What Films Are Like Gladiator?
Gladiator is a story of honor, betrayal, and revenge that’s simple, yet beautiful. The film is the epitome of what a perfect war movie should be like. It has a poetic script paired with superb acting. A corrupt emperor murder’s a Roman general’s family who vows to get his revenge (in this life or the next). Eventually, he makes his way back to Rome as a Gladiator and wins over the people’s hearts. Those who love Gladiator look no further. Here are some more movies like Gladiator worth a watch.
Spartacus (1960)
Cornered on all fronts, a slave who defies the Roman elite and leads a revolution isn’t having things going as planned. Even though Spartacus dealt with a cast of egos clashing, the movie made it to the big screen, and luckily it all worked out in the end. Although the film was made in 1960 it’s timeless and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Spartacus the TV show is also a pretty epic series that you should watch, while you’re at it.
Braveheart
Braveheart revolves around a couple that is torn apart. The bride gets murdered by an English soldier sparking a revolution led by William Wallace. The film is perfect for Gladiator fans, and many people rank the film up there with The Godfather and The Shawshank Redemption. Although the film runs at around 3 hours, it’ll hook you right from the get-go. The slow-motion battle scenes with the costumes offer a lot to feast your eyes upon.
The 13th Warrior
The 13th Warrior is based on the novel by Michael Crichton, Eaters of the Dead. The story revolves around a man who gets sent on a diplomatic mission by a Sultan. The man falls for the wrong woman and things take a turn after stopping to restock supplies at a Viking village. The wry sense of humor is the main draw. This fascinating war movie also has incredible cinematography, a gripping storyline, and breathtaking scenery. Perfect timing with dialogue and a well-talented cast cements The 13th Warrior as a must-watch movie just like Gladiator.
The Last Samurai
A US soldier is captured and starts to embrace the Samurai culture, one where he was sent to destroy the last remnants. He eventually joins them and fights for their cause knowing full well they don’t stand a chance against the massive US army. Tom Cruise plays the lead role and the film had a big-budget. This movie took a different route from Cruise’s typical Hollywood-style action sequences where he swoops in at the last minute to save the day. Instead, The Last Samurai is best known for its authentic performances and spellbinding script. Portraying a drunken soldier, Cruise evolves and breathes life into his character. The Last Samurai is your best bet if you’re looking for a film like Gladiator.
Titus
Titus is a screenplay that Shakespeare wrote in his early career about the downfall of a vicious and cruel Roman General. After winning a war, he returns to Rome and ends up turning his own city into a warzone. The original screenplay had potholes and even though there were some downsides the overall adaptation was pretty good. The script was slightly changed and the film brought the best parts of the story to light. The film starts off a bit slow but gets way better in the latter half, so patience is a must, but the ride is definitely worth it.
Pompeii
Even though the plot of Pompeii is far from the original it’ll still keep you hooked till the very end. A slave turned gladiator must race against time to save his true love who is betrothed against her will to a Roman senator. If you love sceneries, huge sets, costumes, then you’ll definitely love Pompeii. Although the film isn’t historically accurate and gets a mediocre IMDb rating, it’s supposed to be a flashy movie that blends fact and fiction. Overall, it does a good job.
Rob Roy
Chronicling the life of Rob Roy and his family, this film takes place in the 1700s. A Nobleman and his family wrong them and he’s forced to like a life Robin Hood-style. This film is compared to Braveheart a lot and although many would agree that the latter is better, Rob Roy is authentic. You’re in for a ride right from the get-go. The movie has expertly filmed sword fights and perfect background music to make for a tense nail-biting must-see experience.
The Eagle
The Eagle revolves around a Roman soldier in 140AD and his quest to find out about an entire region’s mysterious disappearance. Savage tribes living in uncharted highlands stand in his way and things don’t go as smoothly as planned. If you’re looking for an authentic history film, then The Eagle definitely won’t disappoint.
300
300 has one jaw-dropping scene after another. The extreme gore and slow-mo fighting sequences make for a gore-hounds paradise. The plot is straightforward and most of the film centers around battle scenes. It’s a fun ride nonetheless and definitely provides thrilling shots that will have you biting your nails.
Centurion
Centurion revolves around a group of Roman soldiers stuck behind enemy lines who have no other options besides fighting their way out. It’s one of the most violent movies ever made, but despite this, amongst the chaos, there is a sense of serenity. If you can handle the gruesome fighting scenes the storyline keeps the whole thing from being considered a gore-porn niche.
King Arthur
There are heaps of movies that are spin-offs of King Arthur, but they tend to focus on the mystical elements. The story, the true story that is, takes place during a time when the Roman Empire was losing its grip. Tons of skirmishes were happening all over the world, but it was up to Arthur to return order. Although the film got a meager 6.3/10 IMDb rating, it doesn’t do it justice given the impeccable quality. King Arthur has heroic characters, epic battles, an excellent script, and a mesmerizing score. This film may not have been as big as Gladiator, but it definitely doesn’t pull any punches.
Are there any films like Gladiator that we missed? Let us know in the comments.
