Renowned for his epic storytelling,Ridley Scotthas left a lasting mark on the historical movie genre.Scott’s directorial debut,The Duellists, set in Napoleonic France, showcased his penchant for smaller stories within expansive historical backdrops. The film was praised for its authenticity and attention to period detail, something which has become a trademark ofRidley Scott’s movies.
Following this, Scott directed other standouts such asGladiator,Kingdom of Heaven,Robin Hood, andExodus: Gods and Kings.Despite spanning various settings and periods, the director has demonstrated a consistent ability to immerse audiences in historical worlds, earning many accolades over the years. As a result,Ridley Scott’s historical moviesare famed for their lasting impressions.
Gladiator II Is Currently Trending On Netflix
According to data provided byNetflix, Scott’s long-awaited historical epic sequel,Gladiator II, is now making a dramatic resurgence on Netflix’s global streaming charts.Ranking No. 5 in the Top 10 Global Movies for last week,Gladiator IIhas amassed 8,500,000 views on the streaming platform, sitting just below Adam Sandler’s original comedy,Happy Gilmore,at No. 4.
Gladiator IIfollows the exiled Prince of Rome, Lucius Verus Aurelius (Paul Mescal), as he becomes a prisoner of war and a gladiator, fighting for Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave with plans to overthrow the twin emperors.Gladiator IIalso stars Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger, as well as Derek Jacobi and Connie Nielsen from the originalGladiator.
Gladiator IIreceived two Golden Globe nominations and one Academy Award nomination, and earned generally positive reviews, with a 70% Tomatometer and 81% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes. However,despite its positive reception, the follow-up to the 2000 classic only earned $462 million worldwide, against an astonishing reported production budget of $310 million, making it an overall box office disappointment.
Our Take On Gladiator II’s Streaming Success
WhileGladiator IIisn’tRidley Scott’s best movie, and it certainly doesn’t match the legacy of its Oscar-winning predecessor, its streaming comeback is noteworthy.The brilliant visuals, battle sequences, and Paul Mescal’s brooding performance as Lucius heavily contributed to the film’s positive reviews, and audiences who skipped its theatrical run are now discoveringGladiator II, unhindered by opening-week expectations.
However, whileGladiator IImay have delivered on the action and visual spectacle expected of a historical epic— as it should, considering its budget — the sequel struggled to capture the emotional depth and originality that made the first film a classic. That being said,Gladiator IIis perfect for streaming, with viewers appreciating Scott’s work as a casual watcher.
