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Spartacus poster

Movies that feel likeSpartacus (1960)

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.

If you loved Spartacus, the closest films we have are Barry Lyndon (1975), Ben-Hur (1959) and The Ten Commandments (1956). All three share Spartacus' 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… 93% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 7.9 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. Stanley Kubrickepiccontemplative
9 of 12 streaming nowHBO Max Β· Paramount Plus Premium Β· Criterion Channel

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If Spartacus hit the spot, these will too

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

The same hand behind both of them: Stanley Kubrick

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.

Ben-Hur poster
Ben-Hur
1959 Β· dir. William Wyler
πŸ… 87%β˜… 8.1history Β· drama Β· adventure

Both keep coming back to the same thing: roman empire

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.

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

One thread runs through both: slavery

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.

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

Epic where it counts, contemplative underneath

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.

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

Epic history, and it commits to that

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.

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

Drama with a pulse of stillness, in both cases

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.

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

The same preoccupation in both: torture

The difference: Sits closer to documentary than Spartacus does

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

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.

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

Both lean on stillness more than on 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.

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

Common ground: slave

The difference: Trades the stillness of Spartacus for an angle of its own

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

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

The history is handled with the same confidence

The difference: Made in the 1930s, in a different era of the craft

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

Both are history through and through

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?

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The best-reviewed films that share Spartacus’ defining feeling.