Ridley Scott's Greatest Movie Franchise Ever Made Is Making a Comeback on Netflix

Published Oct 17, 2026, 8:46 AM EDT

Molly DeCastro is a New York-based emerging film and entertainment journalist with a personal passion for poetic prose and impactful storytelling. She graduated from Pace University with a degree in English and a concentration in creative writing. While film analysis is at the heart of her work, she is especially interested in exploring cinema through an anthropological lens and in examining how creative themes reflect cultural identity. She aims to forge a deep connection between audiences and film through thoughtful and evocative writing.

She also enjoys keeping up with all things film! That means specializing in industry news, emerging directors, and stand-out projects.

Few films have remained as such a strong cultural touchstone as that of Ridley Scott’s 2000 brutal historical epic, Gladiator. The highly decorated, carefully crafted film lives in infamy, tirelessly withstanding the test of time over decades and decades of film history. Perhaps it’s due in part to the killer performances from powerhouses like Joaquine Phoenix and Russell Crowe, or maybe it can be chalked up entirely to the expert hands of director Ridley Scott, Whatever it may be 26 years after the film’s release, the franchise is finally returning to Netflix. Thus, pushing its infamy even further, as the next generation of film fanatics is introduced to the historical film that defines the genre.

Along with Gladiator, the film's sequel, Gladiator II, will be available to stream as well. Unlike the first of the series, which was awarded for pretty much its entire make-up, including but not limited to: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Gladiator II had a slightly more conservative response. The film, starring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, was notably entertaining but reportedly lacked the emotional depth of its predecessor. That being said, it would be nearly impossible to reach the dizzying height of the first film, given its reputation.

Why Did it Take so Long for the Well-Loved Franchise to Make a Comeback?

Image via Universal Pictures

To start, Gladiator II in its entirety was controversial to the both fans and the cast of the original film. According to Entertainment Weekly, Crowe himself once stated, the second movie misunderstood the moral core of the film's story. He also felt the plot twist was half-hearted, and that the film overall lacked emotional grounding. Additionally, the many years it took, can in part be rationalized by acknowledging the immense undertaking it was to recreate the magic of the first. Scott took the time to create a story that slightly deviated from the original, while still attempting to honor the depth of the original. In fairness, even if the film was perfectly made, it would be fair to assume fans would still call it iffy. Sequels are hard to nail even for film legends.

With all of this being said, the franchise will be back on Netflix on October 21st, 2026, just two years after the sequel's release, which grossed $460 million worldwide with its $300 million budget, which slightly blurred the success. With that in mind, and despite the nay-saying from Crowe, the film becoming more accessible through modern streaming will ultimately lead to the benefit of all involved. This franchise is truly unlike any other, and allowing it to continue its success on Netflix will only lead to a brighter future.

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  Maximus Meridius

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  Emperor Commodus

In ancient Rome, after the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, loyal general Maximus is betrayed and sentenced to death by the new emperor, Commodus. Escaping execution, Maximus is enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator, where his skills and honor lead him toward a path of vengeance and redemption.