11 Best Movies Like Gladiator That Worth Watching

Movies like Gladiator give us a historic look at what life was like during the rise of the Roman Empire. If you’re a fan of this movie, you’ve probably watched it a dozen times or more. If you like movies in this genre, here are 11 more of the best movies like Gladiator to binge-watch on Netflix.

Gladiator is one of the best action movies ever made. It was released in 2000 and was directed by Ridley Scott. The movie features Russell Crowe as a Roman general who becomes a slave and then returns to Rome seeking revenge.

It is certainly one of the best movies to watch if you want to see a story about a man who fights for his family name and honor. It’s a story about Maximus (Russell Crowe), a general who becomes a slave after his family is murdered by Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).

Maximus must fight in an arena for the entertainment of the emperor until he sees an opportunity to get revenge. When the time is right, he challenges Commodus to a fight to the death.

The movie is visually stunning and has amazing action scenes. It was nominated for 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Best Supporting Actor (Oliver Reed), Best Supporting Actress (Connie Nielsen), Best Director (Ridley Scott), and Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material (David Franzoni, John Logan).

This movie has action, drama, love, and betrayal all rolled into one awesome package. If you haven’t seen it yet, hopefully, this list will help you find other movies like Gladiator that you’ll enjoy watching!

11 Of The Best Movies Like Gladiator

1. Spartacus (2004)

English 2h 54m IMDb
movies like Gladiator Spartacus (2004)

Stars: Goran Visnjic, Alan Bates, Angus Macfadyen

Spartacus is a movie about a slave uprising led by Spartacus (played by Goran Visnjic) against the Roman Empire. The film follows Spartacus as he rises through the ranks of gladiatorial combat before becoming one of Rome’s most notorious rebels.

The film offers plenty of action scenes and fight sequences, as well as an exciting storyline that keeps you on your toes throughout the entire runtime. If you’re looking for another movie like Gladiator but with a slightly different tone and setup, then you may have another favorite.

This movie is a remake of the original 1960s movie of the same name. In the original version directed by Stanley Kubrick, Kirk Douglas portrays Spartacus, and Crassus is portrayed by screen legend Laurence Olivier. The movie was filmed in the beautiful city of Sofia, Bulgaria.


2. Ben Hur (2016)

English 2h 3m IMDb
movie like Gladiator Ben Hur (2016)

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Stars: Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Rodrigo Santoro

This epic movie is based on the book Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace. The story follows Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is betrayed and sent into slavery by his adopted brother Messala, who has become a Roman officer.

After returning to Jerusalem, Ben-Hur falls in love with Esther but is forced to flee after refusing to help Messala during his military campaign.

He later returns to fight in the chariot races at the Circus Maximus in Rome. The new film stars Jack Huston as Judah Ben-Hur, Toby Kebbell as Messala, Morgan Freeman as Sheik Ilderim, and Nazanin Boniadi as Esther/Miriam.

If you love Gladiator, you’ll love this film. The Ben Hur remake is a great movie to watch when you’re in the mood for some action and adventure. It’s set during the Roman Empire, so there’s plenty of fighting, drama, and chariot races to keep you hooked. See the Official Trailer.


3. The 13th Warrior (1999)

English 1h 42m IMDb
Gladiator like movies The 13th Warrior (1999)

Director: John McTiernan, Michael Crichton(reshoots)

Stars: Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Dennis Storhøi

The 13th Warrior is a 1999 American action-adventure fantasy film directed by John McTiernan and starring Antonio Banderas as Ahmad ibn Fadlan. The story follows an Arab traveler who must join a band of Vikings to combat a tribe of monsters that plague their kingdom.

The movie takes place in 9th century Norway, with Banderas as a member of a group of 12 warriors traveling with Arab slave girl Asra (Juliette Binoche). The movie has a strong atmosphere that resembles Gladiator at times while also being unique in its own right.

The movie was directed by John McTiernan. He also directed Die Hard and Predator, so you know this is going to be an action-packed adventure full of explosions and sword fights. The cinematography is beautiful too — it’s hard not to get lost in all those sweeping shots of Norway’s snowy landscapes and blue skies. See the Official Trailer.


4. Braveheart (1995)

English 2h 58m IMDb

Gladiator like movie Braveheart (1995)

Director: Mel Gibson

Stars: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan

Braveheart is another one of those classic films that deserves mentioning when talking about great historical epic films.

This movie tells the story of William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson), who led an uprising against English rule over Scotland during the 13th century. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for director Mel Gibson.

This movie tells the story of William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson), who led an uprising against English rule over Scotland during the 13th century. The exciting battle scene at the end will leave you breathless, and there is a beautiful soundtrack that makes it easy to get lost in the story.

Both Gladiator and Braveheart feature epic battles between small groups of men fighting against overwhelming odds, with plenty of bloodshed and gore along the way! If you enjoyed Gladiator’s bloody battles, Braveheart does not disappoint. See the Official Trailer.


5. Rob Roy (1995)

English 2h 19m IMDb
movies similar to Gladiator Rob Roy (1995)

Director: Michael Caton-Jones

Stars: Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt

The Rob Roy story is one of the most famous legends in Scotland. It tells how Robert Roy MacGregor fought against the British government to preserve his family’s honor and freedom. His life inspired many films, such as Braveheart (1995).

Set in the 1700s in the Scottish Highlands, Rob Roy tries to better the lives of his family and countrymen by borrowing money from the rich nobility to buy cattle to take to market. Before the cattle can be purchased, the money is stolen, leaving him with no way to repay the loan. Rob then becomes an outlaw to defend his family and his honor.

