Gladiator (2000)
What we do in life echoes in eternity.
After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 4 May 2000 |
| Genre | Action, Drama, Adventure |
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Starring | Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen |
| Runtime | 155 min |
| Rated | R |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.3/10 · Metacritic 67/100 · Rotten Tomatoes 80% · IMDb 8.5/10 · TMDB users 8.2/10 |
| Budget | $103 million |
| Box office | $461 million worldwide |
Where to watch Gladiator
Gladiator is streaming on Fubo in the US. It is also on Paramount+ ($13.99 a month). If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Paramount+ is $13.99 at list price.
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What kind of watch this is
Ridley Scott directs this 155-minute film. The hook is a general stripped of his rank, forced into the arena where his skill turns into a commodity. It is not a light watch. The runtime demands you sit with the consequences of power and the cost of survival. The tagline suggests actions echo in eternity, and the film takes that threat seriously. It is a brutal, slow burn that respects the audience’s attention.
What the critics said
Critics leaned toward approval, though with reservations. Rotten Tomatoes reports an 80% Tomatometer score, while Metacritic assigns a 67 Metascore. The consensus praises Ridley Scott’s opulent visuals and Russell Crowe’s star-making turn. Joe Morgensten noted Crowe earns approval by daring to be quiet. Kenneth Turan described his performance as possessing essential physical reality. Dissent focused on the screenplay. Roger Ebert argued the script uses depression as a substitute for personality. It is a film that dazzles the eye before it tests the patience.
How it did with audiences
It cost $103 million and took in $465.5 million worldwide, a return that bought the studio its comfort back with room to spare. On TMDB, users rate it 8.2 out of 10. IMDb audiences, using a weighted average as of March 2026, give it 8.5/10. The numbers are steady, not flashy. For a movie about a man who wanted to be remembered, the box office did the remembering for him.
Awards
Gladiator collected 8 awards from 13 nominations. It took home the Academy Award for Best Picture, credited to producer Douglas Wick. Russell Crowe won the Oscar for Best Actor. Ridley Scott swept the BAFTA for Best Film. The Academy also recognized the sound and visual effects teams, alongside costume designer Janty Yates. A few more wins round out the tally, proving that Roman history can win an Oscar while you’re busy refreshing your inbox.
What came next for the cast
Russell Crowe shifted from gritty noir leads to superhero blockbusters. Joaquin Phoenix moved from intense indie dramas to Marvel-adjacent roles. Connie Nielsen jumped from procedural TV to DC films. The credits cannot say Gladiator caused that pivot. They can only show where the paths diverged. Sometimes a single role changes the genre of a career.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Gladiator.
Sources
- Gladiator on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q128518 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Gladiator (2000 film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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