Where to watch
No longer in theaters
A young man seeks revenge and redemption in the Colosseum after his home is conquered by tyrants.
Trailer
Why watch this film?
Our suggestions
From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) 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.
"Gladiator II is the long-awaited sequel, nearly a quarter-century later, to one of the most acclaimed and beloved films in Ridley Scott’s filmography, the original Gladiator. With this background, and following an uneven streak for the director including House of Gucci and Napoleon, there was a lot riding on this second installment, which manages to deliver, though not innovate. The story, set decades after the original, follows a Numidian warrior named Hanno (Paul Mescal), who is forced to fight as a gladiator when his North African kingdom is conquered by the Roman general Acacius (Pedro Pascal). However, the Roman Empire is in conflict due to the corrupt rule of two twin emperors, and the true lineage of Hanno, Acacius' affiliations, and the ambitions of the mysterious slave trader Macrinus (Denzel Washington) come into play. The narrative structure is almost identical, and while Scott and screenwriter David Scarpa introduce different perspectives on the nature of power, at its core, this is another revenge story similar to the first. However, it’s just as spectacular, if not more so, than the original, so if you’re a fan of the classic, you’re almost certain to enjoy the sequel."