Gladiator
A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.
Directed by Ridley Scott · Action · Adventure · Drama · 155 min · 2000
Trailer
Director
Ridley Scott
Studio
DreamWorks Pictures{{cite news / title=Gladiator – Cast, Crew, Director and Awards / url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/184587/Gladiator/credits / access-date=July 30, 2010 / archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007115057/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/184587/Gladiator/credits / archive-date=2015-10-07 / work=The New York Times / date=2015 / url-status=dead / Universal Pictures / Scott Free Productions / Red Wagon Entertainment
Release
05 May 2000
Runtime
155 min
Genres
Action, Adventure, Drama
Full Plot
Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his family condemned to death. The powerful general is captured and put into the Gladiator games until he dies. The only desire that fuels him now is the chance to rise to the top so that he will be able to look into the eyes of the man who will feel his revenge.
Cast & Characters
Maximus Decimus Meridius: A Roman general forced into slavery who seeks revenge against Emperor Commodus for the murder of his family and the previous emperor, Marcus Aurelius.
Russell Crowe
Commodus: The power-hungry son of Marcus Aurelius who murders his father to become emperor.
Joaquin Phoenix
Lucilla: Maximus' former lover and the sister of Commodus.
Connie Nielsen
Antonius Proximo: A gladiator trainer who buys Maximus in North Africa.
Oliver Reed
Senator Gracchus: A Roman senator who opposes Commodus' rule.
Derek Jacobi
Juba: A Numidian gladiator who befriends Maximus.
Djimon Hounsou
Marcus Aurelius: The elderly emperor of Rome who appoints Maximus to be his successor, with the ultimate aim of returning Rome to a republican form of government. He is murdered by his son Commodus before his wish can be fulfilled.
Richard Harris
Cassius: The master of ceremonies for the gladiatorial games in Rome.
David Hemmings
Senator Falco: A patrician senator who helps Commodus consolidate power.
David Schofield
Senator Gaius: A Roman senator allied with Gracchus, Lucilla, and Maximus against Commodus.
John Shrapnel
Quintus: The commander of the Praetorian Guard who betrays Maximus by allying with Commodus.
Tomas Arana
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $103.0M, Gladiator has grossed $465.5M worldwide — about 4.5x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Gladiator is part of TMDb's "Gladiator Collection."
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Ridley Scott has directed 4 films in our catalog, including Gladiator II, Alien.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
David Franzoni traveled across Eastern Europe and the Middle East by motorcycle in 1972.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Everywhere I went in Europe, there were arenas.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
The film's director Ridley Scott was captivated by Jean-Léon Gérôme's 1872 painting Pollice Verso, which portrayed the Roman Empire "in all its glory and wickedness".
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Russell Crowe was at the top of the producers' list after his breakout performance in L.A. Confidential (1997).
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
Gladiator holds 8.5/10 on IMDb (1,844,518 votes), 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 11, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.5/10 on IMDb (1,844,518 votes), 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gladiator's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Gladiator holds a 80% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Gladiator's IMDb rating?+
Gladiator has a 8.5/10 rating on IMDb from 1,844,518 votes.
What is Gladiator's Metacritic score?+
Gladiator has a Metascore of 67/100 on Metacritic.
Is Gladiator good? What are critics saying?+
Gladiator holds 8.5/10 on IMDb (1,844,518 votes), 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Gladiator?+
Gladiator has a runtime of 155 min.
Who directed Gladiator?+
Gladiator was directed by Ridley Scott.
Where can I watch Gladiator?+
Gladiator is available to stream, rent, or buy on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Kanopy, YouTube TV, JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex, Rakuten TV, Sky Store, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Zee5.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to "Gladiator" is overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its epic scope, powerful imageries, and exceptional performances. Some critics have noted that the film may not be perfect, but it has become a classic in its own right due to its unique qualities. The movie's unique battle scenes, cinematography, acting, and directing have been widely praised, with many reviewers calling it a "masterpiece" or one of the greatest films ever made.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Gladiator has been my most favorite film of all time. It is an epic masterpiece in many ways and it really explains why despite the numerous viewings, Gladiator still amuses me with its powerful imageries and many other crucial aspects so that it won five Academy Awards. This fil…
Eky · 10/10They said you were a giant. They said you can crush a man's skull with one hand. Ridley Scott's Gladiator is not a perfect film, I would think that the hardiest of fans, of which I'm firmly one, know this deep down. Yet just like Commodus in the film is keen to point out that he…
John Chard · 10/10Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a real masterpiece of its genre. With its unique battle scenes, cinematography, acting and directing. It's a real must-watch. Shame on you if you haven't watched this movie!
Kowalczyk · 8/10This has got just about everything from "Spartacus" (1960) to "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" (1964) via a bit of "Quo Vadis" (1951) to it - and Ridley Scott has managed to create a magnificent spectacle of a film. Russell Crowe is the eponymous soldier "Maximus". Commande…
CinemaSerf · 8/10Deleted
Prodank · 10/10An epic old movie, an absolute must watch. Even now, I can’t resist running my hands over tall plants whenever I pass by them
kodkuce · 10/10
From the trailer's comments
Came here after the "Odyssey" trailer. Now THIS is how you do a trailer!
@Yoctopory · 44 likesNow this is what I call a trailer!
@jeffreye77 · 96 likesHow do you following up to one of the greatest films ever made? Not just as a sword and sandels epic but as one of best films ever? The answer you can't. "People should know when they're conquered."
@TENCHUSNAKE- · 35 likesIt's one of my favorite movies of all times. Entertaining from beginning to end.
@stephaniesmith7659 · 58 likesMUCH better than the Gladiator II trailer.
@Dude-oh8vq · 165 likesI had to rewatch this cinematic gem after being subjected to the Gladiator 2 trailer.
@DrinaSteinberg-author · 62 likesMen. Young men. You have never needed to see a movie like this more in HISTORY.
@Evan_Makeba · 76 likesBest movie ever. I watchit it more than 50 times
@barumbadum · 55 likes
