The Roman Empire was one of the greatest empires in world history, and its influence can still be seen in many aspects of civilization today. Given its enduring legacy, movies and TV shows about the Roman Empire and ancient Rome have fascinated viewers for decades. Hence, Ridley Scott’s upcoming Gladiator II and the new epic Those About to Die series have sparked much excitement.
If Those About to Die leaves you seeking more of Ancient Rome before Gladiator II, this guide will reveal the 30 best movies and TV shows on the Roman Empire you can stream right now on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, and more!
One of the movies that most frequently comes to mind regarding the Roman Empire is the original Gladiator. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film follows Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a man who becomes a skilled gladiator on his mission of vengeance. Gladiator delves deep into one of the most intriguing aspects of ancient Rome while capturing the galore of the Roman Empire through breathtaking cinematography, leading it to critical acclaim.
Some of the best movies on the Roman Empire are much older than Gladiator, though, such as Ben-Hur (1959), Quo Vadis, and Spartacus (1960). Both religious epics Ben-Hur and Quo Vadis were released in the 1950s, making their enormous scale and innovative filmmaking techniques all the more impressive. Ben-Hur boasts one of the most iconic film sequences of all time with its chariot race, while Quo Vadis delves into the infamous reign of Nero. Meanwhile, Stanley Kubrick’s critically acclaimed Spartacus delves into the slave revolts that comprise the Servile Wars. Viewers may also enjoy The Fall of the Roman Empire, which many consider the 1964 version of Gladiator.
Since Egypt was once a province of the Roman Empire, unique films like Cleopatra (1963) and Agora blend Egyptian and Roman history. A few filmmakers have gotten even more creative with Ancient Rome by tackling history through comedies like A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Monty Python's Life of Brian. Life of Brian is considered one of the greatest comedies of all time, as it explores a young man born in Ancient Rome who is mistaken to be the Messiah.
Viewers looking for a more expansive exploration of Ancient Rome may prefer TV shows to film epics. The Spartacus TV show offers a more detailed look into the slave revolts against Rome, while docuseries like Roman Empire provide a more accurate deep dive into figures like Commodus and Julius Caesar. Rome is one of the most large-scale TV shows to delve into Rome’s transition from a Republic to an Empire, and Barbarians is a strong choice for those looking for a bloody historical series.
Where to watch movies and TV shows about the Roman Empire online
Check out our list below to find out where to watch 30 of the best movies and TV shows about the Roman Empire!