Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Sandra Bullock, Patrick Stewart, and many others. Additionally, the film’s musical score contributes significantly to its charm, leading to a successful stage adaptation. However, viewers should be aware that The Prince of Egypt will be leaving Netflix on December 31, 2024, so now is the time to enjoy it.

A Comparison Between The Star and The Prince of Egypt

Examining Their Stories, Casts, & Accuracy

While The Star and The Prince of Egypt have their differences, they share a common foundation in the realm of animated Biblical adaptations. Primarily, their divergence lies in the narratives they select to depict: The Prince of Egypt draws from the Book of Exodus, whereas The Star introduces original characters into the nativity scene. Critically, The Prince of Egypt outshines The Star with a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 80% compared to The Star’s score of 45%.

Similar to The Prince of Egypt, The Star boasts an impressive voice cast, including talents such as Steven Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key, and Oprah Winfrey. However, this film takes significant liberties with its source material, emphasizing anthropomorphic animal characters that do not appear in the Biblical accounts. Despite being less acclaimed, The Star remains a worthy pick for those seeking additional animated Biblical films.

A Fresh Take with Netflix’s Mary

Exploring Netflix’s Live-Action Biblical Adaptation

In contrast to The Star, Netflix’s new release Mary diverges even more from The Prince of Egypt, as it presents a live-action narrative with a markedly more serious tone. While Mary retains a connection to Biblical themes, its cast is less recognizable, focusing on relatively obscure talent compared to the other films discussed.

Nonetheless, audiences who appreciate Mary might also find The Prince of Egypt to be an excellent follow-up viewing choice. Both films target similar demographics, despite their differing approaches and tones in storytelling.

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