8 Best Ancient Rome Epics of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · February 21, 2026

Ancient Rome’s grandeur and brutality have inspired some of Hollywood’s most spectacular historical epics, full of gladiatorial combat and political intrigue. In Ben-Hur (1959): A betrayed Jewish prince seeks revenge against his former friend, now a powerful Roman officer. Equally memorable is Spartacus (1960): An enslaved gladiator leads a massive uprising against the Roman Republic.

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

A Roman legion's survivors 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 is forced into slavery and rises through the gladiatorial arena 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 ★ 6.9

A Roman general's loyalty to a dying emperor is tested by corrupt successors scheming for the throne.

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 political and romantic alliances with Rome shape the fate of two 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 uprising against 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 against his former 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 ★ 6.9

A Roman military commander falls for a Christian woman as Emperor Nero's persecution intensifies.

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.

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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