8 Best Ancient Rome Epics of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · February 21, 2026

Ancient Rome gave Hollywood gladiators, emperors and plenty of political backstabbing. Gladiator has a betrayed general rising through the arena, Gladiator II sends a former soldier into the Colosseum, and Centurion has a Roman legion’s survivors fleeing Pictish territory. The Fall of the Roman Empire, Cleopatra, Spartacus, Ben-Hur and Quo Vadis cover the classics.

Gladiator II (2024)

TMDB ★ 6.5

A former soldier is forced into the Colosseum and must confront a brutal, corrupt Roman regime.

Directed by Ridley Scott · 2h 28m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo · 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

Centurion (2010)

TMDB ★ 6.2

The survivors of a Roman legion flee for their lives after being ambushed deep in hostile Pictish territory.

Directed by Neil Marshall · 1h 37m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Gladiator (2000)

IMDb ★ 8.5 RT 80% Metacritic 67

A betrayed Roman general seeks vengeance on the corrupt emperor who murdered his family.

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 ★ 6.9

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

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

Cleopatra (1963)

TMDB ★ 6.6

The Egyptian queen's alliances and romances with Roman leaders shape the fate of empires.

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz · 4h 11m · Rated G

Where to watch

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

▶ 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 revenge on his childhood friend, now a powerful Roman official.

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 ★ 6.9

A Roman commander falls for a Christian woman as Emperor Nero's tyranny escalates towards 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. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

8 Best Ancient Rome Epics of All Time

Gladiator II (2024)

Centurion (2010)

Gladiator (2000)

The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

Cleopatra (1963)

Spartacus (1960)

Ben-Hur (1959)

Quo Vadis (1951)

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