9 Best Epic Historical Movies Like Troy

The 2004 historical epic movie “Troy” is based on the Trojan War, a legendary conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, and Orlando Bloom, the film is a visual masterpiece that has captivated audiences around the world.

At its core, “Troy” explores the themes of honor, duty, loyalty, and love. The film portrays the bravery of the Greek warriors, led by Agamemnon, as they attempt to reclaim Helen of Troy, the wife of Menelaus, who has been abducted by Prince Paris of Troy. The Trojans, led by King Priam, defend their city against the Greek onslaught, even as they struggle to come to terms with the consequences of Paris’s actions.

One of the primary reasons why people love “Troy” is its breathtaking visuals. The film features stunningly realistic battle scenes, elaborate costumes, and intricate set designs that transport viewers back to ancient Greece. Moreover, the film’s cast delivers powerful performances, particularly Brad Pitt, who plays the legendary warrior Achilles with both ferocity and vulnerability.

“Troy” has also become popular because it has managed to bring the epic story of the Trojan War to life in a way that is accessible to modern audiences. The film blends history, mythology, and action into a gripping narrative that appeals to viewers of all ages and backgrounds.

Additionally, “Troy” has sparked numerous debates and discussions about the historical accuracy of its portrayal of ancient Greece. Some critics have argued that the film takes too many liberties with the facts, while others have praised its efforts to recreate the culture and traditions of the time.

Overall, “Troy” is a film that continues to captivate and inspire audiences with its grandeur, emotion, and epic storytelling.

If you enjoyed “Troy” and are looking for similar movies that explore epic battles, ancient civilizations, and heroic figures, here are nine other films to check out:

1. Gladiator (2000) – This film stars Russell Crowe as a Roman general who seeks revenge against the corrupt emperor who killed his family.
2. 300 (2006) – Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, this movie follows a group of Spartan warriors as they defend their homeland against the massive Persian army.
3. Kingdom of Heaven (2005) – This film tells the story of a blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) who becomes a knight during the Crusades and defends the city of Jerusalem against Muslim forces.
4. Alexander (2004) – Directed by Oliver Stone, this biopic explores the life of Alexander the Great (Colin Farrell) and his conquests across Europe and Asia.
5. Ben-Hur (1959) – This classic film stars Charlton Heston as a Jewish prince who is betrayed by his friend and forced into slavery, but later seeks revenge and redemption.
6. Braveheart (1995) – Mel Gibson stars in this film about the Scottish warrior William Wallace, who leads a rebellion against English rule in the 13th century.
7. The Last Samurai (2003) – Tom Cruise plays an American military officer who learns the ways of the samurai and fights alongside them against the Japanese emperor’s army.
8. Spartacus (1960) – This film tells the story of a gladiator (Kirk Douglas) who leads a slave rebellion against the Roman Empire.
9. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) – Based on the epic fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, this trilogy follows a group of hobbits, humans, elves, and dwarves as they fight to save Middle-earth from the evil Sauron.

1. Gladiator (2000)

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, Gladiator is a gripping historical epic that takes viewers back to ancient Rome. The film follows the story of Maximus (Crowe), a skilled warrior and loyal general who is betrayed by the corrupt emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) and forced to become a gladiator. Maximus must use his fighting skills and cunning to survive in the brutal arena, while also plotting his revenge against Commodus.

Like Troy, Gladiator is a visually stunning film that immerses viewers in the world of ancient civilizations. The film’s elaborate costumes, intricate set designs, and stunning battle scenes transport viewers back to the height of the Roman Empire. Additionally, like Troy, Gladiator explores themes of honor, duty, loyalty, and love, as Maximus struggles to uphold his principles in the face of betrayal and injustice.

2. 300 (2006)

Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a visually stunning film that tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae, where a small group of Spartan warriors fought against the massive Persian army. The film follows King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and his band of soldiers as they defend their homeland against the Persian forces led by Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro).

Like Troy, 300 is an epic battle film that showcases incredible fight scenes and breathtaking visuals. The film’s use of stylized visuals, slow-motion action sequences, and bold colors give it a unique and powerful look. Additionally, like Troy, 300 explores themes of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice, as the Spartan warriors fight to defend their way of life against overwhelming odds.

3. Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Directed by Ridley Scott, Kingdom of Heaven is a historical epic that explores the Crusades and the clash of civilizations between Christianity and Islam. The film tells the story of a blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) who becomes a knight and travels to Jerusalem to defend it against the Muslim forces led by Saladin (Ghassan Massoud).

