In Brief:
- Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott, reached No. 1 on Netflix's U.S. movie chart on Oct. 23, 2026.
- The sequel earned over $462 million worldwide against a reported $250 million budget.
- Rotten Tomatoes lists a 70 percent critics' score and an 80 percent audience score.
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
Gladiator II: Ridley Scott's sequel finds a second life on streaming.
Gladiator II is back in the spotlight. The film has hit No. 1 on Netflix's U.S. movie chart.
That is a notable comeback for a sequel that struggled in theaters.
A Streaming Win After a Rocky Theatrical Run
FlixPatrol data shows the film topped Netflix's U.S. top 10 movies on Oct. 23, 2026.
The surge puts the Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington title back in front of viewers. It also marks a turnaround from its time on the big screen.
Expectations were high for the sequel in theaters. The film carried a reported production budget of $250 million. Its box office results fell short of that mark.
The Numbers Behind the Run
Box Office Mojo reports the film earned more than $462 million worldwide. Domestic ticket sales topped $172 million. International markets added nearly $290 million.
Those are big figures. Against the film's cost, though, they were seen as underwhelming.
What the Story Is About
Scott directed the film. It picks up directly after the events of the 2000 original, Gladiator.
The story follows Lucius Verus Aurelius. His life changes forever when Roman forces seize his home. He is then forced into life as a gladiator.
The film is set in 209 AD. Rome is ruled by Emperors Caracalla and Geta. Lucius now lives as an enslaved fighter named Hanno.
Years earlier, he watched Maximus die at the hands of his uncle.
Now Lucius must fight in the Colosseum. He faces the brutal realities of the arena. He also confronts the fallout of the emperors' rule.
The Cast
Paul Mescal leads the film as Lucius Verus Aurelius, also known as Hanno. Pascal plays Acacius. Connie Nielsen returns as Lucilla.
Washington plays Macrinus. Joseph Quinn portrays Emperor Geta. Fred Hechinger plays Emperor Caracalla.
Several other actors round out the cast.
How Critics and Fans Responded
Critics gave the film generally positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes lists a critics' score of 70 percent.
Audiences were warmer. Their score stands at 80 percent.
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