Rome is undoubtedly a lovely place with lots of wonders to offer. With that, it should not be surprising that there are many films about it. There are one too many that it could be overwhelming to look for a movie about it to see.
Well, worry not! We have looked through the dozens and dozens of films about Rome and picked out some of the best ones for this list. We compared ratings, flipped through reviews, and looked at nominations and awards. With that, we present you this list of the 13 best movies about Rome.
We hope you are ready because you are in for a long and fun ride today!
1. Gladiator (2000)
English 2h 35m IMDb
Ridley Scott
Stars: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen
Gladiator takes after the 1953 book by Daniel P. Mannix. It follows a Roman general that turned into a gladiator due to the ambitions of an emperor’s son. It shows how he gets back up and avenges the death of his loved ones and his emperor.
This film is ideal for those who want to see the culture of the ancient times of the eternal city. After all, it is a film renowned for bringing back the delight in the culture in the entertainment scene.
2. Roman Holiday (1953)
English, Italian, German 1h 58m IMDb
William Wyler
Stars: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert
Roman Holiday is one of the old ones on this list. Still, while it is old, it is also gold. The film follows a princess as she explores Rome and finds love along the way.
The film can be a good watch for those who want to see how the eternal city looked before. Roman Holiday will not only take you on a tour of Rome but also in time.
To top it all up, Ann, the crown princess, is played by the beloved Audrey Hepburn. Could a trip be any better than that?
3. The Great Beauty (2013)
Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese 2h 21m IMDb
Paolo Sorrentino
Stars: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli
This film is also known as La Grande Bellezza. It boasts the Best Foreign Language Film award from three renowned organizations; and dozens of recognitions from many others.
The film is about a writer who has spent most of his life jumping from one social event in Rome after another. Despite having a lavish life, it is an empty one at that. The film shows how he breaks away from his vicious cycles and soon finds the inspiration to write his next novel.
The film is ideal for those who want to see the social life in the eternal city.
4. Angels and Demons (2009)
English, Italian, Latin, French, Swiss German, German, Chinese, Spanish, Polish 2h 18m IMDb
Ron Howard
Stars: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer
As you might have guessed, this film takes after the book by Dan Brown. It is the second installment of the Robert Langdon films and follows the renowned Da Vinci Code.
The film follows Langdon as he solves a case involving the Catholic church and the Illuminati in the heart of Rome – the Vatican.
The film is an ideal watch for those interested in the religious part of the city. It does not only take the viewers through the reverent landmarks of the city, but it also does so in an exciting and thrilling way!
5. Bicycle Thieves (1948)
Italian, English, German 1h 29m IMDb
Vittorio De Sica
Stars: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lianella Carell
Bicycle Thieves, also known as Ladri di Biciclette, is about Antonio Ricci, a poor father living in Rome. One who is desperate to provide for his family. However, his means to do so is tied to his bike. The film shows how he goes all over the city in an attempt to get the bike back.
The setting of the film was post World War II Rome. With that, this film can be a great addition to a watchlist if you are interested in the history of the eternal city.
6. To Rome with Love (2012)
English, Italian 1h 52m IMDb
Woody Allen
Stars: Woody Allen, Penélope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg
This film is a romantic comedy that follows Hayley, Antonio, Leopoldo, and John as they find themselves in various wild and crazy predicaments in the eternal city.
To Rome with Love is an ideal watch for those who want or wish to visit Rome. This film puts the best places in the city on full display for all to see.
It can give its viewers a good idea of what the city offers its tourists and visitors. With that, it can also be a great watch to entice someone to come and tour Rome!
7. The First King (2019)
Latin 2h 3m IMDb
Matteo Rovere
Stars: Alessandro Borghi, Alessio Lapice, Fabrizio Rongione
The First King, also known as Birth of an Empire or Romulus v Remus, tells the story of two brothers, a prophecy, and the founding of Rome.
Some argue about how accurate and genuine the story of the two brothers is. Some consider the tale authentic, while others believe it to be a myth.
Either of the two, this film could be a good watch for those interested in the eternal city’s origin. Whether bona fide or a legend, the story of these two brothers is heavily tied to the city’s beginnings.
8. Barabbas (1961)
English 2h 17m IMDb
Richard Fleischer
Stars: Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Arthur Kennedy
Barabbas tells the story of the thief that got set free instead of Jesus Christ when Pontius Pilate asked the crowd whom he should release.
While many know of this story, we do not know what happened next. The film dabbles on just that. It imagines what happened to Barabbas after being released. It shows how he navigated through life and the impression Christ left on him.
This film is an ideal watch for those who want to get a glimpse of the eternal city’s culture and its religious affairs during the period.
9. The Eagle (2011)
English, Gaelic 1h 54m IMDb
Kevin Macdonald
Stars: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland
The Eagle is about a Roman soldier named Marcus Flavius Aquila and his quest to recover an eagle standard and his father’s honor.
The film tackles the disappearance of the Ninth Legion, a military unit whose records just suddenly disappeared after 120 AD.
There are several speculations regarding the unit’s disappearance, and the film uses one of the popular theories. With that, this film could be an ideal watch for someone interested in delving deep into Roman history and the case of the Roman legion.
10. Agora (2009)
English 2h 7m IMDb
Alejandro Amenábar
Stars: Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac
Agora tells the story of Hypatia, her challenging of the geocentric model, and the social unrest of the time.
The film contains many historical inaccuracies. However, the set of the film is said to be authentic to the time. It is a film you want to see if you want to get a glimpse of the culture of the time.
On the other hand, while critics point at the fallacies of the film, it is still an engaging watch. It is a film to consider if you only want something that will glue you to your sits.
11. An American in Rome (1954)
Rome, Lazio, Italy 1h 34m IMDb
Steno
Stars: Alberto Sordi, Maria Pia Casilio, Ilse Peterson
An American in Rome, also known as Un americano a Roma, is a comedy that tells the story of Ferdinando (Nando) Mericoni. He is a Roman born and raised on the soil of Rome but identifies as an American. The story follows him as he tries to reach his dream of getting to the U.S.
As this film is a comedy, it would be best for those who want some laughs and gags while touring the eternal city. On a more serious note, this film can give the audience a good idea of how Rome’s society was at that time.
12. Centurion (2010)
English, Gaelic 1h 37m IMDb
Neil Marshall
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko
Centurion is another film that takes on the disappearance of the Ninth Legion. However, this one takes a closer look at the possible happenings during the last days of the unit.
As we have said earlier, there are many speculations about why the group disappeared off the grid. Centurion is a film you want to consider adding to your watchlist if you want to start delving into the many theories about the disappearance.
The film is likely inaccurate, but it can kick-start your imagination from forming your own theories.
13. La Dolce Vita (1960)
Italian, English, French, German 2h 54m IMDb
Federico Fellini
Stars: Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimée
La Dolce Vita is a phrase that translates to mean the good life. A fitting title, as the film focuses on Marcello Rubini, a journalist looking for the sweet life in Rome. The film shows the good life in the city. However, it also gives a look at the flip side.
With the combination of the two, this film can be a thought-provoking watch you want to add to your list. On the other hand, this film is a drama-comedy. With that, it can also be a good watch for those looking for something to make them laugh and cry.
Final Words
Today, in this list of the 13 best movies about Rome, we showed you our top picks of films about the city. Whether you want a movie that shows the city’s beauty, the wonder of life there, or what it can offer, we hope this list helped you find the film for you today!
If you want more movies like these or films about other places, you might want to browse our other lists. We have plenty of movie recommendations just waiting for you to discover!
That will be all from us for now. We hope to see you around again, but for now, happy watching!