Gladiator and Rob Roy are both historical epics that depict the lives of fearless warriors. Both films have a similar style, with sweeping shots of epic battles and heroic characters. The main character in both movies is also a strong leader who fights for freedom against an oppressive ruler. See the Official Trailer.


6. Troy (2004)

English 2h 43m IMDb
movie similar to Gladiator Troy (2004)

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Stars: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom

Brad Pitt plays Achilles in Troy, which is based on Homer’s Iliad, and Eric Bana plays Hector in the movie.

The movie depicts the Trojan War, a war that lasted ten years and resulted in the deaths of many warriors, including Achilles and Hector. The war began when Queen Helen of Sparta decided to leave her husband and marry the younger Paris.

The Princes of Troy had negotiated a peace treaty with Menelaus of Sparta. Unbeknownst to Prince Hector, Paris had been having an affair with Menelaus’ wife and had snuck her onboard their ship bound for home.

Menelaus, Helen’s husband and king of Sparta, asks his brother King Agamemnon to help him defeat the Trojan army and take back his wife.  Paris’ family has no idea that Helen is the Queen of Sparta, or that she left her husband for him. They welcome her into their family with open arms.  Agamemnon sends his best warrior, Achilles, to kill Hector. See the Official Trailer.


7. 300 (2006)

English 1h 57m IMDb
Gladiator similar movies 300 (2006)

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham

300  refers to the number of Greek soldiers who stood their ground against the Persian king and his army. The film stars Gerard Butler as King Leonidas, the Spartan leader who leads 300 men into battle against the Persian “god-king” Xerxes I (Rodrigo Santoro), and features Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham, and Michael Fassbender in supporting roles.

The Battle of Thermopylae was the inspiration for the plot of the movie, which takes place between Greece and Persia. Malta, Namibia, and New Zealand were the locations filmed in the movie.

The story behind 300 is very similar to Gladiator: It’s about a small band of warriors fighting against overwhelming odds and winning through might and courage alone.

The film follows King Leonidas as he leads 300 Spartans against thousands of Persian soldiers at Thermopylae in 480 B.C., where they held off attackers for two days before falling.  See the Official Trailer.


8. Pompeii (2014)

English 1h 45m IMDb
Gladiator similar movie Pompeii (2014)

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Stars: Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Kiefer Sutherland

Paul W.S. Anderson, known for his work on Resident Evil, directed this movie, which premiered on November 21st, 2014. The star cast includes Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix), Emily Browning (Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword), Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield), and Kiefer Sutherland (24).

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried Pompeii and the neighboring town of Herculaneum under tons of ash and lava after destroying the city with a multitude of flaming fireballs.

While the story of Pompeii is best known for the volcanic eruption, the film focuses on the life of a slave-turned-gladiator named Milo and a beautiful woman he falls in love with.

The similarities to Gladiator are epic battle scenes, heroic characters, and strong performances from their lead actors (Kit Harrington as Milo and Kiefer Sutherland as Proculus). If you like Gladiator but don’t want to watch it again, then check out Pompeii instead! See the Official Trailer.


9. Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

English 2h 24m IMDb
best movies like Gladiator Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Director: Ridley Scott

Stars: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson

The Kingdom of Heaven is a 2005 epic film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, and Jeremy Irons. The film takes place during the time of the Third Crusade when two Christian knights are on a mission to defeat Saladin, who is threatening Jerusalem.

The film is about a man who fights for justice at a time when there is little to be found. Orlando Bloom plays Balian, a blacksmith who becomes a knight after an invading army murders his father. As he tries to protect his people from the invaders, he becomes involved in the religious conflicts that plagued Jerusalem at the time.

Balian falls in love with Sibylla (Eva Green), King Baldwin IV’s sister, who will inherit his throne. See the Official Trailer.


10. The Last Samurai (2003)

English 2h 34m IMDb
best movie like Gladiator The Last Samurai (2003)

Director: Edward Zwick

Stars: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly

The Last Samurai follows Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), who is hired by the Emperor of Japan to train his army. After being defeated in battle, he gets captured by the samurai Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) who takes him to his house.

As time goes by, he becomes friends with Katsumoto and begins fighting alongside him until he realizes that they are no longer necessary in this new age of warfare and decides to help him win back his land from the Emperor’s forces

The Last Samurai is an epic film with plenty of action, drama, and romance. The cinematography is beautiful and tells the story of a man who embraces a culture that is not his own and becomes a hero.

The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, and won the title of “Movie of the Year.” It features top-notch performances from Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe (who won an Academy Award for his role), and Timothy Spall. See the Official Trailer.


11. King Arthur (2004)

English 2h 6m IMDb
new movies like Gladiator King Arthur (2004)

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Stars: Clive Owen, Stephen Dillane, Keira Knightley

The 2004 movie version of King Arthur tells a different story of Arthur as a Sarmatian officer instead of the familiar medieval knight. In this version, Arthur and his knights fight for freedom from an evil ruler. There are sword fights, and epic battles to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Like in Gladiator, the hero of this movie is a soldier who becomes a leader. He defeats the Saxons and becomes King of Britain. The movie stars Clive Owen as King Arthur and Keira Knightley as Guinevere, who both have strong roles in this story about loyalty, love, and betrayal.

The film also features Jude Law as Lancelot and Ioan Gruffudd as Merlin, who both help King Arthur on his quest for glory. See the Official Trailer.

Summay

This list of 11 of the best movies, like Gladiator, includes some recent releases and classics based on Roman history. You’ll also see plenty of swordplay and epic battles between good and evil. If you’re into historical dramas with lots of action, you’ll love these great movies.

Movies Like Gladiator That Worth Watching

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