20 Best Movies Like Gladiator II You Can Watch Right Now

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Gladiator II, the sequel to Ridley Scott’s influential Gladiator, has finally arrived on the big screen. Set 16 years after the time of Maximus Deridius (Russell Crowe), the film follows a new tragic hero, Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), who is enslaved by the Roman Army. When he catches the eye of former slave Macrinus (Denzel Washington), he realizes the gladiatorial games may be the key to getting revenge.

Gladiator II is a worthy successor, with stunning visuals, powerful performances, and bloody vengeance, even if it doesn’t eclipse the original film. Viewers interested in more movies with the scale, historical elements, and depth of Gladiator II can use our guide to find similar movies available to stream online on platforms like Starz, Paramount+, and more.

Best historical epics like Gladiator II

Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur (1959) is a historical epic that follows Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), a Jew whose life is torn apart by his Roman childhood friend, Messala (Stephen Boyd). As Judah goes from slavery to becoming a champion charioteer, he continues seeking vengeance. At the time of its release, Ben-Hur was the most expensive film ever made, and it shows through its awe-inspiring scale, iconic chariot scenes, and dazzling sets. Like Gladiator II, it transports viewers to the past and offers a unique blend of vengeance, romance, and heroism.

Gladiator

You can’t get closer to Gladiator II than Gladiator. The original movie follows Maximus, a Roman general meant to be heir to the emperor. When the emperor’s son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), kills Maximus’ family and enslaves him, Maximus begins advancing through the gladiatorial games in his quest for vengeance. Gladiator gained high critical acclaim and revived the historical epic genre in Hollywood. It’s a must-see for Ridley Scott and historical epic fans.

Spartacus

Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus premiered in 1960 and tells the story of Spartacus (Kirk Douglas), an enslaved man sold to a businessman for the gladiatorial games. However, he soon uses his training against his captors, leading a slave rebellion. Similar to Gladiator II, Spartacus is a stunning spectacle with powerful performances and beautiful cinematography that delves into Ancient Rome in a blend of entertainment and emotion.

The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Fall of the Roman Empire was, essentially, the Gladiator of the 1960s. The film follows Livius (Stephen Boyd), a soldier meant to inherit the throne from Marcus Aurelius (Alec Guinness) until the corrupt Commodus (Christopher Plummer) takes over. As corruption continues seeping into the empire, Livius challenges Commodus’ reign. The Fall of the Roman Empire shares many plot and thematic similarities to Gladiator and Gladiator II and includes one of the most expansive film sets ever constructed.

Troy

Troy is a historical epic loosely based on Homer’s Iliad. The film explores the Trojan War, which breaks out when Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) has an affair with Sparta King Menelaus’ (Brendan Gleeson) wife. Menelaus, seeking vengeance, soon recruits King Agamemnon (Brian Cox) and the warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt) to take Troy. While Troy has received criticism for being unfaithful to its source material, it is still a bold, entertaining spectacle with top-notch action sequences and complex heroes.

Best Revenge movies like Gladiator II

The Count of Monte-Cristo (2024)

Based on Alexander Dumas’ novel of the same name, The Count of Monte-Cristo tells the story of Edmond Dantès (Pierre Niney), who spends years in prison after three jealous men conspire to put him away. Upon escaping, Dantès gains status and riches while plotting his revenge. Both Gladiator II and The Count of Monte-Cristo are thrilling revenge sagas with unique historical settings, brisk paces, and stunning set designs and cinematography.

The Last Duel

The Last Duel shares both a revenge plot and director with Gladiator II. Scott’s historical drama follows squires Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver), who become involved in a bitter feud after Jacques assaults Jean’s wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer). Like Gladiator II, The Last Duel is a big-budget feud tale but also thoughtfully examines serious themes of misogyny and justice.

