Movies Like Francesco (1989)

Francesco is a 1989 drama, history film from Liliana Cavani with a MovieMagicScore of 6.5/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Brother Sun, Sister Moon and Francis of Assisi.

Drama History

Brother Sun, Sister Moon

1972

In his delirium from his return from war, Francesco Bernardone goes back in his memories to the days when he lived for parties and carnal pleasures. He slowly recovers, but after the illness he is no longer the Francesco that everybody knew. Instead of spending hours in taverns, he meditates on the beauty of God's creatures, soon renouncing his riches and his family with plans to rebuild an abandoned church and his life.

7.0

MagicScore

Francis of Assisi

1961

In 13th century Italy, Francis Bernardone, the son of an Assisi merchant, renounces a promising army career in favor of a monastic life and starts his own religious order, sanctioned by the Pope.

7.6

MagicScore

Vision – From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen

2009

Hildegard von Bingen was truly a woman ahead of her time. A visionary in every sense of the word, this famed 12th-century Benedictine nun was a Christian mystic, composer, philosopher, playwright, poet, naturalist, scientist, physician, herbalist and ecological activist.

6.0

MagicScore

The Nativity Story

2006

Mary and Joseph make the hard journey to Bethlehem for a blessed event in this retelling of the Nativity story. This meticulously researched and visually lush adaptation of the biblical tale follows the pair on their arduous path to their arrival in a small village, where they find shelter in a quiet manger and Jesus is born.

6.9

MagicScore

The Ten Commandments

1956

Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.

7.8

MagicScore

The Greatest Story Ever Told

1965

From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ's life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.

6.4

MagicScore

Jesus

1979

Three and a half years of Jesus' ministry, as told in the Gospel of Luke.

8.3

MagicScore

The Case for Christ

2017

Based on the true story of an award-winning investigative journalist -- and avowed atheist -- who applies his well-honed journalistic and legal skills to disprove the newfound Christian faith of his wife... with unexpected, life-altering results.

6.9

MagicScore

Jesus

1999

Jesus, a carpenter living a simple life, discovers his destiny as the biblical Messiah.

6.7

MagicScore

#10

David

1997

A distinguished military leader whose reign was touched by great scandal, shocking betrayals and rousing victories. A simple shepherd boy chosen to be king, under the watchful eyes of prophet Samuel.

6.5

MagicScore

#11

God's Not Dead 2

2016

When a high school teacher is asked a question in class about Jesus, her reasoned response lands her in deep trouble and could expel God from the public square once and for all.

6.1

MagicScore

#12

Man of God

2021

Exiled unjustly, convicted without trial, slandered without cause. Man of God depicts the trials and tribulations of Saint Nektarios of Aegina, as he bears the unjust hatred of his enemies while preaching the Word of God.

7.0

MagicScore

#13

Marketa Lazarová

1967

Mikolás and his brother Adam end up with a young German hostage of noble blood during a robbery. While their clan prepares for the wrath of the German king, Mikolás is sent to pressure his neighbor Lazar into a defense pact. Persuasion fails and he abducts Lazar's daughter Marketa on the eve of her initiation as a nun in an act of vengeance.

7.7

MagicScore

#14

The Passion of Joan of Arc

1928

A classic of the silent age, this film tells the story of the doomed but ultimately canonized 15th-century teenage warrior. On trial for claiming she'd spoken to God, Jeanne d'Arc is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials. Initially bullied into changing her story, Jeanne eventually opts for what she sees as the truth. Her punishment, a famously brutal execution, earns her perpetual martyrdom.

8.0

MagicScore

#15

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

2023

When her family moves from New York City to New Jersey, an 11-year-old girl navigates new friends, feelings, and the beginning of adolescence.

7.2

MagicScore

#16

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

2018

Pennsylvania, 1993. After getting caught with another girl, teenager Cameron Post is sent to a conversion therapy center run by the strict Dr. Lydia Marsh and her brother, Reverend Rick, whose treatment consists in repenting for feeling “same sex attraction.” Cameron befriends fellow sinners Jane and Adam, thus creating a new family to deal with the surrounding intolerance.

6.9

MagicScore

#17

Fair Haven

2017

After a long stint in gay conversion therapy, James, a young piano prodigy, returns home to his family farm and his emotionally-distant father, Richard. After Richard pressures James to give up his music career and take over the farm, James agrees as a way to make up for his past. Soon, however, James finds himself face-to-face with a former lover, Charlie, who wants to help him turn away from his new beliefs and family expectations and follow his dreams of studying music.

6.3

MagicScore

#18

The Starling Girl

2023

17-year-old Jem Starling struggles with her place within her Christian fundamentalist community. But everything changes when her magnetic youth pastor Owen returns to their church.

6.3

MagicScore

#19

Kingdom of Heaven

2005

After his wife dies, a blacksmith named Balian is thrust into royalty, political intrigue and bloody holy wars during the Crusades.

7.0

MagicScore

#20

King of Kings

1961

Who is Jesus, and why does he impact all he meets? He is respected and reviled, emulated and accused, beloved, betrayed, and finally crucified. Yet that terrible fate would not be the end of the story.

7.2

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Francesco?

The top films similar to Francesco by MovieMagicScore are Brother Sun, Sister Moon (7.0), Francis of Assisi (7.6), Vision – From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen (6.0). Each shares drama/history themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Francesco worth watching?

Francesco holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.5/10 from 52 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Francesco?

Francesco (1989) is a drama, history film directed by Liliana Cavani, starring Mickey Rourke, Helena Bonham Carter, Andréa Ferréol.

Where can I find more recommendations like Francesco?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Brother Sun, Sister Moon Movies like Francis of Assisi Movies like Vision – From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen Movies like The Nativity Story Movies like The Ten Commandments Movies like The Greatest Story Ever Told

About movies like Francesco

This ranked list pairs Francesco (1989), a drama and history film from Liliana Cavani, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Mickey Rourke take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

← Back to Francesco