Skip to content
MovieCove
Gladiator II

Gladiator II

Prepare to be entertained.

2024148 minRMidcredits score: 58th percentile of all films
Director
Ridley Scott
Starring
Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Gladiator II?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Gladiator II streaming on MGM+ via Apple TV, Netflix and Paramount+ and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

via Apple TVNew

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Gladiator II?

Gladiator II earns 7 badges, led by Visual feast and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Gladiator II worth watching?

Gladiator II's Midcredits score is the 58th percentile of all films, from 1.8M ratings across 6 sources. 53% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

58th percentile

Better received than 58% of films

66th percentile among Adventure59th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)58th
Approval (how many liked it)56th

64 /100

58th percentile of all films

67th percentile among Adventure59th percentile among 2020s

Critics 64 · Audience 64

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.4 — solid but not unanimous.

53% liked it

56th percentile of all films

64th percentile among Adventure57th percentile among 2020s
53% rated it 7–1047% rated it 1–6

Critics 70% · Audience 80%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 8 wins / 92 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Costume Design
  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

98th percentile

1.8M ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Adventure98th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$250M
Opening weekend$55M
Domestic gross$172M
Worldwide gross$462M

Returned 1.8× its budget — 96th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a visually spectacular but narratively derivative sequel that retreads the original's story without matching its emotional impact.

Fans praised

  • Denzel Washington's scene-stealing performance
  • Spectacular Colosseum battles and set pieces
  • Visually grand production design and cinematography

Detractors panned

  • Paul Mescal lacks gravitas and screen presence
  • Plot is a lazy retread of the original with predictable beats
  • CGI animals (baboons, sharks, rhino) look cheap and absurd

What stands out

Cinematography80

Stunning visuals of Rome, grand scale, but some CGI undermines practical work

ActingDivisive65

Denzel Washington excels, Paul Mescal widely panned as wooden, Pascal decent but underutilized

Effects and spectacleDivisive65

Impressive large-scale battles but cheap-looking CGI animals and sharks

DialogueDivisive40

Forced, clichéd speeches; lacks memorable lines of original

CharactersDivisive35

Underwritten lead, cartoonish twin emperors, shallow supporting roles

Emotional impactDivisive35

Fails to replicate original's catharsis; forced emotional beats fall flat

Plot and storyDivisive30

Predictable retread of original with illogical twists and rushed pacing

OriginalityDivisive20

Heavily derivative, recycles scenes, quotes, and character arcs from first film

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 12 points higher than over-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 26 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 9 points apart

Watch experience

What is Gladiator II like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Big and sweeping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to be swept up in something big.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Big and sweeping.

Moods
TenseThrillingMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Register
Epic · 2% of films: Vast in scale: big landscapes, big stakes, a long span.Brutal · 7% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its epic revenge story and political intrigue with solemn grandeur, never winking at its audience.
The rideThe film is predominantly tense and thrilling during its battle sequences, with a melancholic undercurrent in the protagonist's personal journey, and the emotional weight peaks in the tragic finale.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from Numidia to Rome, following Lucius's journey from loss to vengeance to redemption.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetCathartic · 6% of films
Why it leaves you this wayViewers leave with satisfaction at the spectacle and resolution, but tinged with awareness that it never matches the original's depth.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeLucius, enslaved after his wife's murder, rises as a gladiator to exact revenge on the general who destroyed his life and ultimately confronts the corrupt rulers of Rome.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPower
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 2% (this title) · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% (this title) · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4% (this title)
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Power

Power · 2% of filmsRevenge · 4% of filmsLegacy · 4% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film examines the corrosive nature of absolute power and the struggle to replace tyranny with a better order, while the protagonist is driven by personal vengeance and a desire to honor his father's legacy.
StanceThe film interrogates the nature of power and whether a better Rome can be built on the legacy of past heroes, without fully endorsing any single political vision.

The world

AncientUrbanWildernessInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernForeground music · original score · Harry Gregson-Williams
Settingancient Rome and its provinces, including Numidia and the Colosseum
MusicThe score uses sweeping, percussive orchestral themes that evoke the epic scale of the Roman Empire and the personal tragedy of the hero.

Content guide

Is Gladiator II okay for kids?

R

Gladiator II is rated R: “Rated R for strong bloody violence” (MPAA). As of October 18, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (89/100), sexual content at mild (33/100), language at mild (31/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (34/100) and frightening material at intense (70/100). Overall it is heavier than 48% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 43 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland15A
  • New ZealandR16
  • JapanR15+
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil16
  • Argentina+13
  • Belgium16
  • BGC
  • Czechia15+
  • FinlandK-16
  • GreeceK15
  • Hong KongIII
  • Hungary16
  • ID17+
  • IndiaU/A 16+
  • Israel16
  • Italy6+
  • LTN-16
  • LV16+
  • MexicoB-15
  • MOD
  • MY18PA
  • Netherlands16
  • PhilippinesR-16
  • PortugalM/16
  • PRR
  • RO12
  • SingaporeM18
  • SK15
  • South Africa16
  • Spain16
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland16
  • Taiwan15+
  • TH15
  • Türkiye16+
  • UA16+
  • VIR
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 69% of all filmsHeavier than 48% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 82%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 27%
Profanity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 6%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 30%
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 65%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Gladiator II have?

MovieCove's classifier found 3 depicted content warnings in Gladiator II: Gore or body horror (severe), Animal cruelty (moderate), Addiction or relapse (mild). 1 more is mentioned only, in dialogue or backstory: Incest. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

SevereGore or body horror
ModerateAnimal cruelty
MildAddiction or relapse
MentionedIncest

Mentioned: referenced in dialogue or backstory, not shown in the story’s present.

Cast and crew

Who is in Gladiator II?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Paul Mescal
as Lucius
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Denzel Washington
as Macrinus
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Pedro Pascal
as General Acacius
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Connie Nielsen
as Lucilla
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Joseph Quinn
as Emperor Geta
Fred Hechinger
as Emperor Caracalla
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Lior Raz
as Viggo
Derek Jacobi
as Gracchus
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Peter Mensah
as Jugurtha
Matt Lucas
as Master of Ceremonies
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Gladiator II?

Movies like Gladiator II include Gladiator (2000), Conquest 1453 (2012) and Kingdom of Heaven (2005). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films by Ridley Scott, and several are films set in ancient times.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its world: war epic. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Gladiator II?

813 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: war epic. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.