Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel to Gladiator is now playing in theaters. If you’re wondering when Gladiator II will be available for streaming on Paramount Plus and digital platforms, keep reading to find out when you can watch the blockbuster from home.
Set 15 years after the original Gladiator (2000), the sequel stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Lucilla, whose life was spared by Maximus (Russell Crowe) after the final battle. In Gladiator II, Lucius is all grown up and ready to enter the arena as a gladiator with the help of Macrinus Macrinus (Denzel Washington).
“Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist,” the synopsis reads. “With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.”
In addition to Mescal and Washington, the star-studded cast of Gladiator II includes Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta, Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla, Lior Raz as Viggo, Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus, Rory McCann as Tegula, and Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla.
The film has garnered generally positive reviews from critics, earning a solid 72% score from critics and a higher 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, some critics noted that the movie contains repetitive elements reminiscent of the first installment.
For example, Odie Henderson, a film critic for the Boston Globe, penned, “Since Paramount, Scott, and good old-fashioned corporate greed kick-started the idea of continuing the Gladiator franchise, you would think we’d get something more than a rehash of the first film.”
Peter Travers from ABC News acknowledged that while Gladiator II does not match the original, audiences will still find it entertaining. “A qualified thumbs up for this sequel that can’t match the Oscar-winning best picture that spawned it, but the crowd will roar thanks to razzle-dazzle director Ridley Scott and a sensational, scene-stealing Denzel Washington as a villain worth cheering.
Read on to find out when the film is expected to arrive on streaming platforms.
How To Watch Gladiator II
Gladiator II premiered exclusively in theaters in the U.S. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Currently, the only way to watch Gladiator II is in movie theaters. Check your local cinemas for specific showtimes.
When Will Gladiator II Be Streaming On Paramount Plus?
Since Paramount is distributing Gladiator II, the film will eventually be available for streaming on Paramount Plus. The action film will likely arrive on the streaming service approximately two to three months after its theatrical release date or sometime around January or February 2025.
For comparison, A Quiet Place Day One premiered in theaters on June 28 and became available on Paramount Plus about two months later. Mean Girls had a shorter window between its theatrical release and streaming availability, only 53 days, while last year’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One was added to the service about three months after its theatrical debut.
To watch Gladiator II when the film is released on Paramount Plus, viewers must sign up for a subscription to the streaming platform. The Paramount+ Essential plan is $7.99 per month (with limited ads), while the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan is $12.99 per month. Both plans are currently offering a one-week free trial.
When Will Gladiator II Be Streaming On Digital?
The good news is that before Gladiator II becomes available on Paramount+, the movie will be streaming earlier on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango At Home. Typically, studios release films digitally 45 to 65 days after their theatrical premiere. That means the earliest Gladiator II could arrive on digital streaming is January 6, 2025.
Stay tuned for updates on the exact premiere date of Gladiator II on both Paramount+ and digital platforms. Meanwhile, you can watch the official trailer for Gladiator II below.
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