Like Troy, Kingdom of Heaven is a film that blends history, mythology, and action into a compelling narrative. The film’s intricate attention to detail and impressive visual effects bring the world of medieval Europe and the Middle East to life. Additionally, like Troy, Kingdom of Heaven explores themes of duty, honor, and love, as Balian struggles to find his place in the world and defend his beliefs against those who would challenge them.

4. Alexander (2004)

Directed by Oliver Stone, Alexander is a biographical epic that tells the story of Alexander the Great, one of history’s greatest conquerors. The film follows Alexander (Colin Farrell) as he embarks on his ambitious military campaigns, conquering vast territories and facing many challenges along the way.

Like Troy, Alexander is a visually stunning film that showcases epic battle scenes and intricate set designs. The film’s attention to detail and historical accuracy give viewers a glimpse into the ancient world and the larger-than-life figure of Alexander. Additionally, like Troy, Alexander explores themes of ambition, leadership, and loyalty, as the central figure must navigate complex political and personal relationships in order to achieve his goals.

5. Ben-Hur (1959)

Set in ancient Rome, Ben-Hur is a classic epic film that tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), a Jewish prince who is betrayed by his friend and forced into slavery. The film follows Ben-Hur as he rises up against his oppressors and seeks revenge while also coming to grips with his own spiritual journey.

Like Troy, Ben-Hur is a cinematic masterpiece that features impressive production values and memorable performances. The film’s depiction of ancient Rome is detailed and immersive, while its exploration of themes such as justice, redemption, and forgiveness make it a timeless classic. Additionally, like Troy, Ben-Hur is a story about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, as its hero overcomes immense obstacles to find his way back to his true self.

6. Braveheart (1995)

Directed by and starring Mel Gibson, Braveheart is a historical epic that tells the story of William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who led a rebellion against English rule in the 13th century. The film follows Wallace (Gibson) as he rallies his people to fight for their freedom and independence.

Like Troy, Braveheart is a visceral and intense film that features stunning battle scenes and complex characterizations. The film’s depiction of medieval Scotland is gritty and realistic, while its exploration of themes such as identity, nationalism, and sacrifice make it a powerful and enduring work of art. Additionally, like Troy, Braveheart is a story about the struggle for independence and self-determination, as its hero fights for his people’s right to exist and thrive in a world that seeks to subjugate them.

7. The Last Samurai (2003)

Directed by Edward Zwick, The Last Samurai is a historical epic that tells the story of Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a former soldier who is hired by the Japanese government to train their army and help modernize their military. However, Algren becomes captivated by the samurai way of life and ends up fighting alongside them against the modernizing forces of the Japanese government.

Like Troy, The Last Samurai is a visually stunning film that transports viewers to a different time and place. The film’s depiction of 19th century Japan is detailed and immersive, while its exploration of themes such as honor, duty, and cultural clash make it a captivating and thought-provoking work of art. Additionally, like Troy, The Last Samurai is a story about the clash of civilizations, as the main character struggles to reconcile his own cultural identity with the traditions and beliefs of another society.

8. Spartacus (1960)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, Spartacus is a historical epic that tells the story of Spartacus (Kirk Douglas), a gladiator who leads a slave revolt against the Roman Empire. The film follows Spartacus as he rallies his fellow slaves and takes on the might of the Roman army in a fight for freedom.

Like Troy, Spartacus is a cinematic masterpiece that features incredible production values and memorable performances. The film’s depiction of ancient Rome is detailed and immersive, while its exploration of themes such as slavery, oppression, and rebellion make it a timeless classic. Additionally, like Troy, Spartacus is a story about the struggle for freedom and self-determination, as its hero fights to liberate himself and his people from the tyranny of their oppressors.

9. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003)

Directed by Peter Jackson and based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a fantasy epic that tells the story of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a hobbit who must embark on a perilous quest to destroy the One Ring, a powerful artifact that could destroy the world.

Like Troy, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a visually stunning film series that immerses viewers in a fantastical world of magic and adventure. The film’s use of intricate sets, elaborate costumes, and cutting-edge special effects make it a feast for the eyes, while its exploration of themes such as heroism, sacrifice, and friendship make it a beloved and enduring work of art. Additionally, like Troy, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a story about the power of myth and legend, as its characters navigate a world of ancient prophecies and epic battles in their quest to save their world from destruction.

Here’s a table with the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for each of the movies: