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'Gladiator 2' Is Out Now. Here's Where You Can Watch the First 'Gladiator' for Free

The new film is out now, but why not relive the action with Russell Crowe and that tiger?

Headshot of Kourtnee Jackson
Headshot of Kourtnee Jackson
Kourtnee Jackson Senior Editor
Kourtnee covers TV streaming services and home entertainment. She previously worked as an entertainment reporter at Showbiz Cheat Sheet, where she wrote about film, television, music, celebrities and streaming platforms.
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  • Though Kourtnee hasn't won any journalism awards yet, she's been a Netflix streaming subscriber since 2012 and knows the magic of its hidden codes.
Kourtnee Jackson
2 min read
russell crowe holds a sword in a scene from Gladiator

Russell Crowe in Gladiator. 

 Universal/Getty Images

"The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end... Highness." Maximus' delivery of that line in Gladiator remains one of the best scenes in the film. 

Directed by Ridley Scott, Gladiator was released in 2000 and starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, Joaquin Phoenix as throne usurper Commodus, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, and Djimon Hounsou as Juba. Set during the time of the Roman Empire, the movie centers on Maximus, a general who finds himself compelled into servitude and must fight as a gladiator. Bent on vengeance against  Commodus for murdering his family and the emperor Marcus Aurelius (Commodus' father), he aims to earn his freedom and the trust of the spectating public. 

Maximus gains allies, and among them is his former lover Lucilla, Commodus' sister. She and her son Lucius are stuck under her brother's malicious thumb. It's a film fraught with deadly fights, bold threats and clandestine meetings.

Released nearly 25 years ago, the Academy Award-winning Gladiator is now considered a classic. Its sequel arrives in theaters on Nov. 22, with Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla and Paul Mescal as a now-grown Lucius. Before you head to the movies to see the new story in Gladiator 2, you can stream the first film right at home.

Read more: Best Free TV Streaming Services: Tubi, Pluto TV and More

How to watch Gladiator for free

You can stream Gladiator for free and on-demand via Pluto TV. Because it's an ad-supported streaming service, you will have to sit through commercials, but the platform offers the ability to rewind, fast-forward or restart it from the beginning. 
James Martin/CNET

Pluto TV

Carries Gladiator

Pluto TV is a free TV streaming service that provides access to more than 250 live channels and movies on demand, though you can't pause content. The platform is available in multiple regions, including the US, Canada, Latin America, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Finland and Australia.

See at Pluto TV

Watch Gladiator on Paramount Plus

If you already have a paid subscription to Paramount Plus, you can stream the first epic Gladiator film right now. 
James Martin/CNET

Paramount Plus

Carries Gladiator

Paramount Plus offers two subscription options: ad-supported Essentials costs $8 per month, while the ad-free Paramount Plus with Showtime is $13 a month. The latter provides access to on-demand content as well as your live local CBS station and titles from Showtime. 

See at Paramount Plus