10 Most Epic Movies & TV Shows About The Roman Empire, Ranked
The Roman Empire was one of the most significant empires in world history, and its influence is present in many aspects of civilization today. Whether it's our rule of law and legal systems or the way roads and bridges are built, the power of Rome can still be felt in modern day. But while it's possible to appreciate history around us, nothing hits quite like an epic movie or TV show about the Roman Empire—one of the most important and interesting periods of recorded history.
Given its enduring legacy, movies and TV shows about the Roman Empire and ancient Rome have fascinated us for decades. And there are loads of movies and TV shows to choose from whenever you want to delve deeper into the rise and fall of Rome. So if you want to add some Roman history to your entertainment, check out JustWatch's guide to the 10 best movies and TV shows about the Roman Empire.
Quo Vadis is a religious epic that delves into the final years of the infamous reign of Emperor Nero (Peter Ustinov). For a film made in 1951, Quo Vadis’ epic scale and innovative filmmaking techniques are exceedingly impressive. Above all else, the movie is a breathtaking spectacle, paralleled by few in scope and vision.
Given the time period, the film’s stars deliver their performances with a bit of campiness. However, the story of religious persecution adds strong emotional undertones while drawing impressively from real history. Quo Vadis is an excellent watch for viewers interested in older cinema, the notoriety of King Nero, and ancient Roman history from a religious perspective. It’s reminiscent of The Passion of the Christ (2004) with its religious premise and the passion visible in the filmmaking.
If you loved the story captured in Kubrick’s Spartacus, you’ll enjoy the 2010 Spartacus TV show that delivers an even more in-depth and brutal look into the Roman Empire's slave revolts. The series offers a fairly historically accurate depiction of life in Ancient Rome and is arguably a more authentic portrayal of the Third Servile War than the movie.
This version of Spartacus features a lot of gratuitous violence and sex. It never shies away from the more brutal aspects of the Roman Empire, featuring some of the most violent deaths in TV history. If you can stomach the graphic violence, though, Spartacus is an excellent, gritty, and absorbing watch, highly reminiscent of other large-scale, brutal series like Game of Thrones (2011) and Shōgun (2024).
The Fall of the Roman Empire centers on loyal soldier Livius (Stephen Boyd), who stands up to oppose the oppressive ruler Commodus (Christopher Plummer). The Fall of the Roman Empire is often considered the Gladiator (2000) of the 1960s due to the parallels between the films. Where it differs from Gladiator is in the political commentary it imbues in its story, as well as its deeper exploration of the corruption and decline of the Roman Empire.
The Fall of the Roman Empire is also grand in scale, boasting dazzling set pieces and powerful performances. Although it’s not as groundbreaking and passionate as the likes of Ben-Hur and Spartacus, it’s an interesting watch for those intrigued by an earlier version of Gladiator and the decline of the Roman Empire.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum takes a comedic and irreverent approach to the Roman Empire, telling the tale of Roman slave Pseudolus (Zero Mostel), who attempts to win his freedom by helping his master’s son win over the girl of his dreams.
If you like your Roman History with a side of humor, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is the perfect film for you. It’s fast-paced, bold, and hilarious, making it quite a breezy watch. Yet, it still manages to say something profound about the Roman Empire with its satirical take on social classes and Rome. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is laugh-out-loud funny, creative, and sometimes absurd, making it perfect for fans of other historical comedies, such as Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979).
Directed by Ridley Scott, Gladiator follows Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a man who becomes a skilled gladiator on his mission of vengeance. Gladiator is the film that most often comes to mind regarding Roman Empire cinema. It has solidified itself as a true classic, thanks to its spectacle and timeless, thrilling story of old-fashioned, bloody vengeance.
Gladiator captures the intensity and brutality of the gladiatorial games, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they root for the tragic hero. Although not entirely accurate, the movie gets enough aspects of the Roman Empire right to spark genuine interest in the topic. Gladiator is an excellent film for fans of epic revenge movies, such as The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), and is a great starting point for newcomers interested in Roman Empire cinema.
Stanley Kubrick’s critically acclaimed Spartacus is a historical epic that focuses on the slave revolts against the Roman Empire that comprised the Servile Wars. The movie boasts an epic scale, but it never loses sight of its central story and purpose. The film is particularly engaging due to its political and societal commentary, with Kubrick depicting the Roman Empire as a reflection of the anti-Communist hysteria of the 1960s.
In addition to its powerful commentary, Spartacus boasts stunning visuals, dazzling battle scenes, and top-notch performances, including that of Peter Ustinov, who adds some comedic relief to the epic. Spartacus matches the scope of Quo Vadis and Ben-Hur, but it offers viewers an epic without religious undertones and with a story that feels more relevant to modern times.
Rome is a historical drama TV series that explores Rome’s transition from a Republic to an Empire through the perspectives of soldiers Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson).
Rome is one of the largest-scale TV deep dives into Ancient Rome’s transition period. Its detail is exquisite as its hyperrealistic sets and dazzling costumes truly transport viewers to Ancient Rome. Bolstered by drama and strong character development, Rome keeps viewers engaged throughout its entire story. The show will especially appeal to viewers who enjoy large-scale epics like Gladiator and Ben-Hur but are seeking something with a little more historical depth and authenticity.
Ben-Hur is another religious epic that blew audiences away with its sheer scale and ambition. The film follows the epic journey of Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), a Jewish man persecuted by the Roman emperor, as he seeks revenge against his oppressors.
Like Quo Vadis, Ben-Hur is a true spectacle to behold. Regardless of whether you’re interested in Roman history or not, if you’re a film enthusiast, this is one film you’ll want to watch. To this day, the nine-minute chariot race, which took five weeks to film and utilized thousands of extras per day, remains one of the most incredible action scenes in cinematic history. The detail in Ben-Hur is exquisite. While most will watch it for its spectacle, the story is also powerful and intense. With a slightly bigger scope than Quo Vadis and a passion and influence equivalent to works like Gone with the Wind (1939) and The Magnificent Seven (1960), Ben-Hur is a must-see for any Roman Empire or film aficionado.
