The 8 Best Epic Movies of All Time That You Can't Miss

Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott and released in 2000, is a historical epic starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, and others. Crowe plays Maximus Decimus Meridius, a loyal Roman general betrayed by Emperor Commodus's son, who murders his father and seizes the throne. Maximus is forced into slavery but rises in the gladiatorial arena to seek revenge for the death of his family and the emperor. Released in the U.S. on May 5, 2000, Gladiator became a major box-office hit and received critical acclaim. It won several awards, including five Oscars at the 73rd Academy Awards, with Crowe earning the Best Actor award. The film's success owes much to its thrilling arena scenes, which were filmed with real tigers and without special effects, and its accurate portrayal of a Roman coliseum. Crowe's performance and the script's excellence made Gladiator a favorite among audiences and critics alike.

Influenced by the legendary epic BEN-HUR (1959), Gladiator features intense arena battles, and its Roman setting is meticulously recreated. Crowe's incredible performance helped cement Gladiator as a timeless classic in the epic genre.

Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick, tells the story of a gladiator's fight for freedom against the brutal oppression of the Roman Empire. The film was a massive box-office success for its time and featured over 10,000 extras. The battle scenes were filmed on a large field in Madrid, creating some of the most intense and grandiose combat sequences of its era. Douglas’s powerful performance, combined with the intricate plots and conflicts, captivated audiences.

Spartacus earned a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes and won four Academy Awards from six nominations, along with several other prestigious accolades. Additionally, the film inspired a popular and highly successful television series adaptation.

From what we've seen so far, it's clear that Ben-Hur is a monumental film that has cast a long shadow over subsequent epic movies. Ben-Hur tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, who seeks revenge against those who wronged him and finds his path to Jesus. The film captures all the elements that define an epic: a heroic narrative, love, and a profound message of forgiveness. What makes it even more unique is its depiction of faith through Ben-Hur's journey towards Christ.

The 9-minute chariot race scene, filmed entirely by hand, remains unforgettable to this day. With its significant investment and dedication, Ben-Hur earned a record-breaking 11 Oscars, along with an impressive $75 million in box office revenue, a huge sum for its time.

The 2016 remake of Ben-Hur garnered positive reactions from fans who were eager to see this legendary tale reimagined for modern audiences. However, it doesn't follow the original 1959 film exactly but is based on the literary work Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by author Lew Wallace. While the essence of the story is retained, there are some updates to make it more relatable for today's viewers. With its fresh approach and respect for the original, BEN-HUR 2016 promises to continue the legacy of its iconic predecessor, making it one of the most anticipated epic films of the year.

Immortals, directed by Tarsem Singh, is a 3D fantasy epic starring Henry Cavill, Freida Pinto, and Mickey Rourke. The film transports audiences to a mythical world where Hyperion, the king of Heraklion, seeks to destroy the gods by obtaining the powerful bow of the god of war. His goal is to free the Titans imprisoned by Zeus, and in doing so, he wreaks havoc on innocent lives. However, the gods, led by Zeus, take it upon themselves to train Theseus, a young warrior, to protect humanity from Hyperion’s wrath. The film is filled with fierce battles and stunning visuals as Theseus fights to thwart Hyperion's destructive plans.

Released as a major box office hit in 2014, Exodus: Gods and Kings captivated audiences with its powerful retelling of a famous biblical story. It follows the 300-year-long struggle of the heroic Moses to free the Jewish people from the oppressive rule of the Egyptian Pharaohs.

The film, directed by Ridley Scott, portrays the legendary journey of Moses (played by Christian Bale) as he leads the Israelites out of Egypt, escaping Pharaoh's harsh reign. Known for his success with medieval epics like Kingdom of Heaven and Gladiator, Ridley Scott brings the epic tale of Moses to life with stunning visuals and a compelling narrative.

Exodus: Gods and Kings delves deeply into the psychological struggle of Moses as he is forced to turn against his own brother and those who raised him, making it a gripping and emotional journey. This film stands as a monumental epic, focused on the heroic leader of the Jewish people.

Released two years after Troy, 300 marked Zack Snyder's first epic film adaptation from a graphic novel. Based on Frank Miller's comic of the same name, the film depicts the legendary battle where 300 Spartan soldiers, led by King Leonidas, face off against over a million Persian invaders.

Upon its release, 300 sparked a range of reactions from both audiences and critics. However, there's no denying the intense, blood-soaked battles and the extraordinary hand-to-hand combat scenes, choreographed with precision and authenticity under the guidance of fight coordinators. The film’s portrayal of patriotism and devotion to family also added depth to the story.

Despite some criticism, 300 was a box office success, grossing $456 million worldwide, and even spawned a sequel seven years later. It earned a solid 7.7 rating on IMDb and a Metascore of 55/100.

Troy, released in 2004 and directed by Wolfgang Petersen, is an epic adaptation of the Iliad and Greek mythology, featuring stars like Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, and Sean Bean. The film centers on the legendary ten-year siege of Troy, one of the most significant battles in Greek history.

The success of Troy can be attributed to many factors, including stellar performances from Brad Pitt and Eric Bana, grand battle sequences, and compelling narratives of love, life, and strategy on both sides of the war. Notably, the large-scale battle scenes, shot with hundreds of extras, provided an immersive viewing experience.

Not only did Troy gross nearly half a billion dollars, but it also garnered several prestigious nominations and awards, solidifying Orlando Bloom, Rose Byrne, and others as rising stars in Hollywood.

Orlando Bloom seems to have a knack for epic roles. After Troy, he starred in Kingdom of Heaven, directed by Ridley Scott. The film focuses on the events leading up to the Third Crusade and the legendary defense of Jerusalem by knight Balian, who faces an overwhelming army led by the Muslim leader Saladin.

Religious themes have always captivated audiences, and the film’s depiction of the bloody and grand scale of the Crusades, marked by centuries of Christian-Muslim conflict, drew in viewers. Additionally, the love story, loyalty, and faith resonated deeply with audiences.

Though it didn't achieve groundbreaking box office numbers, Kingdom of Heaven received positive feedback from viewers and several nominations. The film also helped solidify Orlando Bloom and Eva Green as major Hollywood talents.