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Ben-Hur poster

Movies that feel likeBen-Hur (1959)

In ancient Judea, a Jewish aristocrat opposing Roman occupation of his homeland reunites with his childhood friend, now a Roman commander β€” setting in motion a saga of betrayal, adventure, tragedy, revenge, and faith.

If you loved Ben-Hur, the closest films we have are The Ten Commandments (1956), Spartacus (1960) and Throne of Blood (1957). All three share Ben-Hur's epic and contemplative feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is Captain Blood (1935).

πŸ… 87% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 8.1 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. William Wylerepiccontemplative
10 of 12 streaming nowHBO Max Β· Paramount Plus Premium Β· Criterion Channel

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If Ben-Hur hit the spot, these will too

The Ten Commandments poster
The Ten Commandments
1956 Β· dir. Cecil B. DeMille
πŸ… 82%β˜… 7.9drama Β· historyParamount+

Common ground in both: christianity and miracle

Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.

Spartacus poster
Spartacus
1960 Β· dir. Stanley Kubrick
πŸ… 93%β˜… 7.9history Β· drama Β· adventure

Both keep coming back to the same thing: roman empire

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

Throne of Blood poster
Throne of Blood
1957 Β· dir. Akira Kurosawa
πŸ… 96%β˜… 8drama Β· historyMax

Epic and contemplative in the same breath

Returning to their lord's castle, samurai warriors Washizu and Miki are waylaid by a spirit who predicts their futures. When the first part of the spirit's prophecy comes true, Washizu's scheming wife, Asaji, presses him to speed up the rest of the spirit's prophecy by murdering his lord and usurping his place. Director Akira Kurosawa's resetting of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" in feudal Japan is one of his most acclaimed films.

Judgment at Nuremberg poster
Judgment at Nuremberg
1961 Β· dir. Stanley Kramer
πŸ… 93%β˜… 8.3drama Β· history

History with a pulse of scale, in both cases

In 1947, four German judges who served on the bench during the Nazi regime face a military tribunal to answer charges of crimes against humanity. Chief Justice Haywood hears evidence and testimony not only from lead defendant Ernst Janning and his defense attorney Hans Rolfe, but also from the widow of a Nazi general, an idealistic U.S. Army captain and reluctant witness Irene Wallner.

Pather Panchali poster
Pather Panchali
1955 Β· dir. Satyajit Ray
πŸ… 98%β˜… 8.2drama Β· historyMax

Both lean on stillness more than on drama

Impoverished priest Harihar Ray, dreaming of a better life for himself and his family, leaves his rural Bengal village in search of work. Alone, his wife, Sarbojaya, looks after her rebellious daughter, Durga, and her young son, Apu, as well as Harihar's elderly aunt Indir. The children enjoy the small pleasures of their difficult life, while their parents suffer the daily indignities heaped upon them.

Aguirre, the Wrath of God poster
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
1972 Β· dir. Werner Herzog
πŸ… 96%β˜… 7.8history Β· adventure Β· drama

Adventure built on scale, twice over

A few decades after the destruction of the Inca Empire, a Spanish expedition led by the infamous Aguirre leaves the mountains of Peru and goes down the Amazon River in search of the lost city of El Dorado. When great difficulties arise, Aguirre’s men start to wonder whether their quest will lead them to prosperity or certain death.

Barry Lyndon poster
Barry Lyndon
1975 Β· dir. Stanley Kubrick
πŸ… 78%β˜… 8.1drama Β· history

Contemplative history in both cases

An Irish rogue uses his cunning and wit to work his way up the social classes of 18th century England, transforming himself from the humble Redmond Barry into the noble Barry Lyndon.

Night and Fog poster
Night and Fog
1956 Β· dir. Alain Resnais
β˜… 8.6documentary Β· historyMax

Both working the same history territory

The difference: Leans harder into documentary than Ben-Hur does

Filmmaker Alain Resnais documents the atrocities behind the walls of Hitler's concentration camps.

Captain Blood poster
Captain Blood
1935 Β· dir. Michael Curtiz
πŸ… 100%β˜… 7.7adventure

Both are built on the same subject: governor

The difference: Takes it somewhere less contemplative than Ben-Hur does

Dr. Peter Blood, unjustly convicted of treason and exiled from England, becomes a notorious pirate.

Easy Rider poster
Easy Rider
1969 Β· dir. Dennis Hopper
πŸ… 84%β˜… 7.2adventure Β· drama

Both know what they want from drama

Wyatt and Billy, two Harley-riding hippies, complete a drug deal in Southern California and decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth.

Mutiny on the Bounty poster
Mutiny on the Bounty
1935 Β· dir. Frank Lloyd
πŸ… 96%β˜… 7.6adventure Β· drama Β· history

Adventure of the same temperament

The difference: 24 years apart, and the 1930s show

Fletcher Christian successfully leads a revolt against the ruthless Captain Bligh on the HMS Bounty. However, Bligh returns one year later, hell bent on revenge.

Gandhi poster
Gandhi
1982 Β· dir. Richard Attenborough
πŸ… 89%β˜… 8drama Β· history

Cut from the same drama cloth

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

In the mood for more epic?

all epic movies β†’

The best-reviewed films that share Ben-Hur’s defining feeling.