Greek mythology is the perfect starting point for a successful Hollywood film. Thestories have been aroundfor centuries and contain all the elements of drama, violence, love, and fantasy that are the perfect recipe for an exciting blockbuster narrative. It is no surprise, then, that the stories have been regularly incorporated into Hollywood films throughout the history of cinema.
June 01, 2025: This article has been updated byDanilo Raúlwith even more films based on Greek myths and legends.
Greek mythology is expansive and features flawed characters, including the gods themselves. The realm of possibility is expanding in this universe; the politics and its characters are fascinating and, more significantly, change depending on each story. Hollywood has enjoyed making direct adaptations of classic myths and also reimaging the material for the modern age. Here are the best movies about Greek mythology, ranked.
14Percy Jackson Franchise (2010)
ThePercy Jacksonfranchise started withThe Lightning Thief,which was a box office hit grossing $226.4 million worldwide. The film stars Logan Lerman, Jake Abel, Brandon T. Jackson, and Alexandra Daddario. Lerman plays the titular Percy Jackson, a demigod who trains at a camp with other demigods. The sequel,Sea of Monsters, was a box office disappointment grossing just under $200 million but still featured plenty of fun reworkings of Greek myths.
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The series takes inspiration from Greek gods, and although they have been hugely popular at the box office, they have been less successful with fans who disagree with how much the films deviate from the books. Based on Rick Riordan’s YA novel series of the same name,Percy Jacksonwas a great entry point to Greek mythology for younger audiences.
13Immortals (2011)
Immortalsstars former Supermanactor Henry Cavillas Theseus, a Greek character who is instructed to stop King Hyperion from obtaining the long-lost Bow of Epirus and immortalize the gods on Mount Olympus. The movie is from director Tarsem Singh Dhandwar, best known for his work on visually compelling films likeThe CellandThe Fall. The film is intense in visual effects and features epic battle scenes and compelling heroes.Immortalsdid not receive the best reviews, but it’s visually impressive and still looks so even today.
12Iphigenia (1977)
Michael Cacoyannis directsIphigenia. The movie is based on the stage playIphigenia at Aulis, following the titular character, the daughter of Agamemnon, and Clytemnestra (the sister of Helen of Troy) as she questions life, duty, and faith along with those around her. The story is very character-focused and delves deep into the mindset of the characters more so than other films that deal with Greek mythology.
11Hercules (1997)
Herculeswas released in 1997 and told the classic tale of Hercules with aDisney animated twist. Hercules learns what it means to be a god, proving himself to his father, Zeus, alongside his sidekick, Philoctetes. The story is humorous and full of Greek mythological cameos, making it engaging for parents and children. The animation style and storytelling differ from other animated Disney films, and it still feels fresh when watched today. Disney is currently working on alive-action remake from director Guy Ritchie.
10Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
Jason and the Argonautshas become a cult classic and one of the most famous Greek mythology movies, even though it did not perform amazingly at the box office. Thefilm featured stop-motion animationfrom legendary special effects artist Ray Harryhausen. The visuals were groundbreaking for the time of release in 1963 and follows Jason on his quest to find the Golden Fleece. It is exciting and full of adventure and remains a beloved classic.
9Troy (2004)
Troyis a significant film associated with Greek mythology, which seesBrad Pitt starsas Achilles. Troy draws from Homer’sThe Iliadand the story ofPosthomerica.Wolfgang Peterson was the film’s director, and the movie portrays the Battle of Troy as King Agamemnon has control of most of the Greek Kingdoms.
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He learns that his brother’s wife has been kidnapped and is having an affair, and he uses this as ammo to incite a war and gain control of the Aegean Sea. Alongside Pitt, the movie features an all-star cast that includes Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Diane Krueger, Brian Cox, and Peter O’Toole, to name a few.Troyis famous for its strong visuals and epic battle scenes — particularly the opening fight scene — and is well worth viewing.
8300 (2007)
300is another film that received praise when it was released, becoming a massive success at the box office and with critics. The story is a dramatic reimagining of the real-life story of the Battle of Thermopylae.300follows King Leonidas (played by Gerard Butler) as he leads the Spartan warriors against the Persian army. The film is full of excitement and gore and features spectacular visual effects. This is the movie that put director Zack Snyder on the map.
7Clash of the Titans (1981)
Clash of the Titanswas released in 1981 and follows the Greek warrior Perseus. The story follows the myth of Perseus closely as he goes on a quest to slay the Gorgon Medusa and defeat a Kraken. Perseus encounters many creatures along the way, featuring visual effects that are nothing like what had been released before. The film is still enjoyable today and is one of the best depictions of Greek mythology on screen. It was remade in 2010 with star Sam Worthington stepping into the role of Perseus.
6Minotaur (2006)
Minotauris a horror film with fantasy elements based on Greek mythology. It works as a loose retelling of the famous story about the titular monster. Conceived in sin, a man-monster is banished to a labyrinth after being rejected by the Gods.It’s an early offering by Tom Hardy, where he plays the titular character of Theo, a man stricken by grief at losing his best friend to the Minotaur’s labyrinth.
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After learning his beloved is set to be sacrificed to the Minotaur and that his friend probably still lives, he embarks on a journey to kill the monster and save his friend and fiancée. The movie is directed by Jonathan English, with a script by Nick Green and Stephen McDool.
5Wonder Woman (2017)
One of the great things about superhero films is the lore surrounding some of these characters.Wonder Womanis heavily influenced by Greek mythology, with the Amazon being worshipers of the Gods of Olympus. The film touches upon the origins of Diana and howshe departs the secluded society of warriorsto integrate into the world of men.
She enters the world at the peak of conflict during the First World War. The film has a digestible nuance, touching on multiple subjects such as women’s rights, the pointlessness of conflict, and the strength of love as a binding force. Ultimately, Diana must defeat Ares, the God of War, to save humanity from further warfare.
