Gladiator | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

80% Tomatometer 260 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 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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Gladiator | Rotten Tomatoes (1) 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 Gladiator | Rotten Tomatoes (2) 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 Gladiator | Rotten Tomatoes (3) 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 Full Review Gladiator | Rotten Tomatoes (4) 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 Gladiator | Rotten Tomatoes (5) 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 Gladiator | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Tom Shone Sunday Times (UK) Scott’s films lurch all over the place in terms in quality, but when the material rises to match his sheer movie-making suss, the results can be fabulous. Rated: 5/5 Oct 14, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Brilliant that’s all you can say Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/29/24 Full Review Kittiphop P Thanks to Russell Crowe, who captivated the audience with his stunning performance, Ridley Scott's remarkable revival of Rome restored broken hearts. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/29/24 Full Review Lee B Ben Hur, the movie it's trying to copy, is much better than this Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/29/24 Full Review The Apex B Movie is a masterpiece Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/29/24 Full Review NICK T Gladiator is one of my all-time favorite movies! I absolutely loved the intense action scenes and the epic battles—they were so well done and kept me hooked the entire time. Russell Crowe was incredible as Maximus; his performance was powerful and full of emotion. The story of honor, revenge, and redemption was gripping, and I found myself completely invested in his journey. Plus, Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack added so much to the overall experience. It’s a movie I can watch over and over and still be blown away every time! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/28/24 Full Review Pradeep K This film provided a deeply nostalgic experience, bringing me back to my childhood when I first watched the original and was captivated by it. Now, as an adult, watching this sequel, it’s incredible to see the evolution of the story, the characters, and the production values.The storyline effectively blends historical elements with modern sensibilities, and as someone with a strong appreciation for history, I found it particularly engaging. It’s a stark reminder of how much the world and our technology have evolved. While the original film, released in 2000, still holds up visually, this latest installment takes things to another level in terms of beauty and innovation. It’s truly remarkable to witness.The performances across the board were outstanding. From Denzel Washington to Pedro Pascal, each actor fully embraced their role, creating a sense of authenticity and depth. However, Paul Mescal deserves special recognition. His performance was exceptional, demonstrating impressive range and emotional depth that significantly elevated the film. Every actor brought something unique to their role, contributing to a compelling and immersive experience.The cinematography was also a standout. The shots, camera angles, and color gradients were all meticulously crafted to enhance the story visually. The director clearly had a strong vision for the film, and it was executed brilliantly. As someone with a background in film studies, I greatly appreciated the attention to detail in every frame.What I particularly appreciated about this sequel is how it provided closure for fans of the original film. In an era where many sequels feel like cash grabs, this one felt like a true continuation of the story, with genuine care and respect for the source material. It was a refreshing change, and the filmmakers succeeded in preserving what made the first film special while expanding the narrative in a satisfying way.The pacing was another strength. At no point did I find myself disengaged or bored; the film maintained a steady rhythm that kept me invested from beginning to end. Overall, I would rate this film a solid 10/10. I have no complaints and am extremely satisfied with the final product. It’s a rare sequel that truly honors its predecessor while delivering something new and exciting. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/28/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Ridley Scott Director Russell Crowe Maximus Decimus Meridius Joaquin Phoenix Commodus Connie Nielsen Lucilla Oliver Reed Proximo Derek Jacobi Gracchus
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Movie Clips

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Gladiator

Gladiator: Official Clip - Maximus' Dying Wish Gladiator: Official Clip - Maximus' Dying Wish 2:51 Gladiator: Official Clip - Busy Little Bee Gladiator: Official Clip - Busy Little Bee 1:55 Gladiator: Official Clip - The Battle of Carthage Gladiator: Official Clip - The Battle of Carthage 2:59 Gladiator: Official Clip - Maximus vs. Tigris of Gaul Gladiator: Official Clip - Maximus vs. Tigris of Gaul 2:59 Gladiator: Official Clip - Commodus Murders His Father Gladiator: Official Clip - Commodus Murders His Father 2:49 Gladiator: Official Clip - Are You Not Entertained? Gladiator: Official Clip - Are You Not Entertained? 2:05 Gladiator: Official Clip - The Battle Against Germania Gladiator: Official Clip - The Battle Against Germania 3:00 Gladiator: Official Clip - Maximus Kisses Lucilla Gladiator: Official Clip - Maximus Kisses Lucilla 2:27 Gladiator: Official Clip - Maximus Kills Commodus Gladiator: Official Clip - Maximus Kills Commodus 2:50 Gladiator: Official Clip - My Name is Maximus Gladiator: Official Clip - My Name is Maximus 2:42 View more videos

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Gladiator

Gladiator: Best Scenes Gladiator: Best Scenes 8:04 Gladiator: Best Scenes Gladiator: Best Scenes 8:04 Gladiator: Trailer 1 Gladiator: Trailer 1 1:23 View more videos

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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
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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Gladiator | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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