How Ridley Scott’s 148-Minute Action Epic Was Officially Named a Paramount+ Super-Hit
A long streaming run
Gladiator II has been part of Paramount+’s library since the start of 2025. The movie has spent 300 days in the service’s top 10. More recently, it was added to Netflix and climbed into that platform’s top 10 as well. The film’s streaming presence follows a theatrical release that did not reach its break-even point.
Box office and budget
The sequel cost around $250 million to make and grossed $460 million. Despite that total, it struggled to cover its costs at the box office. Scott had previously reunited with Gladiator star Joaquin Phoenix for Napoleon in 2023. That historical epic also performed poorly in theaters against a reported $200 million budget.
Crowe criticizes sequel
Russell Crowe, who starred in the original Gladiator, did not appear in the sequel. He later criticized Gladiator II, arguing that its makers had not understood what made the first film special. Many fans and critics shared concerns that the sequel relied on forceful cinematic scenes and technical polish without matching the original’s qualities.
Key points
- Gladiator II has remained in Paramount+’s top 10 for 300 days.
- The film cost around $250 million and earned $460 million.
- After arriving on Netflix, the sequel also entered that service’s top 10.
- Russell Crowe criticized the film for missing what made the original special.