More than two decades after Maximus Decimus Meridius faced off against Emperor Commodus inside Rome’s infamous Colosseum, the gates of the grand area have reopened, inviting 21st-century viewers to witness the awesome spectacle and action of the games once again. Ridley Scott returns to the director’s chair for “Gladiator II” — the next chapter of the epic tale he began in 2000.
As the Romans file into their seats, grab your spot at the cinema and join them. We at StreamSafely already have our tickets booked, and we encourage you to do the same. The big screen is the best place to enjoy the epic battles for power between the gladiator class and a cruel duo of emperors. You should never settle for bootlegs — especially not for a showdown like this. Unauthorized recordings and illegal streaming pose real threats to you, your data, and your device. StreamSafely makes it our mission to expose malicious platforms claiming to be legitimate streaming services and help you protect yourself against pirated content.
“Gladiator II” promises to be a cinematic event unlike any other. With the fate of Rome in the balance, see who makes it out of the Colosseum alive. We invite you to join us as we pour over all there is to know about the new film ahead of its release.
Everything You Should Know Before Seeing Gladiator II
“Gladiator II” or “Gladiator 2” is the direct sequel to the 2000 film “Gladiator” which starred Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Upon its release over two decades ago, the original film was met with generally positive reviews, with Roger Ebert’s opinion standing as an outlier on the lower end of the star ratings. Even publications like Empire, which gave the film four out of five stars, found the dialogue to be overwritten, a sentiment echoed in Metacritic.
However, Variety was quick to point out that Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” marked the first time in 35 years that the ancient Roman Empire had been portrayed on the big screen. Just as the article predicted, the novelty of the genre made waves with moviegoers. On a high-risk budget of over $100 million (CA$150 million), the film ended up grossing $465 million (CA$697.5 million) at the box office, making it the second-highest-grossing film that year, beaten out only by “Mission: Impossible II.” Come award season, the film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and took home the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Digital Effects. “Gladiator” has remained a staple of the genre ever since.
The new film is set 20 years after the original and follows the story of Lucius Verus, nephew and heir to Emperor Commodus. The character was seen as a boy in the original “Gladiator” — played by Spencer Treat Clark — and witnessed the final confrontation between Phoenix’s Emperor Commodus and Crowe’s Maximus. This clash of power between the emperor and the slave fuels the plot of the follow-up film. When Lucius has his birthright taken away from him by a new Roman regime, the legend of Maximus gives him the strength to stand before the pair of tyrannical Emperors who sit upon this throne.
If you like R-rated combat and over-the-top depiction of the opulence of Rome, we at StreamSafely readily encourage you to watch the original “Gladiator” to feel the full gravity of the upcoming film.
Gladiator (2000) Synopsis — Spoilers
“Gladiator” opens in the Second Century A.D. as the Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius returns home after a successful battle against Germanic tribes. Impressed, the dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius confides in Maximus that his son, Commodus, is unfit to rule and that Maximus should ascend the throne instead as regent. Enraged by this perceived slight, Commodus secretly murders his father and names himself Emperor. When Maximus refuses to swear his loyalty, Commodus threatens to have him and his family killed.
Though Maximus avoids his fate and escapes arrest, his family does not. Maximus returns home to find his wife and son slain. There, weakened from his injuries, Maximus collapses. Unconscious, Maximus is found by slave traders and sold to a gladiator trainer named Proximo.
Reluctantly, Maximus fights in local competitions, using his skills as a soldier and general to his advantage. When Commodus announces a grand tournament in Rome, Proximo leads his gladiators there, and Maximus leads them to an unexpected victory within the Colosseum. Maximus reveals himself to Commodus, proving he is still alive.
In an effort to kill Maximus once and for all, Commodus arranges a fight against an undefeated gladiator. Maximus is victorious but refuses to kill his opponent, which draws favor from the crowd for his mercy. After learning that his legions are still loyal to him, Maximus attempts to escape Rome.
However, Commodus fears that Maximus’ popularity could be a threat to his reign. He captures Maximus and, in an attempt to secure the public’s favor, challenges him to a duel in the Colosseum. The two fight beneath the roar of the crowds. Maximus slays the emperor but succumbs to his own injuries moments later as he walks toward the edge of the arena. In the final scene, Maximus, in death, returns home to his son and wife.
“Gladiator” is available to stream in Canada on Apple TV, Netflix, Prime Video, and Paramount+.
Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott returns to the director’s chair for “Gladiator II.” The English director and producer is known for his intense and varied visual style, immersive detail, and strong female characters. Before “Gladiator,” Ridley Scott was famous for “Alien” (1979) and “Blade Runner” (1982), and more recently, he directed “Napoleon” (2023), “House of Gucci” (2021), and “The Martian” (2015).
These mentions, however, barely scratch the surface. Ridley Scott is a titan in Hollywood, having directed over 50 movies and produced nearly 150 titles across film and TV.
Movie Plot
Following the events of 2000’s “Gladiator,” Rome experiences a crisis of succession. The heir-apparent, Lucius Verus, son of Lucilla, has his home, family, and title taken from him. Orphaned in the desert, Lucius grows to manhood while the vile brothers Caracalla and Greta ascend the throne as co-emperors. Under the guidance of the lowly but ambitious Macrinus, Lucius hones his rage and loss into vengeance and returns to Rome’s grand Colosseum to take his rightful place.
Genre
Set in Ancient Rome, “Gladiator II” is an epic drama, action, and adventure film that leans heavily into fantastical spectacle and romanticizes aesthetics more than true historical accuracy. IMDb adds the colorful tag “Sword & Sandal” to describe the film and its Greco-Roman worldbuilding and plot.
Runtime
Keeping pace with the first installment, “Gladiator II” will have a runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes.
Rating
As with the original “Gladiator,” “Gladiator II” will have intense sequences of bloody violence, earning it an R rating from the Motion Picture Association.
Theatrical Release Date
The “Gladiator” sequel will hit cinemas in the U.S. and Canada on November 22.
Streaming Options
“Gladiator II” is set to release exclusively in cinemas. Although there are several ways to watch “Gladiator,” given that the new film is distributed by Paramount Pictures, we at StreamSafely are sure you’ll see it available on Paramount+.
However, unauthorized platforms may attempt to distribute this film elsewhere, and we want to stress the importance of avoiding pirated content. Not only can viewing illegal reproductions contribute to an unethical ecosystem and organized crime, but you may also be inadvertently putting yourself directly in harm’s way.
Whenever you’re in doubt, you can always turn to StreamSafely, and we’ll help you find safe, legal ways to view all your favorite content.
Gladiator II Official Trailer
Follow Lucius’ journey back to Rome and into the Colosseum itself in Paramounts all-new trailer.
Cast & Crew
Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal lead an epic cast of all-stars in “Gladiator II.” Mescal, in the lead role of Lucius Verus, is an Irish actor and former footballer who is best known on-screen as Connell in the miniseries “Normal People,” for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
He is joined by Hollywood veteran Denzel Washington, who portrays Marinus as Lucius’ guide and mentor. Washington has over 60 titles to his name, including “The Book of Eli” (2010), The Equalizer franchise (2014-2023), and “The Little Things” (2021). He also won Academy Awards for his roles in “Glory” (1989) and “Training Day” (2001).
Pedro Pascal, the internet’s favorite zaddy, takes a more malicious tone as Marcus Acacius. Pascal went viral for his role in “The Mandalorian” from Disney+ and has been a part of other worldwide phenomena like “Game of Thrones,” where he had a seven-episode run as Oberyn Martell, and “The Last of Us,” where he led the cast as Joel Miller.
Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi will both be reprising their roles as Lucilla and Gracchus, respectively. Check out the other major players from the movie below:
Paul Mescal: Lucius
Denzel Washington: Macrinus
Pedro Pascal: Marcus Acacius
Connie Nielsen: Lucilla
Derek Jacobi: Gracchus
Joseph Quinn: Emperor Geta
Fred Hechinger: Emperor Caracalla
Rory McCann: Tegula
Tim McInnerny: Thraex
Alfie Tempest : Young Lucius
The crew includes:
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: David Scarpa, Peter Craig
Producers: Aidan Elliott, Raymond Kirk, Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment, Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation
How To Stream Gladiator II
“Gladiator II” will be released exclusively to cinemas. However, after its time there, we at StreamSafrly predict that you’ll be able to find it on Paramount+. However, you can always check out the comprehensive database of updated streaming info. We’ve compiled the best and most popular titles and know exactly where you can find them online without having to sift through questionable or nefarious platforms.
Always be vigilant. Illegal streaming platforms are constantly evolving and finding new ways to dupe users. Make sure you know how to recognize illegal streaming websites to stay well out of harm’s way. Remember, choosing the appropriate platform for your streaming experience helps support creators and keeps money out of the hands of malicious actors. Stick with StreamSafely in the battle for safe, reliable streaming!
