Watch Movies & TV Shows About The Roman Empire

Watch Movies & TV Shows About The Roman Empire

Jenni Russell
Jenni Russell

Published on 23 July 2024

Updated on 23 April 2026

The Roman Empire may have fallen centuries ago, but its legacy continues to shape the stories we tell, and how we tell them. From tales of ruthless emperors and epic battles to intimate portraits of political intrigue, betrayal, and daily life, the world of ancient Rome has proven to be an endless source of inspiration for filmmakers and TV creators alike. Whether you’re drawn to sweeping historical spectacles, character-driven dramas, or stylized reinterpretations of classical history, there’s no shortage of compelling content set in this fascinating era.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up our top picks for movies and TV shows that bring the Roman Empire to life. These selections capture the grandeur, complexity, and drama of Rome at its peak and during its decline, offering something for both history enthusiasts and casual viewers. Even better, we’ll also point you to where you can stream each title online, so you can dive straight into the world of emperors, gladiators, and legendary conquests.

01

I, Claudius
I, Claudius

I, Claudius

1976

The brilliant BBC series, I, Claudius, stars Derek Jacobi as the famous Roman emperor Claudius. The show is an adaptation of Robert Graves’ 1934 novel of the same name, and his 1935 sequel ‘Claudius the God’. Siân Phillips, Brian Blessed, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart and John Rhys-Davies also feature.

02

Gladiator
Gladiator

Gladiator

2000

No list about the Roman Empire would be complete without Gladiator. Ridley Scott’s masterpiece stars Russell Crowe as Maximus Meridius and won five Academy Awards with another seven nominations. Scott’s long-awaited sequel Gladiator II premieres in 2024.

03

Rome
Rome

Rome

2005

This HBO historical drama series is set in the 1st Century BC during Ancient Rome’s transition from a Republic to an Empire. Rome features a huge ensemble cast, with Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kerry Condon and James Purefoy appearing in every episode.

04

Cleopatra
Cleopatra

Cleopatra

1963

Elizabeth Taylor stars as the iconic queen, Cleopatra, in this epic spectacle. As Cleopatra struggles to hold on to her power, she seduces Roman emperor Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison), and then his general Marc Antony (Richard Burton).

05

Masada
Masada

Masada

1981

Masada is a fictional account about the siege of the Masada citadel in Israel by the Roman Empire in 73 AD. Based on Ernest Gann’s 1971 novel ‘The Antagonists’, the miniseries stars Peter O’Toole as commander Lucius Flavius Silva.
Masada is not available for streaming.
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06

Ben-Hur
Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur

1959

Charlton Heston stars as Ben-Hur, a Jew living in ancient Judea in 25 AD, and an opponent to the occupying Roman Empire. When he is falsely accused of assassinating the Roman governor, he is enslaved.
Those About To Die follows the world of gladiators in Ancient Rome. At the height of the Roman Empire, nothing satiates the crowds quite like a bloody, brutal fight amongst men and beast. Sir Anthony Hopkins stars as Emperor Vespasian.

08

Spartacus
Spartacus

Spartacus

1960

Stanley Kubrick, Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier team up for the 1960 classic, Spartacus. Born and raised a slave, Spartacus is sold to a Gladiator trainer and taught to kill, while entertaining the crowds of Ancient Rome.

09

Plebs
Plebs

Plebs

2013

This comedy sitcom is much lighter viewing. Plebs follows three young men who are desperate to get laid, keep their jobs and climb the social ladder in Ancient Rome.

10

Agora
Agora

Agora

2009

A refreshingly female-focused film, Rachel Weisz stars in 2009’s Agora. Weisz plays Hypatia, a lady philosopher who must save the classical knowledge of the Empire from rampaging Christian mobs. The film also features Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac and Ashraf Barhom.
Agora is not available for streaming.
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About this list

Titles

11

Total Watch Cost

£68.93

Total Watch Time

85h 59min

Genres

Drama, History, Action & Adventure

Where can I watch this list online?

Find out which streaming services have the most titles from this list below.

There are 10 titles in this list and you can watch 1 of them on Amazon Prime Video. 6 other streaming services also have titles available to stream today.

  1. 1 Title Amazon Prime Video
  2. 1 Title Amazon Prime Video with Ads
  3. 1 Title ITVX
  4. 1 Title ITVX Premium
  5. 1 Title Netflix