If you loved the dramatic retelling of history in 'Cleopatra' (1999), you're in for a treat! This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that capture the same epic storytelling, political intrigue, and lavish visuals. Whether you're a history buff or just love a good period drama, these recommendations will keep you entertained.

The Ten Commandments (1956)
Description: Epic historical drama with grand scale storytelling, focusing on a legendary figure's rise and struggles, set against the backdrop of ancient civilizations.
Fact: The film's parting of the Red Sea scene was a groundbreaking special effects achievement for its time. It was the highest-grossing film of


Ben-Hur (1959)
Description: Sweeping historical epic featuring intense personal drama, political intrigue, and spectacular set pieces in ancient Rome.
Fact: The famous chariot race sequence took three months to film and used 15,000 extras. It won a record 11 Academy Awards.


Spartacus (1960)
Description: Grand historical narrative about rebellion and freedom, showcasing lavish production design and intense personal conflicts in ancient times.
Fact: The film marked a significant breakthrough in Hollywood by breaking the blacklist during the McCarthy era. The battle scenes involved over 8,000 trained soldiers as extras.


Gladiator (2000)
Description: Visually stunning historical drama with themes of revenge and political power struggles in ancient Rome, featuring breathtaking battle sequences.
Fact: The Colosseum scenes were created using a combination of a partial set and CGI, revolutionizing digital effects in historical films. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture.


Troy (2004)
Description: Large-scale historical war drama based on classical literature, featuring epic battles and complex political relationships in the ancient world.
Fact: The production built the largest outdoor set in film history at that time for the city of Troy. The film's score was composed by James Horner in just four weeks.


Alexander (2004)
Description: Ambitious biographical epic about a legendary conqueror, featuring elaborate period detail and exploration of leadership challenges.
Fact: The film was shot in multiple countries to accurately represent Alexander's journey. Oliver Stone spent years researching the historical figure before making the movie.


The Last Legion (2007)
Description: Historical adventure blending fact and legend, set during the fall of the Roman Empire with themes of leadership and destiny.
Fact: The story connects the fall of Rome with the legend of King Arthur. The production used real medieval castles in Tunisia for filming.


Centurion (2010)
Description: Gritty historical action film set in Roman Britain, focusing on military survival and featuring intense battle sequences.
Fact: The film was shot in the Scottish Highlands during winter to authentically represent the harsh conditions. It takes inspiration from the mysterious disappearance of Rome's Ninth Legion.


The Eagle (2011)
Description: Historical adventure exploring Roman Britain through a quest narrative, featuring cultural clashes and military honor themes.
Fact: The film is based on Rosemary Sutcliff's classic novel 'The Eagle of the Ninth'. Much of the dialogue in British tribal scenes is in a reconstructed ancient dialect.


Pompeii (2014)
Description: Historical disaster epic combining romance with the dramatic backdrop of a famous ancient catastrophe, featuring lavish production design.
Fact: The eruption sequence used real volcanic ash from Mount Etna for authenticity. The film's director consulted with volcanologists to accurately depict the disaster.
