Peacock Just Added One of the Best Historical Epics Ever (But Its Underrated 2024 Sequel Is Missing)

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Historical epics have always been popular in film, and now Peacock subscribers have access to a truly great one. Throughout December, Peacock has added many well-regarded movies, including favorites like Die Hard, The Martian, and The Fabelmans. And now, one of the best historical epics ever made is available to stream.

The popular historical film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott and earning $466 million worldwide, became available on Peacock on December 1st. Released in 2000, the movie stars Russell Crowe as a Roman general named Maximus who is betrayed by the Emperor Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix). Forced into gladiatorial combat, Maximus fights his way to revenge and attempts to reclaim Rome’s honor. While a sequel, Gladiator II, was released in 2024, it isn’t currently available on the streaming service.

Gladiator Is a Cinematic Masterpiece

Many consider Gladiator to be director Ridley Scott’s greatest achievement, and it successfully brought the historical epic genre back to life. The film is a stunning visual experience, recreating the scale and splendor of ancient Rome with incredibly detailed sets, including a full-size Colosseum, and realistic, intense action. Beyond the spectacle, Gladiator tells a moving story of loss, courage, and revenge, featuring an Oscar-winning performance by Russell Crowe and a standout role for Joaquin Phoenix as Emperor Commodus. It’s a brilliantly crafted film that is both exciting and thought-provoking, and continues to resonate with audiences today, proving its status as a true classic.

The original Gladiator was a huge success, so expectations were very high for its sequel, Gladiator II, which came out almost 24 years later. Sadly, the movie didn’t quite live up to what fans were hoping for after such a long wait.

While not a bad film, Gladiator II underperformed at the box office, earning $462 million on a $250 million budget. Critics and audiences rated it slightly lower than the original – 70% and 81% respectively, compared to the first film’s 80% and 87%. Many felt the movie didn’t feel like a proper sequel following Lucius, the exiled prince, and instead resembled a remake. It lacked the emotional impact of the original and featured less compelling characters and stakes. However, Gladiator II does offer impressive action sequences and strong performances from its cast, including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington, making it an enjoyable blockbuster.

What’s New on Peacock?

Peacock has plenty of great movies available to stream! Starting December 1st, subscribers can enjoy titles like Gladiator, along with 10 Cloverfield Lane, 2012, The Addams Family, Pacific Rim, and all the films in the Rocky series.

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2025-12-18 19:13