Overview
A powerful general seeks revenge in the brutal arena of ancient Rome.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- operatic
- grim
- propulsive
- epic movie night
- action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Russell Crowe’s commanding performance, Ridley Scott’s visually electrifying direction, and the film’s production design and action spectacle, while finding the screenplay formulaic and overwrought.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ridley Scott emphasizes expansive battlefields, Roman architecture, arena combat, and lavish production design.
Maximus loses his family, status, and freedom before being forced into the gladiatorial games.
Maximus’s loyalty and public legitimacy oppose Commodus’s imperial entitlement and cruelty.
The gladiatorial games shape public opinion and become central to the struggle over imperial authority.
Films like Gladiator, and why
Spartacus
shared sword and sandal spectacle, ancient political intrigue, revenge-driven heroism, and large-scale historical drama
The Fall of the Roman Empire
shared ancient Roman setting, imperial power struggle, arena combat, and tragic melodrama
Braveheart
shared epic scale, brutal combat, moral conviction, and an oppressed protagonist pursuing vengeance
Troy
shared historical spectacle, charismatic warrior protagonist, political betrayal, and emotionally direct revenge themes
Movie Details
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Release Date
- 2000-05-04
- Runtime
- 155 min
- Rating
- 8.2 / 10 (21571)
Cast
- Russell Crowe
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Connie Nielsen
- Oliver Reed
- Richard Harris
- Derek Jacobi
- Djimon Hounsou
- David Schofield
- John Shrapnel
- Tomas Arana
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Kanopy, YouTube TV
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, 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 Gladiator about?
- A betrayed Roman general becomes a gladiator and turns the empire’s bloodiest spectacle into a path toward justice against a murderous emperor.
- What is Gladiator like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Gladiator as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Gladiator violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Gladiator as graphic.
- What did critics think of Gladiator?
- Critics broadly praised Russell Crowe’s commanding performance, Ridley Scott’s visually electrifying direction, and the film’s production design and action spectacle, while finding the screenplay formulaic and overwrought.
- Which films are like Gladiator?
- Films with a similar feel include Spartacus, The Fall of the Roman Empire, Braveheart, and Troy.
- How long is Gladiator?
- Gladiator runs 155 minutes.
- Where can I watch Gladiator?
- In United States, Gladiator streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Kanopy, YouTube TV.
