12 Movies Like Gladiator on Netflix Right Now

‘Gladiator’ is set around 180 AD and follows Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a respected military leader who earns the loyalty of his soldiers and Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). After Rome’s victory against the Germanic tribes near Vindobona, Maximus expects to return home, but the emperor chooses him as his successor instead of his son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Furious over being denied the throne, Commodus murders his father and orders Maximus and his family killed. Maximus survives but is captured and forced into slavery as a gladiator.

Driven by the loss of his family and hatred for Commodus, he rises through the brutal arena fights under trainer Proximo (Oliver Reed). As his fame grows, Maximus sees the Colosseum as his path back to Rome, where he hopes to confront the man who destroyed his life and possibly save Rome’s glory. In addition to Ridley Scott’s seasoned directorial vision, the epic action film is known for Russell Crowe’s award-winning portrayal of Maximus, breathtaking visuals, and the deeply emotional score by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard. Featured in this list are movies on Netflix, similar to ‘Gladiator,’ that narrate stories of heroes, warriors, kings, duty, loyalty, threats, morality, and destiny.

12. Damsel (2024)

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo steers ‘Damsel,’ which centers on Princess Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown), who enters a marriage with Prince Henry (Nick Robinson) after her father, Lord Bayford (Ray Winstone), encourages the union in the hope of helping the impoverished people under his rule. But once Elodie reaches the kingdom of Aurea, the future she expected begins to fall apart. Instead of being welcomed, she is thrown into a deep cavern as payment for an ancient debt, leaving her confronting a fire-breathing dragon. With no one coming to save her, Elodie is forced to rely on her own intelligence, determination, and instincts as she fights to survive the creature’s attacks and discover a way out.

‘Damsel’ is connected to ‘Gladiator’ through its exploration of a protagonist who is stripped of the life she expected and forced into brutal circumstances beyond her control. Elodie is betrayed after entering what she believes will be a marriage, while Maximus is condemned after being chosen to succeed Marcus Aurelius. Both are pushed into deadly situations and must find the strength to survive. The fantasy film is streaming here.

11. The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)

‘The Chronicles of Riddick’ revolves around Richard Bruno Riddick (Vin Diesel), a wanted convict who arrives in Helion Prime and learns that a powerful army called the Necromongers is invading planets across the galaxy under the command of the Lord Marshal (Colm Feore), seeking the destruction of humanity. Aereon (Judi Dench), an ambassador of the Elemental race, believes Riddick may be a warrior capable of stopping them. After the Necromongers attack, Riddick is captured and taken to the prison planet Crematoria. After escaping the planet, he joins forces with unlikely allies to save humanity at any cost.

Written and helmed by David Twohy, the sci-fi action film is a sequel to ‘Pitch Black’ and the second installment in the Riddick film series. Along the lines of ‘Gladiator,’ the narrative focuses on a formidable man who is forced into a brutal world where survival and confrontation with a powerful enemy become unavoidable. Riddick and Maximus are both characters who possess exceptional fighting abilities and are ultimately driven to save their worlds. Watch it here.

10. The Green Knight (2021)

‘The Green Knight’ chronicles the experiences of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), the nephew of King Arthur (Sean Harris), whose courage is put to the ultimate test after he accepts a challenge from the mysterious Green Knight. A year after their encounter, Gawain sets out for the distant Green Chapel, knowing that he must face the figure again and fulfill the promise he made. The journey itself becomes a trial as he travels through mythical lands filled with ghosts, giants, and other creatures, forcing him to confront challenges far beyond physical combat. With the possibility of a gruesome death waiting at his destination, Gawain must determine whether he has the courage and honor required to become a true knight.

Penned and crafted by David Lowery, the fantasy adventure film is based on the 14th-century poem ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.’ Both ‘The Green Knight’ and ‘Gladiator’ place their main characters on paths where proving their worth becomes as important as surviving their circumstances. The heroic stories are driven by characters determined to reclaim or establish their honor in a world that honors bravery above all else. Enjoy it on Netflix.

9. Dracula Untold (2014)

‘Dracula Untold’ sheds light on the life of Vlad III (Luke Evans), the prince of Wallachia, whose efforts to preserve peace are threatened when rival Sultan Mehmed II (Dominic Cooper) demands that one thousand boys must join the Ottoman army, including Vlad’s own son. Faced with the prospect of surrendering his child and risking his kingdom, Vlad turns to a powerful creature and accepts a bargain that gives him extraordinary abilities while taking away his humanity. With the Ottoman forces closing in, the prince unleashes his newfound power to defend Wallachia, but his greatest struggle is no longer simply against the invading Turks. Vlad must also confront what he is becoming and determine whether saving his people is worth turning himself into the monster they may come to fear.

