Gladiator II, the sequel to Ridley Scott’s influential Gladiator, has finally arrived on the big screen. Set 16 years after the time of Maximus Deridius (Russell Crowe), the film follows a new tragic hero, Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), who is enslaved by the Roman Army. When he catches the eye of former slave Macrinus (Denzel Washington), he realizes the gladiatorial games may be the key to getting revenge.
Gladiator II is a worthy successor, with stunning visuals, powerful performances, and bloody vengeance, even if it doesn’t eclipse the original film. Viewers interested in more movies with the scale, historical elements, and depth of Gladiator II can use our guide to find similar movies available to stream online on platforms like Starz, Paramount+, and more.
Best historical epics like Gladiator II
Ben-Hur (1959)
Ben-Hur (1959) is a historical epic that follows Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), a Jew whose life is torn apart by his Roman childhood friend, Messala (Stephen Boyd). As Judah goes from slavery to becoming a champion charioteer, he continues seeking vengeance. At the time of its release, Ben-Hur was the most expensive film ever made, and it shows through its awe-inspiring scale, iconic chariot scenes, and dazzling sets. Like Gladiator II, it transports viewers to the past and offers a unique blend of vengeance, romance, and heroism.
Gladiator
You can’t get closer to Gladiator II than Gladiator. The original movie follows Maximus, a Roman general meant to be heir to the emperor. When the emperor’s son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), kills Maximus’ family and enslaves him, Maximus begins advancing through the gladiatorial games in his quest for vengeance. Gladiator gained high critical acclaim and revived the historical epic genre in Hollywood. It’s a must-see for Ridley Scott and historical epic fans.
Spartacus
Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus premiered in 1960 and tells the story of Spartacus (Kirk Douglas), an enslaved man sold to a businessman for the gladiatorial games. However, he soon uses his training against his captors, leading a slave rebellion. Similar to Gladiator II, Spartacus is a stunning spectacle with powerful performances and beautiful cinematography that delves into Ancient Rome in a blend of entertainment and emotion.
The Fall of the Roman Empire
The Fall of the Roman Empire was, essentially, the Gladiator of the 1960s. The film follows Livius (Stephen Boyd), a soldier meant to inherit the throne from Marcus Aurelius (Alec Guinness) until the corrupt Commodus (Christopher Plummer) takes over. As corruption continues seeping into the empire, Livius challenges Commodus’ reign. The Fall of the Roman Empire shares many plot and thematic similarities to Gladiator and Gladiator II and includes one of the most expansive film sets ever constructed.
Troy
Troy is a historical epic loosely based on Homer’s Iliad. The film explores the Trojan War, which breaks out when Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) has an affair with Sparta King Menelaus’ (Brendan Gleeson) wife. Menelaus, seeking vengeance, soon recruits King Agamemnon (Brian Cox) and the warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt) to take Troy. While Troy has received criticism for being unfaithful to its source material, it is still a bold, entertaining spectacle with top-notch action sequences and complex heroes.
Best Revenge movies like Gladiator II
The Count of Monte-Cristo (2024)
Based on Alexander Dumas’ novel of the same name, The Count of Monte-Cristo tells the story of Edmond Dantès (Pierre Niney), who spends years in prison after three jealous men conspire to put him away. Upon escaping, Dantès gains status and riches while plotting his revenge. Both Gladiator II and The Count of Monte-Cristo are thrilling revenge sagas with unique historical settings, brisk paces, and stunning set designs and cinematography.
The Last Duel
The Last Duel shares both a revenge plot and director with Gladiator II. Scott’s historical drama follows squires Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver), who become involved in a bitter feud after Jacques assaults Jean’s wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer). Like Gladiator II, The Last Duel is a big-budget feud tale but also thoughtfully examines serious themes of misogyny and justice.
The Nightingale
The Nightingale is a historical thriller that centers on Clare Carroll (Aisling Franciosi), an Irish convict who enlists the help of Aboriginal tracker Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) to hunt down and exact vengeance on the British soldier who destroyed her family. The Nightingale isn’t always easy to watch, but, like Gladiator II, it utilizes a brutal storyline to examine themes of discrimination and justice.
The Northman
The Northman follows Prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), whose life is upended as a boy when his uncle kills his father and abducts his mother. As a man, Amleth sets out to fulfill his vow to save his mother, kill his uncle, and avenge his father. Through Amleth, The Northman gives viewers a hero as brutal and inspiring as Lucius in a bold tale of romance and revenge.
Where to watch more movies like Gladiator II streaming online
Check out our list below to discover more great movies like Gladiator II and where to watch them online in the U.S.!