Overview
A tale of courage and rebellion that ignites the spirit of freedom.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- heroic
- tragic
- visceral
- historical film marathon
- epic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s spectacular battle staging, emotional force, and historical atmosphere while criticizing its self-indulgent machismo, uneven pacing, and major historical liberties.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
William Wallace’s resistance is driven by the deaths of family members and a loved one before expanding into a Scottish uprising.
The film’s major engagements, including Stirling, combine sweeping battlefield compositions with grungy, violent combat.
Critics repeatedly note the film’s substantial historical inaccuracies while recognizing its powerful emotional and cinematic impact.
Wallace pursues Scottish independence with uncompromising idealism despite escalating personal and military costs.
Films like Braveheart, and why
The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die
shared medieval historical setting, large-scale battles, political intrigue, and heroic resistance narrative
Gladiator
shared historical action spectacle, warrior protagonist, tragic idealism, and brutal period warfare
300
shared epic scale, anti-imperial rebellion, stylized combat, and emotionally charged heroism
The King
shared medieval setting, dynastic conflict, national identity, and sweeping battle drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Mel Gibson
- Release Date
- 1995-05-24
- Runtime
- 178 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (11467)
Cast
- Mel Gibson
- Catherine McCormack
- Sophie Marceau
- Patrick McGoohan
- Angus Macfadyen
- Brendan Gleeson
- James Robinson
- James Cosmo
- Sean McGinley
- Gerda Stevenson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Braveheart about?
- A fiercely romantic medieval war epic follows William Wallace as personal grief becomes a defiant campaign for Scottish independence.
- What is Braveheart like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Braveheart as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Braveheart violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Braveheart as graphic.
- What did critics think of Braveheart?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s spectacular battle staging, emotional force, and historical atmosphere while criticizing its self-indulgent machismo, uneven pacing, and major historical liberties.
- Which films are like Braveheart?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, Gladiator, 300, and The King.
- How long is Braveheart?
- Braveheart runs 178 minutes.
- Where can I watch Braveheart?
- In United States, Braveheart streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