With Gary Shore behind the lens, the action-horror film is based on an original screenplay inspired by Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula.’ Similar to ‘Gladiator,’ the narrative explores the cost of protecting a kingdom from seemingly insurmountable forces. While Maximus is drawn into the brutal gladiator world after losing his position and family, Vlad willingly gives up part of his humanity to gain the power needed to defend Wallachia. You can access it here.

8. 47 Ronin (2013)

Set in feudal Japan, ‘47 Ronin’ picks up when the death of Lord Asano (Min Tanaka) through a scheme leaves his loyal samurai without a master and his daughter Mika (Kō Shibasaki) under the control of the man responsible. Led by Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada), the disgraced samurai warriors spend years in exile before coming together with Kai (Keanu Reeves), a mixed-blood warrior whom Asano once rescued and raised alongside Mika. With Mika in danger, the group moves through hostile lands, and Kai’s determination becomes an important part of their effort to rescue Mika and avenge Asano.

‘Gladiator’ and ‘47 Ronin’ revolve around warriors who are stripped of their former status after the downfall of a powerful leader. Oishi and his men become masterless ronin following Asano’s death, while Maximus is similarly cast down from his position and forced into the gladiator world. Both stories then follow their efforts to confront the people responsible and save others in the process. Brought to life by Carl Rinsch, the historical fantasy action film can be found on Netflix.

7. The King (2019)

In ‘The King,’ rather than embracing the life expected of a future king, Prince Hal (Timothée Chalamet) spends his days among ordinary people, keeping himself away from the responsibilities of the crown. With the death of his father, King Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn), Hal is forced to take the throne as King Henry V. His new position immediately places him amid political unrest and growing military tensions, while his political relationship with Louis (Robert Pattinson), the Dauphin of France, becomes increasingly strained. As Henry struggles to find his footing as a ruler, he turns to the seasoned knight John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton), whose guidance plays an important role in shaping the young king.

The David Michôd directorial is based on William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V, which are part of the ‘Henriad.’ Both ‘The King’ and ‘Gladiator’ depict the unique relationship between leadership and conflict. Henry inherits a kingdom troubled by political unrest and military threats, while Maximus becomes caught in a struggle for control of Rome. Their stories show how personal circumstances become inseparable from the fate of the kingdoms they are connected to. The historical drama film is available here.

6. Uprising (2024)

‘Uprising’ or ‘Jeon, Ran’ unfolds during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, when war forces two men who grew up together onto opposite sides. Cheon Yeong (Gang Dong-won), a slave with exceptional swordsmanship, has spent years struggling against the life imposed upon him, while Jong-ryeo (Park Jeong-min), heir to a powerful Joseon military family, is raised alongside him. Their shared upbringing cannot erase the class divide, and the onset of war ultimately drives them apart. Cheon Yeong takes up arms with the civilian army, while Jong-ryeo becomes the closest military officer to King Seonjo. Their paths now lead toward a conflict that transforms their former friendship into a dangerous rivalry.

‘Uprising’ connects with ‘Gladiator’ through the way social status shapes the lives of its warriors. Cheon Yeong possesses fighting ability but remains trapped within the position of a slave, while Maximus begins as a celebrated Roman general before being stripped of his status. Both characters are defined by societies that place them in positions they ultimately have to fight against. Guided by the directorial vision of Kim Sang-man, the Korean historical war film is accessible on Netflix.

5. Kingdom (2019)

‘Kingdom’ or ‘Kingudamu’ follows Xin (Kento Yamazaki), a war orphan raised in slavery who dreams of rising to the position of the greatest general in ancient China. His path takes an unexpected turn after the death of his close friend Piao (Ryo Yoshizawa), whose final request leads him to Ying Zheng (Ryo Yoshizawa), the rightful King of Qin. With rival forces having taken control of the throne, Xin chooses to help the young ruler. Their struggle brings them into conflict with the mountain clan, but the fight is tied to a much larger ambition of restoring Ying Zheng’s rule and ultimately bringing the seven warring states together.

