Russell Crowe's Oscar-Winning Historical Epic Finds a New Streaming Home Next Month

Russell Crowe's Oscar-Winning Historical Epic Finds a New Streaming Home Next Month Image via Shutterstock By  Jake Hodges Published 41 minutes ago In over three years at Collider, senior author Jake has now penned over 2500 articles covering a wide range of TV and film for the resources, lists, utilities, news, and interview teams. Alongside interviewing stars such as Selin Hizli, Rose Ayling-Ellis, and Chelsea Peretti, Jake was lucky enough to visit the set of Aardman and Netflix's Wallace and Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl in 2024, getting the chance to chat with four-time Academy Award winner Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. Jake has also worked for other publications, including Agents of Fandom.  Sign in to your Collider account follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Academy Award winner Russell Crowe is currently back in theaters, producing a top-quality performance in his World War II movie, Nuremberg. As infamous Nazi Hermann Göring, Crowe is commanding in every scene, helping the film towards its 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and outside shouts for an Oscar nomination. For those who have indulged in this stellar turn from Crowe in the theaters and are craving another of his many performances, you're in luck, as the actor's very best is about to head to a new streaming site.

As of December 1, the swords-and-sandals epic Gladiator is joining streaming site Starz. The film that won Crowe his first and only Academy Award for Best Actor to date, alongside two other nominations, Gladiator also boasts pitch-perfect performances from both Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen, and is one of the best 21st-century directorial efforts from the great Ridley Scott. The film won five Academy Awards in total, including the coveted Best Picture prize, and is "certified fresh" on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes with an 80% critics' score. A synopsis of this epic action movie reads:

"Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher. Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas."

The 'Gladiator' Sequel Didn't Live Up to Its Predecessor

Despite Scott returning to the director's chair and stars like Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington at his scenery-chewing best, as well as an enormous $250 million budget, 2024's long-awaited legacy sequel Gladiator II was an underwhelming return to the Oscar-winning historical tale. Failing to break the all-important $500 million boundary at the box office, the sequel also fell short at the Academy Awards, picking up just one nomination for Best Costume Design.

"Gladiator II can't live up to the lofty expectations Gladiator set up, yet the sequel is at its best when it tries to carve its own path in this Roman world," Collider's Ross Bonaime wrote in his review of the movie last year. "Maybe the action would be as enthralling as the political aspects if it didn't also feel like a rehash of what we'd seen back in 2000," he continued, adding, "Gladiator II will leave you entertained, but leave you with an unfortunate feeling of déjà vu."

Gladiator is streaming on Starz this December. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

Gladiator

Like Follow Followed R Action Adventure Drama Release Date May 5, 2000 Runtime 155 minutes Director Ridley Scott Writers David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson Sequel(s) Gladiator II

Cast

See All

• Russell Crowe Maximus Meridius
• Joaquin Phoenix Emperor Commodus

Genres Action, Adventure, Drama Powered by Expand Collapse

• Movie News
• Gladiator
• Russell Crowe

Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close Thread Sign in to your Collider account

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.

Your comment has not been saved

Send confirmation email

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

• Terms
• Privacy
• Feedback

Recommended 22 hours ago

The Controversial Reboot of a Chick Flick Classic Is Heading to Netflix This December

1 day ago

30 Years Later, This Classic ’90s TV Fantasy Still Holds Up Better Than Its Blockbuster Counterparts

22 hours ago

One of the Most Underrated Fantasy Movies of the 21st Century Heads to New Streaming Home

1 day ago

This Bleak, Snow-Covered Masterpiece Predicted the Modern Western

What To Watch

July 20, 2025 The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now Trending Now Will Smith's Crime Thriller With 'Barbie' Star Is Quietly Climbing Streaming Charts Netflix Had One of the Best Fantasy Series Ever, but Cancelled It After 2 Seasons and Outraged Fans The 10 Heaviest Action Movies of All Time, Ranked