Filling our screens for decades, movies about Greek mythology bring to life a collection of myths and folklore originally told by the ancient Greeks. These myths surround the gods, heroes, and rituals worshipped by the Greeks, though some consider them mere fiction. Today, we constantly have Greek myths and gods gracing our screens, whether it’s Hercules, Zeus, or the legendary battles in Troy. If you enjoy learning about Greek mythology, check out these seven movies about Greek mythology today.
7. Clash of the Titans (1981)
Starting our movies about Greek mythology list is Clash of the Titans, premiering in 1981. In the film, Perseus is the favored son of Zeus but has made the sea goddess Thetis angry. As Perseus tries to gain back the good graces of Thetis, he falls in love with Princess Andromeda, who happens to be the ex-fiance of Thetis’ son, Calibos. Perseus is thrown into a myriad of quests, with Zeus helping in some, Thetis hindering in others, and lots of carnage happening on the sidelines.
–IMDb score: 6.9
6. The Odyssey (1997)
Most commonly known as the epic poem by Homer, The Odyssey is also a 1997 film following Odysseus as he travels back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. King Odysseus leaves the battlefield victorious but must endure a lengthy ten-year journey back to his kingdom in Ithaca. Along the way, Odysseus must battle deadly monsters, powerful forces of nature, and enchantresses, and even descend into the depths of the Underworld.
–IMDb score: 7.0
5. Wonder Woman (2017)
You might be a little confused as to why Wonder Woman ranks fifth on our movies about Greek mythology list, but several elements in the film lend to Greek mythology. Diana lives amongst the Amazons, a fierce warrior tribe present in Greek mythology, and was created by Zeus out of clay to fight against Ares when he rose again. In the film, Diana’s sheltered life is shattered when a pilot crashes into their home and tells them of a world war. Diana decides she must go and fight, to confront Ares and save the world.
–IMDb score: 7.3
4. Hercules (1997)
Of course, we have to add the Disney film Hercules to our list, landing fourth in the movies about Greek mythology. When Hercules is born, son of Zeus, he is turned half-god, half-mortal by evil Hades, God of the Underworld. Hercules gets raised on Earth, unknowing of his true power until Zeus appears and tells him that Hercules must be a hero to return. With the help of his friend Pegasus and trainer Phil, Hercules will battle monsters, Hades, and the Titans to find his true potential.
–IMDb score: 7.3
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3. Troy (2004)
Our third selection for movies about Greek mythology is Troy, based on Homer’s great epic “The Iliad.” The film follows the battle between the ancient kingdoms of Troy and Sparta, one of the most recognized battles in history. Trojan prince Paris falls in love with the wife of Spartan King Menelaus and takes her back to Troy. Menelaus’ brother King Agamemnon uses his brother’s fury as a reason to declare war against Troy, the last kingdom to stand in his way of total control.
–IMDb score: 7.3
2. Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
Fighting its way into second on our movies about Greek mythology list is Jason and the Argonauts, which premiered in 1963. The film follows the legendary Greek hero, Jason, alongside his skilled crew, including Hercules. Jason follows the advice of Pelias to travel to Colchis to find the Golden Fleece. He assembles a sailing crew of the finest warriors in Greece, and sail out under the protection of Hera. Along the way, the crew must battle against harpies, a giant bronze Talos, a hydra, and an animated skeleton army.
–IMDb score: 7.3
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1. 300 (2005)
Of course, our final selection for movies about Greek mythology is 300, boasting one of the best movie trailers of all time. 300 centers around the battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought against Xerxes and his huge Persian army. It’s 480 B.C. and war enshrouds Persia and Greece. As Persian forces grow near, King Leonidas leads his small forces to fight. Even though certain death awaits the Spartans, their courage on the battlefield spurs all of Greece to unite against the Persians once and for all.
–IMDb score: 7.6
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