The Japanese historical action film is based on the eponymous manga series from writer and illustrator Yasuhisa Hara. Much like ‘Gladiator,’ the story is about a warrior who becomes caught up in the struggles over a kingdom’s fate during times of war and conflict. Xin’s ambition to become a great general and Maximus’ aim to save Rome link them on a spiritual level as warriors with a deep political and moral cause. Crafted by Shinsuke Satô, the journey unfolds here.

4. Outlaw King (2018)

‘Outlaw King’ is a British-US historical action drama film from director David Mackenzie that tells the story of Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine). After he is crowned King of Scotland in the 14th century, Robert finds his rule challenged by the occupying English forces, who brand him an outlaw. Rather than abandon his claim during a difficult exile, he begins to gather Scottish fighters willing to join his cause. As his rebellion spreads across the countryside, he leads the growing force against a much larger English army.

With Scotland’s future and his people’s independence at stake, Robert must rely on his strategic thinking and bravery to fight for the kingdom he believes should be his. ‘Outlaw King’ and ‘Gladiator’ are driven by protagonists who refuse to accept the power of those who have taken control. In both films, defiance becomes the foundation of the journeys of hardened warriors who care deeply for their people and kingdoms. You may watch it on Netflix.

3. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017)

‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’ or ‘Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion’ brings together two generations of conflict to a brutal reckoning as the truth behind Amarendra Baahubali’s (Prabhas) death continues to shape Mahishmati. Mahendra Baahubali (Prabhas) learns that Kattappa (Sathyaraj) was responsible for his father’s death. Kattappa recounts the events in the past that led to the tragedy, beginning with Amarendra being named the next king by Sivagami (Ramya Krishna). As Amarendra prepares to take the throne, his brother Bhallaladeva (Rana Daggubati) secretly works to claim it for himself. Amarendra’s journey to the Kuntala kingdom brings him to Devasena (Anushka Shetty), while betrayal and political intrigue begin to threaten his future.

In the present, Mahendra heads toward Mahishmati to avenge his father and challenge Bhallaladeva. Crafted and penned by S. S. Rajamouli, the Indian epic action drama film is a sequel to ‘Baahubali: The Beginning.’ The Telugu-language film captures the essence of ‘Gladiator’ through its portrayal of powerful protagonists, deception, glory, the future of kingdoms, the journey of conflicted soldiers, royal politics, alliances, morality, honor, and fate. The Hindi version of the movie is available to stream on Netflix.

2. The Northman (2022)

‘The Northman’ revolves around Prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), whose life is thrown into chaos when his uncle kills his father, King Aurvandill War-Raven (Ethan Hawke), and takes his mother away. Forced to leave his home and grow up in exile, Amleth carries an obsessive purpose to reclaim what was taken from his family. Years later, that desire for vengeance draws him across the harsh landscapes of Iceland, bringing him closer to the man responsible for his suffering. While Amleth moves toward his goal, unexpected stories about his past begin to complicate the revenge he has built his life around.

Robert Eggers steers this epic period fantasy action film, which is based on the legend of Amleth from ‘Gesta Danorum’ by Saxo Grammaticus. ‘The Northman’ and ‘Gladiator’ are grand sagas of complex warriors shaped by exile and loss at unexpected stages in their lives. Amleth grows up away from his home while desiring to reclaim what was taken from him, whereas Maximus is forced into the life of a gladiator, who becomes Rome’s hope against moral decay and tyranny. Enjoy it here.

1. Pompeii (2014)

With Paul W. S. Anderson in the director’s chair, ‘Pompeii’ is a historical disaster film inspired by the tragic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It places former slave Milo (Kit Harington) at the center of a dangerous struggle in the Roman city of Pompeii amid chaos. Now a gladiator, Milo finds himself drawn to Cassia (Emily Browning), the daughter of a wealthy merchant, but their relationship is complicated by their different social positions and her engagement with the corrupt Roman senator Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland). When Mount Vesuvius erupts, personal conflict is overshadowed by a fight for survival as the city falls into chaos. With the volcano threatening everyone around him, Milo races through the collapsing city to reach Cassia and save her from Corvus before the eruption destroys them all.

‘Pompeii’ is strongly connected to ‘Gladiator’ through its gladiator protagonist and his struggles against overwhelming odds. Milo, like Maximus, is a man who finds himself fighting inside the brutal Roman arena while carrying personal motivations beyond the glory of combat. Both films use the gladiator world and moral code as the backdrop for stories involving powerful Roman figures and characters guided by destiny itself. You can find the story unfold on Netflix.

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