Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- dramatic
- earnest
- propulsive
- epic movie night
- biblical film viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the remake as a predictable and underwhelming biblical epic whose production scale could not compensate for weak characterization and performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Judah Ben-Hur and Messala begin as close brothers before ideological conflict and Roman authority turn them against each other.
Judah's Jewish identity, the Zealot insurrection, and Roman rule shape the central conflict.
The film features ancient Rome, military conflict, slavery, and the central chariot race within an epic adventure framework.
Jesus Christ appears as a principal figure while Judah's vengeance story develops toward a faith-centered resolution.
Films like Ben-Hur, and why
Gladiator
shared sword-and-sandal setting, revenge drama, religious themes, and large-scale action spectacle
The Robe
shared ancient roman setting, biblical subject matter, moral conflict, and historical epic scale
Risen
shared biblical drama, persecution under roman rule, and faith-centered emotional stakes
Ben-Hur
shared remake of a classic epic, chariot-race spectacle, betrayal, and redemptive themes
Movie Details
- Director
- Timur Bekmambetov
- Release Date
- 2016-08-17
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (1829)
Cast
- Jack Huston
- Toby Kebbell
- Rodrigo Santoro
- Morgan Freeman
- Nazanin Boniadi
- Ayelet Zurer
- Pilou Asbæk
- Sofia Black-D'Elia
- Marwan Kenzari
- Moisés Arias
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, 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 Ben-Hur about?
- A Jewish nobleman seeks justice against his former brother amid Roman oppression, slavery, and a perilous chariot-racing spectacle.
- What is Ben-Hur like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ben-Hur as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Ben-Hur violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Ben-Hur as moderate.
- What did critics think of Ben-Hur?
- Critics broadly regarded the remake as a predictable and underwhelming biblical epic whose production scale could not compensate for weak characterization and performances.
- Which films are like Ben-Hur?
- Films with a similar feel include Gladiator, The Robe, Risen, and Ben-Hur.
- How long is Ben-Hur?
- Ben-Hur runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Ben-Hur?
- In United States, Ben-Hur streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
