Greek mythology is one of the definitive bedrocks of Western storytelling, with plenty of common archetypes, morals, and concepts having their roots in the ancient era.
There have been lots of faithful and inspired adaptations of that material, ranging from classic movies like Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and the upcoming The Odyssey (2026) to more inventive reimaginings like Disney’s Hercules (1997) and Netflix shows like Blood of Zeus (2020). However, others have taken the ideas into some pretty interesting directions.
The best of these reimaginings use the mythological figures as the core idea, taking inspiration from the Gods and the legends that arose around them. Some of them play with the genre in creative ways, leaning more into comedy, romance, or pure drama. A few are even almost unrecognizable from the original myths, fully reimagining the concept from a new cultural perspective. These are the best ten modern takes on Greek mythology across movies and TV, available to watch on Disney+, Netflix, and more.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023)
Based on the book series of the same name, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a fun remix of the Greek pantheon into the YA-world. The first season of the show adapts the first book in the series, The Lightning Thief. While the film adaptation of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) was fairly well-received, the new show has proven to be a critical darling with several Emmy nominations and wins to its name.
Perfect for fans of YA-tinted material like the Harry Potter franchise or The Hunger Games series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians does a great job of coaching the Greek Gods in the background, where they serve as parental and aspirational figures for the show's younger main cast. The modern reinventions of the mythological characters are fun, with the supporting cast benefiting from some great casting—including Jason Mantzoukas as Dionysus, which is perfect casting.
Kaos (2024)
Ambitious, colorful and deeply creative, Kaos was a compelling riff on Greek mythology that feels undercut by a one-season cancellation. The show focused on several figures around a modern-day reimagining of ancient Greece, with Jeff Goldblum's Zeus ruling on high as the various Gods, mortals, and demiGods of the world and in-between dimensions reckon with his actions.
Thought-provoking in its medley of reimagined myth and somber character drama, Kaos is the ideal Greek-flavored follow-up to anyone who enjoyed The Sandman (2022). While the show seems not to be getting a second season on Netflix, this eight-episode story is still very much worth a watch, if only for the clever ways it plays with the power dynamics among the older members of the Pantheon and to see how Goldblum makes Zeus both disarmingly funny and deeply frightening.
American Gods (2017)
A wide-ranging exploration of mythology with a complex emotional core, American Gods is a visually rich if tonally muddled story that has some interesting things to say about the Gods of old. In American Gods, various deities have fled to the United States, preparing for conflict with a new crop of Gods rising up to reflect the 21st century. An adaptation of the book with the same name, American Gods has some creative fun with the various Gods and their interactions, especially whenever it can let Ian McShane throw out some of the prickly charm he pulls out in shows like Deadwood (2004) and films like John Wick (2014)—with one great example being his encounter with Demeter, the Greek God of the harvest and hearth. Similar to Kaos, this show came to an unexpected and premature end, but it’s worth checking out for audiences who love to see mythology reimagined in fresh, modern ways.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
One of the best films from the Coen Brothers and one of the best adaptations of The Odyssey, O Brother, Where Are Thou? is a bluegrass riff on mythology that intersects with the charming folksiness and darker sides of the American experience. Starring George Clooney as the dimwitted but overconfident leader of a trio of escaped convicts, their efforts to get home lead to plenty of bumbling slapstick and charming musical sequences.
The film’s true thematic run is rooted in the ways it quietly references Greek mythology through clever takes on concepts like the Cyclops, the Sirens, and a plea to the Gods. Perfect for people who loved the Coen Brothers' other more comedically tinted films like The Big Lebowski (1998) or Hail, Caesar! (2016), O Brother, Where Are Thou? is one of the more creative reimaginings of Greek mythology, by taking it as far from the epic nature of the old stories as possible.
Xena: Warrior Princess (1995)
While it may be rooted in the mythology and era, Xena: Warrior Princess has a creative approach to reimagining mythology through a decidedly ‘90s vibe that separates it from other period pieces. Focusing on the titular wandering hero and her best friend, Xena: Warrior Princess has a lot of fun with the episodic nature of the show and throws her constantly against new dangers and threats inspired by mythology.
A spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995), Xena is the more entertaining show and makes for a perfect pairing with fellow turn of the century feminist pop culture icon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997). Xena’s popularity led to 134 episodes, and its influence can be seen in everything from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018) to more mature fare like Red Sonja (2025).
Hercules In New York (1970)
More famous for being the cinematic debut of Arnold Schwarzenegger than anything else, Hercules in New York is a silly idea that can't quite match the comedic potential. Set in a version of New York City that won't feel unfamiliar to anyone who has seen Hair (1979) or Midnight Cowboy (1969), Hercules in New York focuses on a version of the legendary demigod who descends from the heavens and gets to experience the weirdness of the city. While the film itself is a bit of a shaggy mess, there is some fun to be had with the cheesy comedy and fun moments like the sight of Hercules wrestling a bear. Not necessarily for anyone looking for a dramatic or complex time, Hercules in New York is a fun film for fans of the unwittingly goofy action movie, like Samurai Cop (1991).
Wonder Woman (2017)
One of DC’s most successful blockbusters, Wonder Woman does a great job of bringing the iconic superhero to life. Starring Gal Gadot as the titular hero, the film introduces a version of the Amazons and the Greek God Hades who find themselves intersecting with the growing conflict of World War I. Wonder Woman’s ability to bring mythic levels of power and nobility to the increasingly muddied conflict of man’s war is what the film sings, especially in sequences where Diana is able to just storm her way through the greatest weapons that the era has to offer. Definitely the highlight of Gadot’s appearances in the DC Extended Universe—although her minor role in Shazam!: Fury of the Gods (2023) is at least entertaining—Wonder Woman is a fun superhero story that does a good job of bringing the Gods into a superhero universe.
Valentine (2008)
Valentine is an interesting riff on Greek mythology, taking cues from shows like Desperate Housewives (2004) more so than actual myth. The show focuses on the Valentine family, the clan of Aphrodite, who find their ability to spread romance waning in the modern day. The show takes an interesting direction by focusing on Aphrodite, who is usually shunted off to the side in adaptations. Canceled after only 8 episodes, there's still something intriguing about the show's blend of Greek mythology with stock romantic dramedy characters, especially a version of the dynamic between Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephestus that doesn't pull back from the messy drama. It’s almost strangely prophetic of Lore Olympus, which took a similar modern-day approach to much greater success in the world of comics. A strange peer to the likes of Gossip Girl (2007), Valentine is an interestingly bizarre and strangely charming show.
Krapopolis (2023)
Irreverent and silly but with a surprisingly strong heart, Krapopolis is a very silly take on Greek mythology. From Dan Harmon, the mind behind Community (2009) and one of the chief creatives for Rick & Morty (2013), Krapopolis is a bombastic comedy about a “great city’ of the ancient world that often falls into chaos due to the ruling family. With a main cast that includes Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Hannah Waddingham, Pam Murphy, and Duncan Trussell, Krapopolis is a great pick for audiences looking to laugh along with the mythology and can appreciate how it reflects modern society. A mythological counter to the sci-fi absurdism that is Futurama (1999), Krapopolis is a clever, cheeky, and colorful take on mythological creatures and deities that finds fun ways to use the concept as a means of discussing class disparity and politics.
Mischief Of The Gods (2014)
A wild reinvention of mythology that takes the concept into the world of anime, Mischief of the Gods is a self-awarely strange and deeply committed take on the romantic teen genre, all filtered through old Gods. Tasked with teaching the importance of love to teenage variants of various Gods from across several deities, the anime focuses on mild-mannered Yui Kusangai doing her best to teach the various Gods, all while struggling with her own self-doubt and attraction to them. An anime that's ideal for fans of K-drama romance stories, Mischief of the Gods has a lot of fun with the concept, especially when pitting pretty boy variants of the likes of Hades, Thor, Anubis, and Tsukito against one another in pursuit of the same woman. While it doesn’t have the most action in the world, fans of high-drama anime will find plenty to love in this show.
