Greek Mythology Movies: Essential Films

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1954 - 202619 Films33h 25m3.5 Average

Greek mythology has captivated filmmakers for a long time, from the groundbreaking stop-motion wizardry of Ray Harryhausen to modern CGI spectacles. This collection captures the breadth and cultural impact of the subgenre, showcasing how different eras have interpreted these timeless tales.

The list includes sword-and-sandal classics from the 1950s and 60s, Pasolini's stark art-house interpretations, Disney's family-friendly animation, epic Hollywood blockbusters, and contemporary young adult adventures. These films represent not just quality, but also cultural significance - movies that introduced Greek mythology to new generations, pushed technical boundaries, or offered fresh perspectives on ancient stories.

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List not ranked (sorted by Release Date)

1
Ulysses poster

Ulysses

19541h 40m3.6
Original Title: Ulisse
Director: Mario Camerini
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Silvana Mangano, Anthony Quinn, Rossana Podestà, Jacques Dumesnil

Based on Homer's epic poem, this film follows the legendary Greek hero Ulysses as he embarks on a perilous journey home after the Trojan War, facing mythical creatures and divine obstacles along the way.

AdventureFantasy
2
Hercules poster

Hercules

19581h 39m2.4
Original Title: Le fatiche di Ercole
Director: Pietro Francisci
Cast: Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Fabrizio Mioni, Gianna Maria Canale, Arturo Dominici

The legendary demigod Hercules arrives in ancient Greece where he falls in love with Princess Iole and must complete a series of quests to win her hand. His adventures lead him to join Jason and the Argonauts on their famous voyage in search of the Golden Fleece.

FantasyAdventure
3
The 300 Spartans poster

The 300 Spartans

19621h 54m3.5
Director: Rudolph Maté
Cast: Richard Egan, Ralph Richardson, Diane Baker, Barry Coe, David Farrar

Based on the true story of Spartan King Leonidas, who led 300 elite warriors in a heroic last stand against a massive Persian invasion force at Thermopylae.

AdventureHistoryWar
4
Jason and the Argonauts poster

Jason and the Argonauts

19631h 44m4.2
Director: Don Chaffey
Cast: Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith, Niall MacGinnis

Jason, a fearless sailor, returns to his homeland of Thessaly to claim his rightful throne but must first find the magical Golden Fleece. He embarks on an epic quest filled with fantastic monsters and terrible perils.

AdventureFamilyFantasy
5
Oedipus Rex poster

Oedipus Rex

19671h 44m3.8
Original Title: Edipo re
Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Cast: Franco Citti, Silvana Mangano, Alida Valli, Carmelo Bene, Julian Beck

Pier Paolo Pasolini's adaptation of Sophocles' classic tragedy follows Oedipus, who flees his adoptive parents after learning of a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. His attempts to escape fate only lead him directly toward fulfilling the ancient oracle's dark prediction.

Drama
6
Medea poster

Medea

19691h 58m3.7
Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Cast: Maria Callas, Massimo Girotti, Laurent Terzieff, Giuseppe Gentile, Margareth Clémenti

Based on Euripides' classical tragedy, this film follows the barbarian princess Medea as she seeks revenge against her husband Jason after he abandons her for another woman.

DramaFantasy
7
Clash of the Titans poster

Clash of the Titans

19811h 58m4
Director: Desmond Davis
Cast: Harry Hamlin, Judi Bowker, Burgess Meredith, Maggie Smith, Ursula Andress

Half-god Perseus must complete epic quests including taming Pegasus and defeating the monstrous Kraken to win the hand of Princess Andromeda and fulfill his destiny.

AdventureFantasyAction
8
Hercules poster

Hercules

19831h 38m2.3
Director: Luigi Cozzi
Cast: Lou Ferrigno, Sybil Danning, Brad Harris, Rossana Podestà, Ingrid Anderson

In this fantasy adventure, the legendary hero Hercules must battle the power-hungry King Minos, who seeks to conquer the world using advanced technology and dark magic. With the aid of the sorceress Circe, Hercules fights to save his beloved Cassiopeia from sacrifice while facing off against mythical creatures and evil forces.

ActionAdventureFantasy
9
Hercules poster

Hercules

19971h 33m4.4
Director: Ron Clements
Cast: Tate Donovan, Josh Keaton, Roger Bart, Danny DeVito, James Woods

A young mortal named Hercules, blessed with superhuman strength, embarks on a journey to prove himself a true hero to his father Zeus. With the help of his flying horse Pegasus and trainer Phil, he must face the scheming god Hades in this animated Disney musical adventure.

AnimationFamilyFantasyAdventureComedyRomance
10
Troy poster

Troy

20042h 43m4.2
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Cast: Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, Brian Cox, Sean Bean

When Trojan prince Paris takes Helen, Queen of Sparta, back to Troy, her husband Menelaus enlists his brother Agamemnon to lead a massive Greek army to retrieve her. What follows is an epic war between two civilizations that will determine the fate of Troy itself.

WarActionHistory
11
300 poster

300

20071h 56m4.2
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham, Vincent Regan

Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, this stylized epic follows the legendary Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C., where King Leonidas of Sparta leads 300 warriors against the massive Persian army. The film depicts their heroic last stand that would inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian invaders.

ActionAdventureWar
12
Clash of the Titans poster

Clash of the Titans

20101h 46m3.1
Director: Louis Leterrier
Cast: Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, Alexa Davalos, Jason Flemyng

Perseus, born of a god but raised as a man, embarks on a dangerous mission to defeat Hades and prevent him from seizing power from Zeus and unleashing hell on earth. Along the way, he must battle demons and mythical beasts while learning to embrace his divine heritage.

AdventureFantasyAction
13
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief poster

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

20101h 58m3.4
Director: Chris Columbus
Cast: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel, Pierce Brosnan

A teenager discovers he's the son of Poseidon and must master his demigod powers to prevent a war among the Greek gods when Zeus' lightning bolt is stolen.

AdventureFantasyFamily
14
Immortals poster

Immortals

20111h 50m3.2
Director: Tarsem Singh
Cast: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Stephen Dorff, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans

A mortal warrior chosen by Zeus must stop the ruthless King Hyperion from obtaining a devastating weapon that threatens to destroy all of humanity in this epic tale of gods and mortals in ancient Greece.

FantasyActionDrama
15
Wrath of the Titans poster

Wrath of the Titans

20121h 39m3.1
Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy

Perseus attempts to live peacefully as a fisherman, but must once again take action when the weakened gods lose control of the imprisoned Titans and their dangerous leader Kronos.

FantasyAdventureAction
16
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters poster

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

20131h 46m3.2
Director: Thor Freudenthal
Cast: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Douglas Smith, Leven Rambin

Percy Jackson and his friends embark on a dangerous quest to find the mythical Golden Fleece, battling swarms of mythical creatures along the way to prevent an ancient evil from rising.

AdventureFamilyFantasy
17
Hercules poster

Hercules

20141h 38m3.1
Director: Brett Ratner
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Rufus Sewell, Aksel Hennie

Hercules leads a team of warriors into battle against a formidable new enemy threatening innocent lives.

ActionAdventure
18
Wonder Woman poster

Wonder Woman

20172h 21m4.2
Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston

An Amazon princess leaves her isolated island home to enter the world of men during World War I, determined to stop the conflict and confront the forces of evil threatening humanity.

ActionAdventureFantasy
19
The Odyssey poster

The Odyssey

2026
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o

Following the Trojan War, the legendary Greek king Odysseus embarks on an epic journey home to Ithaca, facing mythical creatures and divine challenges along the way.

AdventureDramaFantasy