Would you like to be in Rome and witness the glories and troubles of the Roman Empire? The Roman Empire’s greatness, from hacking and slashing from Colosseums to great betrayals and revenge architectures, has culminated in some of the best movies ever made. But now Gladiator II is making a great interest in this epoch. So, there is no better time to review the best Roman Empire movies.
Regardless if one enjoyed Ben-Hur, the story of a prince turned gladiator or Spartacus rising to liberate the slaves. All these great pieces of motion pictures give the audience a grand tour through one of the most revolutionary periods in human history. Now we plunge to the gladiatorial battling coliseums and palaces of Rome to see what is the next best show!
Top 8 Roman Empire Movies to Add to Your Watchlist
The Roman Empire has always been popular with directors, and the resulting films are epic, full of action, drama, plot twists, and character development. Below are the best Roman Empire movies and a TV series:
1. Gladiator (2000) – IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen
This American epic-historical drama film, which won five Oscars, tells the story of loyal and Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius. The one was betrayed by Commodus, the cunning and ambitious second generation’ son of the ailing Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
This movie is the story of a male slave, a former general, Maximus, who fights as a gladiator. He aims to overthrow the cruel leader Commodus while amazing the Roman people with his brilliant fighting in the Colosseum. The compelling plot line, raw sapience, and combination of orchestral scores by Hans Zimmerman give the movie its timeless value.
2. Spartacus (1960) – IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons
This epic is history-oriented, telling the story of Spartacus, a gladiator who organizes a rebellion against the Roman Republic. An appealing picture with an inborn cast and magnificent landscapes, the elements liberality, selflessness, and human worth. Kirk Douglas plays Spartacus convincingly, and the famous scene that headlines the picture, ‘I am Spartacus!’ is unforgettable.
3. Ben-Hur (1959) – IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Director: William Wyler
Cast: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, and Steven Boyd
This historical drama tells the historical story of Judah Ben-Hur, a nobleman of Judea and part Jewish. He is framed for treason by a Roman friend and then sold into slavery. The story merges character development with events on a gigantic scale and ends in the ‘Seven Circuits’ race. It has one of the most spectacularly choreographed races to date.
4. The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) – IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Director: Anthony Mann
Cast: Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, and Alec Guinness
This colorful and sweeping historical drama conveys the political intrigues, warfare, and social decline that led to its collapse. It is one of the most political films ever made and complements a strong narrative with impressive action scenes, the death of ailing Marcus Aurelius and the accession of cruel Commodus.
5. Cleopatra (1963) – IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Rex Harrison.
Cleopatra VII is brilliantly played by Elizabeth Taylor and serves as the foundation of this epic historical picture. It explains her affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony and her strategic approaches to gaining independence for Egypt. Its production was very costly, it has created a high-quality and enticing cartoony effect.
6. Quo Vadis (1951) – IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Cast: Robert Taylor, Debby Kerr, and Peter Ustinoff.
Taking place during Nero’s rule, this is a historical drama about a Roman officer, Marcus Vinicius, who develops feelings for a woman who is a Christian. It also covers the great Christian persecution, Nero’s madness, and the paganism vs. Christianity clash. Interestingly, there is much humor in the imagery of Nero as Peter Ustinov does, and at the same time it is rather creepy.
7. The Passion of the Christ (2004) – IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Director: Mel Gibson
Cast: Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern
In this film, the director shows the last day of the life of Jesus Christ with the elements of sorts and feelings. Although it featured a realistically graphic portrayal of Jesus’ crucifixion, it is still an earnest, powerful drama. It offers a close look at the faith, devotion, and self-sacrifice before the backdrop of the Roman occupation of Judea.
8. Gladiator II (2024) – IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington
The follow-up to the blockbuster Gladiator brings us back to the Roman Empire and concentrates on Lucius Verus, the grown-up son of Lucilla and the adopted nephew of Commodus. Living in the shadow of his family’s sins and his uncle’s gruesome death, Lucius finds himself in a tale of revenge.
Starring Paul Mescal in the lead role and surrounded by Pedro Pascal on the one hand and Denzel Washington on the other. This part of the film is expected to be as intense and affecting as the first part of the movie.
Note: This movie isn’t available to stream yet. Still, you can enjoy the great experience of “Gladiator ll” in your nearby theaters.
9. Rome (TV Series, 2005–2007) – IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Creators: Bruno Heller, John Milius, and William J. MacDonald.
Cast: Indira Varma, Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, and Polly Walker.
This enthralling show provides dense insight into the political evolution of Rome from a republic to an empire. The series is based on two soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo. It revolves around historical episodes of Julius Caesar and such events as Octavian and Mark Antony’s civil war. All in all, the series excels with detailed plotlines, well-developed characters, and great set design.
Conclusion
The culture of the Roman Empire has influenced history and movies and produced tales of courage, power, and the success and failure of great powers. Ben Hur pioneered the interest in the movies on the Roman Empire to Gladiator II, topping the list of the best Roman Empire movies.
These unveiled all the following movies top the charts in pushing the feelings, science, and global cultures of the epoch. Regardless of whether you are full on for the action sequences or for character emotions and plots, these films make you rather place where the slightest decision may turn the tide. Add them to your watchlist and let the stories of Rome inspire and entertain you!
Namdhari Raghupathi is a dedicated blogger who explores the latest in movies and entertainment. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, he reviews films, analyzes trends, and shares insights on the entertainment industry. Join him as he dives into the captivating world of cinema and pop culture! Follow On Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.