10 movies and TV series about Ancient Greece

There are historical nations that seem to have been specially conceived for cinema, and one of these civilizations is the legendary Hellas. The events that took place there are forever associated with myths about heroes. The Greek gods, with their imperfections and thirst for revenge, as well as the monsters who coexisted with humans as ordinary animals, still have a magical realism that is conveyed in their own way in popular films and TV series dedicated to Ancient Greece.

Hercules (2014)

Hercules (2014)
Image credit: Thisorthatedition

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Joseph Fiennes, Rufus Sewell, Aksel Hennie…

Country: United States, Hungary
Rating: IMDb – 6.0


An action adventure based on a comic book about the fate of the legendary hero of Ancient Greece. Time has passed since Hercules completed his 12 feats. Now he lives as an exile, deprived of his family and homeland, who does not remember how he lost his loved ones. In Thrace, Hercules and his squad are hired by the ruler Cotis to fight the army of the black magician. The great warrior must teach Cotis’s men the art of battle in order to defeat the centaur lord together.

The Legend of Hercules (2014)

The Legend of Hercules (2014)
Image credit: Summit Entertainment

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Cast: Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins, Roxanne McKee, Liam Garrigan, Liam McIntyre

Country: United States, Bulgaria, Germany
Rating: IMDb – 4.2


Another movie about the most famous hero of antiquity will tell the story of Hercules’ formation. The Greek queen Alcmene, having agreed to Zeus’ call, gave birth to a demi-god with both human nature and divine power and beauty. Fate destined him to become a great warrior and be famous for his exploits. However, Hercules, who dreams of being with his beloved, the princess Hebe, is forced to fight a giant, defeat a centaur, and save her from an unwanted marriage.

Wrath of the Titans (2012)

Wrath of the Titans (2012)
Image credit: Play google

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Rosamund Pike, Ralph Fiennes, Edgar Ramírez, Toby Kebbell

Country: United States, Spain
Rating: IMDb – 5.7


Perseus has long since put aside his exploits, preferring to engage in peaceful pursuits such as fishing and raising his son. But soon Greece will need the help of this hero again. A war between the gods and the titans is breaking out in the country. The powers of the gods are weakening as people’s faith in them fades. The uprising of the Titans poses a threat to all living things, and at this point Perseus agrees to side with the gods and join the battle. He has to go on a dangerous journey full of unexpected encounters and trials.

Immortals (2011)

Immortals (2011)
Image credit: Jan Thijs / 2011 War of the Gods, LLC

Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Cast: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, John Hurt, Stephen Dorff, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans…

Country: United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Rating: IMDb – 6.0


Despite its low rating, the fantasy action movie has earned recognition among modern fans of the ancient world and Greek myths. Hyperion, severely corrupted by his hatred of life, commits an act of incredible audacity – with the help of Epirus, Luke frees the ancient Titans from their imprisonment, and now destruction threatens all of humanity. According to the prophecy, only one man, Theseus, is able to stop this bloody catastrophe that has broken out in the lands of Greece. In the difficult mission, the gods, a soothsayer and even a runaway slave will help the legendary Minotaur conqueror.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

Clash of the Titans (2010)
Image credit: Mubi

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Flemyng, Gemma Arterton…

Country: United States, United Kingdom, Australia
Rating: IMDb – 5.8


The re-imagining of the film of the same name, dedicated to ancient Greece, impressed the audience with new visual effects that were not available in the action films of the last century. The son of an ordinary woman and the god Zeus does not yet speak of his divine origin. His family was killed in a clash with the Furies, and he himself miraculously escaped death. Fate brings him to the palace of King Kephaeus. The gods, angry and dissatisfied, threaten to destroy the kingdom unless the ruler’s daughter is sacrificed. Without hesitation, the hero agrees to help – to save both the girl and the whole city.

300 (2007)

300 (2007)
Image credit: Timeout

Genre: Action, Drama
Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West, Vincent Regan, Tom Wisdom…

Country: United States, Canada, Bulgaria
Rating: IMDb – 7.6


The famous action movie is included in the list of outstanding feature films about Ancient Greece. The plot of this movie is based on the events of 480 BC, when the Persian king Xerxes sent his army against free Greece. The leader of Sparta, Leonidas, categorically rejects the offer of surrender, ignores the prophecies of the oracles, and convenes a group of the most prominent and brave warriors. The general decides to block the numerous Persian army by fighting near the Thermopylae Gorge.

Troy (2004)

Troy (2004)
Image credit: Moviesanywhere

Genre: Drama
Cast: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Julian Glover, Brian Cox, Nathan Jones, Jacob Smith

Country: United States, Malta, United Kingdom
Rating: IMDb – 7.3


The famous spectacular movie tells the story of the legendary heroes from Homer’s Iliad. The Trojan king’s ardent affection for Helen, the wife of the ruler of Sparta, becomes the source of a massive military campaign. Paris kidnaps the beauty from her rightful husband. Menelaus cannot forgive such an insult, and with the help of his brother Agamemnon, he begins military operations against Troy. Now the two worlds will come together in a bloody battle for honor and glory.

Alexander (2004)

Alexander (2004)
Image credit: Filmaffinity

Genre: Action, Biography, Drama, History, War
Cast: Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Rosario Dawson, Angelina Jolie, David Bedella…

Country: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy
Rating: IMDb – 5.6


The highly rated historical film tells the story of events in ancient Greece, describing the exploits and victories of Alexander the Great. The follower of the Macedonian king Philip becomes the ruler of the state at the age of 20. The forecasts of others predict a great future for him, and his mother’s words inspire faith in his ability to subjugate the whole world. Shortly after ascending to the throne, Alexander leads his troops against the Persian Empire and then sets out on a journey to India, to the most remote corners of the earth.

Helen of Troy (2003)

Helen of Troy (2003)
Image credit: Imdb

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, War
Cast: Emilia Fox, James Callis, Daniel Lapaine, Nigel Whitmey, Stellan Skarsgård, Joe Montana

Country: United States
Rating: IMDb – 6.2


According to historians, Helen’s existence was actually completely invented by Homer. However, this did not prevent the filmmakers from creating a vivid multi-part movie based on the ancient legend. When the wife of King Menelaus realizes her feelings for Paris, she leaves her husband and runs away to the Trojan prince. Abandoned by the unfaithful Helen, Menelaus does not intend to forgive the offense and prepares to attack Troy. A ten-year siege of the city and one of the greatest battles will take place.

The Odyssey (1997)

The Odyssey (1997)
Image credit: Aamazon

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, History
Cast: Armand Assante, Greta Scacchi, Isabella Rossellini, Bernadette Peters, Eric Roberts

Country: United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Turkey, United States
Rating: IMDb – 7.0


The mini-series about Ancient Greece is an adaptation of the epic works of Homer. The spectacular fantasy will tell the story of Odysseus’ long return from the fields of the Trojan War to his native land. The warrior, who earned fame, dared to challenge the gods themselves, and for this he was destined to wander the seas. During the ten years of his journey home, the hero will encounter treacherous nymphs, a terrible man-eating cyclops, and even visit the kingdom of Hades.