Sat Nov 16 23:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Gladiator’s Streaming Success Fuels Anticipation for Sequel
**LOS ANGELES, Nov 16** – Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic, *Gladiator*, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, climbing to the tenth most popular movie on streaming services in the US, according to Reelgood data from November 7-13. This renewed interest coincides with the highly anticipated release of *Gladiator 2* on November 22nd.
The original film, starring Russell Crowe as the betrayed Roman general Maximus, was a box office behemoth, grossing over $465 million and winning five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor. Its enduring appeal, evidenced by its 80% critics’ and 87% audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, is now driving streaming viewership on the Roku Channel.
While overshadowed on Reelgood’s top 10 list by newer releases, *Gladiator*’s presence as the only non-2024 film highlights its continued relevance. This surge in popularity is widely attributed to the upcoming sequel, which follows Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, decades after Maximus’ death. Early reviews for *Gladiator 2* are positive, though box office success will ultimately depend on audience reception.
Director Ridley Scott, known for his prolific career spanning science fiction classics like *Blade Runner* and the *Alien* franchise alongside numerous historical epics, has already expressed his desire to create a third *Gladiator* film should the sequel prove successful. At 86, Scott shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to deliver both critically acclaimed and commercially viable projects.
First Piper 