There are many films that use baptism and others that relate baptism themes:
1. Godfather (1972) Michael Rizzi’s baptism service is interspersed with the assassination of the heads of the five families. Michael Corleone stands as the child’s literal Godfather while simultaneously becoming the "Godfather" in the Cosa Nostra sense
2. Paper Chase (1973) The whole movie shows the "baptism under fire" potential law students go through to become one of the "community." As with early Christians who had a lot of work to do before being accepted, these students struggle with the new way of life and expectations at law school. The end of the movie suggests that some people find that going through such a baptism is a learning experience, but they don’t want to join the community because they see problems with it-or other things in life more valuable.
3. Forrest Gump (1987) In the opening sequence, the first thing we see is a feather dislodging from a dove flying overhead. The feather wafts along, almost alighting on several "acceptable" people, finally settling on Forrest, sitting on the bench, waiting for the bus. Mark 1:10, from this week’s Gospel: "…he saw…the Spirit descending like a dove on him."
4. Lion King, 1994 Simba is also called back to his baptism when the baboon takes him to the lagoon to show him his father. Simba sees the reflection of himself, saying that it isn’t his father, it’s just a reflection of himself. Rafiki says "Look Harder, he lives in you." When Simba looks again he hears the voice of his father saying: Simba, you have forgotten who you are, you are more than you have become, Remember who you are…" Great for reaffirmation of baptism vows.
5. The Apostle (1997) Devout Pentecostal preacher Eulis "Sonny" Dewey (Robert Duvall) of New Boston, Texas, has a lovely wife (Farrah Fawcett) and two children. But not only has Jessie been cheating on him with a younger minister, Horace (Todd Allen), she has pulled a few strings to gain control of his church. Sonny goes into a violent rage, attacking Horace with a bat during a softball game. With Horace in a coma, Sonny leaves town on a bus, headed east for a new life. He changes his name to E.F., baptizing himself as "The Apostle" to God. Arriving in the black community of Bayou Boutte, Louisiana, he meets Brother Blackwell (John Beasley) who helps him start anew. E.F. works as a garage mechanic and preaches on the streets and a local radio station owned by Elmo (Rich Dial). He leads the community in remodeling a rundown church and gains supporters as he seeks his own salvation
6. O Brother Where Art Thou (2000) . There are at least two references: A. The 3 escaped convicts come across the surreal sight of a group of people dressed in white, singing as they move mysteriously through the woods towards the river. They follow, to find the people lining up to be baptized. 2 of the friends rush into the water to be baptized. The first exclaims as he emerges from the water that the minister had told him that all his sins have been washed away. Even, he says, when he stole that pig for which he’d been convicted. "But you said you were innocent of that." "I lied…. and that’s been washed away too!!" The character shows a reformed character afterwards, including when he leaves money for the apple pie that his friends steal from a windowsill. B. At another point facing the hangman’s noose, Everett (George Clooney) prays for forgiveness and is miraculously saved by the flooding of the valley.