General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) leads soldiers of the Roman army to a decisive victory against Germanic barbarians. It finally ends a long war on the Roman frontier and earning the esteem of the elderly Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). But when Marcus's son, Commodus, learns that his dying father wishes to make Maximus emperor in his stead, he kills his father and tries to kill Maximus as well. He escapes, only to be captured by slave traders and pressed into service as a Gladiator.
Gladiator premiered in theaters on May 5, 2000. A sequel, Gladiator II, was released on November 22, 2024. The sequel follows the story of the character of Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), who idolized Maximus as a young boy and is now carving his own reputation as a warrior. Sent to live in Numidia by his mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Lucius finds himself forced to become a Gladiator after being captured by Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), a general serving under Rome's new, tyrannical emperors, Caracalla and Geta. But Lucius has never forgot Maximus's legacy and is determined to set things right.
Warning: With the release of Gladiator II in all major markets, spoilers are present on the wiki! Caution is advised if you have not seen the film.
