Gladiator

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1:23

Gladiator

R

Released May 5, 2000

2h 34m

History

Drama

Adventure

Action

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Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

261 Reviews

87%

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250,000+ Ratings

Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher. Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas.

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Critics Consensus

While not everyone will be entertained by Gladiator's glum revenge story, Russell Crowe thunderously wins the crowd with a star-making turn that provides Ridley Scott's opulent resurrection of Rome its bruised heart.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

The same sturdy conventionality that made Gladiator a hit means that it’s built to last without standing particularly tall. With apologies to Ridley Scott, it holds up fine without echoing into eternity.

Nov 21, 2024

Full Review

Stephen Hunter

Washington Post

It is an honorable movie, so are they all honorable movies. But that's not enough. It's not great. It's a disappointment. Caesar hates disappointment, so kill it swiftly and be done.

Nov 2, 2022

Full Review

Bill Muller

Arizona Republic

The new film has spectacular fight scenes in dazzling sets and a familiar story about honor and betrayal, courage and cowardice. It's the perfect vehicle for some old-fashioned sword-clanging fun.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 2, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

One of the slighter films to ever win the Best Picture Oscar.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 11, 2025

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Greg MacArthur

Screen Rant

As iconic as Ridley Scott's Gladiator is, a better film would exist beneath its legendary dialogue and battle scenes in the form of a sharper script.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 14, 2024

Full Review

Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

The enduring success of Gladiator lies in many factors, one of which is Scott’s modern sensibility in his direction that appeals even to contemporary audiences.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 11, 2024

Full Review

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Paul S

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. The story is compelling and it was thrilling from start to finish. I definitely recommend it for medieval and action fans!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

Full Review

Luke C

This is a must watch. You can't help but feel inspired seeing a man (Maximus) of sheer will and determination overcome adversity to do what he needed to do. The fight scenes are life or death and you'll constantly be on edge hoping that our hero won't get slashed or stabbed by all the swords and spears swinging around. Russell Crowe did a phenomenal job conveying the heartbreak, anger, and courage of Maximus as it's impossible to not cheer for the guy after all that he went through. Joaquin Phoenix also did an amazing job with Commodus. I've never had seen a villain that boiled my blood so much and I was so happy when fell. The ending is bittersweet and a perfect ending to a movie. At the end of the day, it's not about whether we come out alive or not but if we find our peace at the end knowing that we did everything that we could to do. Because when death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back. ∞🤞

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

Full Review

Arabella D

PEAK CINEMA. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS MOVIE YOU NEED TO CHECK IT OUT😈🥸

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

Richard L

While not exactly true to history but some fantastic acting, action, emotion, revenge and death. An epic masterpiece for it's time that still holds up in 2025.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

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Audience Member

Weird movie which wasn't fun. Just watching it will pretty much disappoint every history fan as myself. But hey, that's just my opinion.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

Full Review

Blobbo X

Too long again. Disjointed and uninvolving. Stars for effort - or gallons wasted spilled blood, think Blobbo.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

Full Review

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Ridley Scott

Director

Russell Crowe

Maximus Decimus Meridius

Joaquin Phoenix

Commodus

Connie Nielsen

Lucilla

Oliver Reed

Proximo

Derek Jacobi

Gracchus

Gladiator: NOT USA - Commodus Murders His Father

2:49

Gladiator: NOT USA - My Name is Maximus

2:42

Gladiator: NOT USA - Maximus vs. Tigris of Gaul

2:59

Gladiator: NOT USA - The Battle Against Germania

3:00

Gladiator: NOT USA - Maximus' Dying Wish

2:51

Gladiator: NOT USA - Busy Little Bee

1:55

Gladiator: NOT USA - Are You Not Entertained?

2:05

Gladiator: NOT USA - Maximus Kisses Lucilla

2:27

Gladiator: NOT USA - The Battle of Carthage

2:59

Gladiator: NOT USA - Maximus Kills Commodus

2:51

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Gladiator: Best Scenes

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Gladiator: Trailer 1

1:23

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Synopsis

Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher. Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: David Franzoni, Branko Lustig, Douglas Wick
Screenwriter: David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson, David Franzoni
Distributor: Universal Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions, DreamWorks Pictures
Rating: R (Intense Graphic Combat)
Genre: History, Drama, Adventure, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $187.7M
Runtime: 2h 34m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Dolby EX, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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