Top 5 Gladiator Movies to Watch While Waiting for Paul Mescal’s Epic Drama
How often do you think about the Roman Empire?
The trailer for Gladiator II is already out, and we’re all amazed by the grandeur it promises. The sequel of Ridley Scott ’s classic will be released only in November, but we have a perfect list for those fans who are already dreaming of traveling to Rome.
Here are 5 best movies about gladiators, ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
5. Centurion (2010) - 60% on RT
First comes quite a controversial, yet a must-see take on the times of brutal warriors and emperors. It stars Michael Fassbender as a leader of a Roman legion who gets lost behind enemy lines and has to fight for his own survival and return back to Rome.
4. Gladiator (2000) - 80% on RT
Of course, we can’t make such a list without the OG Gladiator. Starring Russell Crowe as Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix as the reigning emperor Commodus, it tells the story of a fallen Roman soldier who seeks vengeance for the murder of his wife and son. It’s still considered one of the most rewatchable historical dramas of the 2000s.
3. Ben-Hur (1959) - 85% on RT
This epic film was a back-then sensation, as it managed to win eleven Academy Awards, just like Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Even though it was released 65 years ago, it still offers an outstanding level of cinematography and screenwriting and displays a great number of spectacular battles.
2. Barabbas (1961) - 89% on RT
By blending historical drama and elements of the Biblical genre, the film follows a man whom Pontius Pilate sets free in order to crucify Jesus. This masterpiece has it all: action sequences, deep drama of Barabbas and, of course, incredible Italian landscapes.
1. Spartacus (1960) - 94% on RT
Last comes Stanley Kubrick’s most epic movie that made him one of the most demanded filmmakers at the time. This gem stars Kirk Douglas as a slave who leads a rebellion against the Roman Republic, and you can’t be called a cinephil if you haven’t seen it.