Should You Watch 2000’s Gladiator Before Gladiator 2?

The original Gladiator film, starring actors like Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, was a masterpiece. The film was highly praised for its brilliant cinematography, sound score, costumes, and acting. Moreover, it featured a side of Roman culture that was hidden from the world for a long time. Now that the sequel film is going to be on the big screens after twenty-four years, we can certainly say that it will be one of the biggest hits of 2024. However, Russell Crowe’s absence in the film will be felt as none of us can imagine the Gladiator franchise moving forward without its primary man. Now that Lucilla’s son Lucius will take the story forward, fans may wonder if Gladiator 2 is connected to Gladiator 1 and whether you should watch the first part before stepping into the theatre. Well, we have answered it here.

Should You Watch Gladiator 1 Before Gladiator 2?

Maximus in Gladiator (2000)
Image Courtesy: Universal Pictures

Well, there’s no hard and fast rule that one must watch the original Gladiator movie before Paul Mescal’s sequel. However, if you can invest time in watching it, you should, as it will help you learn things you must be aware of before heading to the upcoming Gladiator film. Moreover, you’ll also get an idea of what you should expect from the action sequel.

Gladiator 2 takes place several years after the original film, so it’s obvious that it will not feature some crucial characters, including Russell Crowe’s Maximus. However, several characters, like Lucilla and Gracchus, will also reprise their roles in the new film. Even though events in the film will feel new, there will certainly be some instances that will have a link to the events that occurred in the previous film. So, even if not necessary, it will be great if you watch Gladiator 1 before watching the sequel.

Where Can I Stream 2000’s Gladiator?

Gladiator is currently available to rent on Amazon Prime and Hulu. So, if you haven’t yet bought subscriptions to the platforms mentioned above, here’s the opportunity to do it.

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