30 Best Movies and TV Shows about the Roman Empire (and Where to Stream Them Online)

Rome wasn’t built in a day and these epic movies and TV shows prove that. Since the black-and-white talkies to Technicolor masterpieces to series on streaming, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire has long fascinated popular culture.

This year, Prime Video is walking in the footsteps of HBO’s Spartacus and Rome, releasing Those About To Die, a period action drama set around the gladiators of ancient Rome. Talking about gladiators, Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning Rome classic Gladiator is also receiving its highly-awaited sequel this year.

From Cleopatra to Gladiator: The Best Movies about the Roman Empire

Some of the best movies about the Roman Empire have unsurprisingly been about the famous monarchs and leaders involved in this great ancient regime. Thanks to William Shakespeare and his plays about Julius Caesar, the Roman tyrant’s life and his infamous assassination have been the subject of many classic films. A particularly interesting watch is Julius Caesar (1953) that starred The Godfather star Marlon Brando playing the titular character.

In Caesar’s times, the Egyptian queen Cleopatra was also a force to be reckoned with. And you get an idea of her life and times with the 1963 war romance epic Cleopatra that starred Elizabeth Taylor as the queen of Egypt.

But over the years, some of the best Roman empire movies have focused on the slaves and gladiator fighters instead of the kings and the queens. Some notable examples include Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus that details the origins of a rebellion among the slaves and gladiators.

Russell Crowe’s Oscar-winning performance as Maximus in Gladiator similarly recounts how a famed war general turned into a ring-fighter, only to rise up and seek his vengeance. Modern action dramas like Centurion and The Eagle similarly take a darker and more realistic approach to the Empire and its oppressed inhabitants.

Then there’s the all-time classic Ben-Hur which blends Roman politics with the Christian faith. Charlton Heston’s titular hero is enslaved and sold into the Roman Empire after being betrayed by his adoptive brother, now a Roman diplomat. But Ben-Hur plots his revenge in an ambitious chariot race that still endures as a fantastic feat in filmmaking and practical stuntwork. The inclusion of Jesus Christ and his disciples in ancient Rome make Ben Hur stand out among other ancient Rome movies.

On a lighter note, there have also been some comedies set in ancient Rome such as many adaptations of the Asterix comics (set during the times of Caesar) and Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans (that parodied the eccentric side of the Empire and its rulers).

From Rome to Spartacus: The Best TV Shows about the Roman Empire

It’s best to start with the acclaimed HBO series Rome. The show focuses on the lives of two Roman soldiers as they witness the fall of a republic and the rise of an empire.

While it serves as a more diplomatic and dramatic exploration of the Empire, Spartacus can satisfy fans of more violent action. Set mostly in the fighting rings of the Colosseum, this adrenaline-fueled action saga boasts intense duels and heroic characters.

If you prefer a more fact-based approach, try Netflix’s comprehensive documentary series simply titled Roman Empire.

Have a look at some of the best movies and shows set during the Roman Empire and where to stream them online right now!