8 Sword-And-Sandal Movies To Watch After ’The Odyssey’
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (2026) is an epic retelling of Homer's iconic poem and helps to reintroduce the sword-and-sandals genre to the mainstream public. These stories are usually epic historical tales that are often tied to Greek or Roman mythology or the era.
Of course, there are other stories that capture the epic themes of sword-and-sandal films. But after watching The Odyssey, it's hard to figure out which ones are worth watching after the highly popular film. Thankfully, we have compiled a list of some of the best sword-and-sandal films to watch after Nolan's film, and they are sure to keep you glued to the screen. To check them out, head over to JustWatch TV, Prime Video, and more!
Troy (2004) is a film set before the events of Homer's The Odyssey, chronicling his first poem, The Iliad. While Nolan's film explores the fall of Troy, Troy is all about the war leading to its end and features more than a few amazing battles.
Everyone remembers Troy and how Brad Pitt stole the show as Achilles, as well as his battle with Hector. We all remember how annoying Paris was and how exciting it was to see Achilles' forces storm the beach of Troy. If you love The Odyssey, Troy is the most logical follow-up, so you can understand the full story.
The most epic sword-and-sandal movie of the 21st century, Gladiator (2000), tells the story of a general who lost everything after being promised a peaceful life. His family is gone and taken to fight in the colosseum; Maximus lives only for revenge, and all the audience has to do is enjoy the ride.
Gladiator has amazing action, an iconic soundtrack, and some of the most important lines in modern cinema. It's a movie with no faults and captures everything we love about seeing movies in this era. Compared to The Odyssey, Gladiator is just as epic but much more grounded.
Ben-Hur (1959) is a religious epic film that tells the story of a Jewish Prince betrayed by his childhood friend, who has devoted himself to the Roman Empire. Sent to slavery, Ben-Hur eventually regains his freedom and comes back for justice and vengeance.
Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd deliver amazing performances in a movie filled with incredible scenes, like the chariot race. It's one of the most iconic sword-and-sandal films out there, and we wouldn't have had The Odyssey without Ben-Hur.
The Prince of Egypt (1998) is a beloved animated film that tells the story of Moses. Though it's animated, the film doesn't hold back on the dark themes of the story or the tragedy of the broken bond between Moses and Ramses.
The songs are iconic, and the voices and animation are beloved. A great film for the whole family, The Prince of Egypt is an amazing story that proves live-action isn't the only way to tell an incredible and emotional epic.
Conan the Barbarian (1982) not only helped make Arnold Schwarzenegger a household name, but it also delivered a unique sword-and-sandal fantasy film. The film adapts the character created by Robert E. Howard and his journey to get revenge on the clan that killed his people.
Throughout the film, Conan encounters many fantastical threats and creatures, but through it all, the movie never loses its charm or inspiration. Like The Odyssey, Conan the Barbarian is a journey with many twists and turns and creatures, and is one of the most formative movies in the genre.
While the more modern version of the film often gets the most attention, Clash of the Titans (1981) is still beloved not just for its stop-motion but for how much it feels like a classic sword-and-sandal film. Retelling the story of Perseus, the film takes liberties to offer viewers something special.
Clash of the Titans isn't as iconic as other films for its story, but its effects put it above all others and have kept the film in the spotlight decades later. It's a journey just like The Odyssey, but one that stands out for how much it dared to do.
Like Gladiator, Spartacus (1960) is a story about a gladiator who rose to fight for more than entertainment. Starring Kirk Douglas, the film tells the story of the historical figure and his efforts to lead a rebellion against Rome.
Spartacus' story is one of the most iconic of the time, and the film doesn't pull its punches in delivering an emotionally powerful tale of one man's fight for freedom. It may not be as shocking as The Odyssey, but it captures the fires of battle better than most.
Another defining film of movie history, Jason and the Argonauts (1963) tells the story of Jason and his search for the Golden Fleece. Not only does the movie capture the many obstacles he faced, but it also gives us some impressive uses of special effects.
This is the film that created the iconic skeleton battle that has been homaged in various other films. But more than that, it's every bit as exciting and strange as The Odyssey, with the added bonus of its dated aesthetic giving it even more charm.
