Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- gritty
- mythic
- witty
- action movie night
- mythology movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an intermittently entertaining but formulaic revisionist action spectacle, with Dwayne Johnson's charisma carrying its mixed material.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hercules is presented as an unusually powerful human whose companions and reputation help create the supernatural legend surrounding him.
Hercules carries the trauma of his family's death and gradually confronts how mercenary combat has shaped his identity.
Hercules travels with six battle-hardened companions united by pay, combat skill, and shared familiarity with death.
The film emphasizes ancient armies, mercenary training, armored combat, and Dwayne Johnson's imposing action presence.
Films like Hercules, and why
The Scorpion King
shared sword-and-sandal action, mythic revisionism, mercenary warfare, and charismatic physical lead
300
shared ancient-world battles, legendary heroism, muscular spectacle, and heightened action-adventure tone
Clash of the Titans
shared classical mythology, heroic combat, fantasy adventure, and reinterpretation of ancient legends
The Last Legion
shared warrior ensemble, historical-fantasy spectacle, bloody battles, and themes of loyalty and redemption
Movie Details
- Director
- Brett Ratner
- Release Date
- 2014-07-23
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (4453)
Cast
- Dwayne Johnson
- Ian McShane
- John Hurt
- Rufus Sewell
- Aksel Hennie
- Ingrid Bolsø Berdal
- Reece Ritchie
- Joseph Fiennes
- Tobias Santelmann
- Peter Mullan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hercules about?
- A battle-scarred Hercules and his misfit mercenary crew confront the political machinery behind a legendary hero's reputation.
- What is Hercules like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hercules as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Hercules violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Hercules as brutal.
- What did critics think of Hercules?
- Critics broadly found the film an intermittently entertaining but formulaic revisionist action spectacle, with Dwayne Johnson's charisma carrying its mixed material.
- Which films are like Hercules?
- Films with a similar feel include The Scorpion King, 300, Clash of the Titans, and The Last Legion.
- How long is Hercules?
- Hercules runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hercules?
- In United States, Hercules streams on Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