The Nightingale

The Nightingale is a historical thriller that centers on Clare Carroll (Aisling Franciosi), an Irish convict who enlists the help of Aboriginal tracker Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) to hunt down and exact vengeance on the British soldier who destroyed her family. The Nightingale isn’t always easy to watch, but, like Gladiator II, it utilizes a brutal storyline to examine themes of discrimination and justice.

The Northman

The Northman follows Prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), whose life is upended as a boy when his uncle kills his father and abducts his mother. As a man, Amleth sets out to fulfill his vow to save his mother, kill his uncle, and avenge his father. Through Amleth, The Northman gives viewers a hero as brutal and inspiring as Lucius in a bold tale of romance and revenge.

Where to watch more movies like Gladiator II streaming online

Check out our list below to discover more great movies like Gladiator II and where to watch them online in the U.S.!

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Filters
  1. Ben-Hur

    Ben-Hur

    1959

    #1

    In 25 AD, Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew in ancient Judea, opposes the occupying Roman empire. Falsely accused by a Roman childhood friend-turned-overlord of trying to kill the Roman governor, he is put into slavery and his mother and sister are taken away as prisoners.

  2. Braveheart

    Braveheart

    1995

    #2

    Enraged at the slaughter of Murron, his new bride and childhood love, Scottish warrior William Wallace slays a platoon of the local English lord's soldiers. This leads the village to revolt and, eventually, the entire country to rise up against English rule.

  3. Exodus: Gods and Kings

    #3

    The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 400,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.

  4. Gladiator

    Gladiator

    2000

    #4

    In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences..

  5. Kingdom of Heaven

    Kingdom of Heaven

    2005

    #5

    After his wife dies, a blacksmith named Balian is thrust into royalty, political intrigue and bloody holy wars during the Crusades.

  6. The Last of the Mohicans

    #6

    In war-torn colonial America, in the midst of a bloody battle between British, the French and Native American allies, the aristocratic daughter of a British Colonel and her party are captured by a group of Huron warriors. Fortunately, a group of three Mohican trappers comes to their rescue.

  7. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

    #7

    After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a captain of the British Royal Navy begins a chase over two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy, though he must weigh his commitment to duty and ferocious pursuit of glory against the safety of his devoted crew, including the ship's thoughtful surgeon, his best friend.

  8. Medieval

    Medieval

    2022

    #8

    The story of fifteenth century Czech icon and warlord, Jan Zizka, who defeated armies of the Teutonic Order and the Holy Roman Empire.

  9. Spartacus

    Spartacus

    1960

    #9

    The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

  10. The 13th Warrior

    The 13th Warrior

    1999

    #10

    A Muslim ambassador exiled from his homeland joins a group of Vikings, initially offended by their behavior but growing to respect them. As they travel together, they learn of a legendary evil closing in and must unite to confront this formidable force.

  11. Centurion

    Centurion

    2010

    #11

    Britain, A.D. 117. Quintus Dias, the sole survivor of a Pictish raid on a Roman frontier fort, marches north with General Virilus' legendary Ninth Legion, under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the Earth and destroy their leader, Gorlacon.

  12. The Count of Monte-Cristo

    #12

    After escaping from an island prison where he spent 14 years for being wrongly accused of state treason, Edmond Dantès returns as the Count of Monte Cristo to exact revenge on the men who betrayed him.

  13. The Eagle

    The Eagle

    2011

    #13

    In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca, Marcus sets out across Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia - to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father's memory, and retrieve the lost legion's golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

  14. The Fall of the Roman Empire

    #14

    In the year 180 A.D. Germanic tribes are about to invade the Roman empire from the north. In the midst of this crisis ailing emperor Marcus Aurelius has to make a decision about his successor between his son Commodus, who is obsessed by power, and the loyal general Gaius Livius.

  15. The First King

    The First King

    2019

    #15

    Romulus and Remus, two shepherds and loyal brothers, end up taking part to a journey that will lead one of them to be the founder of the greatest nation ever seen. However, the fate of the chosen one will pass from killing his own brother.