6 Best Gladiator and Roman Empire Movies

By Vlad Zakh · March 19, 2026

The spectacle of ancient Rome, with its arenas and political intrigue, has inspired some of Hollywood’s grandest historical epics. In Gladiator (2000): A betrayed Roman general is forced into slavery and rises through the gladiator ranks seeking revenge. Don’t overlook Ben-Hur (1959): A betrayed Jewish prince seeks vengeance against his childhood friend, now a powerful Roman officer.

Pompeii (2014)

TMDB ★ 5.7

A gladiator races to save the woman he loves as Mount Vesuvius erupts and destroys the city.

Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson · 1h 45m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Gladiator (2000)

IMDb ★ 8.5 RT 80% Metacritic 67

A betrayed Roman general is forced into slavery and rises through the gladiator ranks seeking revenge.

Directed by Ridley Scott · 2h 35m · Rated R

Won 5 Oscars61 wins & 105 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Kanopy, YouTube TV · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

TMDB ★ 6.8

A noble Roman general's loyalty is tested as corruption and ambition threaten the empire's stability.

Directed by Anthony Mann · 3h 08m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Spartacus (1960)

TMDB ★ 7.9

An enslaved gladiator leads a massive slave rebellion against the might of the Roman Republic.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick · 3h 17m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: MGM Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ben-Hur (1959)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 87% Metacritic 90

A betrayed Jewish prince seeks vengeance against his childhood friend, now a powerful Roman officer.

Directed by William Wyler · 3h 32m · Rated G

Won 11 Oscars29 wins & 13 nominations

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Quo Vadis (1951)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A Roman commander falls for a Christian woman as Emperor Nero's tyranny escalates toward persecution.

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy · 2h 54m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Gladiator and Roman Empire Movies

Pompeii (2014)

Gladiator (2000)

The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

Spartacus (1960)

Ben-Hur (1959)

Quo Vadis (1951)

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